John Davidson in THE FANTASTICKS- Page 2

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 6/10/12 at 10:59am

I respect John's candid thoughts about STATE FAIR. He really was miscast, as were all of the principals except Scott Wise and Ben Wright. It wasn't until I saw a stock production that I could appreciate how well put together that show is. Briggs' book is extremely thoughtful and the extant R&H songs are integrated seamlessly. It all really works beautifully when it's well cast.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/10/12 at 12:47pm

I'm in the minority because I loved STATE FAIR on Broadway. I was suckered in from the first few notes of the overture (gorgeous orchestrations!) and the sublime, swirling staging of "A Grand Night For Singing". I guess that might make the show my guilty pleasure.

This was an interview that started off being professionally courteous but grew more candid as John warmed up to me. It got to the point that we were planning to see a certain Broadway play together (along with his wife) but his performance schedule--as well as his rehearsals for MAN OF LA MANCHA made that impossible.
Perhaps that'll happen if he returns to THE FANTASTICKS in the future.

I'd also like to do another interview with him because there's so much territory we didn't get into this time. Besides, I enjoy his company.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 6/10/12 at 4:10pm

Dolly, I did love SF on Broadway. Bruce Pomahac's orchestrations and Kay Cameron's vocal arrangements were gorgeous, and Randy Skinner's choreography was great. It was by turns hilarious and heartfelt (Peter Benson was heartbreaking as the farm boy who loved Margy). But I did think John, Donna, Andrea and the lovely widow Crosby were desperately miscast.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/10/12 at 4:33pm

Peter Benson was, indeed, excellent in that show.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 6/10/12 at 5:50pm

Dear Jon,

I am such an idiot! (Obviously, since I screwed up so badly I had to invent a new hat.)

I misunderstood what you meant by "opening" and thought they had added some speech for John Davidson at the top of the entire show.

Yes, of course, I remember Henry's monologue and you did a beautiful job of recalling it.

Thanks again. I think I've finished bothering you now.

GavestonPS (nee Gaveston2)

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/10/12 at 6:39pm

They could have punk'd John and eliminate his role they way it was in the TV version he starred in!

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 6/10/12 at 6:59pm

I don't mean to defend the careless massacre of a classic, but Henry and Mortimer really are the type of roles that are inherently theatrical. I can understand someone deciding they wouldn't work on TV.

Ditto the Mute, I suppose.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/10/12 at 7:41pm

That's one of the reasons the TV version of THE FANTASTICKS was only a lukewarm production. Wouldn't it be nice if someone got together a first rate cast and taped the show live on-stage for a Great Performances telecast?

[Jon]

Posted: 6/11/12 at 12:15am

I saw the legendary production at Arlington Park Theatre (outside Chicago) in the early 1970's with Richard Chamberlain as El Gallo, Barney Martin as Hucklebee, and John Carradine as Henry.

Then in 1981, my dad played Hucklebee at the Drury Lane Water Tower Place Theatre, with Robert Conrad (not kidding) as El Gallo, and a fresh-out-of-college Megan Mulalley as Luisa.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/11/12 at 5:26pm

Megan Mullaley as Luisa???? well, if the young Liza could play the part....

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 6/11/12 at 5:39pm

Fresh out of college Megan Mullaly is was quite different from "Will & Grace" Megan Mullaly. I could see her playing "Luisa". She certainly has the pipes for the role.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 6/11/12 at 5:57pm

Megan Mullally makes perfect sense to me. Actually, a number of the girls I've known to play Louisa have been gifted comediennes, even though the part itself isn't a comic romp.

But Robert Conrad? Do tell!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/11/12 at 8:20pm

Conrad as El Gallo sounds as bad as Hal Holbrook as Don Quixote!

[peerrjb]

Posted: 6/12/12 at 12:32am

This is to "JON" who mentioned he saw the Richard Chamberlain-Barney Martin-John Carradine FANTASTICKS at the Arlington Park. I played the "Mute" in that production, having been shipped from CA to Chicago along with Michael Byers (Matt) and Indira Danks (Luisa). Since I still live in CA, I have never run across anybody who saw that production!!! Wow. LONG time ago, but it was a memorable experience!!!

[Jon]

Posted: 6/12/12 at 8:49am

Robert Conrad was a pretty lousy El Gallo, but he was still, at age 50, a matinee idol draw for the old ladies. He wore those same high-waisted, super tight pants he had worn on Wild Wild West. He was a bit insecure about his height, though. I remember the audition notice said that no men over 5'8' and no women over 5'4' would be considered.

Megan Mullaly was an excellent Luisa. She had a fine soprano as well as an good belt. And she got all the humor of the role. That year, at the same theatre, she played Jackie Kennedy in an original musical called ONE SHINING MOMENT. The premise was that the story of JFK was being preswented by college kids. JFK was played by Kevin Anderson, and Alan Ruck (pre-Ferris Beuller) was LBJ.

Updated On: 6/12/12 at 08:49 AM