It's Official! Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch to Star in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC Starting 7/13 — Page 5

I just figured out why they are doing this. They want a commercial video recording of it (both actresses are probably willing since both have allowed commercial videos of their work to be made). I wanted a video of CZJ and Angela Lansbury.

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I alsoI fully expect a video of the show to be made now with these two.

There is absolutely no reason, though, to think that Lansbury or Jones would have vetoed a professional filming of the production, and obviously, from a production standpoint a video of the two of them would have been a lot more viable.

I really don't see how anyone can anticipate the critical reaction at this point. Though Peters has sung "Clowns," she's never played the role, and as she has already explained, will take the part in a different direction than Zeta-Jones. Her age, rather than a detraction, could enhance and deepen a production in dire need of more emotional resonance. If the men appear younger than she, it won't be Cougar-esque, as some have opined. She's playing a great stage star, and I think she will approximate Desiree's profile and charisma effortlessly.

Ironically, Zeta-Jones would make a damned good Countess to the Peters Desiree. Those two singing "Every Day a Little Death" might've been magic, and they look like they might be friends.

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Ha! Where was my head! Jeesh. Talk about humiliations!

I should't be allowed to post here for a month. Well, until July 13th.

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Updated On: 6/8/10 at 04:00 PM

I would love a new film. But without the right director, it could be another disaster of a Night Music film.

"There is absolutely no reason, though, to think that Lansbury or Jones would have vetoed a professional filming of the production, and obviously, from a production standpoint a video of the two of them would have been a lot more viable."

Yeah, I don't see why Jones would've vetoed it (except a possible upcoming film version). This is the same woman who insisted that her hair be short in Chicago so that everyone knew she was the one doing the dancing. She wants recognition for her work.

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"I wonder if another big screen version were to happen with CZJ, would they likely dump Lansbury and cast Dench, or Redgrave?"

Like they dumped the perfectly cast Patricia Routledge so Lansbury could sleep walk through "Pirates of Penzance"?

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With this "reopening" of sorts, can I make a few changes?:

-SPEED IT UP!!! Many of the book scenes drag when they shouldn't, and with a little speed, everything can fall together like clockwork! The same goes for some of the songs: "Everyday a Little Death" in particular, though I love the reimagined opening.

-Can Anne not be THE most annoying person in the world? Please? Both performances, she's shorted out her microphones due to that inane shrieking.

-Charlotte should never out & out cry in Act One; she's composed: emotional but composed, making her the most interesting character of the piece. Without that composure, she has nowhere to go for Act Two. And noone should ever cry while singing... ever... Erin Davie if you weren't so brilliant half the time... half the time...

The same goes for some of the songs: "Everyday a Little Death" in particular.

Not going to happen. I was told Nunn would not let go of the slower tempo to that song.

Charlotte should never out & out cry in Act One

Again, that's a major part of Nunn's vision for Charlotte. We don't have to agree with it, but I highly doubt he will change it.

Having seen it five times since the first preview, the only real differences are Hunter and Leigh Ann toning down their performances. Aaron and Erin got much stronger. Meanwhile Mallory actually turned up the histrionics.

Angela Lansbury replaced Estelle Parsons. Patricia Routledge was replaced by Estelle Parsons for the Broadway transfer.
Why would they replace Three-time Oscar nominee and Five-time Tony winner for the movie version anyway? It's not Mame/Lucille Désirée Ball situation.

Marvin Laird?

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