The Great Performances documentary we saw tonight at 92Y, which is premiering this weekend on PBS, was just wonderful. While no full numbers, there's lots of footage of the current production, along with footage of the 2006 and 1995 performances, along with great interviews with Patti, Katrina, Marianne, various members of the cast, along with Michael Riedel, Cynthia Nixon, Lin-Manuel (of course) and others. It covers the production leading up to the shutdown, coming back, along with an extensive look back at the original production, including footage from the production and the city at the time, and new interviews with Donna McKechnie, Barbara Barrie, and Pamela Myers. It briefly covers Sondheim's passing, mostly through Lin, but otherwise the mood is fun and inspiring.
The talkback with Katrina, Patti, and Marianne was a lot of fun. Katrina was reverential to the other two ladies, didn't say that much - mainly because the moderator was trying various ways to discuss her vulnerability in playing Bobbi, which she wasn't having - while Patti and Marianne were really quite giving. Patti discussed at length about modern sound mixing in Broadway theatres, how flat and disconnected it can sound - AMEN! - and how she talks to the sound mixers to work and find the sweet spots where she's softest and loudest, so the audience can lean in instead of be pushed back by the sound. She also had great anecdotes about her husband and Stephen. Marianne really gave the most, discussing her process, her life, and a lot about the creative process with Stephen and the cast, and how they worked in previews, and then about coming back when Broadway reopened. I could watch a one-woman show just on Marianne! All in all, a great night.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008