George Hearn as King Arthur!

What a great idea! Ravinia (Where Patti LuPone Gypsy was born) is planning a Camelot this summer that sounds terrific:

The Ravinia Festival in Highland Park is expected to announce Thursday that it will open its 2009 season with a new, "staged concert" version of Alan J. Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s classic Arthurian musical "Camelot," with George Hearn, Sylvia McNair and Rod Gilfry in the lead roles. This will be the first time that Broadway star and Ravinia regular Hearn has played the role of King Arthur—in a tuneful show that has become widely associated with President John F. Kennedy’s administration. Director Marc Robin will helm the new semi-staged production, which will be accompanied by the large Ravinia Festival Orchestra under Erich Kunzel’s baton. In what is expected to be a one-night-only performance June 5, "Camelot" will reunite many of those involved in Ravinia’s 2007 staging of “The Most Happy Fella,” and is arguably a well-timed title—given the arrival in the White House of a new, young president and his family. Tickets will go sale in April.

The Theater Loop

He is far, far too old for this part now!

Oh man, I am so there. While Camelot is far from my favorite show, Hearn, McNair, and Gilfry were WONDERFUL in The Most Happy Fella, and I'd love to see them perform together again.

(I also have to admit, when I saw the subject line, my first thought was, "Oh God, he's joining the Spamalot tour?")

Updated On: 12/4/08 at 02:17 PM

To be cliche, Hearn could sing the friggin phonebook and I'd be compelled. It was such a joy to see a master at work in "The Visit." Make that two masters - him and Ms Chita!

It will be bizarre to see this. But they were very good in "Fella."

Are we really going back to accuracy in a concert? Is Bernadette to female to sing Being Alive?

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What is with all these old men doing this role? We had Michael York (66) in the national tour and now George Hearn. Although, I do think George will be a lot better than Michael.

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Yes, Burton was in his mid-30's when he originated the role.

Even if it is a concert, the audience still have to sit there and actually see him and ,again, he's too old for Arthur!
I think he is a wonderful performing legend but...

Bleh.

And honestly, if they're going to do the WHOLE book in between the glorious songs, I couldn't sit through it. Again.

Won't SOMEONE do a concert of just the SONGS?!?

And an age appropriate cast wouldn't hurt. Really.

And the queens on here would kvell if she did.

Yes, he's too old for the role. But I thought he was great in "Fella," despite being a bit too old for that as well. And frankly, he'll be leagues better than York was.

Am I alone in thinking Brian Stokes Mitchell would make a great Arthur?