I agree, there will eventually be further reporting on this tale. It makes no sense why a leading actress, whom the Weisslers waited for, would treat the run of this show in such a cavalier way. If it was chronic health problems, that needs to come out, finally, fully. If it's Diva behavior, like Nell Carter in AIN'T MISBEHAVIN'(the first time), one would hope we'd eventually hear why. Why would anyone conduct such public self-sabotage? Her career is still Broadway-centered; this behavior is reputation damaging.
I saw Murphy in early December, when she finally got her strength back after the spotty autumn, and all the illnesses. She was frail, even wan, but vocally powerful. Like Ken Mandlebaum, who's otherwise a Murphy loyalist, I never thought her Ruth performance was nearly funny enough -- it was written for a really funny presence, Roz Russell. Her intelligence and sardonic,self-deprecatory humor were unique. (Listen to the recording, she found laughs in the MIDDLE of lines that Murphy could only approximate. Start with the Moby Dick line reading in "conversations...") Murphy'st take was more than workmanlike, very accomplished in its musical depth/breadth, particularly in "Swing," which she made truly distinctive. Bt I never saw what Brantley saw -- a "classic" musical comedy performance of the old school. "Passion" remains her most memorable work.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
Updated On: 9/26/04 at 07:36 PM