Glenn Close as Desiree Armfeldt? — Page 2

I think Blythe Danner would be an excellent Desiree with Christine Baranski as Charlotte. Michael Cerveris was an amazing Carl-Magnus in Chicago. I could also see Kelsey Grammer as Frederick. Henrik will be tough to cast, though. It would be nice if they could get a tenor who was a real cello player for a change (like me!). Ann and Henrik must be the toughest parts to play in the show. If not directed properly, they can come across as flat and one-note characters (I've seen it ahppen). The honest sincerity is the key to this pair. They could easily steal the show as much as Karl-Magnus and Charlotte if given the opportunity. The funny thing about this show, every time I've seen it, the scenes between Desiree and Frederick are often the slowest scenes that drag the show down. All the other characters seem to be much more interesting and entertaining. I love the show, but I would like to see a production in which Frederick and Desiree are just as funny and charming as the rest of the characters rather than simply being the characters burdened with the dramatic elements.

And I hate the quintet. Rarely are they ever used well. I know they have names in the program, but nothing in the show explains who they are or why they are there. They are always dressed as if attending a party and come and go like a Greek chorus commenting on the action or revealing thoughts, but I have always found them quite annoying and I want to simply get on with the story. If they were used in such a way to either be characters more integrated with the story, such as gossiping servants, then they would make more sense. Either that, or make they completely different from the rest of the cast, like Midsummer fairies or something. In one production, they were in shimmery makeup to look like porcelain music-box figures. A good idea, but they looked so creepy, it was more disturbing than effective.

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Judy Collins' version is perfectly pleasant. Her voice has a natural vulnerability that adds much, even though there isn't much depth too it.

What about Susan Sarandon? Could she still do it? She looks great!

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I think Annette Benning is a great choice. In some of her films, she shows a unique flair for comedy that has a sexy, playful quality that would be great for Desiree. But would she move to NYC and do a long run? I wish she had done the KC version.

Natasha Richardson would make a good Desiree and the vocal demands are less than Sally Bowles and Liam Neeson could be Frederick and Vanessa Redgrave could be Madame Armfeldt. I'd rather see Richardson and Neeson in NIGHT MUSIC than in CAMELOT.

tpdc,

Actually...Ms. Richardson may already have a something very big on her plate for next season.

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Her sense of irony is a marvelous defense mechanism when she's rejected by Fredrik which leads to "Send in the Clowns". God I love this musical!!!

I think Julie Andrews should come back and do Desiree...Judy Dench should play the mother....Or Angela Landsbury...shes been playing old ladies since she was in her 20's!

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Updated On: 4/27/04 at 07:59 PM

For some reason, my message was posted twice so I am now replacing it with this lovely sentence.

Updated On: 4/27/04 at 08:23 PM

Helen Mirren would be brilliant as Desiree. Is anyone here familiar with the Original London Cast Album which starred Jean Simmons? Worth a listen to hear a bass Desiree sing Send In The Clowns.

OK, I'm gonna play devil's advocate on a couple of points. I think that Close would make a very intriguing Desere. She is a VERY inventive actress-she tend to play different roles in different manners. Also, the role of Deseree was written for an actress-in the case of the original (Johns) an actress with a very limited vocal range, not much of a stretch for any actress who can approximate a pitch.

Also, I think Peters would make a lovely Desree. She has the requisite sparkle and wit for the role. Also, after seeing her in "Gypsy", I think she is ready for it.

As much as I would have adored to see Andrews as Deseree about 15 years ago, I think at this point of her career she would make a better Madame Armfelt. (However, I doubt you could ever convice her to come back to the stage in a supporting role)

Just may opinion, I may be wrong.

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Updated On: 4/28/04 at 10:29 AM

People who saw the original production have told me about the power of Clowns and the way Johns did it. All evening she had been playing a charming, sexy, selfish schemer and then when Frederik comes clean with her she responds with Clowns. The effect of seeing her reveal her true self and her real fears had the audience in tears and had them rooting for Desiree and Frederik to have a happy ending. Now it's the hit song that everyone is waiting to hear. But a good actress and director should be able to make it work nearly as well as Johns and Prince did.

Well, this thread is certainly proof that not only is Night Music ripe for revival but there are endless casting opportunities. Seems that all that's required is a strong lady to open it and it could run forever with a string of celebrity fill-ins a la Chicago... are Barry and Fran listening?

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Someone else who'd have the right Glynnis-esque blend:

Stockard Channing. No?

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