Debra Monk- Page 2

[WOSQ]

Posted: 9/16/03 at 2:47pm

It was a gala for Manhattan Theatre Club or Roundabout or some big theatre company. Debra Monk was among those present. The band geared up for post show music, and she went over to the drummer and asked if she could take over and if the rest of the boys would mind if she sat in the set.

What are they going to say? No? So the drummer ceded his seat, and she proceeded to wow everybody with a talent that not everybody knew she posessed. Debra was co-author and in the cast of Oil City Symphony, a faux high school band reunion concert that played the old Circle in the Square in the 80s. She played the drums then and when they launched into a cover version of the Theme from Exodus with her pounding out the beat with a total deadpan face, it sent us all into nirvana.

This is one multi-talented lady.

I think the only mis-step I have seen her do was Company where she, and to be fair nearly all the rest of the cast, couldn't find the humor.

She is also nice.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/16/03 at 3:07pm

I think Sutton Foster would make a radical Amanda Wingfield.....w

who say's that character has to be old or hell, even a mother, for all intents and purposes...

maybe they can throw in a tap dance....

and some songs....

kewel, dude!

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/16/03 at 3:21pm

You people realize that all this talk about Sutton and GLASS MENAGERIE will only lead to a production featuring the Fosters as Tom and Laura, right?

Do you really want to be responsible for that?

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 9/16/03 at 3:21pm

Robbie, first of all, I never denied being "bat**** crazy" and secondly, could anyone ever set you straight?

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/16/03 at 3:24pm

Many have tried, Sueleen. BUT NONE WILL EVER SUCCEED!

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/16/03 at 4:44pm

Debra was also in Centerstage. =)

I also think she is phenominal--that very perf on Leading Ladies says as much.

Robbiej---have you also seen the Love Songs dvd? Debra isn't on it, but it is also a fun collection of people--good and bad. =)

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/16/03 at 5:34pm

I haven't seen the whole thing, but poor, poor Chita. 'How Lucky Can You Get?' Not very.

I know...I'm a terrible person. But it didn't show La Rivera at her best!

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 9/17/03 at 4:10pm

was most of the PUMP BOYS creative team involved with OIL CITY SYMPHONY? i thought so, but i might be mistaken. And, for the record, i don't think a small chamber musical of GLASS MENAGERIE with Monk and Fosters is a bad idea at all. It's a very musical play already, with music references. And i might be in the minority on this board, but i think the Fosters can act.

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/17/03 at 4:29pm

As Ken Mandelbaum (whom I admire very much) states, some plays are so lyrical as they are that to musicalize them would prove redundant. I believe MENAGERIE is one of those plays.

As for the Fosters, I have not seen Sutton in enough to say that she is a good or great actress. I have, however, seen Hunter in three of his Broadway outings and have never enjoyed him.

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 9/18/03 at 1:11pm

RobbieJ, i can respect that opinion. And i do admire and respect Mr. Mandelbaum. But to play devil's advocate...there is hardly a more lyrical play than ROMEO & JULIET, and WEST SIDE STORY ain't exactly "bat**** crazy." MATCHMAKER and DOLLY are good pieces of theatre, with or without songs. Every genre can interpret a source in a new and interesting way. i think it would be great to see a Tennessee Williams' play musicalized; even if ultimately not successful, the process could be illuminating. With or without the Siblings Foster. And wouldn't it be nice to have a vehicle for a singing actress like Debra Monk BESIDES Mamma Rose?!?!

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 9/18/03 at 1:16pm

Has anyone seen/heard Previn's opera version of STREETCAR?
Yikes!! See picture at left.

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 9/18/03 at 1:18pm

i want to see it, have missed it barely ever time it was nearby. Houston Grand was to do it but decided to do a standard instead. i believe there are also operatic versions of SUMMER & SMOKE and LORD BYRON'S LOVE LETTER. Not to mention ROMEO....*grin*

Hope my reaction will be as funny, but not as frightening, as your picture *wink*

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/18/03 at 5:36pm

Robbiej and TxTwoStep--I think you both make excellent points.

I must say that I have always tried to have faith that anything can be musicalized--some things just need a precise touch or they end up crap with everyone saying, "I told you so".

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/18/03 at 5:46pm

Very true, all of you (I love rhyming...it fills my need to feel like Nipsy Russell).

And I grant you, TX, that WSS is a remarkable reworking of R&J. But it also took the storyline of R&J but left behind the poetry, which I believe to be a very smart move.

Also, I would argue that the emotions of the characters and the mood of the pieces Summer and Smoke and Streetcar are very different from Menagerie. Menagerie is for his sister, a delicate frail creature. And the musicalization would have to be just as delicate. Do I think someday someone might be able to do a successful chamber piece? Never say never. But I can't think if anyone working now with the musical and lyrical touch to realize the musicaliztion one of the greatest American plays ever written.

So...we wait in hope.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/23/03 at 10:02pm

Did everyone see Debra Monk on the season premiere of Frasier? She played the receptionist when Niles went to the sperm bank.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 9/24/03 at 9:30am

She was so deadpanfully hilarious! And I loved the PACIFIC OVERTURES joke. This IS the gayest show on TV.