Bernadette does have some popularity outside of the theatre world though. My dad knows nothing about theatre but he knows Bernadette just by the sound of her voice.
Lots of people know who Bernadette Peters is. I dare say she's a household name for most people over 30. She's done a whole lot of film and TV. There are lots of people who know nothing about Broadway, but know who Bernadette is.
"We all know it's about sexual awakening, but making it literal kind of takes away from the fun of how suggestive both "Hello, Little Girls" and "I Know Things Now" are; honestly, when I hear about how the SitP production handled it, I think it's a shame they didn't trust the material enough to remain subtle."
You mean like how the original production had a rather well hung wolf?
(LuPone) would have been a perfect and stunning Witch in the original production. I wonder if she regrets not taking it.
In an interview in VANITY FAIR when she was promoting her book, LuPone said she was offered the role of the Witch (nothing about Cinderella), but they wouldn't meet her contract demands. Later, she heard that Bernadette Peters ended up getting the same deal she (LuPone) had demanded.
Obviously I couldn't hear her tone of voice, but in context, she didn't sound regretful or bitter so much as conscious of the irony.
(IIRC, of course, as I don't have the magazine in front of me.)
Bernadette is more widely known than I think a lot of people realize. She's been around for quite a long time.
Absolutely, but when was her last film hit?
Streep has had a run of 100 million dollar hits, including one musical.
And that's show biz, folks. (Personally, I love Streep's voice and I've always thought she was gorgeous. I have no idea why anyone is complaining about the casting.)
Well, I complained about it because it just seemed like kneejerk casting. I love Streep, not crazy about the voice, but just think there are other actresses that would be more interesting in the role. But I don't make those decisions and I'm sure she will be fine. I just think she is the bland choice. But I'm just glad it's being made into a movie.
I was so stoked for Mamma Mia, but was underwhelmed and didn't really like Meryl in it.
And when it comes down to it, isn't that really the point? They're making a legitimate film version of this wonderful musical. The continued nitpicking is ridiculous.
^ That's my take on it too. It wasn't so long ago that the movie musical was an obscurity, now studios are back to pouring money into them and some less commercial ones at that. And I don't know whether there has been a direct link, but if one of these movies, encourages someone to go to the theatre for the first time or more often then it's only a good things. It also seems to have been a long time since screen 'stars' were triple threats (many were but it wasn't used) so it's great to see that too. I get that this entire post is disgustingly perky for round these parts!
Eric, touche! But at least he didn't eat Little Red out. And yes, most people know who Bernadette Peters is, but that doesn't mean she can headline a multi-million dollar film. Catherine Zeta-Jones is an Oscar winner, and even she hasn't been able to open a movie in years. There is a reason Streep was the first piece of casting announced, she's a huge box office star, her films tend to triple their budget most of the time, and many producers have said that when you get her to be involved then the other stars become interested. Phyllida Lloyd said that before they secured her for MAMMA MIA, none of the actors or the creative team wanted to be involved, then she said yes to it and all of the sudden everyone wanted to be a part of it. Of course, MAMMA MIA is not INTO THE WOODS, but I believe Disney made the right decision from both a business and a creative perspective.
"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"
"Can't we be happy that it's being made instead of complaining about your misconceptions about this movie."
"And when it comes down to it, isn't that really the point? They're making a legitimate film version of this wonderful musical."
Exactly. A film adaptation of this musical has been discussed for over two decades and the fact that it is FINALLY happening is wonderful. Last year, 'Les Miserables' finally made into a movie and now we are getting 'Into the Woods'.
And let's not forget that we'll always have a wonderful document of the original cast. Not many other musicals can boast that. God bless them for filming that production. I wish it was done with more shows.
After hearing the big loss that 'Lone Ranger' will make for Disney I was worried that this film's budget will have to be trimmed or they would have to postpone the movie indefinitely. 'Lone Ranger' was put on hold after 'Cowboys & Aliens' failed.
"In August 2011, former Walt Disney Studios chairman Rich Ross suspended production of Lone Ranger because of concerns over the $250 million budget in the wake of box office bomb Cowboys & Aliens, also a Western."
However, I then realized that 'Lone Ranger' really did not have any potential and a musical film about fairy tales will appeal more to families. I have a good feeling this movie will be like 'Enchanted' which played during the 2007 holiday season and made $340 million against its $85 million budget. Comparing 'Lone Ranger' to 'Into the Woods' was like comparing apples to oranges. Plus, Walt Disney Pictures is already making TONS OF MONEY with 'Iron Man 3' and 'Monsters University'.