How About a Revival of OLIVER!- Page 3

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 5:22pm

Even in the 1948 British film, Bill Sykes is hardly mentioned in the first half of the film and doesn't appear until the 2nd half of the film. Boy, is he a menacing character! I have to admit that I have never read the novel, so I don't know when Bill Sykes first appears according to Dickens.

As for your statement that "Too many juicy dramatic moments are ruined by having the character go into song", isn't that what musical theatre is all about, having the character go into song for a juicy dramatic moment? I don't think I have to give examples even though I could mention countless musical numbers from countless shows. Just think of musicals from the Golden Age and that should suffice. And remember that OLIVER!'s score won the Tony that year.

Updated On: 4/22/07 at 05:22 PM

[wickedfan]

Posted: 4/22/07 at 5:58pm

Don't get me wrong, I love the score. Most of it, anyway. I find that musical theatre is supposed heighten an emotion through song, the song in question should only come when the character has no other way to express themself. I feel that there are moments in the stage version of Oliver! where music is just not needed.

And what I mean by Bill Sykes being hardly mentioned in the first act is that the references to him don't mean anything if it is not explained who he is. When Fagin says that Dodger is bound to be another Bill Sykes and Nancy sings "Even fight my Bill?" and Didger replies "What?! Fisticuffs!", they don't really mean anything. I remember when I first saw the show I didn't laugh at the "fisticuffs" line because I had no friggin' clue who they were talking about. I wouldn't mind it if they briefly mentioned Bill Sykes and left him a mystery until Act 2, but constant mentions of him without any explanation is annoying, I find.

And yes, I have that recording on cassette. The actor gives an appropriately raw performance of it, but I still find the song laughable. Simply because of its placement in the show. Bill Sykes does not seem like a character who would sing. I really don't like the Nancy on that recording, though.

[alterego]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 3:22am

A revival, I think would be welcomed, but please NOT the recent Cameron Mac Intosh (Palladium - Sam Mendes) production. There was so much going on onstage that you couldn't even find the leads.

Has anyone else ever noticed in productions of OLIVER! that Oliver always speaks in an upper class accent even though he has spent all his life in the workhouse? I guess breeding will always shine through!

[DickonDefysGravity]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 3:44am

Bolger would be a fantastic Nancy.

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 12:57pm

I read somewhere that Cam Mac love Oliver! so much that he would revive it once every 10 years so I guess the next revival is pretty soon!

Anyway... I'd love to see Ruthie Henshall/Linzi Hateley reprise as Nancy! As for Broadway... I think Idina Menzel would be really good singing the role, bringing a new edge but not acting-wise (but who knows?) but my vote goes to Sutton Foster. And I have a feeling that Colm Wilkinson could be weirdly impressive as Fagan!... so is Philip Quast!

As for someone commenting about 'stunt casting', I know what you mean, but it's not exactly our fault that we name these names cuz they're like the biggest and well-known stars in musical-theatre and we've heard enough/sufficient of their work that we can imagine them doing some other roles. But I trust that Cam Mac (if he's reviving it!) will use the best person possible (known/unknown)... I mean SallyDextor is not exactly known when she was casted in Oliver! and Lisa O'hare who's playing Mary Poppins now and goin over to US to do My Fair Lady! I would love to see more unknown talents rise!

[jewishboy]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 2:06pm

I think that the biggest problem with idina menzel would be her voice not her acting. Idina Menzel is great at creating a sympathetic character that the audience can root for and she has that grit that is needed for Nancy. But her high belt is just not right for the role you need some one with more "round" or "full" voice and hopefully a voice that fits naturally in the lower register.

[mmajer]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 2:12pm

I second Daphne Rubin-Vega as Nancy. Yes, her voice is different, but she would act the hell out of the role.

[madbrian]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 2:16pm

Judy McLane (currently in Mamma Mia) played Nancy at the Papermill a few years back. I'd love for her to get a chance to play the role on Broadway.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 2:20pm

Yes, Daphne just embodies the character so well and her "As Long As He Needs Me" would be heartbreaking. I would be a little worried about her reprise of it, but that is the only problem I see. And personally I wouldn't characterize Georgia Brown's voice as lovely.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 2:20pm

"I second Daphne Rubin-Vega as Nancy. Yes, her voice is different, but she would act the hell out of the role."

This is what was said when she was cast as Fantine. DRV would not do justcie to "It's a Fine Life" or "Oom Pah Pah".

Updated On: 4/23/07 at 02:20 PM

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 3:17pm

What about Linda Eder as Nancy? Or is she to old?

[buffyactsing]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 4:10pm

Why would Emily Skinner need to "lose a little"? I can't remember anything referring to Nancy as skinny.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 4:27pm

What about Laura Michelle Kelly?

[acrocksyo]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 4:43pm

I have always wanted to see a full scale revival of Oliver, but with a young Nancy, I think part of Nancy's charm in the book is that she was so young, I would actually love to see Anneliese Van Der Pol play the role. She has the pipes, and can obviously pull off the dramatic stuff as she was Eva in Evita.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 4:47pm

Exactly, Buffy! Emily Skinner is just fine and is talented enough to play Nancy on Broadway. Everytime people mention Skinner for any role they say how she needs to lose weight, it gets a bit tiring...

[skingdom]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 6:32pm

Rachel York for Nancy.

I love how nobody really gives a @#$ about who plays anyone else.

Skingdom out out and away.

[BigFatBlonde]

Posted: 4/23/07 at 6:44pm

Only if John Doyle directs and those kids have to play instruments as well as sell concessions during intermission.