GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008- Page 2
GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
#25re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 2:29pmGODSPELL is one my favorite shows so I'm very excited about this but yeah...I thought PIPPIN would be revived first.
#26re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 2:31pm
"Seriously, though, I'm excited. I grew up on the original Off-Off-Broadway recording with the guy you could hear in every single track even when he was in a group. The guy who sang "All Good Gifts"."
Ahhh, that guy ruins the whole recording. His voice is a horrible hybrid of Robert Goulet, Patti Lupone and Kermit the Frog.
"One no longer loves one's insight enough once one communicates it."
The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
#27re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 2:34pm
Actually,
His name is Llamar Alford, and he, along with Joanne Jonas was brought into the show when it moved from LaMama to the Cherry Lane to boost the sound. Apparently, the original cast was full of great actors, but not necessarily great singers. I agree that he ruins most of the tracks, not necessarily because he's a terrible singer, but because it was mixed poorly. I'm not sure if this is because it's 1971 or because there was a cheap budget for this recording.
"Y'all have a GRAND day now"
#28re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 2:34pm
Ahhh, that guy ruins the whole recording. His voice is a horrible hybrid of Robert Goulet, Patti Lupone and Kermit the Frog.
It ain't that bad once you've learned to block the bad parts out.
"Y'know, I think Bertolt Brecht was rolling in his grave."
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#29re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 2:46pm
I want a Pippin revival.
Pippin...PIPPIN...PIPPIN!!!!!!!
I want Pippin.
#30re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 2:53pm
I love the original cast recording. If there is any one single recording of this show to have it's that one but I have a love/hate relationship with Llamar's voice as well.
I actually have the LP of the OCR and a little fun fact about it is that it differs from the CD because the guitar solos in "Prepare Ye" were added when the CD was released. It's more drum and piano heavy which I prefer.
The 2000 Off-Broadway Revival Cast Recording is definitely worth purchasing. It's awesome!
#31re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 3:00pm
I don't see a problem with a Broadway revival of Godspell. Yes, the show is performed ad nauseum in amateur productions across the country, but it only had one short-lived Broadway production. Unlike Pippin, at least expectations won't be impossibly high. It's not as if it is attached to legendary direction or choreography with which it will forever be compared.
Should Pippin ever return to Broadway, it will surely gather nothing but disdain from older fans unless Ann Reinking comes in to recreate the original choreography AND direction. Youngsters will fawn over the actor chosen to play Pippin, provided he is young and Broadway's flavor of the month, which is highly likely. I like Pippin ok, though it's my least favorite Schwartz score. I'm just not thrilled with the prospect of the carnage to occur on the boards should a Broadway revival ever materialize, no matter how much people beg for it.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#32re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 3:26pm
I wish I was less excited about this, but I don't know, I just love Godspell so much it's unnatural. I would definitely prefer a Pippin revival, but this is just as good to remind me that once upon a time, I did really adore Schwartz.
But I agree about casting all unknowns. Having any one character being too distinctive because of the actor playing them would really take away from it a lot, IMHO. I mean, knowing how theatre fans these days are, I imagine even a cast of unknowns will have some performers that people will just latch onto, but yeah... I don't know. It bothers me, whatever.
Mostly I'm interested in seeing if they do something incredibly new and awesome with it. I mean, you can say you've seen a billion productions of Godspell, and you probably have, but more than most shows, it has the possibility for each production to be radically different from the next. Of course, everyone usually just emulates the original, but I'll be interested in seeing what's done here.
#33re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 3:32pmAs long as there is no stupid clown makeup, I'm fine with it.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
glancingforward
Chorus Member Joined: 2/21/07
#34re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 3:34pmREALLy. What producer in their right mind would hire the director of walmartopia to direct this show. WOW. sounds like another disaster in the making
#35re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 3:37pmAs long as it's understated, i'm fine with the makeup.
"Y'all have a GRAND day now"
MungoGypsy8232
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/8/07
#36re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 3:41pmI'm curious to see if this cast will record since there are so many Godspell recordings out there. This is kind of ironic because I was having a discussion among friends about shows that probably won't be revived anytime soon on Broadway and Godspell was brought up. Hopefully this cast will do something new and vibrant to distinguish itself among the others like the 2000 off-Broadway version did.
Jonny boy
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/30/07
#37re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 3:43pmI LOVE this show and cant wait to see it!!!! Anyone know if it is doing a pre-Broadway run?
#38re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 3:43pmArgh, I sound so old fashioned, but i'd love to hear the new cast recording sound more like the OOBC recording. All of the many Godspell recordings out there try too hard, (in my opinion), to do something new and exciting with the music. The music is great to begin with. It doesn't need heavy re-orchestration. I'd love to see this done with the original 4 piece band and orchestrations.
"Y'all have a GRAND day now"
mightydog
Understudy Joined: 10/12/06
#39re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 3:49pm
Someone should do some research on the Paper Mill production. There should be some answers to the questions there.
"...Godspell will reunite the creative team of the critically-acclaimed 2006 Paper Mill Playhouse conception in a completely new production..."
#40re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 3:55pmI'd rather they mount the Off-Broadway revival for Broadway instead of the Paper Mill Playhouse production.
Bwayfan4
Broadway Star Joined: 10/11/06
Mattbrain
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/23/05
#42re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 3:58pmAll I know is, they better not screw this up.
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ATTENTION FANS: I will be played by James Barbour in the upcoming musical, "BroadwayWorld: The Musical."
#43re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 4:12pmI would of also liked to of read that Pippin was to be revived in 08', but can settle for Godspell. It was one of the first shows I saw (long ago), and wouldn't mind seeing a professional production of it. Esp if it was on Broadway.
9/10 - Next To Normal, Ensemble Theatre
9/18 - Brian Stokes Mitchell, Cincy Pop's
9/28 - Death Of A Salesman, Wright State
9/18 - Brian Stokes Mitchell, Cincy Pop's
9/28 - Death Of A Salesman, Wright State
#44re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 4:31pm
Um...no, sorry to bust your bubble, folks, but this ain't gonna happen. Artistically, it's a good production, but there's no market for just any Godspell on Broadway right now.
Not to mention the fact that this just-announced deal is a conflict of interest with a separate producer. Said producer and his partners have an exclusive deal with Stephen Schwartz, for a better more contemporary production with bigger stars. The battle of the two would be exciting press, and he would beat the Paper Mill cold with his production, which he would be able to open way before them in Harlem (at the Apollo, or a 1,000 seater church).
Looks like a huge battle is about to shape up.
"There is no problem so big that it cannot be run away from."
~ Charles M. Schulz
#45re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 4:43pm
Looks like a huge battle is about to shape up.
Fun. Controversy. Broadway could use more of that. *sigh*
#46re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 4:50pm
Though there seems to be interest, I think a Broadway revival of Pippin would be foolish and too expensive to ever turn a profit. The recent Seattle production prooved Pippin to be very much of its time.
#47re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 4:58pmCould this be planned for the Longacre Theatre perhaps??
[title of show] on Broadway. it's time. believe.
#48re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 5:00pmPerhaps Miss Bean could play Jesus and once again show us how highly she thinks of herself.
#49re: GODSPELL returns to Broadway, summer 2008
Posted: 10/15/07 at 5:27pmSomeone mentioned the Music Box as a possible Shubert theatre for GODSPELL. I believe that the Music Box is half owned by the Shubert Organization and half by the Irving Berlin estate.
"Madam Rose...and her daughter...Gypsy!"
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