I'm actually VERY excited by the idea of James Snyder as the Baron. He's not who I'd have thought of at all, but he has an absolutely beautiful voice and will totally do justice to "Love Can't Happen."
It's difficult for me to figure out what appropriate casting would be because I've never seen a production of Grand Hotel. I've listened to the album but in my head, I just see the actors from the movie.
Maybe it'll read next to Stephanie but James Snyder seems young (or at least looks young) for the Baron. He always seems a bit boyish which has worked well for the parts I've seen him in.
The Baron is supposed to be in his late 20s. James Snyder is actually 37. David Carroll was 39 when he created the role in the OBC.
The Baron is supposed to be younger than the ballerina, who in the novel is early 40s.
Liliane Montevecci was 57 when she played Elizabeta in the original production. Irina Dvorovenko is 44.
So it won't quite be the May/December romance that it was in the Broadway production, but given that Snyder looks young, it will probably read closer to the dynamic as Vicki Baum actually wrote it in the book.
“I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then.”
I’d pay money to avoid seeing Diaz perform. The cast does nothing for me. They couldn’t dig up one big name?
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
QueenAlice said: "Who was the 'one big name' the first time?"
I don’t necessarily think there was one Queen, but since this is a short run it would have been nice to get a little star power on board
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
People keep saying this on both message boards and it drives me crazy.
Encores isn't Broadway Stars In Concert, it's American Musicals in Concert. If you're doing Bells Are Ringing or Follies or The Apple Tree, you obviously need some big names to handle it (which they've almost always gotten.)
Grand Hotel is an ensemble show, not a star vehicle, and one random 'big name' would throw off the balance. Not to mention that the piece is a beast, 2 hours of through-composed non-stop movement, dance, song and underscored dialogue.
How about a cast of good solid old-fashioned musical theatre pros who are up to delivering the material? It worked for Tommy Tune nearly 30 years ago. Should be good enough now. (& for those for whom it isn't they don't have to go.)
Saw her in both American Psycho and Bullets Over Broadway and think she's a great choice too.
And although there will never be another Michael Jeter, it's nice to see this show being revisited. Having seen the original, the music and staging drew me in instantly. It's one of my favorites.
Between this - and hopefully the revival of "Kiss Me, Kate" - it seems that Heléne Yorke is coming back to the stage with a vengeance! I really hope this production garners a cast recording - I'd listen to her I Want to Go to Hollywood daily, I'm sure.
They/them.
"Get up the nerve to be all you deserve to be."
jbm2 said: "At the risk of sounding like an idiot.. but, is this a full production? I’m confused as to why it plays for such a short time? A weekend?"
I'd expect it to be mostly full-staged.
Encores! productions are technically readings in concert, but in the past 25 years the production levels have increased to the point where there is full costuming and coreo, plus suggestions of sets.
And I the last one to be recorded was PAINT YOUR WAGON in 2015.
I believe the last Encores! cast recording was “God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater” in 2016. I don’t necessarily think they WILL record “Grand Hotel” but it would be nice to have a new version of the score. They’ve recorded things that didn’t really need new recordings before. So, here’s hoping!
They/them.
"Get up the nerve to be all you deserve to be."
CindersGolightly said: "I believe the last Encores! cast recording was “God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater” in 2016. I don’t necessarily think they WILL record “Grand Hotel” but it would be nice to have a new version of the score. They’ve recorded things that didn’t really need new recordings before. So, here’s hoping!"
Paint Your Wagon and Lady Be Good were also recently recorded.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
I would be surprised if they recorded it, but weirder things have happened. A great, fairly complete recording already exists from only ~25 years ago — it’s not like this is a lost artifact like PIPE DREAM.
Interesting that the Signature Theatre in DC is also doing GRAND HOTEL next year, according to a casting notice.