Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15- Page 3
Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
#50Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/9/10 at 11:08pm
Way back in the olden days, I was just a mere acting student in a university in the frosty north. Our gay and lesbian group didn't have much of a budget, but they had enough to bring one show to the school. It was Harvey Fierstein doing his one-man act. I, being obnoxious and self-promoting, suggested that some student (but who? who could it be!?) should do the opening monologue from Torch Song Trilogy as a way of honoring his work. I also roped another student into doing a monologue from Safe Sex. We got to spend some time with Mr. Fierstein backstage...and he was a fabulous. Kind and acerbic at the same time.
After we did our pieces, we watched the show from the wings. Harvey decided to sing I AM WHAT I AM. Was it like listening to Barbara Cook sing GLITTER AND BE GAY? Nope.
But it was the most fiercely delivered, moving version of that song I've ever encountered. Ever. Put me in the camp of thrilled to see it.
FindingNamo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
#51Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/9/10 at 11:12pmThat made me laugh out loud, sonofrobbiej. And kinda psyched to see this.
#52Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/9/10 at 11:20pm
It's not an exact analogy, but it's a bit like JCM in Hedwig. Others can be good. Great. Transcendent.
But there's only one that just IS.
Harvey just is.
#53Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/9/10 at 11:58pmI'm just glad the producers are planning to keep the show open past Grammar & Hodge's stay. Harvey will sell tickets and will be great in this role. This makes me want to see the show again. Now, who will be Georges??
#54Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/10/10 at 12:29am
Mike Myers is apparently in the mix to replace Grammer. Oy.
http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/harvey_to_kick_up_his_heels_WMgJZaYGZQbfpjNRPUoHSI#ixzz14r2NIjzK
#55Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/10/10 at 12:32amwell, the NY Post is reporting it, so take it as you will.
#56Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/10/10 at 12:34amRiedel spoke directly with Fierstein. I'm sure there's some truth to it.
jonartdesigns
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/04
#57Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/10/10 at 12:46amI just listened to Fierstein sing I am what I am on his CD. It's really not all that bad, its not George Hearn, but he does fine.
#58Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/10/10 at 1:09amBut, he recorded that CD years ago. I want to say that there was even a noticeable difference between the Hairspray and Catered Affair recordings and it wasn't for the better.
#59Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/10/10 at 1:41amOy is right. I can see Chicago's revolving cast door being installed at the Longacre.
#60Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/10/10 at 4:27am
"Who says that the character of Albin is necessarily a great singer with a heavenly voice?"
It's a bloody hard sing!
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#61Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/10/10 at 5:18amI was about to chime in that I thought that he might get me back to the theater to see La Cage again. (I am in the camp of if you can sell the song, I can live without a great voice.) But if MIKE MYERS is actually cast, you couldn't drag me to the theater.
Smaxie
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
#62Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/10/10 at 5:50amIt's outdated info. Mike Myers is not playing Georges.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#63Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/10/10 at 10:14amI'm kind of dumbfounded to see such a negative reaction to this announcement. "Theater History" is putting it mildly.
#64Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/10/10 at 11:53amBut God help you if you try saying something even slightly salty about Elaine Stritch's singing.
#65Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/10/10 at 12:54pm
Stritch sings saltily.
Kidding aside, I think this is great casting and makes me excited to see the next announcement.
#66Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/10/10 at 1:01pmWell maybe Reichen can do it. His show is down to 2 perfs a week now, right?
AEA AGMA SM
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/13/09
#67Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/10/10 at 1:59pmDidn't he get fired from that show?
#68Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/10/10 at 2:13pmDid he?!? If so then he's definitely free to partner with Harvey!
Jon
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
#69Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/10/10 at 2:44pmAccording to All That Chat, it's "Dirty Jobs" host Mike Rowe, who used to be an opera singer.
#70Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/10/10 at 3:01pmHmm...now, Stritch as Albin...THAT Id see.
FindingNamo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
#71Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/10/10 at 5:19pmI'd pay premium ticket prices for the first time in my life to be in the Splash Zone if Mike Rowe goes into La Cage with Harvey.
bwayfan7000
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/28/09
#72Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/10/10 at 10:49pmI wouldn't go as far as to say that casting Fierstein in a role he wrote is the same kind of casting as Chicago does. I think it's highly intriguing.
#73Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/11/10 at 3:20am
Harvey is a great actor. He's going to be amazing. He doesn't have the best singing voice, but he can sell just about any song (in this show anyway) I can't wait to see him! Now, when I first read the news, I was like "wtf???", but after thinking about it for a while, it sat well.
I personally LOVE Mike Myers and I've always wanted to see him on Broadway, but I don't think Georges would be the right role for him. He's more like someone they should gotten as a Max Bialystock stunt cast, instead of someone like Tony Danza (that still baffles me to this day)
SueleenGay
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
#74Harvey Fierstein to Join LA CAGE AUX FOLLES as Albin February 15
Posted: 11/11/10 at 6:40am
My goodness, have people here lost all of their senses since the Mendel Auto-tune was introduced to broadway?
Here is a list of people who would NEVER make it on Broadway today because by the standards set here could not sing very well:
Yul Brenner
Angela Lansbury
Ethel Merman
Carol Channing
Jerry Orbach
Mary Martin
Gwen Verdon
Zero Mostel
The afore mentioned Stritch
Rex Harrison
But I would pay anything to have seen these actor/singers in their heyday. I would put Harvey in this category. Charisma and commitment to the material and the ability to transform themselves believably into a character is a much more valuable thing than being able to hit all the notes in a auditory pleasing manner.
Better to please the soul than the to please the ear when it comes to musical theater.
If you come out of a performance saying, "He sure sung purdy" is all well and good. But to come out saying, "He moved me in a way I have never been moved before is, as they say, PRICELESS.
So stay home and listen to your Josh Groban and Christina Aguilera cds. I am sure you will enjoy their pretty studio enhanced singing.
Just my opinion.
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