"Luck Be A Lady Tonight" with the official GUYS & DOLLS revival love thread- Page 6

[A Director]

Posted: 2/7/09 at 2:51pm

What a novel idea to add Damon Runyon to Guys & Dolls! Now, why didn't Frank Loesser, Abe Burrows and George S. Kaufman think of it in the first place. This could start a new trend. Let's add Lynn Riggs to Oklahoma!, Thornton Wilder to Hello, Dolly!,
Sholom Aleichem to Fiddler on the Roof.............. The possibilities are endless...........

[karen24]

Posted: 2/7/09 at 3:43pm

Well, I can kind of see why they might have thought adding Runyon as a character would work (I believe the full title of "Guys and Dolls" is "Guys and Dolls: A Musical Fable of Broadway," or at least that's how it is on the original poster.) But in general I think adding in stuff like this is just distracting. Why be constantly reminding people that what they are watching is not real? I will have to see it to really judge, of course (unless they ditch the idea before the opening.)

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/7/09 at 3:50pm

Well having been Partial View, I couldn't tell what he was writing, so that whole character was lost on me.

And maybe it's the production, but I don't really remember any of the songs as "stand outs" besides the title song's melody and "Sit Down..." And I didn't find myself lauhging out loud at anything either....so I don't know. I'm still not won over by it.

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 2/7/09 at 5:30pm

So wait - are people saying that the set is designed in such a way that people who buy certain tickets can't see the whole show?????? What is with these idiot designers!

[JasonM12480]

Posted: 2/7/09 at 5:41pm

If they truly did add the character of Damon Runyon to the show, I can tell you that A) It's not an original idea, and B) It doesn't work, and the audience has no idea who/what he is.

The reason I know this is because I was involved with a production of "Guys and Dolls" last summer, which was directed and choreographed by a well-respected former Broadway dancer/actress, and she added the character of Damon Runyon. Amongst the actors (including the one who played Runyon), it was a laughing joke, and many audience members we would speak with following the performances "didn't get it." He would wander in and out, looking at his creations, and the worst - performed the marriage at the end of the show in Times Square for Nathan & Adelaide.

Um...no.

How would you feel if you went to see a performance of "Into the Woods", and all of a sudden the character of Stephen Sondheim came out, or better yet, the character of "James Lapine"? It just isn't necessary. The book works alone well enough, and holds up to today's scrupulous audiences. So - if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/7/09 at 5:45pm

I agree it didn't work. Maybe it was the actor and the director together, but it just didn't work. I just kept thinking "why is this man randomly smoking in every scene?"

[ashley0139]

Posted: 2/7/09 at 5:45pm

I saw it last night and had NO IDEA who that guy was. I agree that it didn't work.

[bwayguy22089]

Posted: 2/7/09 at 6:12pm

I think it would have worked much better if he only came on in Runyonland and at the very end. There was really no need for him to be in the rest of the show though.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 2/7/09 at 6:21pm

I agree that it didn't work. Maybe they'll realize that and remove the character of Damon Runyon before it opens.

On the last page someone asked about the stage door; yes, Lauren does come out and sign.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 2/7/09 at 7:18pm

If Lauren Graham really does scream the high notes, I'm not sure I'd be able to sit through this production.

[Actor 7]

Posted: 2/7/09 at 7:57pm

Foe those lucky people who are seeing this in previews, describe the false proscenium that frames the set. Someone said it was like a marquee. Curious how it looks.

[bwayguy22089]

Posted: 2/7/09 at 10:27pm

She doesn't scream the high notes. She doesn't really belt them though either. It sounds more like belting though than screaming. It isn't correct, but how many people really sing correctly on Broadway anymore? Either way, it isn't painful unless you are REALLY sensitive to those things. She sings very differently from Faith and Vivian though.

[gypsy4]

Posted: 2/7/09 at 11:29pm

I guess the damon character could work it's like a show within a show.

[broadwayfan113]

Posted: 2/7/09 at 11:38pm

My friend started a new blog that has information on Broadway.
It can be viewed here: http://bwaybeat.blogspot.com/
For one of his posts, he's looking for reviews from the first preview of Guys & Dolls on Feb. 5. If anyone has one, would like to write one, or knows of one... if you have a second can you please send to him? Thanks!

[SHIABARRY]

Posted: 2/8/09 at 12:11am

Could someone give clear directions on where to go to see the stars at the stage door. I am another huge Lauren Graham fan and don't want to get weirded out not knowing where to go. Also how long after the show do they come out? Thanks. I'm very excited.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/8/09 at 8:24am

The stage door gathering area is the theater lobby.

[philcrosby]

Posted: 2/8/09 at 2:07pm

JasonM --

I saw that production and as wonderful as you and the rest of the actors were, that little director's gimmick almost ruined the show for me.

Well, that and the "orchestra". I kept wishing you all would sing acapella.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/8/09 at 3:16pm

Who was the "well-respected former Broadway dancer/actress"?

[Princeton78]

Posted: 2/8/09 at 5:44pm

"Who was the "well-respected former Broadway dancer/actress"?"

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 2/8/09 at 5:47pm

Wait, what was the "well-respected" thing about?

[dg22894]

Posted: 2/8/09 at 5:48pm

ANY Glenn Fleshler REVIEWS????

[JasonM12480]

Posted: 2/8/09 at 9:59pm

Philcrosby, thank you for your kind words. It was certainly a memorable and magical summer for me, and everyone involved. But it was a frustrating process, and some directorial choices were never understood. As for the band, our musical director did the best she could with the people she had to work with - that theatre we performed in SCREAMS to have a large orchestra...but as you know, it's just not a big enough pit, and with money issues - can't pay more than 7 or 8 people, which is so unfortunate.

And no...Patti LuPone did not direct. But another Patti did! :)

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!?!?!?! (Just had to throw that in)

[broadwaygirl99]

Posted: 2/8/09 at 11:48pm

How did they change the theater? inside and out.

[dramadude]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 4:03pm

WITH A ROLL OF THE DICE, YOU'LL BE ROLLING IN THE AISLES!

GUYS AND DOLLS - Frank Loesser's hilarious musical tale of two New York couples betting on love despite the odds - is back home on Broadway in a swingin' new production directed by two-time Tony® winner DES McANUFF (Jersey Boys).

Leading the dynamite cast are Emmy® and Tony nominee OLIVER PLATT (Shining City, "Huff") and Golden Globe nominee LAUREN GRAHAM ("Gilmore Girls," Evan Almighty) as good ol' Nathan Detroit and Miss Adelaide. Tony nominee CRAIG BIERKO (The Music Man) and KATE JENNINGS GRANT (Proof) are Sky Masterson and his unlikely love, Sarah Brown.

With its score of unforgettable songs including "Luck Be a Lady" and "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat," GUYS AND DOLLS is the quintessential Broadway experience. And this sexy new production promises to thrill fans and first-timers alike!

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 5:17pm

Lauren needs to get the "Miss. Adelaide" speaking voice.