Is Eartha Kitt the next Melanie?

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 10/8/03 at 10:37am

Reviews I've read of last night's 'Nine' are saying they simplified Chita's choreography to accomodate Miss Kitt.

Why do I have a feeling Eartha is NOT going to face the same backlash for this that Melanie did.


(Edited to make sentences out of strange combinations of words.)
Updated On: 10/8/03 at 10:37 AM

Posted: 10/8/03 at 10:44am

...but the choreography was fairly simple for Chita!!!!

I mean Chita is no spring chicken either!

Posted: 10/8/03 at 10:49am

Forgive me for asking... but isn't Eartha much older then Chita?

And Eartha is Eartha... She can stand on the stage and od nothing but sing and she would oooze fabulousness.

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/8/03 at 10:49am

But Ms. Kitt is certainly MUCH more appropriate for the role. Chita, no matter what role she's portraying, exudes a sort of maternal warmth that doesn't quite jive w/ Lillane Le Fleur. I always believed Ms. Kitt should be playing this role and am actually very interested in seeing it again.

Plus, and I have no problem admitting it, John Stamos is kinda yummy.

[orion59]

Posted: 10/8/03 at 10:50am

You're right. She probably won't get teh same backlash. Why? Because Eartha has talent. I think people have a greater respect for her tahn they would for Melanie. You can understand the fact that, unlike Chita, Eartha is not a dancer and therefore may need the choreography modified. I think people didn't give Melanie the same break was that they feel she offered anything else to the show. Besides, if you are not a dancer, you have no business being in a show that relys so much on dance. I don't think that Nine is really about the choreography as much

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 10/8/03 at 10:52am

I love Miss Eartha.

But I saw her in the London FOLLIES right after Dolores Grey left. And Eartha was Awwwwwwwwwwwwwfullllllllllll.

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/8/03 at 10:53am

Reeeeeeeeeally?

Details, Master, details!

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 10/8/03 at 11:06am

i didn't see the CINDERELLA tour with Eartha as Fairy Godmother, but i heard horrible things. i do like her as a personality and cabaret artist. And i do think it would be worth repeating NINE to see her again. And gotta say, Robbie, i know where you're coming from about Stamos. i even used to watch that horrible Jack Klugman sitcom with him as the sorta son to catch him. As to Eartha, anyone see WILD PARTY? i'd also like to see some of the other replacements in NINE, particularly Marni Nixon. Poor Roundabout must be pulling their hair out over this one. And that dance captain (since Goodwin left to rejoin CHICAGO and then NEVER GONNA DANCE) is probably beside herself rehearsing all these folks. Show biz!

Posted: 10/8/03 at 11:09am

Eartha was great in "The Wild Party"..

...Most people loved her more than the show... Updated On: 10/8/03 at 11:09 AM

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 10/8/03 at 11:10am

Robbie, I was naturally expecting to see someone slinky and packed with pizazz. But she was absolutely wooden, seeming to barely interact with the other actors. Her "I'm Still Here" was sung in a flat monotone that only 'landed' when she sung about being "branded a pinko, commie tool". In her defense I saw her RIGHT after Grey left (oone of my great theater regrets was JUST missing her) so maybe Ms. Kitt hadn't gotten her groove yet.

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/8/03 at 11:15am

I adored her in WILD PARTY (and I'm one of 7 people who really actually enjoyed the whole show). I always thought Ms. Kitt a camp presence until that show and, Lordy, I was a convert!

I'm not sure if she's an actress of great depth or range, but when she is allowed to basically play herself (as I'm sure she is in NINE) she's compelling.

and Master, WHO, but WHO, could follow the one, the only Ms. Grey?

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 10/8/03 at 11:16am

that's all well and cood, LCZ, but what color are those eyes of yours? anyone who appreciates Dolores Grey needs to have dinner with me sometime somewhere!

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 10/8/03 at 11:43am

Well, Robbie, EXACTLY. Who could?! There is an ever-diminishing pool of great fabulous showbiz legendary ladies you can pick from.

And Tx: to answert your question - Cornflower blue.

Did you go to the memorial service? I did :)

Posted: 10/8/03 at 12:00pm

Robbiej says: I adored her in WILD PARTY (and I'm one of 7 people who really actually enjoyed the whole show). I always thought Ms. Kitt a camp presence until that show and, Lordy, I was a convert!

RobbieJ!! I love you!! and I LOVED WILD PARTY! I don't think anyone really got what they were trying to do ..

I am probaly one of the few who rushed out to get the cast album the DAY IT WAS RELEASED!! Updated On: 10/8/03 at 12:00 PM

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/8/03 at 12:10pm

Oh...I ran out that VERY day! One of the most exciting score of the last 10 years with a star performance by Toni Collete that was both surprising and exhilerating. That entire cast (except for Brooke Sunny-Moriber, whom I felt was cloying) was faaaabulous.

I was lucky enough to see it early on in previews when Mandy Patinkin was still this side of sane and delivering a pretty terrific performance.

That PARADE and WILD PARTY could not sustain truly has disheartened me. Two compelling, complex musical dramas that should have led to rebirth of the serious musical play, only to shudder and give way to tounge-in-cheek cuteness.

Posted: 10/8/03 at 12:15pm

Oh Robbie ..lets get married...

We are one on this issue...One!

what a score and indeed, I went to an early preview as well..and Colette, brava, I shouted!

Let's me you and your boyfriend while away the hours singing "Breezin through another day"... Updated On: 10/8/03 at 12:15 PM

[mamamia sammy]

Posted: 10/8/03 at 12:16pm

Oh Anth! We finally have something in common.

I thought "The Wild Party" was incredible. The entire company was perfectly cast. And what about Toni Collette! Please! She was robbed of the Tony Award.

Eartha was great in "The Wild Party" and a friend who saw her in "Nine" last night said she was, dare I say it, better than Chita.

PS. Anth, does this mean you'll marry me too?

Updated On: 10/8/03 at 12:16 PM

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/8/03 at 12:17pm

You brining the party favor Jackie adored so?

I absolutely adored that evening in the theatre. A perfect show? No. But a vital, thrilling night? YES!!

[TheBalladeer]

Posted: 10/8/03 at 12:17pm

Was there ever a time where Mandy was sane? Seriously?

As for Eartha, I find her to be a wonderful actress....I mean in the movies that I have seen her in. And we'll just forget those campy Batman days....Although I used to love it when Catwoman was the special guest villain, and she was playing Catwoman. LOL

Cheers,
The (Hormonally-Driven) Balladeer


P.S. By the way, I have dibs on Anth. So you chicos had better back off!

Updated On: 10/8/03 at 12:17 PM

Posted: 10/8/03 at 12:19pm

I loved Colette...but Headley was a titanic force to reckon with the night I saw her..I mean the final section of "the dance of the robe"..

"I know expectations are high.."

well, I can count how many times my breath has ever been taken away by a singer...

and that was one of them !

but sammy so glad you enjoyed it as well!

smooches!

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/8/03 at 12:29pm

That was actually one of the better Best Actress in a Musical races in a loooong time. You had Toni Colette, Headley, Audra, Rebecca Luker and Marin Mazzie.

Shee-it.

[orion59]

Posted: 10/8/03 at 12:30pm

as much as I love Eartha...there was no Catwoman like Julie Newmar

[TheBalladeer]

Posted: 10/8/03 at 12:32pm

Robbie, you go boy! You tell it! Shee-it. Dat's wat I'm talkin' bout.

Posted: 10/8/03 at 12:35pm

remember "The Times" review of AIDA:

The opening line was:

"Pretty much everything that's right about Aida can be summed up in two words: Heather Headley".

That's a TONY inducing review if ever there was one...

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/8/03 at 12:45pm

I actually have never seen Aida. But on of my friends said, and I quote, 'She threw that show on her back and dragged it to hitdom.'

Atta girl.