From Playbill: Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch May Make Night Music On Broadway- Page 2

[walkedthroughmany]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 1:46pm

I'm probably just missing something here -- how did Stritch get added into the equation? While I can see all of these posts by "people in the know" about Peters, I'm trying to figure out where the Stritch rumor started...was that added by Playbill, or did Playbill add that because someone dreamily tossed out an "It'll be Stritch!" on ATC?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 1:47pm

You've seen too many episodes of West Wing

Guilty as charged. Is it Take Out The Trash Day?

[Hest882]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 1:56pm

I don't believe this rumor for an instant...but if it actually happens ain't nothin' keeping me from flying over to see this!

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 2:00pm

For those of you who think Stritch can't act outside of her usual persona, you didn't see her as Parthy in Show Boat.

Problem is that some were disappointed by that. But she can do it.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 2:03pm

I do wonder what they will do with the accents. They used British accents for Zeta-Jones, Lansbury, and Hanson. So will they use American accents for Peters and Stritch? Or have them use British? It'll be interesting.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 2:09pm

I believe! I believe! I believe! If I clap my heads and think really really happy thoughts...can it PLEASE come true!

I can already *hear* Bernadette's incredible interpretation of "Send In the Clowns" and Stritch's acerbic "Liaisons." Please let it be!

[into_the_woods2]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 2:10pm

I literally died when I read this...


PLEASE BROADWAY GODS, COME THROUGH FOR US!!!!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 2:14pm

You did not literally die unless you are typing from your iphone in heaven.

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 2:18pm

There is an app for that...

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 2:30pm

"You've seen too many episodes of West Wing"

"Guilty as charged. Is it Take Out The Trash Day?"

Yes, and there is no such thing as seeing too many episodes of The West Wing.

Topic? I'd see this even though I think Stritch is a stretch.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 2:33pm

I don't believe this rumor for an instant...but if it actually happens ain't nothin' keeping me from flying over to see this!

Cast members are making comments about it & the webmaster jumped the gun yesterday putting up a "Tickets now on sale through August 28." announcement.

[OtherDaryl]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 2:42pm

This sounds more like a "Big Block of Cheese Day."

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 3:07pm

I'm friends with a couple cast members and their stance so far has been nothing is confirmed, which is a vastly difference stance than flat out denying.

[Marquise]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 3:40pm

They'd still be in this steaming turd of a production.

BWA-HA-HA!

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 3:48pm

For those of you who think Stritch can't act outside of her usual persona, you didn't see her as Parthy in Show Boat.

Because they gave her the "Why do I love you?" reprise? I don't see Parthy as being out of the Stritch persona.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 4:13pm

I highly doubt Playbill would report this based on reading BWW or ATC. I imagine they have their own sources that actually confirmed the two women are in actual talks. It's the Broadway theatre community, not the Oval office, I doubt it's that hard for Playbill to find out if the rumors of negotiations are true or not. Again, they stated the women are just in talks, not that they are doing it, so that's all they are reporting. So we know the two of them have been approached, we'll see if they actually decide to do it or not. We all found out from the Gwyneth Paltrow/Blythe Danner rumor and the Debbie Reynolds rumor that talks have happened, they just haven't materialized, I'm really crossing my fingers that this one does.
I seriously think the idea of Stritch and Peters together on stage in a Stephen Sondheim show is almost too good to be true. I can't wait to see what kind of chemistry the two of them have together as mother and daughter, I can't wait to see Stritch in the Act I opening with the whole company, and I most certainly cannot wait to see Peters' wonderful "Send in the Clowns."
Isn't Hanson leaving too? He's fine but he won't do opposite Peters. I wonder if they'll get Tom Wopat who starred in the ANNIE GET YOUR GUN revival and is now in SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM, of course. I would personally love it if they got Victor Garber, but that's just about impossible.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 4:14pm

Playbill's puns are rich.

My favorite part was describing Trevor Nunn's production as "hauntingly spare." Because it's so spare that you think the production itself died.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 4:21pm

If this information leaked to Playbill via a "source," you can bet it's because the press office for the show wanted it to. This isn't the "Word On The Rialto" feature of BWW that regurgitates message board rumors as legitimate probability.

The negotiations are happening. Whether they turn out successful or not remains to be seen.

Updated On: 5/28/10 at 04:21 PM

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 4:28pm

I actually never like it when Stritch plays 'Stritch'. Somehow, I never buy it.

But when Stritch plays a character? Sublime.

And I kinda loved this production. So I'd gladly see it again.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 4:36pm

According to the NY Times, Stritch says that she's in talks, but has some specific conditions she wants met.

http://nyti.ms/cFrSBo

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 4:39pm

For the record, I don't think Hanson would seem inappropriate age wise opposite Peters - a bigger problem may be his status as a visiting artist from England.

For those questioning Strich's ability to play anything other than "Strich" - you clearly did not see her recent tribute show at the Carlysle...

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 4:43pm

What conditions? A costume change requiring the character wear a hat and tie? Just sign already, Stitchy!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 4:48pm

She might need a dressing room on stage level, she might need a driver to and from the theatre, she might need designated physical therapy / massage therapy, she might require a certain vacation schedule, etc., etc., etc.

There are lots of things that she might need. It sounds like they would likely be things more geared at making the gig comfortable for a woman her age - it doesn't sound like its an issue of money or billing.

I would be surprised if her demands are ridiculous or outlandish -- leave that to Betty Buckley...

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 4:54pm

I was aware of "age-related" conditions. I was merely making a joke. I'm sure her conditions are similar to Angela's since they are the same age. I'm sure these are things the producers would be willing to go along with.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 4:54pm

Haha, Michael Bennett, Betty Buckley has such a bad rep.

I imagine Hanson is indeed leaving because of his visa. I personally would like to see Peters play against a Broadway veteran rather than Hanson, who was likable and adequate enough but didn't do anything particularly marvelous with the part, IMO.