In the end, in 1957, Frank, Mary, and Charley, are looking up to see Sputnik, flying through the sky. It's in the audience, so you don't actually see it. Then all the cast joins in them signing 'Our Time," and it closes with a spotlight on Frank's face.
Right, I was wondering how it looked with the three of them playing their instruments. Did it work, or did it seem awkward? Because sometimes the characters all hold hands throughout the end, which they obviously can't do while holding instruments, heh
The morning star always gets wonderful bright the minute before it has to go --doesn't it?
Two years later someone finds a blog and calls it a review - that is not a review, that is a person writing a blog and calling it a review - just like here.
The whole actor/musician thing originated at The Watermill Theatre in Newbury out of necessity - the theatre is so small, there's no room for an orchestra, or even a band and, unless you want to hear the score performed on a solo piano or harmonica, there's not much choice. Sometimes it works (Sweeney Todd, Mack & Mabel) sometimes it just feels laboured (Sunset Boulevard, the Broadway production of Company). Next up in Newbury is the actor/muso production of 'Copacabana' - I'm keeping my fingers crossed - wish me luck!
The thing about Sweeney was I thought that the 'concept' impeded in the story telling - like most vividly I remember Anthony and the Beggar Woman didn't even face each other during confrontation during "LONDON"...I don't know if I would have been able to understand it if this was the first exposure I ever had to the show.
But in Company because everyone is revolving around Bobby and he doesn't really play an instrument until (movingly) the end, I thought it was easier to suspend disbelief that the people in his life are making music 'around him'. (But the taping is the only experience I've had of this show, so I might just not know any other way).
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
There was an actor/musc Company at the Ipswich Wolsey (UK) using lots of actors from Newbury...a year or so before Doyle's..can't remember who directed but it was excellent... incidntally there are rumours that Maria Friedman will direct Merrily at the Menier this year
"Only people in print media are allowed to call their criticisms of theatre reviews?"
That would be nice. You know, people who get paid for a living to do a specific job - sure. Anyone else - blogs, here, there, everywhere - thoughts, just thoughts, just like you and me.
"Only people in print media are allowed to call their criticisms of theatre reviews?"
No, but any idiot with a lap top can write a blahg.
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>>
“I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>>
-whatever2