Encores! 2023: LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA with Ruthie Ann Miles, DEAR WORLD with Donna Murphy, and OLIVER!- Page 8

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 3/21/23 at 11:02am

Honestly the track list on the album gets stranger the more I think about it because half the numbers would basically be robbed of their dramatic purpose in this orientation compared to what we saw at Encores. "One Person" as the finale instead of as the "we-can-do-it" Act 1 climax? What would "Kiss Her Now" even mean halfway through the show? 

[jv92]

Posted: 3/21/23 at 11:22am

“Bottom of the Glass” was the VERY original opening that was cut early in Boston. Herman often referred to it as “static”, but maybe it was just too arty for what was expected from “a Jerry Herman musical.” “A Sensible Women” was written as a replacement. It’s a good song, and much more of a straightforward “I am the Madwoman” establishing number. Then IT got cut for whatever reason. 
 

I think by the time DEAR WORLD opened on Broadway it ran just under two hours with intermission. So much got cut— good stuff, too— because Alex Cohen was freaking out that it wasn’t a MAME or DOLLY, and Angela was skittish about the audience recoiling at her playing a crazy bag lady, however good-hearted. 
 

I think Herman’s stuff for Aurelia and Co.is among his most inspired and unique. The stuff for the corporate thug (even parodied, as in that trial number) evaded him. He was not an ironist, even when he tried hard to be. Fred Ebb or Sondheim are/were better suited for that kind of character. 

Let me just add my voice to the chorus of “Bravos” for this production. It was exactly what Encores! is meant to be and do, not whatever half-baked changes  DeBessonet was trying to make last season. She should know her audience now, and this is what they want. 

Updated On: 3/21/23 at 11:22 AM

[pethian]

Posted: 3/21/23 at 12:20pm

So well put, JV92. And your analysis is in my opinion right on.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 3/21/23 at 1:17pm

Something else incredible about this show and Encores! typically is that I could understand every word perfectly from the cheapest seats, could hear the subtleties of the orchestration perfectly. I can't remember the last time I went to a show on Broadway proper that didn't sound more like people shrieking into a tin can underwater. 

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 3/21/23 at 1:32pm

That damn Encores! orchestra...what a delight  I have come to appreciate them more after similarly situated rehearsal periods for concerts of "Whistle" and the NY Pops performance with Heather Headley.  Both abysmal orchestral performances.  Does anyone know what sort of contract the players have with Encores?  They seem to retain many of the same players who perform wonderful off one another, but this can't be their main gig?

Not going to lie, this production did not engender love for this musical.  With that said, a strong director could make this something really incredible.  I'm at a loss for Broadway directors who could really make this pop, but looking at the world of opera, I just know Barrie Kosky or Stefan Herheim could make this musical not only pop but also very culturally relevant.

[Musigamist]

Posted: 4/6/23 at 9:15pm

In one of the many recent Schmigadoon Season 2 interviews (I can't seem to find it now), Cameron and Tveit were asked what shows that would like to do together in the future. Tveit initially said a gender-bent production of Wicked when Cameron gave a look and mentioned bringing Light in the Piazza back to Broadway. In several other interviews they brought up Piazza as well, mentioning how well Tveit would fit Fabrizio. So, any chance they could possibly be cast as Clara and Fabrizio in this production? I guess it could explain the reschedule from February to June because of Tveit's return to MR.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/6/23 at 9:55pm

Musigamist said: "I guess it could explain the reschedule from February to June because of Tveit's return to MR."

The move to June was exclusively because of Ruthie and her SWEENEY schedule.

My guess is that we'll see an Asian-American actress as Clara, and not a blind-cast production, seeing as the director is also Asian-American.

Dove Cameron played Clara in the production with Renee Fleming (which did have commercial producers behind it and at one time they were talking about Broadway), so that's probably on her mind as "the one that got away." I would not read into more than that.

Updated On: 4/6/23 at 09:55 PM

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 4/16/23 at 9:46am

 

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 4/25/23 at 5:56pm

Omg. Benjamin Pajak's "Where is Love?" Just glorious. 

[JasonC3]

Posted: 4/26/23 at 6:21pm

Oliver ticket has been sold.

Updated On: 4/28/23 at 06:21 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/27/23 at 12:06pm

“Piazza” cast announced and I have no idea who most of them are. Still can’t wait for this one, though. 
 

“Joining our previously announced star Ruthie Ann Miles (Margaret Johnson) is Anna Zavelson (Clara Johnson), as well as Shereen Ahmed (Franca Naccarelli),Andréa Burns (Signora Naccarelli), James D. Gish (Fabrizio Naccarelli), and Ivan Hernandez (Signor Naccarelli).”
 

NYCC Website

Updated On: 4/27/23 at 12:06 PM

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 4/27/23 at 12:14pm

Not the huge names I was hoping for, but Andrea Burns is always great, and Shereen Ahmed was wonderful in A Man of No Importance at CSC.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/27/23 at 12:17pm

An exiting group of singing actors!

Here's Anna Zavelson (Clara) singing in last year's Jimmy Awards.

[singer234]

Posted: 4/27/23 at 12:54pm

She’s awfully young for Clara. Isn’t one of the major plot points that Clara is 26 and Fabrizio is much younger? I understand that she’s supposed to read young, but the whole point is that she is physically very much an adult. Not a huge deal I guess, but a bit odd to me.

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 4/27/23 at 12:58pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "An exiting group of singing actors!

Here'sAnna Zavelson (Clara) singing in last year's Jimmy Awards."

Hmm. She's fine.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 4/27/23 at 12:58pm

singer234 said: "She’s awfully young for Clara. Isn’t one of the major plot points that Clara is 26 and Fabrizio is much younger? I understand that she’s supposed to read young, but the whole point is that she is physically very much an adult. Not a huge deal I guess, but a bit odd to me."

 

Ruthie Ann Miles is only 40 -- so unless Margaret had a kid at age 14, this casting is completely age appropriate.

 

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 4/28/23 at 3:58am

Just a thought/question about Oliver! I'm very familiar with the original version of the show and its orchestrations, and similarly the revisions/new orchestrations created for the 1994 Palladium/2009 Drury Lane revival both produced by Cameron Mackintosh. Apparently the Mackintosh revised version is the version that is licensed now, correct? I know Encores! are using this version. Is this a first? For Encores! to present a piece using revival arrangements/revisions as opposed to presenting the show as it was originally heard using original orchestrations etc.? I thought that was the whole ethos of Encores!

On a separate note, do we think the Encores! Oliver! would have a Broadway transfer in its future since we haven't seen it here since the 80's? 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 4/28/23 at 7:45am

I did a local production of Oliver! back in 2010 with the revisions from the most recent West End revival. As for whether or not Encores' production could move to Broadway, we'll see. I do think Oliver! is long overdue for Broadway revival. If this doesn't move, I hope Bartlett Sher can one day do it at Lincoln Center Theater.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 4/28/23 at 9:05am

JSquared2 said: "singer234 said: "She’s awfully young for Clara. Isn’t one of the major plot points that Clara is 26 and Fabrizio is much younger? I understand that she’s supposed to read young, but the whole point is that she is physically very much an adult. Not a huge deal I guess, but a bit odd to me."



Ruthie Ann Miles is only 40 -- so unless Margaret had a kid at age 14, this casting is completely age appropriate.

"

Also, it’s not implausible that Clara and Fabrizio could be teenagers. It certainly makes the hasty wedding more troublesome for Margaret, and infantilizes Clara less. The latter would be a win, as I’ve always found the show’s treatment of Clara a little irksome in that regard.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 4/28/23 at 9:50am

I'm seeing Sweeney at the matinee of June 7, and now presume that Miles will be on her out, rehearsing Piazza. Anyone know the rehearsal start?  To my surprise, I realized last night I'd rather see her Margaret, if I had to choose. I'm on the case.

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 4/28/23 at 9:54am

Sorry had my dates mixed up, so disregard my original post here.

Updated On: 4/28/23 at 09:54 AM

[singer234]

Posted: 4/28/23 at 10:40am

It’s not implausible if they revise the book, but as currently written, the reason for the Nacarellis objecting to the marriage was specifically that Clara was 26 and Fabrizio was late teens-20. I think it’ll be fine, but Fabrizio and Clara’s age difference is a significant plot point in act 2.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/28/23 at 10:40am

Musicaldudepeter said: "Just a thought/question about Oliver! I'm very familiar with the original version of the show and its orchestrations, and similarly the revisions/new orchestrations created for the 1994 Palladium/2009 Drury Lane revival both produced by Cameron Mackintosh. Apparently the Mackintosh revised version is the version that is licensed now, correct? I know Encores! are using this version. Is this a first? For Encores! to present a piece using revival arrangements/revisions as opposed to presenting the show as it was originally heard using original orchestrations etc.? I thought that was the whole ethos of Encores!

On a separate note, do we think the Encores! Oliver! would have a Broadway transfer in its future since we haven't seen it here since the 80's?"

Cameron is involved with this production and may have provided enhancement for it. Gavin Lee (who is standbying Fagin) referenced being in the rehearsal room with Cameron again. I don't know if a transfer is guaranteed from this, but it's at least a possibility.

As for revisions, Encores produced the revised versions of both NO NO NANETTE and ME AND MY GIRL, at the time basically citing that the revised versions were too good not to do them, compared to the original versions. We know they also did heavy rewrites on THE LIFE and THE TAP-DANCE KID last season. To be flippant, Encores doesn't really have a mission anymore beyond "let's revive a show."

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/28/23 at 10:42am

singer234 said: "It’s not implausible if they revise the book, but as currently written, the reason for the Nacarellis objecting to the marriage was specifically that Clara was 26 and Fabrizio was late teens-20. I think it’ll be fine, but Fabrizio and Clara’s age difference is a significant plot point in act 2."

And with Clara behaving younger than she actually is, it makes sense to cast a ~20-year-old in the part. 

[verywellthensigh]

Posted: 4/28/23 at 12:52pm

singer234 said: "She’s awfully young for Clara. Isn’t one of the major plot points that Clara is 26 and Fabrizio is much younger? I understand that she’s supposed to read young, but the whole point is that she is physically very much an adult. Not a huge deal I guess, but a bit odd to me."

It's an interesting thing to bring up.  Celia Keenan-Bolger was let go in the original run after Seattle and Chicago because she was reading too young.  Clara wasn't coming across so much as an intellectually arrested adult so much as a petulant teenage brat.  Still...it's just an Encores concert, nothing more.

Updated On: 4/28/23 at 12:52 PM