Margo on Charity- Page 3

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 9:05am

I had a problem when Chairty was dancing in a Red Dress during BRASS BAND and the entire ensemble was in Pink. Because of the awful coreography/direction choices, she got lost when she was actually on stage.

Other than that, the costumes werent awful - but Ivey Long does do a better job in other shows this season, namely yes - La Cage.

The sets are what bugged me - Am I the only one who wanted that stupid Ferris Wheel to move?

[ken8631]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 9:09am

Saw it, liked it - thought Christina did a fine job. Have never seen it in any incarnation before, though, so that's probably good.

[Glebb]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 9:14am

I think Christina is very very pretty but she is being given a pass on acting, singing and dancing. Not sure why. What other Broadway leading actress is afforded this kind of leeway?

[Theatreboy33]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 9:43am

none, glebb. youre absolutely right. determination is not a stage skill.

[MusicalComedyMan]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 10:28am

I just wanted to throw in that Cilento's being compared to Fosse because he is certainly trying to use the Fosse style. Rather then create something new and unique for the show. If the choreography was new and uniquie and did remind you of The brilliant Fosse choreography I don't think people would be comparing. When Stroman Choreographed Music Man, people we're comparing her to Onna White, because it was all Stroman (and all WONDERFUL!!!) I was also appalled that Fosse got NO CREDIT anywhere in the program.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 10:29am

and Margo hits it on the head again.

[justme2]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 11:50am

no other actresses are being given a pass on broadway?

Hmmmm...

Brooke Shields, Teri Hatcher, Melanie Griffith; Marisa Tomei, Nicole Kidman, oh let's see, what other Hollywood actresses have done Cabaret or Chicago in the past six years?

Please.....as if Christina Applegate has broken some "broadway rule" by daring to appear on the sacred boards.

[justme2]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 11:52am

oh yeah, more who haven't been given a "pass" on Broadway....

Drew Lachey
Michelle Williams
Jasmine Guy
Justin Guarini (spelling?)

[Plum]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 11:54am

Your examples make no sense. If they weren't good on stage, they were criticized for it. They weren't given a pass on performing skills because they were "trying so hard" and "so eager."

You're taking "free pass" to mean "allowed to perform on stage even though they weren't stage actors." What I think the previous posters meant by "free pass" was what I said above- a free critical pass.
Updated On: 5/2/05 at 11:54 AM

[Glebb]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 11:55am

Thank you Plum.

[justme2]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 11:57am

No one is giving this woman a pass on anything. If anything, she's being given more crap than Drew Lachey or Michelle Williams were, just because she's in a show that many here don't think deserves to be revived! And even reviewers are taken by how GREAT she is in the show; how WELL she actually does sing, dance, act, etc.!

So..they do make sense.

[justme2]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 12:02pm

A free critical pass? You've got to be joking.

There's been more critisim for this woman doing this show than anything I've seen in a long time. If anything, she's being continually ripped in threads like these just for existing!

And do you seriously believe the critics are NOT going to jump on every little detail of her performance come Wednesday night?

[Plum]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 12:03pm

Huh? One minute you say she's getting more crap than anyone, and the next you're saying reviewers are taken by how great she is. Which is it?
Updated On: 5/2/05 at 12:03 PM

Posted: 5/2/05 at 12:06pm

To Justme

I don't know what rock you've been under but Melanie Griffith was not given a pass. It was pure stunt casting and the critics were not that kind.

And Christina is dancing , singing and acting! Why are you putting Marisa Tomei and Nicole Kidman in that category?

And the production of Cabaret you are speaking of decided to cast an actress with limited singing and dancing because that's how they felt Sally Bowles should be interpreted.

This all has nothing to do with Miss Applegate and the sorry fact that she is not a dancer. No. No matter how many classes she took at The Hollywood & Vine Tap Center. She is not a dancer. Plus she's got a broken foot!!!!
Updated On: 5/2/05 at 12:06 PM

[justme2]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 12:14pm

Let me clarify...

The boards are filled with comments about her not deserving to be on Broadway, can't sing, can't dance, can't act and many of these people have not seen the show. The reviewers I am referring to as saying she's actually good in the show, despite what they thought going in, are reviewers who have seen the show in previews either in Boston, Chicago, MN or here in NY. Board posters, columnists, newspaper coverage, and the like.

The Critics haven't reviewed the show yet, as it doesn't open until Wednesday of this week. Therefore, how can critics (your comment, not mine) be giving her a free critical pass?

This woman's been given no pass whatsoever. She's been slapped around in nearly every thread by posters claiming they can't understand why someone of such low calibar is being given a shot on the NY stage. Many of these same posters are involved in other threads where other "not broadway" people are being announced in upcoming shows or thought of for upcoming shows and there has been much excitement around the shows and seeing these "non broadway performers" on the NY stage.

Now THAT's a free critical pass.

[Plum]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 12:18pm

I must be reading different posts than you, because I remember tons of them saying to give her credit for trying hard, be nice because she's trying hard, stop criticizing her because she's trying hard, etc. Also, most of the chatterati reviews I've read (including the one that started this thread) have pretty much been along the lines of "she's an okay singer, dances will for someone injured, and she's very charming and cute."

But like I said, maybe I'm reading different posts than you.

[justme2]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 12:26pm

"I don't know what rock you've been under but Melanie Griffith was not given a pass. It was pure stunt casting and the critics were not that kind."

I'm not under any rock, you simply mis-interpreted our entire conversation Chita33...the examples I was giving were to prove to theaterboy33 and glebb that Christina is not the only actress to land on Broadway without broadway credits. It had nothing to do with how they were reviewed. Believe me, I know Melanie sucked and was reviewed justly.

And Plum, you are right, I have read those same comments about people saying to give her a break, and she's trying hard, etc. Most of those comments were said in response to posters ripping on her for even being on Broadway!

[Glebb]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 12:26pm

I may have enjoyed Applegate in a less demanding role.
That remains to be seen. I thought she was weak as Charity despite her spunk.
Streep on the other hand is an exciting prospect for Sweeney (the film). I've heard her sing on the silver screen and she has skill to burn.

[ken8631]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 12:28pm

I think she's doing agreat job singing/dancing (albeit with a broken foot) and acting. I was pleasantly suprised with her.

[Plum]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 12:29pm

I'm sorry, justme- I was really being nasty on this thread. My only excuse is that finals make me cranky. And they're proof positive that trying hard isn't anywhere near enough.

[justme2]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 12:30pm

Glebb..

That's fine...I have no problem with that. You didn't enjoy her performance. Fine.

But a pass on acting, singing and dancing just because she's trying? That's just not happening.

I saw Streep sing in Postcards from the Edge and I believe she sang something in BarFly. Passable voice and we know she can act. But her singing voice for Sweeney? As you and others have been saying about Christina...NOT Broadway calibar.

[Glebb]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 12:30pm

That's just it Ken.
One should not be pleasantly surprised by an actress who plays Charity. One's socks should be knocked off.
I am not trying to be mean. I had high hopes for "Sweet Charity" and I loved Applegate in "Sweetest Thing."

Updated On: 5/2/05 at 12:30 PM

[Plum]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 12:31pm

Well, clearly Bernadette Peters needs to play Mrs. Lovett, but that's another story.

[Glebb]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 12:33pm

Big grin Plum!

[justme2]

Posted: 5/2/05 at 12:37pm

Plum, I am not reading your posts as nasty. You are just trying to bring me to your side and I am trying to bring you to mine! That's okay and I don't mind being called out on anything I say! If I'm not clear on something I say, I'll willingly back it up!

And can I please re-iterate here....I am not arguing against anybody who saw her performance and didn't like it! The only point I am trying to make here is that she is not being given an "acting, singing and dancing" pass because she's "pretty".