Melanie Griffith as Charity? CJR's 2nd worst nightmare?- Page 2

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/18/03 at 3:48pm

BwayTheatre,

Aside from my husband not being on Broadway (and neither is her's after Oct. 7), those other two reasons are some of the exact reasons why I want to be on Broadway. Also add the health insurance, the paycheck, the opportunities that come from it, etc...

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 9/18/03 at 3:49pm

Robbiej,
I bet you are a lot more entertaining than Melanie. Also, it would be different if you were a movie star before that. She needs to stick with movies.

Updated On: 9/18/03 at 03:49 PM

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/18/03 at 3:56pm

Well, I'll never argue with one who has good taste

I've yet to see her on stage. I know some who've seen her and really enjoyed her. I know others thought her a trainwreck. I choose to not spend my money to see it (also because, unlike most people, I wasn't wildly enamored of this production of CHICAGO).

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/18/03 at 3:58pm

Well, Melanie does address why "sticking with movies" gets harder to do after a certain age in the NYTimes article. Then again, this shouldn't come as a surprise to a gal who made her way via ingenue-ity.

Of Dollypop's list of things to imagine Melanie doing, I feel very secure in declaring that she could DEFINITELY do the Charity pose.

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 9/18/03 at 4:07pm

What is "Charity" about? Is it a new B'Way show?

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/18/03 at 5:22pm

Not for nothing, but, does reading this thread and using your powers of deductive reasoning lead you to believe this is a new Broadway show?

[Benzy92]

Posted: 9/18/03 at 5:23pm

Where's CJR? Did she have a heart attack because of this news?!

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 9/18/03 at 5:25pm

I just relized CJR is female. How come I always think a poster is male until they say they are female. I think we should start a post with everyone's sex.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 9/18/03 at 5:56pm

Sex: Yes, please. HAHHAAA I kill myself. *ahem* sorry about that...to answer your question, no, ChristineDaae, Sweet Charity isn't a new show. It's a revival of a show about a "lady of the evening" with a heart of gold, as it's so frequently put.

[NBC]

Posted: 9/18/03 at 6:17pm

Regarding the All That Jazz comments, I too immediately thought of that "I can't make you a great dancer" scene when I read the post about Fosse loving women who were dancers first and foremost. But I'd venture to guess that not even Fosse would have cast a woman such as that character was based on as the lead in a production of Sweet Charity!
Stick her in the chorus somewhere, maybe.

Oh hell, Weisslers, go ahead and cast her...you get enough of my money as it is, that'll save me some bucks!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/18/03 at 6:57pm

Dear Gentle Christine,

You really should get out more....

SWEET CHARITY was a splendid musical in the early 70's. Gwen Verdon starred and won a Tony Award for her excellent performance. It was revived about 20 years ago with Debbie Allen. The movie starred Shirley MacLaine and has just been released on DVD. Surely you've heard the songs "Big Spender", "There's Gotta Be Something Better than This" and "Baby Dream Your Dream". They all come from this show. There is also a exhilerating dance number called "The Rich Man's Frug". All of this was Bob Fosse at his best.

The story isn't about a streetwalker or a prostitute. Charity Hope Valentine is a dance hall hostess. There's a fine; albeit thin, line between her profession and the others.

Not only does SWEET CHAIRITY have an excellent score by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh, but it has a funny and touching book by Neil Simon. Surely you've heard of him.

Broaden your horizons, dear. There's more to life than PHANTOM OF THE OUTHOUSE.

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 9/18/03 at 8:03pm

Sorry Dollypop, I wasn't around in the 70's.

"no, ChristineDaae, Sweet Charity isn't a new show. It's a revival of a show about a "lady of the evening" with a heart of gold, as it's so frequently put. "
oh ok, I was just wondering! Thanks for answering my question.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/18/03 at 8:23pm

Christine,

You really should spend some time reading about Broadway's history. There were great shows done before your birth. There are also recordings of shows that are now available on CD.

I wasn't attending theater in the 40's and 50's, but I have a passing familiarity with the shows that were done then. I mean, I didn't see Mary Martin and Ezio Pinza in SOUTH PACIFIC, but I have the OBC and know the music. I've also read Mary Martin's autobiography, MY HEART BELONGS, and it gives some insight into the creation of that masterpiece.

You might be interested in Cy Feuer's book, I'VE GOT THE SHOW RIGHT HERE. I just finished reading it and it's not only good, but it's funny. Mr. Feuer produced the original productions of GUYS ANDS DOLLS and HOW TO SUCCEED...among others. The book should be available in your local library.

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 9/18/03 at 8:41pm

I've been a Broadway fan for 2 years now. I don't exactly have the time to read all these broadway books although I would like to. Thanks for the suggestions.

[theatreguy]

Posted: 9/18/03 at 8:53pm

Actually Dollypop, Sweet Charity opened in January of 1966 and Gwen Verdon did not win the Tony Award. She lost to Angela Lansbury in Mame.

[AReinkingfan]

Posted: 9/18/03 at 10:10pm

Good call, Theatreguy! That is absolutely correct, because if I am not mistaken, didn't the movie version with Shirley MacLaine get released in 1968? I am not certain of this, but that year seems to ring a bell.

[PJ]

Posted: 9/18/03 at 10:33pm

Dollypop? . . . wrong? HA! Yes. Finally...

[chita_fan]

Posted: 9/19/03 at 7:39am

Charity (movie) opened in April of '69'. Those who say Reinking has done some bad work recently only have to look at Big Deal and Star 80 to see that even a genius like Fosse who took out the Emmy, Tony and Oscar in one year can flop the next.

As for the comments about Ms Griffith, I think Ann was stating that Mr Fosse appreciated those who worked hard, although I think when he told people he would make them big, he saw potential, I don't see potential from Melanie in her performance, she had time enough to get it right by the time I saw her and she still seemed like she had no clue.

Also Ann has to be diplomatic, she's not gonna say I hate her is she.

I'm no fan and I hope she doesn't get Charity, Jane is a big name she could bring in the audiences. Even though I am gay, I thought A Call From The Vatican in NINE was the sexiest number I have ever seen, Jane in the sheet upside down OMG

[AReinkingfan]

Posted: 9/19/03 at 1:35pm

Thank you for those words, Chita Fan. Very well put.

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 9/19/03 at 1:57pm

Areinkingfan angel, i don't think the divine Ann said at any time she thought that Melanie Griffith was in anyway like a "Fosse Dancer."

I believe she mentioned other charachteristics Fosse, in her opinion, would have liked or loved about Melanie.

Ann Reinking, I suspect, was also upholding one of the great traditions of the Broadway theater..... by being gracious and kind and welcoming and nurturing to someone new in their midst.

She is a class act.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 9/19/03 at 2:38pm

"I believe she mentioned other charachteristics Fosse, in her opinion, would have liked or loved about Melanie.."

Did Ann say "She has 'inflatable doll' lips?"

[AReinkingfan]

Posted: 9/19/03 at 8:41pm

Thank you for the kind words about Ann, Teacheroftheater! ( :

I just can't imagine Ann saying anything negative about someone else. When I met her, she just didn't seem the nasty type, so I can't imagine that she would speak poorly of Ms. Griffith anyway.

Like I said before, maybe she sees something that we just don't.

Has anybody on the Board actually worked with Ann in any dance classes or productions? I would love to hear about your impressions of Ms. Reinking! ( :