More on Meryl Streep & Mother Courage

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 10:58am

From Army Archerd:

"When I told you earlier that Meryl Streep would be singing again (following her bravura performance in "A Prairie Home Companion"), I had no knowledge of the vocal task she'd be facing in her next outing, "Mother Courage and her Children." She bows in the Shakespeare in the Park production of the Berthold Brecht classic on Aug. 8. The production is directed by George C. Wolfe and scripted by Tony Kushner.

I talked to Jeanine Tesori who wrote the music for the drama set in the wartime years of 1624-1636--set during the 30 years war. Tesori, Kushner and Wolfe were previously teamed on "Caroline or Change" in 2004. Kushner and Tesori are also writing an opera.

Tesori's music for "Mother Courage" will be performed by six musicians live onstage. Tesori says Streep is magnificent and has a remarkable singing range in addition to her already praised acting. "She defines the room."

There are 11 songs in the show and "the end of act one belongs to her when she sings 'The Song of the Great capitulation'." And Tesori applauds Wolfe by saying "He directs like a writer"--and the writer thus emulated is award-winner Kushner.

There are other soloists (in the cast of 24) singing in "Mother Courage," reminds Tesori. They include: Jennifer Lewis, Austin Pendleton, Fred Weller and Christopher Walken. Two of Tesori's other songs include "Song of the Fraternization" and "Song of the Great Capitulation." All this creativity ends Sept.3."

http://www.armyarcherd.com/2006/07/shatner_horsing.html

[Barihunk]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 11:08am

Great scoop Margo, thanks for posting... I for one am very excited for this...

[apdarcey]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 11:11am

can i just say. if meryl " is magnificent and has a remarkable singing range in addition to her already praised acting," why can't we have her try mama rose? i think i would die to see that.

[Jon]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 12:05pm

I hope Tesori's songs are better than the awful George Tabori melodies used by most versions of the show.

[Scottie310]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 2:32pm

Updated On: 1/26/08 at 02:32 PM

[downtowndiva84]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 2:52pm

It is a play with music, but is not actually classified as a "musical".

[professor]

Posted: 7/13/06 at 2:53pm

It's not a musical, as much as it is a "play with music." Brecht would often use songs in his plays for theatrical (sometimes called "distancing" or "alienating") effect. The lyrics are often put to new music with a new production: hence Tesori's involovement here.