Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016- Page 4
Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
#75Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
Posted: 3/27/16 at 12:10pm
The best person to direct FALSETTOS is Sam Gold, but I understand after FUN HOME why he wouldn't want to do it.
INTO THE WOODS winning revival, in my opinion had more to do with wanting to honor Stephen Sondheim and the work itself (which lost best musical to PHANTOM, to the embarrassment of many). There was also a big backlash that year against the megahyped Trevor Nunn OKLAHOMA! which had been so wonderful in the UK but didn't transfer well to Broadway.
But I (and many others at the time) thought that revival of INTO THE WOODS was terrible and a missed opportunity. It had none of the magic or inspiration of the original production, and I think James Lapine just had no second vision for the material (why didn't he just revive his perfect original staging?). I think in particular, he was haunted by the brilliance of the original cast, and perhaps not wanting to 'duplicate' their unique quirkiness - he ended up instead with what I considered to be a really mediocre ensemble.
My concern - sight unseen, of course - is that Lapine will have similar problems with FALSETTOS. It's a simpler show - so maybe he won't feel the burden of re-invention; but I think its very hard not to be haunted by the perfect work you've already done once before (with the perfect cast).
I don't think FALSETTOS is dated, but I do think it needs a strong perspective that understand the context of the piece and how it now fits into contemporary perspective. I am not at all convinced Lapine is the man to best do that. I just worry we will get a production that is 'fine' and the material deserves better than that. But of course I will be more than happy to be proven wrong because I love the show and want it to succeed.
I did not see THE NEW BRAIN. That is closer to FALSETTOS in tone and size, so if that was extremely well done, there might be hope.
Cupid Boy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/5/13
#76Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
Posted: 3/27/16 at 12:19pm
Jeffrey Karasarides said: "Did you see his Encores production of A New Brain last summer? If so, what did you think?"
I saw it and was impressed. I loved the casting and the simplicity of Lapine's direction. It moved along at a nice clip and felt fresh and exciting.
#77Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
Posted: 3/27/16 at 12:27pm
The best person to direct FALSETTOS is Sam Gold, but I understand after FUN HOME why he wouldn't want to do it.
Plus, as it has been discussed before, Sam Gold really does not have a great track record when it comes to revivals.
#78Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
Posted: 3/27/16 at 12:31pm
Have we ever seen a musical revival from Sam Gold?
At any rate, I'm glad to hear the good report on THE NEW BRAIN. Mr. Lapine's staging of LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE had similarities to his work on FALSETTOS (and didn't feel very fresh in my view) but we will hope for good work.
#79Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
Posted: 3/28/16 at 8:22pm
Did anyone notice Jonathan Groff has a few mysterious months open now, before and after shooting the new Netflix show? ^_^
FiddleMeThis
Stand-by Joined: 3/10/16
#80Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
Posted: 3/28/16 at 11:47pm
Which months? I don't think they correspond.
#81Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
Posted: 3/31/16 at 3:03pm
#82Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
Posted: 3/31/16 at 3:06pm
Aaaaaaa THIS IS AWESOME
barbraboy19902
Stand-by Joined: 3/17/16
#84Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
Posted: 3/31/16 at 3:15pm
Dear Jesus this cast made me scream out loud!! I'm headed to NYC in March 2017...they'll still be around then....right???
#85Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
Posted: 3/31/16 at 3:17pm
LizzieCurry said: "http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/03/31/falsettos-revival-casts-its-leads-christian-borle-andrew-rannells-and-stephanie-j-block/?smid=tw-share"
I apologize in advance to everyone who sees this production the same day that I do. Bring kayaks and life jackets or risk drowning in my tears.
#86Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
Posted: 3/31/16 at 3:17pm
My trip in November is shaping up quite nicely! Elated to hear this news :)
#87Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
Posted: 3/31/16 at 3:31pm
sorry I didn't see the previous post.
#88Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
Posted: 3/31/16 at 3:32pm
I know! It's almost as if someone has posted a link already. Guess you were blown away.
mamaleh
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/04
#89Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
Posted: 3/31/16 at 3:39pm
I'm a great admirer of all three performers--especially Block & Borle--and love to see them in anything and everything. But one thought struck me on seeing the casting news: This show deals heavily with Jewish and other themes; I associate it with Mandy Patinkin, Chip Zien, Randi Graff, etc. Ethnic-blind casting? Or is every M.O.T. actor tied up in FIDDLER?
Tag
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/19/05
#90Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
Posted: 3/31/16 at 3:45pm
Rannells will be on Seth Meyers tonight for those interested. Promoting Girls I'm assuming, but this could be mentioned.
#91Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
Posted: 3/31/16 at 3:57pm
mamaleh said: "I'm a great admirer of all three performers--especially Block & Borle--and love to see them in anything and everything. But one thought struck me on seeing the casting news: This show deals heavily with Jewish and other themes; I associate it with Mandy Patinkin, Chip Zien, Randi Graff, etc. Ethnic-blind casting? Or is every M.O.T. actor tied up in FIDDLER? "
I'm surprised by the enthusiasm for the casting. My initial reaction was that it was uninspired, and you are of course right that it is also off.
rjm516
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/24/09
#92Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
Posted: 3/31/16 at 3:57pm
OMG this is so freaking exciting!!! Love it!
#93Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
Posted: 3/31/16 at 3:58pm
Stephanie J. Block, Christian Borle, and Andrew Rannells.
Wow.
#94Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
Posted: 3/31/16 at 4:10pm
Great cast and I agree wow.
However is Falsetto a niche musical like Sideshow? Critically acclaimed but the masses stayed away, could be same case here.
If this does have legs then you would have to say it has a great shot at taking the Tony.
I got a feeling that a resident first night critic 'WhizzerMarvin' will be there on the first night!
#96Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
Posted: 3/31/16 at 4:14pm
LizzieCurry said: "I know! It's almost as if someone has posted a link already. Guess you were blown away."
What did I do to you? I said sorry.
#97Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
Posted: 3/31/16 at 4:28pm
I guess I'm a little taken aback by the comment about the casting not being "Jewish enough." What would "Jewish enough" look like? I've never thought about the Jewishness in the play as an ethnic issue; and I'm sure if you went to a Manhattan synogogue you would see plenty of people who look "as Jewish" as Stephanie and Christian.
Surely, we aren't at a point where we have to stereotype what someone of a particular religious belief looks like (and what they don't look like).
And isn't the character of Whizzer a gentile? Or am I remembering the text wrong?
BroadwayConcierge
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/24/15
#98Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
Posted: 3/31/16 at 4:28pm
Dying to hear what Whizzer thinks about this news! 
#99Falsettos to Return to Bway Fall 2016
Posted: 3/31/16 at 4:41pm
Whizzer is half Jewish- otherwise it would be Three Jews in a Room Bitching instead of four!
I really like all three of these performers. I'll admit that they're not the first three names that sprung to my mind when the show was announced, but I imagine they will give great performances nonetheless.
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