Favorited filmed staged productions?- Page 2

[jo]

Posted: 4/7/17 at 9:33pm

remark said:
It wasn't filmed. ALW/RUG have struggled to get the rights to make a movie version of Sunset Boulevard (the musical) for years and as a result this includes the concert version produced in London. Highly likely this also applies to the current Broadway production. I did read that they have made some headway recently, so a movie version of the musical (of the movie) could well be in the pipeline - hopefully within Glenn Close's time.
"

The problem, it seemed, was the reluctance of Paramount to give its approval. But there's a new studio chief at Paramount now -- former FOX CEO Jim Gianopulos.  Maybe there is a chance now to revisit the plans for the musicalized remake of their classic film noir property by Billy Wilder?

 

[MsDesmond1995]

Posted: 4/7/17 at 9:57pm

Cesare2 said: "Broadway Theater Archive's PIRATES OF PENZANCE from the Delacorte.  Also its MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, which was broadcast on CBS while it was still running at the Winter Garden, and THE ROYAL FAMILY, with Eva Le Gallienne, Rosemary Harris, etc., which played the 46th Street Helen Hayes Theatre.  The Old Globe's recent TWELFTH NIGHT.  And then there's the Japanese television broadcast of THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES, which recently turned up on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd3GonaOCtc&t=98s

 

"

OMG!!! Thank you so much for bringing this video of The Will Rogers Follies to my attention! I've always wanted to see this show, because it has forever baffled me how it won Best Musical over the Secret Garden. I just always assumed it was "spectacle" over "substance." Now I can see for myself.

Also, has anyone mentioned the 1999 production of the Sondheim revue Putting It Together? Carol Burnett is in top form. As are George Hearn, Ruthie Henshall, John Barrowman and Bronson Pinchot. Great cast. ALL of my favorite Sondheim songs are represented in one great show... check it out.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 4/7/17 at 10:51pm

OF MICE AND MEN with James Franco. Brilliant!

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 4/8/17 at 12:22am

Even though it's not the best quality, I love this recording of the original Off-Broadway production of HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH. It does a great job of capturing the raw magic that took over the Jane Street Theatre in 1998. In my opinion, that incarnation was far superior to both the film and the Broadway revival.

https://youtu.be/6gt-cYPNE5I

[Lot666]

Posted: 4/8/17 at 11:44am

AEA AGMA SM said: "I'll add that Love Never Dies is a very good filming from a technical standpoint (no comment on the actual content of the show itself)."

Can't believe I forgot about this one! Although I would've preferred a mix of aspects of the London and Australian productions, this recording was done very well.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 4/8/17 at 12:46pm

Spike Lee's film of Passing Strange is as good as this kind of thing can possibly get. 

[Theatre Fan3]

Posted: 4/8/17 at 2:22pm

Just realized that nobody's mention JEYKLL & HYDE ... granted, David Hasselhoff is not my choice to be immortalized on film but that's what we got so I suppose it's better than nothing.

[phantom39]

Posted: 4/8/17 at 2:35pm

Theatre Fan3 said: "Just realized that nobody's mention JEYKLL & HYDE ... granted, David Hasselhoff is not my choice to be immortalized on film but that's what we got so I suppose it's better than nothing."

I wish it was better than nothing.. but David Hasselhoff is really making that one unwatchable. It was a mistake filming that show with him as it was still a commercial flop (the recording) and for J&K lovers just an unfortunate filming that possibly ruined good memories from that production.

 

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 4/8/17 at 2:36pm

There are a lot of the Globe theatre productions available on DVD, including a great "Midsummer Night's Dream" which had the hottest stage kiss I have seen between the two males actors playing Oberon and Puck. (If you look at the vdeo the kiss is 5 minutes and 25 seconds into it.)

Puck/Oberon

Updated On: 4/8/17 at 02:36 PM

[ggersten]

Posted: 4/9/17 at 12:15am

True West with Gary Sinise and John Malkovich.  

House of Blue Leaves with Christine Baranski,, Swoozie Kurtz, John Mahoney, Ben Stiller, and Julie Hagerty.

 

[NoName3]

Posted: 4/9/17 at 7:51pm

The original Broadway production of 42nd Street was professionally filmed for broadcast in Japan. It's never been licensed for release in the US but occasionally shows up at youtube and other places. It's great. Likewise the original production of Pacific Overtures. Filmed complete for Japan but never released here.

The first New York City Opera production of A Little Night Music, with Sally Ann Howes, Regina Reznick and George Lee Andrews, was shown on PBS but never released commercially. It too is wonderful and can sometimes be found on youtube and elsewhere.

[Babe_Williams]

Posted: 4/9/17 at 8:25pm

TaleofTwo said: "Theatre Fan3 said: "Just realized that nobody's mention JEYKLL & HYDE ... granted, David Hasselhoff is not my choice to be immortalized on film but that's what we got so I suppose it's better than nothing."

I wish it was better than nothing.. but David Hasselhoff is really making that one unwatchable. It was a mistake filming that show with him as it was still a commercial flop (the recording) and for J&K lovers just an unfortunate filming that possibly ruined good memories from that production.

 

 

"

Why anyone would film this without Anthony Warlow is beyond me. 

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 4/9/17 at 8:35pm

My favorite is Smokey Joe's Cafe. It's the final performance, and the cast and audience energy is palpable. The vocals are ridiculous!

[NoName3]

Posted: 4/9/17 at 9:05pm

A Chorus Line was filmed complete in performance by the Public with the original cast when the show was still downtown Off-Broadway before moving uptown to The Shubert. It's in grainy black-and-white but it's electric and dazzling. Years ago I was able to rent it several times from the video section of the late lamented J&R Music World on Park Place! There are usually a few songs from the filming available on youtube.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 4/9/17 at 9:15pm

Babe_Williams said: "TaleofTwo said: "Theatre Fan3 said: "Just realized that nobody's mention JEYKLL & HYDE ... granted, David Hasselhoff is not my choice to be immortalized on film but that's what we got so I suppose it's better than nothing."

I wish it was better than nothing.. but David Hasselhoff is really making that one unwatchable. It was a mistake filming that show with him as it was still a commercial flop (the recording) and for J&K lovers just an unfortunate filming that possibly ruined good memories from that production.

 

 

"

Why anyone would film this without Anthony Warlow is beyond me. 

 

"

I don't believe Earlow ever played the role, he just recorded the concept album. As for Hasselfoff, he is nearly unwatchable; however, I do know that they also filmed the show with Rob Evan as a reversal for the official taping. Unfortunately, that is one that has never, and will never be commercially available. 

That professionally filmed version of Hedwig is also not commercially available, so that doesn't really count either. 

It saddens me that many of those shows that were filmed for Japanese television will also not ever be commercially available. Pacific Overtures, 42nd Street, and a few others deserve official releases.

[StephieElise]

Posted: 4/9/17 at 10:20pm

Lot666 said: "littlemouse921 said: "At this point, I feel like every filmed production is being listed. Are there any sub-par or below average recordings?"

There's an old filmed version of Cats (not sure if it was made available for purchase, but it has aired on PBS) and it's pretty dreadful. And that's coming from an ALW fan here."

It certainly was available for purchase. When she was a kid my sister LOVED it and rented it so many times from the local video shop that we bought the VHS from them when they were closing down. I'm pretty sure I've seen it in boxed sets with other ALW DVDs. 

 

[remark]

Posted: 4/10/17 at 3:03am

Yes. Im sure its up on iTunes - it is in the UK anyway. I had it on VHS as kid also.

Its actually better than watching it in person in the theatre I feel.

[BentleyB]

Posted: 4/10/17 at 5:20am

NoName3 said: "A Chorus Line was filmed complete in performance by the Public with the original cast when the show was still downtown Off-Broadway before moving uptown to The Shubert. It's in grainy black-and-white but it's electric and dazzling. Years ago I was able to rent it several times from the video section of the late lamented J&R Music World on Park Place! There are usually a few songs from the filming available on youtube."

Here is a link to it. Not well filmed but what a great moment in time. I saw this production. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uu6D3Y2O7cs

and the Sweeney Todd with Angela Lansbury is true to the original cast. I saw the original production of it too. 

 

[Babe_Williams]

Posted: 4/10/17 at 9:26am

jimmycurry01 said: "Babe_Williams said: "TaleofTwo said: "Theatre Fan3 said: "Just realized that nobody's mention JEYKLL & HYDE ... granted, David Hasselhoff is not my choice to be immortalized on film but that's what we got so I suppose it's better than nothing."

I wish it was better than nothing.. but David Hasselhoff is really making that one unwatchable. It was a mistake filming that show with him as it was still a commercial flop (the recording) and for J&K lovers just an unfortunate filming that possibly ruined good memories from that production.

 

 

"

Why anyone would film this without Anthony Warlow is beyond me. 

 

"

I don't believe Earlow ever played the role, he just recorded the concept album. As for Hasselfoff, he is nearly unwatchable; however, I do know that they also filmed the show with Rob Evan as a reversal for the official taping. Unfortunately, that is one that has never, and will never be commercially available. 

 

"

I am aware of that. My sentiment remains the same.

[Sertzo19]

Posted: 4/10/17 at 11:13am

I've always had a soft spot for the recording of the London production of Barnum with Michael Crawford. Michael is a bit over the top and he gets really corny and plays up the cheese in his performance, but I've always loved this show (prime for a Broadway revival) and it does a good job of preserving the numbers in the show and never fails to slap a smile on my face. 

[rattleNwoolypenguin]

Posted: 4/10/17 at 11:34am

I mean I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir here, but for me nothing tops the Sondheim filmed stage productions. 

They don't just work on film, they ADD something to the productions. To be able to see someone's face so clearly make acting choices on his lyrics is just a gift every time. Also since none of them are spectacle shows where one needs to SEE the full proscenium. It's intimate and you can tell they've adjusted their acting choices to be softer and film like.

 

Also, Into the Woods is a legendary filmed stage production. It's often so many young people's introduction to Sondheim, that American Playhouse recording specifically. And that show will never be better than that production.  True lightning in a bottle. 

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 4/10/17 at 11:49am

I completely agree. Into the woods will always be a stand out for me. I will always remember standing in front of the TV in my bedroom at night with the volume just barely audible, watching Into the Woods, after being told to go to bed. I loved it.

[sarahb22]

Posted: 4/10/17 at 6:22pm

1981 Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Nicholas Nickleby.  It's long - 8 1/2 hours - but every moment is theatrical gold.  Amazing, amazing stuff.

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 4/11/17 at 9:37am

The Will Roger's Follies was a good production although the Japanese subtitles were a bit distracting.  I saw this in the 90's from a friend who had a bootleg copy.  Another musical which has some great songs but a so-so story but was filmed well is Romance/Romance.  The original leads are not in it but the cast is fine.  I've also tried to find a copy of the House of Blue Leaves but can never find one.  I really wish that would play again on TV.

[VeroniqueJaffee]

Posted: 4/11/17 at 10:56am

Hands down it has to be the recent She Loves Me stream. Beautifully shot with some wonderful performances.