FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO THREAD- HATE HER OR LOVE HER?

[BroadwayBaby6]

FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO THREAD- HATE HER OR LOVE HER?#1

Posted: 12/21/07 at 2:59pm

This is the Francesca Zambello thread that poses the question: Should we send expat Frankie back to Europe where she can direct more Euro-Trash?

I don't understand why this woman gets jobs directing musicals. Her West End debut " Napoleon" was a commercial and critical flop. Ditto for her Royal Albert Hall "ShowBoat" (which was panned except for Elena Shaddow's amazing performance). Don't even start me on her Eurotrash musicals (REBEKKAH), or on her Euro-Trash opera work.

Since Little Mermaid is still in previews, I won't comment on it...

Let the fireworks begin...what do you think of Zambello?

"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"

[being.jeremiah]

re: FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO THREAD- HATE HER OR LOVE HER?#2

Posted: 12/21/07 at 3:38pm

Happy Holidays!

[CurtainPullDowner]

re: FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO THREAD- HATE HER OR LOVE HER?#2

Posted: 12/22/07 at 12:31am

She has taken her DISNEY money and left NEW YORK CITY.
I applaud her for that and wish her luck with
LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRARIE, the Musical.

[lightguy06222]

re: FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO THREAD- HATE HER OR LOVE HER?#3

Posted: 12/22/07 at 1:25am

Broadwaybaby- tell me... how many professional shows have YOU directed??? Other than the community theatre trash you may have been involved with, I dont see you boasting a hit.

She is an absolute sweetheart, and a world renound director. Her piece in the Bregenz festival was stellar, and beautifully done.

Now let me ask you, do you know what the Bregenz festival is, where it is, or why its well known??? Now im sure you will look it up, and sound all smart, but you have NO place to bash anyone.

God i hate you people who have nothing better to do but complain about others on these message boards. Your post was not professional criticism, nor was it cordial. It was just plain mean, and unnecessary. get a life, and grow up.

[adamgreer]

re: FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO THREAD- HATE HER OR LOVE HER?#4

Posted: 12/22/07 at 2:06am

I still don't get why she is not in NY with Mermaid anymore. It further lends credence to the theory that Schumacher is the one calling the shots with that show.

That whole situation is very bizarre.

[BroadwayBaby6]

re: FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO THREAD- HATE HER OR LOVE HER?#5

Posted: 12/22/07 at 2:30am

Mr. LightGuy,

I am familiar with the Bregenz Festival. I have even seen a few of Zambello's opera productions including one which I did like- Billy Budd.

Secondly, I'm not involved with community theatre productions or any other theatrical productions. But how dare you insult "community theatre"? I realize it may not be up to your Euro-trash standards but at least there's intellectual honesty in community theatre.

Thirdly, I have no problem with Mlle. Zambello personally. I just greatly dislike her directorial choices and don't understand why she was picked to direct Little Mermaid after seeing what she did with "Rebekkah", "Napoleon", and "Show Boat".

Lastly, your argument that my criticism is invalid because I'm not a "qualified theatre director" is idiotic. Does this mean that A.O. Scott cannot review movies because he's not a filmmaker or that Ben Brantley should not critique theatre because he's not a playwright? While, to quote Sibelius, no one has ever erected a statue for a critic, no one has ever paid $150 to read one New York Times review.

"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"

[BroadwayBaby6]

re: FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO THREAD- HATE HER OR LOVE HER?#6

Posted: 12/22/07 at 2:45am

One more thing- I decided to take my gloves off when I read the interview where Ms. Zambello implied that the negative Variety review of the show in Denver was somehow connected to Roger Bart being Peter Bart's (Variety Editor-In-Chief) nephew.

"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"

[Sisi]

re: FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO THREAD- HATE HER OR LOVE HER?#7

Posted: 12/22/07 at 3:02am

The title is spelled "Rebecca."

[uncageg]

re: FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO THREAD- HATE HER OR LOVE HER?#8

Posted: 12/22/07 at 5:23am

I saw it in Denver. Enjoyed it, but must admit, the direction was poor. She couldn't take everything and put it together to make a really cohesive show.

Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder

[Wanna Be A Foster]

re: FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO THREAD- HATE HER OR LOVE HER?#9

Posted: 12/22/07 at 7:14am

I do think this thread is mean-spirited, and by clumping all European musicals and really, European people, into a category called "Euro-Trash," this thread, including its title, is offensive.

I saw THE LITTLE MERMAID on Tuesday night, and will gladly discuss my thoughts on the direction or other aspects of the production, but not in a thread that was started for the purpose of personally insulting a person and a people, rather than critiquing the actual direction of a show.

"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad

"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)

[ThankstoPhantom]

re: FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO THREAD- HATE HER OR LOVE HER?#10

Posted: 12/22/07 at 3:49pm

Rebecca is far from your disgusting label "Euro-Trash".

http://www.francescazambello.com/gallery/rebecca.html

How to properly use its/it's: Its is the possessive. It's is the contraction for it is...

Updated On: 12/22/07 at 03:49 PM

[BroadwayBaby6]

re: FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO THREAD- HATE HER OR LOVE HER?#11

Posted: 12/27/07 at 8:30pm

I will let the press reviews of Little Mermaid state the case much more eloquently than I ever could.

Incidentally, the term "Eurotrash" was coined in a New York Times review of a Pina Bausch performance.

"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"

[BobbyBubby]

re: FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO THREAD- HATE HER OR LOVE HER?#12

Posted: 12/27/07 at 9:02pm

HATE HER! Worked around her. She has no sense of character, plot, etc. Her productions are always pretty (sans Mermaid in my opinion) but lack any true emotion and life.

[GoSmileLaughCryClap]

re: FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO THREAD- HATE HER OR LOVE HER?#13

Posted: 12/27/07 at 10:10pm

Zambello filled a niche in the international opera scene at an opportune moment. That she parlayed a bunch of mediocre productions into a deal with Disney has to be a combination of aggressiveness, agency promotion and good luck.

As to her prospects with this venture, luck seems to be the best she has going for her.

[landryjames2]

re: FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO THREAD- HATE HER OR LOVE HER?#14

Posted: 12/28/07 at 10:26am

Her The Little Prince at New York city Opera was commendable.

The Little Mermaid is the worst thing I have ever seen on stage (excluding shows like Lestat or Tarzan. But Lestat and Tarzan are what they are; The Little Mermaid is THE LITTLE MERMAID and therefore takes the prize of the worst).

I think she will do better with Little House.

[Mattbrain]

re: FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO THREAD- HATE HER OR LOVE HER?#15

Posted: 12/28/07 at 11:23am

I have the DVD of her production of War and Peace and I enjoyed it very much. Perhaps I should pop it in. And I watched her production of Street Scene. Good stuff.

Edit: I'm head over heels in love with Rebecca. The musical, not the person.

Butters, go buy World of Warcraft, install it on your computer, and join the online sensation before we all murder you. --Cartman: South Park ATTENTION FANS: I will be played by James Barbour in the upcoming musical, "BroadwayWorld: The Musical."

Updated On: 5/8/08 at 11:23 AM

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

re: FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO THREAD- HATE HER OR LOVE HER?#16

Posted: 12/28/07 at 11:35am

I think her more expressionistic and experimental style is much more suited to the world of Opera, and European theatre. North American theatre, especially on Broadway, is still a fairly literal and straightforward form.

I do have to say however, that as a designer, I have been going to her website forever, because she works with some amazing designers, and seems to let them experiment and soar with their ideas....which is great for photos, but having not seen her productions that could be a downside for an actual production. It could mean the characters, story, music, etc. get lost in a "concept".

Akiva

[AC126748]

re: FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO THREAD- HATE HER OR LOVE HER?#17

Posted: 12/28/07 at 11:40am

I actually quite liked her productions of Les Troyens and An American Tragedy at the Met.

"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe." -John Guare, Landscape of the Body

[kooky]

re: FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO THREAD- HATE HER OR LOVE HER?#18

Posted: 12/28/07 at 5:56pm

After all is said and done, Francesca Zambello, is without a doubt a very
Talented and creative person. Also, from what I understand a wonderful
Lady!