Kendra Kassebaum to Play Petra in NIGHT MUSIC Benefit

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 11/8/08 at 10:59pm

"Kendra Kassebaum, who is currently playing the curly locked Glinda in the Broadway production of Wicked, has been cast in the Roundabout Theatre Company's gala concert reading of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's Tony Award-winning A Little Night Music, which will be presented Jan. 12, 2009, at the Nokia Theatre Times Square.

Kassebaum, the actress' spokesperson told Playbill.com, will play the maid Petra, who sings the tongue-twisting "The Miller's Son." Kassebaum has also been seen on Broadway in Rent and Assassins, and Off-Broadway in The Receptionist.

Scott Ellis (She Loves Me, 1776, Curtains) will direct the 7:30 PM performance, which will boast the talents of the previously announced Natasha Richardson (Desirée Armfeldt), Victor Garber (Frederick Egerman), Christine Baranski (Countess Charlotte Malcolm), Laura Benanti (Anne Egerman), Marc Kudisch (Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm), Vanessa Redgrave (Madame Armfeldt) and Steven Pasquale (Henrik Egerman). Additional cast members will be announced shortly.

Musical director Paul Gemignani will lead a 27-member orchestra with orchestrations penned by Jonathan Tunick..."

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/123171.html

[BNN]

Posted: 11/8/08 at 11:01pm

That's it, I'm donating my body to science.

I NEED TO SEE THIS.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/8/08 at 11:13pm

This really is the definitive cast. I can't imagine they will, but it really needs to be recorded.

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 11/8/08 at 11:16pm

This sounds like an extrodinary cast! I really wish I could see this.

And though I don't think it'll happen either Michael Bennet, a cast recording would be wonderful!

[logan0215]

Posted: 11/8/08 at 11:23pm

Since I skipped the Tanglewood ALNM after Mary Louise Wilson dropped out, I think... I need... to start saving...

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 11/8/08 at 11:28pm

Wow. I'm sure she is going to knock "The Miller's Son" out of the park.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 11/8/08 at 11:34pm

Meh, not a fan.
Thank God I love the rest of the cast though. The show should get a DVD release since it's one of the few Sondheim shows without a filmed stage version, and Scott Ellis is a wonderful small screen director so he could give it a try.
Either way, I'm so excited about being there next year, nose-bleed seats or not, it promises to be a fantastic evening of theatre.

[logan0215]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 12:40am

NYCO was filmed and aired.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 12:40am

I remember that Kendra's belt range (when she did use it) as Glinda, particularly on "Couldn't Be Happier," was first-rate.

I have a feeling she will knock "Miller's Son" right out of the park.

Good for her!

And I wish they would record this for PBS!!! (and a DVD release)

[Boq101]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 12:43am

THIS NEEDS TO BE RECORDED!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 12:47am

Logan, you are right, but that was for Live from Lincoln Center which makes it impossible for the show to have a commercial release. It'd be great if this concert got the PASSION, SUNDAY IN THE PARK, FOLLIES (even if that one's butchered as can be), INTO TE WOODS, and COMPANY treatment.
My issue with Kassebaum is that I think she is painfully unfunny (judging from WICKED), even if she has a wonderful voice. Petra has some of the funniest little moments in the show, I hope she delivers in the comedy department.

[insertclevernamehere]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 1:16am

To all of you going to the concert: Do me a solid and bootleg this kthxbye

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 2:23am

This is the type of dream cast for a full revival. I wish that could happen.

But does anyone think Baranski is WAY too old for Charlotte? Well for a concert, it probably doesn't matter.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 2:24am

That is a great cast! Good for Kendra.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 2:38am

Ljay, Benanti, Baranski, Pasquale, and even Kudisch all seem too old for their roles. However, in a concert setting it really doesn't matter, especially when--besides their age--they are all so pitch-perfect for their roles. You can't single any of them out, they all just are perfectly-cast.
I doubt a revival with THIS cast could happen but the concert should be a great chance to see what a fantastic, high profile A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC production looks like. Cannot wait.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 2:38am

I find Kassebaum to be genius casting.

As best12bars said, I remember her showing off terrific comedic skills and quite an impressive belt in WICKED (the latter of which made up for her lack of power in her legitimate soprano range.)

What's most telling for me, though, is how brilliant she was a couple years ago as Amy opposite Hugh Panaro's Bobby in the 5th Avenue Theater production of COMPANY, where she knocked another Sondheim patter song ("Getting Married Today") clear out of the stratosphere.

I have no doubt she should make for a fantastic Petra.

Updated On: 11/9/08 at 02:38 AM

[logan0215]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 3:04am

Oh yea

She'll read really old on stage.

Might as well be playing Big Edie in Act II...

< /sarcasm>

[jewishboy]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 3:43am

Well, she has OK delivery. Not as good when compared to the likes of Kristin Chenoweth, or even Jennifer Laura Thompson, but I'm sure her comedic acting is still developing. However, her "Miller's Son" should knock the socks off of everybody! I really like her voice.

[into_the_woods2]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 8:57am

to quote Glinda, I couldn't be happier! When I first was introduced to ALNM i immediately thought of Kassebaum for the part of Petra. I think she is going to be fantastic. Oh, and for people wondering about her comedic timing, I honestly think she has the best comedic chops of all the Glindas I have seen. She will be amazing!

Oh, and I second everyone wanting a recording of this!!!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 11:39am

Ray -- I think you are misconceiving the role a little bit. Petra has a few funny bits but its not a comedic character. She's not Ado Annie. The main qualifications for delivering in the role are the vocals and conveying an earthy sexuality. I think Kassebaum definitely will deliver extremely well in both those departments. Shes also a good fit opposite Benanti.

A better idea of How Kassebaum is going to be as Petra is probably to watch clips of her as Maureen in RENT rather than Glinda in WICKED Updated On: 11/9/08 at 11:39 AM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 3:25pm

Lol, MichaelBennett, I don't think Petra is an outright hilarious role, but like I said before, I do think she has some of the funniest lines or rather exchanges in the show. I'm thinking specifically of "A Weekend in the Country" and just her interactions with Anne and Henrik.
I completely get your point though, and most everyone on here seems to be more than satisfied with her casting. I didn't care for her Glinda, but if she has proven herself in other roles, like Amy in COMPANY, then she definitely sounds fit for the role. Either way, it's just a bit piece of casting that I wasn't a fan of (nothing major), the whole thing sounds brilliant. Scott Ellis is really outdoing himself with the casting.
I believe the only roles left to cast are Fedrika and the Ensemble singers, right?

[commasplice]

Posted: 11/9/08 at 4:42pm

Kendra Kassebaum has played Petra before, in 2001 in Seattle (with Hayley Mills as Desiree and Clare Bloom as Madame Armfeldt, among others). I'll be interested to see (okay, hear about) her interpretation of "The MIller's Son," which to me is one of the most difficult songs interpretation-wise in the score. There are a few directions you can go with it.

I know it's a concert setting, but I still think Baranski is too old for Charlotte. Ah, well...

[Eire]

Posted: 11/15/08 at 9:19pm

i too highly doubt that CB will read as 'too old' for this part. she looks fantastic, and she is one of the main reasons i bought a ticket to this performance despite now having to eat Mr. Noodles and Chef Boyardee for the next month to make my budget work, lol.

i can't wait to see this concert!