Did they ever air 'Marie Christine'?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 12:55pm

Since Piazza is being recorded and aired, and other shows at Lincoln Center have done the same, I was wondering if they ever did that for Marie Christine. I know it was super successful, but its a great show. I'd love to it if anyone has it or knows where I could find a recording.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 12:57pm

No, it wasn't filmed for television broadcast. They have it at the Billy Rose collection at the Library of Performing Arts, though. You can watch it there.
Updated On: 4/19/06 at 12:57 PM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 1:01pm

Have you heard Marie Chrstine, RentBoy?

[PottstownTeacher]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 1:07pm

I saw MARIE CHRISTINE ... twice! And when I told that to Audra McDonald after a concert in Hershey, PA she said, "Dear God, WHY?!?!" That's a quote, by the way!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 1:09pm

I though McDonald aside, the show was really poorly directed. The score is astonishing though; I'd love to hear that LaChiusa is retooling it (2nd act needed some work) - but I could see it doing well in the opera circuit. It definitely deserves another major mounting at least.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 1:13pm

Yeah, I've heard it, why? I actually really liked it. Its not one of those scores where I pick favorite songs, its one of those scores where I just let it play and listen to it.

Aw, that's a shame. I really wanted to see what this show lookd like visually.

I don't get the Audra quote.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 1:15pm

The show had a really ugly design. It was nothing much to look at. It was basically a bunch of black bleachers on a revolve.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 1:32pm

I believe you need permission from LaChiusa or from someone else involved in order to watch the video...

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 1:39pm

I also saw the show and while I didn't care for some of the staging (a modern spin on classical Greek tragedy), I found the show to be intense and riveting. Audra's performance was a tour de force and I have no idea how she lost the Tony to Heather Headley. I agree with Michael Bennett that the second act needed the most work, especially with Marie's rather rapid shift from pathetic codependency to composed vengeance (I was hoping for more madness and fury). But the final chorus was the single most powerful and chilling finale I've ever seen in any show. Every time I listen to the CD, I get goosebumps thinking about the female chorus looking on as Marie ascends the rake towards the blinding white light in a stunning image simultaneously depicting condemnation and understanding (even possibly forgiveness).

[once a month]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 2:37pm

I saw the show as well...at least half of it. I left during intermission at the very last possible moment of light, to find my way out. I love Audra, seen her in concert twice and in her earlier musicals. I even like the poster from this show...she and Anthony look great-erotic even...but I despised trying to sit through it.

[buffyactsing]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 2:43pm

I agree, the score is amazing. It's one of my favorites. I never saw the show, but I guess it's one of those scores that make you think the show is better than it was.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 2:44pm

I don't why people leave at intermission. Esp, for a Broadway show. You paid so much, why not just sit through it? Its, at most, 3 hours out of your day/week/month/year. Its not that big of a deal. And sometimes Act 2 is better than Act 1, or at least it should be.

It sounds really interesting visually. And I don't live in NYC, so I have no chance of seeing the video, but maybe later down the line.

[outovfashion07]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 2:53pm

Wait, they're airing Piazza?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 2:58pm

June 15, PBS

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 3:11pm

Marie Christine is a great show I LOVED it. I think Audra's comment was a reaction to the public reaction to the show. It's typical with LaCHiusa shows. When people don't like it they are angry about it. That show caught a lot of flack for being unlikable. I'm sure there weren't many people who saw it twice. A)because it wasn't around long enough and B) so many people hated it. I think LaChiusa's shows are like that. I personally think that Marie Christine MIGHT be LaChiusa's most musically complex score. I think it pays off.



Oh and you need direct permission from both Michael John and Gracie to see the video at Lincoln Center.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 3:28pm

Somehow, I'm going to have to see that video. Marie Christine is probably tied for my favorite LaChiusa score.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 5:14pm

After doing an essay on it I realized how incredibly complex it is...lyrically and musically.

I always loved it...but now I really appreciate it as a work of art.

What also hurt it was the comparisons to SWEENEY TODD...for whatever reason.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 5:14pm

Updated On: 4/19/06 at 05:14 PM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 5:27pm

Yeah, well its a sung through opera type show, so I can see why it wasn't an easy sell. Its a very art-house piece and not many people can appreciate that. Understandable. I really like it. Although I didnt think I was going to. I mean my favorite shows are like RENT and BARE - so this is a big change. But my changes are growing, so yeah...