Grand Hotel

[Theatreboy49]

Grand Hotel#1

Posted: 10/2/08 at 6:59pm

So for the past couple months I have been obsessed with Grand Hotel and I feel it was nessacary to make a love/we need a revival thread. So post comments of love and lets discuss a revival because we really need. I say Hugh Panaro for the Baron and Leigh Ann Larking for Flaemmchen

<------ Me and my friends with patti Lupone at my friends afterparty for her concert with audra mcdonald during the summer of 2007.
"I am sorry but it is an unjust world and virtue is only triumphant in theatricle performances" The Mikado

[matty159]

re: Grand Hotel#2

Posted: 10/2/08 at 7:16pm

I have always been obsessed with this show and it is completely one of my favorites. I think I have seen it more than any other show and listen to it more regularly than any other show. I would love to see a revival. Tommy Tune's staging made it simply sublime...and I love the score too. About a year ago, and friend and I came up with a complete dream cast which I need to find. It was all mostly A-list actors, but it would be great. Must dig though some boxes to find that notebook!

[Theatreboy49]

re: Grand Hotel#2

Posted: 10/3/08 at 3:46pm

Im bored at work so...BUMP! And I know tommy tune has a lot of new projects going so it would be grea to get him to revive this as well!

<------ Me and my friends with patti Lupone at my friends afterparty for her concert with audra mcdonald during the summer of 2007.
"I am sorry but it is an unjust world and virtue is only triumphant in theatricle performances" The Mikado

[Jon]

re: Grand Hotel#3

Posted: 10/3/08 at 7:14pm

Jason Danieley as the Baron. Donna Murphy as Grusinskaya.

Chip Zien is now really the right age for Kringelein, which he played as a replacement on Broadway.

[Kalimba]

re: Grand Hotel#4

Posted: 10/3/08 at 7:54pm

I saw the original production and was fascinated by it. I also saw the replacements towards the end of the Broadway run and the show kind of lost its impact.

[frontrowcentre2]

re: Grand Hotel#5

Posted: 10/4/08 at 1:45am

GRAND HOTEL had been considered for the Shaw Festival in Niagara next summer but they decided to do SUNDAY instead.

I loved the original, but wonder if it would be as impressive in revival. If they copy the original staging it will seem like a carbon copy that pales in comparison. If it is radically revised it will disappoint those who have fond memories of the original.

Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!

I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com

[BigFatBlonde]

re: Grand Hotel#6

Posted: 10/4/08 at 2:19am

I was one of a minority of people who thought the original staging was cluttered and pretentious.

My memory had to fade a bit before I could appreciate the book and score.

What great ones do the less will prattle of

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

re: Grand Hotel#7

Posted: 10/4/08 at 2:22am

I know Tommy Tune is not a fan of reviving shows but I really really wish he would direct a revival of this show. His staging for this show is renowned as one of the most brilliant.
I actually think Leigh Ann Larkin would definitely make a good Flaemmchen, although I think Kristen Bell would be the best choice (she would NEVER do it, but still would die to hear her "I Want to Go to Hollywood"). How about someone like Ute Lemper for the Greta Garbo role?
I'd love to see David Hyde Pierce as Kringelein and most definitely agree with Jason Danieley as the Baron.

EDIT: For getting two great movie divas mixed up, thanks BFB.

"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

Updated On: 10/4/08 at 02:22 AM

[BigFatBlonde]

re: Grand Hotel#8

Posted: 10/4/08 at 2:26am

ray, dearest, I think you mean the Greta Garbo role.


Crawford played Flaemmchen.


And Ute Lemper as Grusinskaya is BRILLIANT casting. We might finally understand the Lyrics to BONJOUR AMOUR!

What great ones do the less will prattle of

Updated On: 10/4/08 at 02:26 AM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

re: Grand Hotel#9

Posted: 10/4/08 at 2:32am

Oops, I got them mixed up, BFB. Thanks for correcting me, I shall edit it :)
Glad you did like my Ute Lemper suggestion, I do think she would be fantastic in that role, her and her legs would rock that stage.

"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

[BigFatBlonde]

re: Grand Hotel#10

Posted: 10/4/08 at 2:38am

I can already see the ads with Lempers legs going on for MILES!

While I didn't care that much for the staging. I gotta give credit to Tommy Tune for doing the near impossible!

He took a forgotten show that flopped out of town YEARS beforehand and turned it into a hit!

Who else has done that?

An old friend once gave me his program from AT THE GRAND and believe me when I tell you it was a DIFFERENT show. It took place in Rome, I think, and looked a very LA DOLCE VITA.

What great ones do the less will prattle of

[BigFatBlonde]

re: Grand Hotel#11

Posted: 10/4/08 at 2:53am

Anyone remember how the Scullery Workers would come down the aisle during SOME HAVE, SOME HAVE NOT?

They would carry these bins filled with pieces of sharp clangy scrap metal.

STOMP! STOMP! STOMP! they'd come down the aisle rattling the loud and jarring bins next to the ear of anyone sitting on a aisle seat.

I SWEAR I saw at least three old people clutch for their hearts and fall to the floor.

What great ones do the less will prattle of

Updated On: 10/4/08 at 02:53 AM