McAnuff to Direct Guys and Dolls for Spring 09- Page 5

[esparza 333]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 2:59pm

I hope grease goes. taylor hicks is not as much loved as idols like carrie or kelly. He has a very little fan base. His name won't be able to carry that show for long. So i hope and believe Grease will close.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 7/31/08 at 3:01pm

GREASE will lose its summer lovin' ticket sales in September...

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 8/1/08 at 7:38pm

I said it once and I said it again. The London Guys and Dolls had its issues. Yes, it had glorious choreography by Rob Ashford and the direction/staging had the usual attention to the TEXT that every English revisal seems to have (the Warchus Follies, Mendes Gypsy and Hytner Carousel are prime examples of the English revisal "text is paramount" genre). The London production was a) very dark and b) low budget sets and costumes.

I'm not saying Des McAnuff is a genius or anything, but this is a property which is relatively foolproof. Sergio Trujillo is a wonderful choreographer and I trust Des has some interesting ideas re set design that will distinguish this production from the Donmar production and from the last "comic strip" look Bway revival. I don't think the London production would have enough pizzazz to score with tourists, especially without star casting. The key is providing a production that is star-proof.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 8/1/08 at 10:07pm

Why do you categorize the '92 revival as having a "comic strip" look? Its look was not dissimilar in many ways to the eye-popping colors of the original Jo Mielziner set and Alvin Colt costumes. I prefer it when Guys & Dolls has a vibrant color palette, heightening the unreality of the material, since it depicts a Times Square that was considered a fantasy, even in 1950.

[Lynnespock2]

Posted: 8/2/08 at 5:40pm

For all of you Grease haters:

This board has been predicting its demise since it opened and it has sold well for the entire year.

Grease isn't going anywhere. Taylor Hicks has brought in fans and when he is gone in September, the show will survive.

Updated On: 8/2/08 at 05:40 PM

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 10:04pm

For those of you who haven't heard, the BRIGADOON revival is dead in the water- it's been indefinitely "postponed", a victim of the current economic malaise.

I frankly doubt the Guys and Dolls revival will star movie actors. I'm sure Des McAnuff was picked over Michael Grandage because he could deliver a flashy staging which will not be dependent on movie actors.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 10:32pm

H'mmm. i wouldn't be too sure about that. Des LOOOOVES to stoke his ego w famous faces, whether or not they'd actually perform- well if they can't he'll say it was forced upon him and if they can deliver- he'll say how great it is to have a star who can really take direction. Win/Win fo him. Just forget about the audience

[Noel&Cole]

Posted: 8/7/08 at 10:27am

Why does everyone think WWS would get the Palace before Guys & Dolls. One is a much more bankable show! Revivals of Guys & Dolls have always done better than revivals of WWS. Not to mention Guys & Dolls will likely have stars and WWS will not. I think Guys and Doll will get the bigger theatre. West Side Story might go into the Nederlander.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/7/08 at 2:09pm

"This board has been predicting its demise since it opened and it has sold well for the entire year."

Well, that was because of the hype from the reality show, and now we are into the summer season. I predict ticket sales will slump sometime in the future.

[Lynnespock2]

Posted: 8/7/08 at 2:22pm

Yes, Millie_dillmount, eventually it will slump. But in the meantime, it is going strong and selling well.

Can't people just leave it be? You don't like it, fine, but why always the Grease bashing? I just don't get it.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/7/08 at 2:27pm

I'm not trying to bash Grease in saying it will close. It is common for shows to experience a slump after the summer rush. I never said I hated it, nor did I say I liked it either. And correct, "in the meantime" it is selling well because it is summer and many families will take their kids to this.

I can understand if people criticize a show left and right, to call that bashing. But why does everyone automatically think that people are bashing a show just because they predict it may close? It's being realistic, for the most part.

[Lynnespock2]

Posted: 8/7/08 at 2:36pm

Millie: Others have bashed the show repeatedly so it was a knee jerk reaction to the comment. You are correct that show slump after the summer. Grease did well over the course of the last year and I think it will be open for a while but will it close? Doesn't everything? Just not as soon as some of the nay sayers on this board would like.

[alfgiotir]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 2:00am

Broadway / Production Contract Currently $1,509/week minimum
Producer: The Ambassador Theatre Group
Music/Lyrics: Frank Loesser
Book: Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows
Director: Des McAnuff
Choreographer: Sergio Trujillo
Casting: Tara Rubin Casting

Approximate 1st rehearsal date (subject to change): December 15, 2008. 1st preview: February 3, 2009. Opens end of February/early March 2009.

Seeking:

Adelaide: Star dancer at the Hot Box Club. In love with and engaged to Nathan Detroit for 14 years; suffering from his lack of commitment. Strong soprano belt and excellent comedic skills required.

Sarah Brown: A missionary trying to save the lost souls of New York. Young woman with a heart of gold who's sure she’ll know true love when she finds it. Soprano.

Sky Masterson: Charming high-roller who has a way with women. Will place a bet on just about anything - and make sure he wins it. Baritone.

Nathan Detroit: Engaged to Adelaide for 14 years. Runs the best “floating craps game” in town. Smooth-talking habitual liar with a quick mind and wit; always one step ahead of the law.

Nicely Nicely Johnson: One of Nathan’s business associates. Not always quick on the uptake. Great comedic timing and tenor voice required (up to an A).

Benny Southstreet: Another of Nathan’s business partners. Comedic sidekick to Nicely Nicely. A bit smarter than others in the organization, but just a bit. Tenor.

Arvide Abernathy: 60 - 70s. Sarah’s mentor at the mission; confident in his calling. A trusted father figure to Sarah. Full, warm baritone/bass.

Lt. Brannigan: Always one step behind the gamblers; dogged in his pursuit. May swagger a bit as the big policeman, but is always easily tricked by Nathan and the others.

General Cartwright: Woman, 50s+. The strict, driven head of the Save-A-Soul Mission. Runs the mission with a strong hand, although there is a heart and faith behind her tough façade.

Big Julie: Gangster from Chicago, with a fearsome reputation. Commands respect from everyone he encounters. Extreme physical types welcome.

http://www.playbill.com/jobs/find/job_detail/22981.html