From Playbill: Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch May Make Night Music On Broadway- Page 3

[Michael Bennett]

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

I think Hansen did well by the part - to that end, its not exactly a role most name actors would be chomping at the bit to play...

The producers don't have that much time - some people are suggesting that much of the cast would need to be changed to accomodate Peters and Stritch. I don't agree that's necessary from an age perspective I think everyone in the current company would be fine. The more recasting that would have to be done before June 20, the less likely this production is likely to extend...

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 5:01pm

Would Kevin Kline consider replacing?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 5:02pm

No way. Not for that role.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 5:11pm

How bout John Dosset? He's played the role and has shown he has terrific chemistry with Peters.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 5:15pm

Isn't he still in Mamma Mia?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 5:23pm

He could probably take a leave from a contract like MAMMA MIA pretty easily.

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 5:27pm

Boyd Gaines? Sondheim connection and all...

[Felm_heart]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 5:44pm

Can we start throwing Raúl's name around again?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 5:45pm

only if Aaron Lazar is leaving...

[choitoy]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 5:55pm

OMG! Don't even joke about Raul going into the show, or my sister and I would probably have to drop everything and fly across the country for the weekend to see the show again (as if Bernie and Stritchy weren't large enough carrots to dangle in front of me).

Seriously, my sister NEVER cries during movies/shows (I cried like a baby during "Marley and Me", and she was "cold as a slab" and "hard as a rock"). The only time I've really seen her tear up during a performance was when we saw the Sondheim Gala Concert at City Center, and Raul sag "Being Alive".

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 5:57pm

People who say Stritch can only play Stritch have obviously only seen Stritch play Stritch, which she does very well, but that's far from all she can do.

Those of us who have been lucky enough to see her act know her as one of the finest stage actors we have seen.

I hope this happens. I think they would both be grand. I will still think it's an ugly misconceived and wrongly directed production, but what the hell, those two performances will be ones to remember.

[Will42]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 6:23pm

Not sure if he's right for that role, but how about Victor Garber?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 6:58pm

When I first heard of the demands, my initial thought was that she wanted matinees off, which I'm sure they'd give her. But, she specifically mentions 8 shows a week, so I guess that isn't it.

Lansbury's dressing room is right off of the stage, and she has a car service to and from the theater, so I'm sure they'd be willing to give that to Stritch.

It sounds to me like it ultimately will happen, they're just working everything out with her. And given how gung-ho Peters seems to be about wanting to do this (since she reportedly approached the producers, not the other way around), I can't imagine her negotiations would be that difficult or contentious.

[Jamie Pierce]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 9:55pm

Is Peters age-appropriate for this role? How old is her daughter supposed to be? She would have had her at age 50! Everyone jumped on KC for being too old for Promises but no one has mentioned anything about Bernadette.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 9:59pm

It's called acting. Why anyone gets so obsessed with an actor's age is mind-boggling.

Suspend your disbelief!

[jagfkb]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 10:04pm

^The difference between Kristen & Bernadette: Kristen was horribly misscast in Promises as an ingenue when she clearly is not or has played such a part in the past w/o some comic relief suspending the disbelief (Apple Tree, anyone?). Bernadette is perfectly believable as Desiree character wise, and would be perfectly cast should this actually happen. It's not the age, it's the character itself.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 10:05pm

The difference is that Cheoweth took on a role originated by and written for a 20 year old in PROMISES PROMISES. Desiree Armfeldt is a 'woman of a 'certain age.' That age may be 40 or it could be 50 - either can be made to work and Peters can certainly 'pass' for that age range.

[Ed_Mottershead]

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

This is all interesting speculation. HOWEVER, if it comes to pass, I will hock the family silver to get in. Both Bernadette and Elaine are icons of the American Musical Theatre -- come on, folks,they dont make 'em like that any more and this would be a great chance to see these royal dames in action on the same stage. Let's go for it!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 11:11pm

J52--if you really don't understand how Kristin can be too old to play Fran while Bernadette is NOT too old to play Desiree, then I'm afraid you know nothing about the two shows, about theater, about actresses or about life.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/28/10 at 11:13pm

PJ. Would you return to this production to see the new stars? I know it would be less painful for you to sit through this again instead of WSS.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 5/29/10 at 2:54am

I'll just stay home and listen to the fantastic audio of the concert reading with Natasha Richardson.

[alterego]

Posted: 5/29/10 at 5:51am

These names just seem all wrong for NIGHT MUSIC. What happened to Debbie Reynolds doing Mme Armfeldt?

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/29/10 at 7:27am

If Peters is playing Desiree, Debbie Reynolds would look more like her older sister than her mother.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/29/10 at 7:48am

Well, her face would.

Of course I would go see Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch. I just wish I didn't have to see them in this ugly misdirected revival.

Bernadette's "Clowns," will contain the proper amounts of rue and regret, laced with tightly restrained rage, and Stritch will be able to deliver Mme. Arfeldt's acidic judgmentalism, and she will be able to get the laughs without resorting to cutesiness.

Updated On: 5/29/10 at 07:48 AM

[D2]

Posted: 5/29/10 at 12:11pm

"These names just seem all wrong for NIGHT MUSIC. What happened to Debbie Reynolds doing Mme Armfeldt?"

Are you serious?