Dessa Rose — Page 2

I was really intrigued about that too...
How was the show staged? what scenery? how did the Old-Young transformations took place?

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The New Rep in Watertown, Mass. (just outside Boston) will be staging Dessa Rose in the spring of 2008. They do wonderful work. Their production of Ragtime last year was splendid! I'm really looking forward to seeing what they will do with DR.

musicalkid,

At Lincoln Center, the two women transformed themselves from younger to older and back again seamlessly with very simple changes in body language, facial expressions, and voice quality. I thought it worked beautifully. It really bonded the women together for life, and it was very powerful to see certain traits and characteristics carried through from youth to old age. For example, Ruth as a girl had a tendency to slouch, and was admonished by her mother to stand up straight. As an old woman, that slouch became more pronounced, as if she now had osteoporosis. Dessa as a girl would thump her fist against her thigh when angry. As the old woman, that thump became more subdued, more like a reflex, but it was still there.

And I disagree that the "ending" was revealed in the opening number. Yes, we know that the two women are still alive at the end of the story because they are narrating their tale, but the story isn't about whether or not they survive. The story is about HOW they survive and change as a result of their meeting. As Ronnik said, the ending - which came as a very simple yet powerful declaration of mutual respect - was a stroke of genius on the part of Lynn Ahrens. I agree that it greatly improved upon the novel.

I think it would weaken the piece to have different actresses play the young and old women. It might actually confuse things.

lc

Patti LuPone sings a song from The Glorious One's at her concert, that I'm seeing tonight. And then I'm seeing the opening of the show this Thursday.

I haven't heard much about the show, but has anyone heard rumours of it making it to Broadway, depending on how it fares in Pittsburgh?

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I will also be at GLORIOUS ONES on Thursday ( and Friday and Saturday!!).

No decisions yet on what will happen to the show after Pittsburgh, but I think there is always the hope that the show will be presented elsewhere. Watch the website for details...
The Ahrens & Flaherty website

In regards to Dessa Rose, it has some really nice moments, but a lot of the score reminds me of borrowed moments from Ragtime & Seussical. The Song "A Pleasure" certainly comes to mind.

For Me, probably Ragtime is my 1st Favorite, with Once on This Island, Second.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. Sounds like a great recording that I need to add to my collection.

So glad I read this thread. I saw Dessa Rose a year ago with a TDF ticket and I took this picture afterward at a talk-back at Lincoln Center. I loved the show and thought both actresses were phenomenal. I was especially surprized by Rachael York! I bought the CD at the Broadway Flea Market in September for $15 and it was still in it's package until this AM. I am now excited to listen to the cast recording to bring back the memories of the show.

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bwayaddict,

Thanks for the picture. It's great. I read the talkback transcript on the Lincoln Center website, and it really is informative and fun. Enjoy reliving the show!

mattbrain,

Summer of '42 is also terrific. I can't stop listening to it since I got it. Have your tissues ready, though. You will cry.

lc

What fun to see this thread come back!

Both LaChanze and Rachel York need to get themselves back on Broadway ASAP. Please, somebody, write another show that can star the two of them.