Flockhart and Quinto in "Virginia Woolf" — Page 2

The Distinctive Baritone said: "Martha is usually played by a curvy woman with a "sexy mama" kind of vibe (she refers to herself as "the earth mother" at least once in the play, and has to believably be able to seduce Nick, who can probably have any girl he wants), and when Amy Morton was announced for the Broadway revival of several years ago, I thought she would be completely miscast. However, Morton was great, and seeing her, Kathleen Turner, and Elizabeth Taylor all play the role has shown me that it doesn't really matter what Martha looks like.

Bill Irwin and Tracy Letts gave completely different interpretations of George and both won Tonys for it, so there is definitely room for invention with that role as well. Zachary Quinto will be fine I'm sure, but he is definitely too young for the part, especially opposite a Martha who is over a decade older than he is."

George is supposed to be 46. Quinto is 44. Martha is supposed to be 52. Flockhart is 57.

So....................their actual ages mean nothing here.

BrodyFosse123 said: "George is supposed to be 46. Quinto is 44. Martha is supposed to be 52. Flockhart is 57.

Elizabeth Taylor was 33and Richard Burton was 40 when they filmed theirroles in the iconic 1966 film adaptation. What’syour point, Peggy Sue?

"

My point is that compared to other actors who have played the roles, Flockhart and Quinto are actually closer than most to the ages that the characters were written. For example:

Elizabeth Taylor was 34. Richard Burton was 41.

Amy Morton was 61. Tracy Letts was 55.

Kathleen Turner was 51. Bill Irwin was 55.

Jordan Catalano said: "So… actors of all different ages have successfully played these roles to great acclaim. Great, now we can stop complaining about the ages of this cast."

That was point several posts ago. Apparently some people needed it spelled out for them.

Where's the Jeremy Northam/Courtney Love production of my dreams?



Ah, well. Until then: GET CALISTA SOME DONUTS!!

Kip4 said: "Calista Flockart is a brilliant actress. I have no doubt she'll be amazing as Martha. If you haven't seen it, check her out in Neil LaBute's "Medea Redux" at about the 33 min mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmcCHEb6cc8

Based on his recent performances, I hope Quinto can find a less affected way of acting. To me, he's the odd casting choice."

Thanks for posting that link Kip. I was having trouble seeing Clarista as Martha, but I think she may have the goods. As for Zach, I think he can do it. In my mind, he is a consummate professional and I will happily watch him in anything.

So Jordan, I think I may have to join you on a trip to LA. I have some Skymiles burning a hole in my pocket and can't think of a better way to use them.

I've never been to LA. Was just on the Geffen website. Doesn't appear tickets are on sale yet, so I signed up for notifications. You don't have to be a subscriber to order tickets do you? I really want to see this! Thanks for any tips and info!

pmensky said: "Quinto and Flockhart are each only two and five years younger than their characters, so I don’t see age being an issue. Quinto has played characters similar to George, and he seems like an ideal choice. I’m concerned about Flockhart, only because I’ve never seen her play anything close to Martha. It will be exciting to see if she has a non traditional take on the role."

I’ve read this was the line of thinking when Elizabeth Taylor was cast for the movie….and we all know how that turned out….

goodlead said: "Yes, Elizabeth Taylor won the Oscar, but she screeched her way throughout the film. If you can find the original cast recording with Uta Hagen, you can hear a much more convincing approach to the role."

Taylor was great in the film and I've never seen anyone say otherwise. Her grating voice (which she hated) was suited for nagging Martha.

Ravenclaw said: "pmensky said: "My point is that compared to other actors who have played the roles, Flockhart and Quinto are actually closer than most to the ages that the characters were written. For example:

Elizabeth Taylor was 34. Richard Burton was 41.

Amy Morton was 61. Tracy Letts was 55.

Kathleen Turner was 51.Bill Irwin was 55."

Letts was actually 47 and Morton was 53 back in 2012 when they played the roles on Broadway (the production began two years earlier in Chicago), so I don't know where you got those ages from. Nothing at all off about their ages in that production. In fact, when George described himself as a forty-something who looks fifty-something, it felt like a terribly accurate self-read. Quinto may be forty-something, but he doesn't look fifty-something. But maybe the casting will uncover new resonances in the text. Much of the power from the Steppenwolf revival came from how "against type" Lett's George seemed in that he was much more powerful than the quiet resentment we usually see in that role."

My apologies, I had placed Morton and Letts in the 2020 production which would have placed them at those ages. The actors in that production were actually Laurie Metcalf, who was 65, and Rupert Everett who was 61. There are two more actors who exhibit my point that the age of the actors hasn’t historically matched the age of the characters. Thanks!

goodlead said: "Yes, Elizabeth Taylor won the Oscar, but she screeched her way throughout the film. If you can find the original cast recording with Uta Hagen, you can hear a much more convincing approach to the role."

Screeched that's the 1st time hearing that one!? LoL- Flockhart's more of a Honey than a Martha - 30 years ago she would have been amazing in that role but just don't see her as Martha now!