James Lapine to direct ANNIE?

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/20/10 at 12:08pm

"Actually, he made a call to us asking to be involved, when the revival was announced," Meehan said of Lapine's interest. "We've talked, and we're certainly receptive to his ideas and approach. Our producer [Arielle Tepper Madover] is in talks with him now."

There is, Meehan said, a possibility that, in this version, you'll be seeing more of Miss Hannigan, the comically monstrous orphanage headmistress (among her zingers: "Why anyone would want to be an orphan, I'll never know!"). "That character evolved into a star part right off the bat. She is the primary plot-mover of the first act, but she's practically not on stage at all in the second act. Martin and Charles have been talking about giving her another number in Act Two, sort of to balance the books a little more."



http://www.playbill.com/news/article/142238-Will-James-Lapine-Direct-Annie-on-Broadway

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/20/10 at 12:22pm

"Martin and Charles have been talking about giving her another number in Act Two, sort of to balance the books a little more."

This sounds like just the kind of logic that ruins many shows. The story and songs should be organic, not contrived. Artists should have enough confidence to go without a song for awhile if the story doesn't call for one, or to allow a character to be offstage for an extended period if the plot does not require his or her presence.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 8/20/10 at 12:38pm

Also in the article:

Reports that this Annie will be getting a "facelift" are both true and untrue, according to Meehan. Mostly, it's a matter of "taking out the 'improvements,'" said the book writer. "Over the past 30 years, lots of 'adjustments' and rewritten lines have crept in there. What we want to do is return the show as close as we can to what it was in 1977."

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 8/20/10 at 12:40pm

"What we want to do is return the show as close as we can to what it was in 1977."

Plus a new song for Miss Hannigan? That logic seems flawed.

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 8/20/10 at 4:53pm

PATTI LuPONE FOR MISS HANNIGAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE DEAR GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OR BERNADETTE PETERS

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 8/20/10 at 5:20pm

Neither one of them would touch this with a sixty-nine and a half foot pole. I can't even figure out why James Lapine is interested. It seems an odd choice for him.

[Noel&Cole]

Posted: 8/20/10 at 6:45pm

I find James Lapine to be an odd choice for this as well BUT if he approached them perhaps it's just a show that means a lot to him. Maybe he would depart from his usual style and show a new side to himself. Although it does seem like strange material for him. He's not normally that traditional. I'll be real curious to see what he does with it. I do think Annie is a show that should be revived in a fresh version thought. We've seen the Martin Charnin version for so long.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/20/10 at 7:34pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Meehan_Confirms_Lapine_in_Talks_for_ANNIE_Deems_Streep_Dream_Hannigan_20100820

Streep is Meehan's dream Hannigan.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 8/20/10 at 7:41pm

...yeah, because that's going to happen.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/20/10 at 9:32pm

I thought somebody named Wanda Sykes was set to play Hannigan.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/20/10 at 9:35pm

In Media, PA.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/21/10 at 1:44am

I vote for Stritch for Hannigan

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 8/21/10 at 1:57am

Meryl Streep playing Miss Hannigan? Who is this guy, a 12-year-old BWW poster?

I mean, I really hope he makes me eat my hat here.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 8/21/10 at 10:49am

The article states that Streep is his "dream" choice, and quickly follows up with the fact that he recognizes that it is a longshot, i.e. knows it's in all likelihood not going to happen.

Nothing wrong with a composer or librettist to state that one of the greatest actresses of our time is their dream casting.

[Overkill]

Posted: 8/21/10 at 11:16am

Gary Beach should be Rooster.

Is Wanda Sykes really playing her somewhere? Like, the comedian, Wanda Sykes?

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 8/21/10 at 11:58am

Lapine should be a perfect fit for this show.

[tazber]

Posted: 8/21/10 at 12:33pm

Harvey Firestein for Hannigan!

Totally serious btw.

[Overkill]

Posted: 8/21/10 at 1:00pm

I agree, he'd be a great fit for the show. He loves tap dancing, so there's gonna be a lot of it. Also, if anyone here has ever heard the musical he wrote, Sherry! (based on The Man Who Came to Dinner), it seems like it's the kind of era and music he likes and he's good at. Now, there's a studio cast album of the show with Nathan Lane, Carol Burnett, Bernadette Peters, Tommy Tune and Mike Myers. It' a GREAT cast but the show is greuling. The songs are all 7 minute scenes that go on and on. But it's worth looking at. Especially for the cast. And for his style.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 8/21/10 at 2:18pm

It sounds like Lapine has a fresh vision for the show, which is very exciting! I hope in keeping with the original, they keep "I'd Like to Thank You, Herbert Hoover" in- it's one of my favorite songs. Actually, I think the entire score is underrated and wonderfully orchestrated.

[Overkill]

Posted: 8/21/10 at 2:22pm

I always thought they should add in "Sign" from the movie. The song with Warbucks and Hannigan. It's my favorite song from the show and it's not even in it! Right there, that'll add another song and more stage time in the second act for Hannigan.

[tellybox]

Posted: 8/21/10 at 2:29pm

I'd second that. Sign is just so much damn fun.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 8/21/10 at 5:06pm

Overkill, you're confusing James Lapine and James Lipton.

[Overkill]

Posted: 8/21/10 at 5:10pm

I just smacked myself in the head. Lol I totally am. I'm sorry! Thank you, Mildred.