NY Times: Donna Murphy Opens Up About WONDERFUL TOWN Experience

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 11:24pm

This article just makes me admire her even more. It's a great read and it provides both Murphy's and Weissler's side of the story. She's a class act, and she exemplifies professionalism, talent, and warmth at its best. And that flu comment at the end by Weissler was more than unecessary.
Good to know that if FOLLIES does transfer, she will be part of it (though the article makes it sound like it's not going to happen).
No Ill Feelings: Producers Bet on a 'Superwoman'

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 11:29pm

Great article. Thanks for posting that!

[chris d]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 11:31pm

having seen LoveMusik, I was happy to read the article as well. I think you can tell that she isn't a "diva" at all in her performances. She's clearly devoted to musical theater and performing her heart out. I hope a lot of people go and see LoveMusik just to see what Murphy is capable of.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 11:35pm

Chris, as much as I love Kurt Weill's music, admire Hal Prince's work, and respect Michael Cerveris as a performer, the whole reason I'm actually spending money on going to New York to see LoveMusik is Donna Murphy so I hope there are others like me out there.
This article should clear her reputation as a "diva," it shows she performed in spite of her own health and you can tell the Weisslers weren't exactly the most helpful in handling the situation.

Updated On: 4/30/07 at 11:35 PM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 11:35pm

She's one of the most sublimely gifted theatre stars of our time. Every time I see her, I cannot believe my eyes and ears.

That was a great article.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 11:38pm

"She's one of the most sublimely gifted theatre stars of our time. Every time I see her, I cannot believe my eyes and ears."

i totally agree, munk. seeing Donna's work live is quite an experience. looking forward to my return visit to LoveMusik to see her performance again.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 11:39pm

*Sigh* I have to wait till the closing performance, in the meantime, I'll live vicarously through all of you.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 11:41pm

I can't wait to see LoveMusik again...and feel honored to have witnessed her Tony performance live.
Updated On: 4/29/07 at 11:41 PM

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 11:44pm

Fabulous article. Thanks for posting!

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 4/30/07 at 12:00am

I just totally stole one of those images and made it my avatar

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 4/30/07 at 12:02am

Great article.

[shira467]

Posted: 4/30/07 at 12:08am

Excellent article.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 4/30/07 at 12:09am

great article, she is an amazing performer

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/30/07 at 12:10am

that ws lovley to read, & i cant stop thinking about her performance in LOVEMUSIK.

i wasnt familiar with her before FOLLIES, all i knew was she had a 'reputation"...& i thought she was so fantastic in FOLLIES that, hell, she *DESERVES* diva treatment!

& thats magnified with LOVEMUSIK; i am so crushed out on her right now & i am aching for the cast recording!

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 4/30/07 at 12:22am

The way Ms. Murphy was singing that role, it was insanely demanding. But when she was on, I never would have known she was having vocal difficulty (I used to usher there). Such an amazing woman.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 4/30/07 at 12:25am

wow this really made me respect her for coming out and speaking about it. i already respected her but wow...

[jewishboy]

Posted: 4/30/07 at 12:29am

I knew there was more to it then her just not "feeling well." She is incredible and IMO the best Broadway (musical) actress today. The first Broadway performance that had a real impact on me was when I saw Donna's last performance in The King and I, I couldn't believe it. I feel so lucky that I've gotten to see her do Wonderful Town, Follies, Passion (10 anniversary), Public benefit (she did a glorious "Writing on The Wall" and "Pirate Jenny"), and the Encores! bash benefit after 9/11 when she did "I happen to Like New York." That was probably the best delivery of a song I have ever experienced and the feeling I felt that night is still with me. I really can't wait to see LoveMusik.

I posted the New York Times link to the review of the 2001 Encores! Bash because I feel that it was probably Ben Brantley's best review because It really captures the essence of Donna's performance. Just scroll down to last five paragraphs if you only want to read about Donna. If you can't read it because you’re not a member I posted the last five paragraphs about Donna.

-----------------------
"If majesty was called for, Mr. Fisher and company provided it. The sublime Ms. Murphy, a two-time Tony winner who sent off fireworks for Encores! with 'Wonderful Town' two season ago, conveyed majesty and more with an 11 o'clock number that stopped the show. The song, by Cole Porter, had a deceptively casual title, 'I Happen to Like New York.'

But this was no blithe ode to urban pleasures à la 'We'll Take Manhattan.' 'I Happen to Like New York' is from 'The New Yorkers' (1930), and it has the haunting Depression-era grit and gravity of that show's biggest hit, 'Love for Sale.'

A repetition of one stark melody, rising in different keys to a bell-tolling climax, this lesser-known song exudes a hard-shelled sentimentality that is the essence of New York City. The same could be said of Ms. Murphy, standing stock still in a spotlight in a beaded sheath, her velvet voice woven with a defiance that suggested, 'What's it to you, buddy?'

The song's narrator concludes that given the choice of heaven or hell when she dies, she would prefer to stay in New York. As Ms. Murphy worked her way into this priceless summing up of New York arrogance, you could feel the whole house shivering.

If New York is in search of an anthem, it couldn't do better than this. And by the way, if she could bring the same qualities of control and command to politics that she brought to this number, Ms. Murphy would make a fabulous mayor."



Ben's review of the 2001 Encores! bash Updated On: 4/30/07 at 12:29 AM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/30/07 at 12:35am

Jewishboy, funny you posted this now. A few hours ago as I was searching for an old review, I came across this without even knowing Ms.Murphy had been a part of this event. I wish I had been there to experience her immense gift, no one can touch me through acting like Murphy does. In my opinion, she is in a class of her own.

And by the way, if she could bring the same qualities of control and command to politics that she brought to this number, Ms. Murphy would make a fabulous mayor
My favorite Brantley quote ever...

[jewishboy]

Posted: 4/30/07 at 12:47am

Yes it was quite an event! And what was most amazing is that her "acting" approach to the song was to do basically nothing. It was the coldest delivery of a song ever, but considering the time it was sung it was also the only possible delivery of the song.

[queenbee2]

Posted: 4/30/07 at 1:02am

What an interesting article. Good for Ms. Murphy that she had a forum to voice her side of what went on. And good for her publicist that they were able to secure such a forum. It just gives more evidence that we who aren't actually in the theater at the time really have no idea what's going on more often than not. And probably should be a little more forgiving and understanding (ie: less bitchy).

-QB

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 4/30/07 at 1:07am

Way to turn the subject over to PQ, QB. Jeez.

[queenbee2]

Posted: 4/30/07 at 1:10am

Sorry Foster? How did I do that? I even went back and re-read my post, and don't see what you're getting at. Please explain.

-QB

[B3TA07]

Posted: 4/30/07 at 1:25am

That ending quote was off the chain cute and hilar.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 4/30/07 at 1:30am

i haven't heard the term "off the chain" since i left the South. flash backs! hahaha

[B3TA07]

Posted: 4/30/07 at 1:32am

I live in Dallas.


Appropriate.

For sure!