Guys and Dolls 2/11 EVE (Long)- Page 2

[allegro22]

Posted: 2/17/09 at 12:19pm

The Donmar Production was incredible. I do not think they are that far off with this new revival. Sure there are still a couple issues to work out, but I am sure they are rehearsing and tweaking every day. The biggest problem I feel, is the gap between some actors being charactures and some others being way to serious. Particularly the Nathan Detroit character. Oliver needs to choose one direction or the other. I personally think that this tale was meant to represent the Runyan stories, so it cannot be too serious. I love the change in time period to be more true to these stories. It works brilliantly!
Compared to a lot of the shows I have seen in previews, G&D is in a great place with 2 weeks left before opening. Billy Elliot was a sh*t show during previews!

I cannot wait till it opens!

[allofmylife]

Posted: 2/17/09 at 12:27pm

Donmar's casting was wonderful. As with the original and many of the fine revivals of this show (and apparently this is a technique unknown to the current producers) they cast people who had the requisite talents to play the part. Faith "How DOES She Sing That Note?" Prince and Nathan "Hello, I'll be Your Most Talented Nathan Detroit Ever" Lane, anyone?

The original stars were SUBLIME. Listen to the OCR and bathe in the delivery of Vivane Blaine and Sam Levine - perhaps the greatest sourpuss comedian of all times.

The stars in the major revivals have been: Helen Gallagher and Walter Matthau, Sheila MacRea and Allan King, Robert Guillaume and Norma Donaldson and Nathan and Faith.

See a pattern there?