NY Times Spring Theater Preview

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 9:43am

Not many interesting articles this year. Rather, no real info we don't know already.

Ben Brantley did a piece about how every revival this spring is from the 1950s.

Chuck Isherwood has an article about the safe (Cry-Baby) and unsafe choices (Passing Strange and In the Heights) this spring.

Campbell Robertson's story is about the season that could have been (and reveals that Pal Joey would have taken the Rodgers and Guys & Dolls would have taken the St. James, as well as that Annette Benning is back on with "Female of the Species" with Broadway in 2009, and "Farragut North" will hit Broadway in the fall with an "exciting cast.")

Robert Simonson has an interesting piece about color-blind and interracial casting.

And my friend Caryn James has an "article" about how all the stars on and off Broadway this season will most-likely suck, but it'll be "good to see them."

My favorite article, though, is the one where they let actors and composers cast shows they want to see. Perhaps the best is Jason Robert Brown's - "I want the guy on the message boards who hates everything before he sees it, sees it and hates it, to cast and direct a show of his choosing...And when that fails, revive West Side Story." I suppose he's referring to me, isn't he?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 9:47am

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/theater/24revivals.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

That's the "fantasy casting" article - much longer than it is in print. Lots of good choices.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 9:48am

I'm surprised they even read the message boards. Interesting.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 9:54am

There are two kinds of actors.

Those who read reviews and message boards

and those who lie and say they don't.

[alliez92092]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 11:32am

Hahaha I loved that article! Thanks for posting!

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 12:41pm

A producer needs to read this article...

Find the part about Jack O'Brien wanting to direct A Little Night Music...

And do it.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 12:53pm

My favorite article, though, is the one where they let actors and composers cast shows they want to see. Perhaps the best is Jason Robert Brown's - "I want the guy on the message boards who hates everything before he sees it, sees it and hates it, to cast and direct a show of his choosing...And when that fails, revive West Side Story." I suppose he's referring to me, isn't he?

Dear, you flatter yourself.

Anyway. The fantasy casting article is fun. I'd actually love to see Adam Rapp direct The Homecoming; such a twisted play is certainly right up his alley. And heh, Raul as a "sulky narrator." Now that's not out of his range at all.

But, um, Sutton Foster as the "Julie Andrew of our time"? ... the woman is undeniably talented, and certainly qualifies as Broadway's sweetheart, but seriously?

Updated On: 2/23/08 at 12:53 PM