Everything else
Everything else
#0Everything else
Posted: 12/28/04 at 3:00pm
Well, I personally am getting sick of hearing about nothing but Sondheim, AL Webber (including their shows), RENT, and Spamalot. So I decided I'd create a safe haven form those shows right here! No mentioning of the previously stated topics are allowed.
So... how about that Shakespeare fellow? Any thoughts on Baz Luhrman's R&J or the second volume of the soundtrack that was recently released?
"I am ready to disclaim my opinion, even of yesterday, even of 10 minutes ago, because all opinions are relative. One lives in a field of influences, one is influenced by everyone one meets, everything is an exchange of influences, all opinions are derivative. Once you deal a new deck of cards, you've got a new deck of cards."
— Peter Brook
#1re: Everything else
Posted: 12/28/04 at 3:01pmoh.. and I forgot.. don't even think of bringing Schonberg in here.
"I am ready to disclaim my opinion, even of yesterday, even of 10 minutes ago, because all opinions are relative. One lives in a field of influences, one is influenced by everyone one meets, everything is an exchange of influences, all opinions are derivative. Once you deal a new deck of cards, you've got a new deck of cards."
— Peter Brook
#2re: Everything else
Posted: 12/28/04 at 3:03pmAll I remember about Baz's R&J is that I did not like the portrayal of Mercutio. But that's about it.
#3re: Everything else
Posted: 12/28/04 at 3:09pmI loved Mercutio. I thought he balanced the comedy and drama very well in his death scene. If it's the drag you're not liking, GET OVER IT. There is so much more to that part than the clothes.
"I am ready to disclaim my opinion, even of yesterday, even of 10 minutes ago, because all opinions are relative. One lives in a field of influences, one is influenced by everyone one meets, everything is an exchange of influences, all opinions are derivative. Once you deal a new deck of cards, you've got a new deck of cards."
— Peter Brook
#4re: Everything else
Posted: 12/28/04 at 3:11pmAbsolutely NOT the drag. I had no problem with that. I thought the drag fit the character very well, playing up the party-boy, fun-loving aspect to his personality. It was actually his Mab speech that got to me. He played that part too seriously.
#5re: Everything else
Posted: 12/28/04 at 3:16pmThe Queen Mab speech is never an easy one, and is somewhat a hit-or-miss speech. Interpretations of that speech vary widely. Consequently, I try never to judge the monologue after concluding every director is allowed his own vision for that part.
"I am ready to disclaim my opinion, even of yesterday, even of 10 minutes ago, because all opinions are relative. One lives in a field of influences, one is influenced by everyone one meets, everything is an exchange of influences, all opinions are derivative. Once you deal a new deck of cards, you've got a new deck of cards."
— Peter Brook
WOSQ
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/03
#6re: Everything else
Posted: 12/28/04 at 3:17pm
I got the 2005 season book for the Stratford Ontario Shakespeare Festival yesterday. The plays of His (capital H in my book) are The Tempest (with Canadian stage icon William Hutt as Prospero), As You Like It and Measure For Measure. I have never seen the last, and I do not know the second as well as I wish I did.
That said, I am now wondering how I can do a long weekend up there to see these and some of the rest of their season: Edward II, Fallen Angels, The Lark and Orpheus Descending among others. The musicals are Hello Dolly and Into the Woods.
New York doesn't get enough Shakespeare especially in home grown productions.
This is the Shakespeare on my mind of late. Anyone else?
"If my life weren't funny, it would just be true. And that would be unacceptable."
--Carrie Fisher
Plum
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/4/04
#7re: Everything else
Posted: 12/28/04 at 5:16pmThe Mab speech in the Zeffirelli Romeo and Juliet ended up seeming more insane than anything else, if I remember right. But I really didn't like that Mercutio at all.
#8re: Everything else
Posted: 12/28/04 at 5:21pmJust curious Necro...Isn't that a picture of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat written by Andrew lloyd Webber?
"Do you know what pledge time is, Andrew"? said the PBS Executive.
"Yes", Lloyd Webber replied. "My 50th birthday special must be one program that gets done a lot."
"No", mused the man from PBS heedlessy. "Not so much. Our Stephen Sondheim Carnegie Hall concert. That's a big one."
Spoons, forks and knives seemed suddenly to suspend their motion in horror, all around the table.
#9re: Everything else
Posted: 12/28/04 at 5:47pm
I'm a huge Shakespeare nut, and a lover of drama of the early-modern period in general.
I got the 2005 season book for the Stratford Ontario Shakespeare Festival yesterday.
Yes, Stratford's 2005 season looks fantastic. Besides INTO THE WOODS (which I will keep out of thise non-Sondheim discussion, even though I'm giddy with anticipation), I'm very excited about THE TEMPEST with William Hutt, and Marlowe's EDWARD II (one of the most explicitly homosexual-related plays written in the English Renaissance -- there's a great movie version out there). Stratford is also mounting two Tennessee Williams plays -- CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF and ORPHEUS DESCENDING.
As well, they are staging MEASURE FOR MEASURE (not my favourite Shakespeare tragicomedy, but I've never seen it live) and the delicious AS YOU LIKE IT -- one of my favourite plays of all, and although I've seen a dozen different productions of it, this one looks unique, with a 60s hippie concept and music written by the Barenaked Ladies.
Last year I only caught two productions at Stratford, but this year I'm going to have the same problem as you, WOSQ: I don't know how I'm going to find a weekend or two to go down to Stratford and catch all these plays.
BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner
HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."
Updated On: 12/28/04 at 05:47 PM
BSoBW2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
#10re: Everything else
Posted: 12/28/04 at 6:07pm
what do ya'll think about Julius Caesar with Denzel?
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/90337.html
#11re: Everything else
Posted: 12/28/04 at 6:16pmdoes this mean we're allowed to talk about WICKED in here???
BSoBW2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
#13re: Everything else
Posted: 12/28/04 at 6:20pm
well... WICKED wasn't mentioned at all in the initial post and I found that odd...
anyway Idina is soooooooo AMAZING! OMG.
#14re: Everything else
Posted: 12/28/04 at 6:38pm
That is, if she isn't "getting a better pen" to sign autographs for fans. 
BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner
HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."
Sargar
Stand-by Joined: 10/16/04
#15re: Everything else
Posted: 12/28/04 at 6:43pm
nothing about BRKLYN either 
"Hey Joey McIntyre, is there a balcony in Madison Square Garden? Joey knows his venues a little better than me. That's okay...I have a bigger part on broadway...:)" -Idina Menzel
#16re: Everything else
Posted: 12/28/04 at 11:40pm
Okay then. no Schwartz or BRKLYN!
So, how's about them Flaherty & Ahrens?
"I am ready to disclaim my opinion, even of yesterday, even of 10 minutes ago, because all opinions are relative. One lives in a field of influences, one is influenced by everyone one meets, everything is an exchange of influences, all opinions are derivative. Once you deal a new deck of cards, you've got a new deck of cards."
— Peter Brook
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