Kathleen Marshall: "It will be nice to have a Reno Sweeney who doesn’t have to leave the stage during the production numbers"

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 7:26pm

I'm sure Patti LuPone would beg to differ, given that her Reno Sweeney appeared in all of the production numbers, leading the company.

What an idiotic statement from Marshall.

Can Patti still LuPwn? I can't imagine she'll enjoy reading this quote.
Kathleen Marshall on Anything Goes

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 7:32pm

What an idiot that Marshall is. I'm thinking of skipping this production. And I"m a huge Anything Goes fan.

Who cares if Reno is on stage or not. I've seen many productions, some with dancing Reno's and some with non-dancing Reno's. I've never seen her leave the stage completely. And LuPone didn't leave the stage, either. She may have stepped back for a few bits, but she dances as well (and quite well I think).

I don't think there's anything that's gained or lost in a dancing vs. non-dancing Reno. She really needs to do some research and stop blowing her own horn.

[Just_John]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 7:33pm

In no way did she apply that Ms. LuPone wasn't a part of the production numbers in the last revival. She just said in this production it's nice to have someone who she can use in the production numbers.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 7:36pm

The implication is that past Renos have not appeared in the production numbers, which makes her idea "nice." There's nothing special or "nice" about Foster appearing in the dance numbers, as it's happened many times before, including the last Broadway revival, where LuPone danced every one of Reno's numbers. There was also a major production at Papermill about 10 years ago, where Chita Rivera danced up a storm, and didn't have to "leave the stage."

Maybe she didn't mean LuPone. In that case, she's just an idiot who hasn't done any research as the last major revival featured a Reno who danced in all the numbers.
Updated On: 8/24/10 at 07:36 PM

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 7:46pm

Maybe what she is saying is that its nice to have an ATHLETIC DANCER who can join in the production numbers 150%. The Patti Police are out in full force today. Sheesh. Marshall is a choreographer so it might a thrill to work with a Reno who did gymnastics, tap,and dances like a dream. She's inferring nothing about LuPone!!!!!!

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 7:59pm

The Patti Police. LOL

LuPone did a fine job of faking it with two bookended dancers at the beginning of Anything Goes. I actually think that choreography is brilliant, partially for making LuPone look so good. But anyone who was "wowed" by her dancing needs to look at it again. She held her own impressively. But a full-fledged hoofer, she was not.

And while she didn't exactly "leave the stage," she did sit out most of the number after the first dance section.

I think Marshall was referring to many other productions, as well, when most Reno Sweeneys don't dance ... at all.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 8:03pm

Bettyboy, you mean Marshall's not implying anything about LuPone. I disagree. She absolutely implies. I infer from what Marshall implied that that's exactly what she meant - that previous Renos were inferior, though possibly she was not directing her implication at LuPone.

Otherwise, what's the point in saying "It will be nice to have a Reno Sweeney..."etc? At best, Marshall misspoke. At worst, she's insulting those who went before.

And I am not a LuPone fan. I might be a grammar policeman.

Updated On: 8/24/10 at 08:03 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 8:09pm

Yeah, but Marshall has choreographed and directed all over the country, not just Broadway or New York (which is the "center of New York"). I don't think this comment was solely all about the New York productions, or specifically the LuPone revival. But if that's as far as it goes for your references of productions, then fine.

In general, the role is cast with a brassy belter not a dancer or someone who can do both equally well.

EDIT: I agree, ghostlight2, she should have focused on praising Foster instead of taking a hit at those who went before her. She definitely could have said it better.

Updated On: 8/24/10 at 08:09 PM

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 8:20pm

I don't think Kathleen Marshall phrased it well, but didn't Patti leave the stage during an extended dance break in "Blow, Gabriel, Blow"? I could've sworn I heard her say that in an interview.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 8:20pm

The article seems to look to praise foster and not denigrate others. It says Marshall is looking to capitalize on Foster's triple threat status. I think Marshall's statement is pretty benign unless you have a fragile ego.

Call me the "assume the best in what people say" police.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 8:22pm

Hey folks it is REALLY wrong to infer than Patti LuPone can't dance.


Especially since she can't really act or sing that well, either.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 8:24pm

^ Doesn't that also make her a triple threat? Like Lina Lamont?



And I should've said in my comment that it was my understanding that the strongest dancers in the show are Bonnie/Erma and Reno's Angels. I think that it's great to have a Reno who is able to dance, but she doesn't have to be the greatest dancer.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 8:27pm

"I think that it's great to have a Reno who is able to dance, but she doesn't have to be the greatest dancer."

I guess Karen Olivo was busy.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 8:31pm

She's too ethnic. Like Reno Sweeney could ever be played by a Hispanic.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 8:32pm

I love how you constantly bash Karen Olivo, though you have yet to see her in anything.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 8:43pm

Well maybe if she showed up once in a while, I'd have some glowing notices. I think I saw her cut a ribbon at a store-she was transcendent.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 8:49pm

Hahahahahha. eff you.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 8:54pm

ljay, Im really only kidding. I bust on Karen in jest. There's no tone of voice on here so you can't tell Im half-hearted in my quips. I just like getting reactions from people. But Im pretty annoyed im 0 for 5 with her.

Im really a nice guy.

Updated On: 8/24/10 at 08:54 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 9:00pm

>>>"In no way did she apply that Ms. LuPone wasn't a part of the production number..."<<<

Am I correct in implying that you used the word "apply" incorrectly here?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 9:02pm

>>>"She's too ethnic. Like Reno Sweeney could ever be played by a Hispanic"<<<

Ahem, it was the marvelous Leslie Uggams who replaced Patti LuPone in the Lincoln Center ANYTHING GOES.

Now, what are you saying about "ethnic"?

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 9:06pm

Dolly, ahem, givesmevoice was being sarcastic. They weren't serious.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 9:12pm

Bettyboy speaks the truth.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 9:27pm

I'm looking forward to this topic getting a bonus chapter when the paperback of LuPone's memoir comes out.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 10:13pm

It's a little dusty, but I think this still works...

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/24/10 at 10:20pm

It'd be nice to have a Reno Sweeney who can accompany herself.