#51
Posted: 5/7/08 at 9:37am
I thought Miriam Shor was terrific as Mary in that production.
"Merrily We Roll Along" comin to B'Way. — Page 3
#52
Posted: 5/7/08 at 10:36am
No crucifixions here, Ed...the show does not work and probably never will. Until Furth finds a way to make his characters involving (and Furth is not the person to do such a thing, he really is a terrible writer) this show will always be bland beyond belief with a great score (The strained irony of "Rich & Happy" excepted, although I think later versions cut the song).
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
#53
Posted: 5/7/08 at 10:58am
Rich & Happy was first replaced back in 1985 with "That Frank."
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#54
Posted: 5/7/08 at 3:09pm
The fatal flaw of Merrily is the basic conceit of telling the story backwards.
None of the characters are particularly likable at the "end" of the story, that is, the beginning of the show. It is into the second act before the principals become sympathetic.
This was one of the many unsolvable problems with the original production and is the deal-breaker of the revised version that is the official Merrily being produced nowadays.
As for the 'young' cast, the original felt like it was a bunch of kids playing dress-up. You've got to have adults play this show.
For the record, I saw the closing night of the original and have seen the revisal twice--at The Shaw Fest and Kennedy Center. No matter how good the cast and direction, there is that book.
The score is the thing: singable, emotional, not cerebral, and at times heartbreaking. I hope Lapine lets it shine and may John Doyle keep his hands off our musicals forever.
None of the characters are particularly likable at the "end" of the story, that is, the beginning of the show. It is into the second act before the principals become sympathetic.
This was one of the many unsolvable problems with the original production and is the deal-breaker of the revised version that is the official Merrily being produced nowadays.
As for the 'young' cast, the original felt like it was a bunch of kids playing dress-up. You've got to have adults play this show.
For the record, I saw the closing night of the original and have seen the revisal twice--at The Shaw Fest and Kennedy Center. No matter how good the cast and direction, there is that book.
The score is the thing: singable, emotional, not cerebral, and at times heartbreaking. I hope Lapine lets it shine and may John Doyle keep his hands off our musicals forever.
"If my life weren't funny, it would just be true. And that would be unacceptable."
--Carrie Fisher
#55
Posted: 5/7/08 at 3:20pm
Actually, I thought that Doyle would maybe succeed in making Merrily feel less locked in a particular era. Now I haven't seen his production, but that was at least my hope.
I think if there was some way to convey the fact that we actually haven't traveled back in time and that the principals are in fact, still old at the end would be more effective. I can see how to some, the ending feels like "okay, they're kids again. So what?" rather than witnessing the emotional impact of lost years.
I think if there was some way to convey the fact that we actually haven't traveled back in time and that the principals are in fact, still old at the end would be more effective. I can see how to some, the ending feels like "okay, they're kids again. So what?" rather than witnessing the emotional impact of lost years.
The morning star always gets wonderful bright the minute before it has to go --doesn't it?
#56
Posted: 5/20/08 at 1:00pm
Ever since they announced this I've had Franklin Shepard Inc in my head.
I re-read the article announcing it, out of excitement... the languge was kind of vauge, using words like 'goal' and 'aim'.
What are your opinions, will this actually happen?
I re-read the article announcing it, out of excitement... the languge was kind of vauge, using words like 'goal' and 'aim'.
What are your opinions, will this actually happen?
"As we all should probably have learned by now, to be a Stephen Sondheim fan is to have one's heart broken at regular intervals" - Frank Rich
Dearest, how can this be so? You were dead, you know. - Candide
Oh my god, this show has everything! Half naked guys and girl on girl action! - [title of show]
(My avatar? Why, yes! That is Laura Benanti making out with a chick!)
Dearest, how can this be so? You were dead, you know. - Candide
Oh my god, this show has everything! Half naked guys and girl on girl action! - [title of show]
(My avatar? Why, yes! That is Laura Benanti making out with a chick!)
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