#1
Posted: 1/12/04 at 1:38pm
It was very good. But it had the slightly stiff feel of what it was - a NY TIMES officially sanctioned event (don't know of a better way to describe it). So Nathan and Matthew were on their best behavior and I never got the impression either was really comfortable being there. Nathan - who dominated the chat - was sharp, caustic and funny without spilling into outrageousness (rats) and Matthew was slyly shy and soft-spoken. I wonder if they would have been better served by a host other than John Darnton. Frank Rich might have been much better, IMHO.
Upon reflection, it was interesting at how little was said about THE PRODUCERS (Nathan: "What's next for the show? Action figures and breakfast cereal.") The film was mentioned (Nathan quipped that Jackie Chan would be starring...but carefully noting that Hollywood may want to use more established names in the cast, "I'm amazed WE were cast!") Nathan took issue with the publicity of the fee he and Matthew were recieving ("Nobody says anything about Tom Cruise getting so many tens of millions for a pictures") noting that his PRODUCERS salary frees him to do riskier things later in the year. He specifically mentioned THE FROGS, noting that Sondheim had written seven additional songs for the show. Now, I might have reading into Nathan's statements but I was left with the strong suggestion that in addition to rewriting the show, Nathan had contributed lyrics to Sondheim's songs. I wanted to ask him specifics, but never had the courage to face the Q&A mike. Nothing was said about the BOUNCE workshop, nor of any plans to bring BUTLEY to Broadway, though Nathan did note that he was especially proud of his work in that. Terrence McNally got a nice mention as someone whose plays helped make his career with LISBON TRAVIATA, but nothing was said about LIPS TOGETHER, TEETH APART or L!V!C!
On more personal issues, Nathan seemed less than thrilled about Darnton's questions about his childhood: "Everybody has a lousy childhood! My father was an alcoholic and my mother was a manic depressive. These were my role models." He brought up the Alex Wichel TIMES magazine interview of 2001 saying it was too harsh and made him to be more depressed than he is (even though he admitted he was going through a rough time in his life then), noting "You should have seen the LETTERS I got because of that article. People were recommending prescriptions!"
Matthew was quite candid, answering a question abnout whether he'd ever work with his wife saying that he did not think it would be a good idea. At all. He was a touch annoyed at Darnton's remarks that THE PRODUCERS "revived his career". Matthew admitted in the MUSIC MAN that he "bit off more than he could chew" and that he wished he was doing it on stage with a longer rehersal schedule instead of the rushed rehearsal time given the film.
The Q&A session: Someone asked Nathan about his 'character motivation', and Nathan arched his eyebrow and said "MOTIVATION?! That is
NOT me!" (Or something to that effect...it was very funny). Another asked about "Why he didn't do the ArgentYNE, brillianTYNE ListerRYNE" lyric in the show that afternoon (He just said 'Argentine', etc). Nathan: "Because Daddy didn't feel like it." Someone brought up "The Odd Couple" and asked if it would be
a musical, and Nathan & Matthew politely answered no.
They showed film clips of BIRDCAGE and ELECTION. Nathan noted how nice it was to work with Robin, etc. Matthew had little to say about his films, but was very funny on the subject of working with Marlon Brando offering a spot-on impression of him. Nathan made a few quips about working on TV ("Short-lived series are the only kind I have") and WIN A DATE WITH TAD HAMILTON!: "Of course, none of YOU will see it, but the studio is hoping than millions of teenage girls will." He talked fondly about working with George C. Scott - who appearantly was quite homophobic. During ON BORROWED TIME, Scott announced to the cast, "'Boy am I glad there are no FAGS on this stage!' Whereupon three gay men went 'pfffft' (spitting water)!"
I'm paraphrasing the quotes, and leaving much out (it was a very full evening), but you can get the idea!
Upon reflection, it was interesting at how little was said about THE PRODUCERS (Nathan: "What's next for the show? Action figures and breakfast cereal.") The film was mentioned (Nathan quipped that Jackie Chan would be starring...but carefully noting that Hollywood may want to use more established names in the cast, "I'm amazed WE were cast!") Nathan took issue with the publicity of the fee he and Matthew were recieving ("Nobody says anything about Tom Cruise getting so many tens of millions for a pictures") noting that his PRODUCERS salary frees him to do riskier things later in the year. He specifically mentioned THE FROGS, noting that Sondheim had written seven additional songs for the show. Now, I might have reading into Nathan's statements but I was left with the strong suggestion that in addition to rewriting the show, Nathan had contributed lyrics to Sondheim's songs. I wanted to ask him specifics, but never had the courage to face the Q&A mike. Nothing was said about the BOUNCE workshop, nor of any plans to bring BUTLEY to Broadway, though Nathan did note that he was especially proud of his work in that. Terrence McNally got a nice mention as someone whose plays helped make his career with LISBON TRAVIATA, but nothing was said about LIPS TOGETHER, TEETH APART or L!V!C!
On more personal issues, Nathan seemed less than thrilled about Darnton's questions about his childhood: "Everybody has a lousy childhood! My father was an alcoholic and my mother was a manic depressive. These were my role models." He brought up the Alex Wichel TIMES magazine interview of 2001 saying it was too harsh and made him to be more depressed than he is (even though he admitted he was going through a rough time in his life then), noting "You should have seen the LETTERS I got because of that article. People were recommending prescriptions!"
Matthew was quite candid, answering a question abnout whether he'd ever work with his wife saying that he did not think it would be a good idea. At all. He was a touch annoyed at Darnton's remarks that THE PRODUCERS "revived his career". Matthew admitted in the MUSIC MAN that he "bit off more than he could chew" and that he wished he was doing it on stage with a longer rehersal schedule instead of the rushed rehearsal time given the film.
The Q&A session: Someone asked Nathan about his 'character motivation', and Nathan arched his eyebrow and said "MOTIVATION?! That is
NOT me!" (Or something to that effect...it was very funny). Another asked about "Why he didn't do the ArgentYNE, brillianTYNE ListerRYNE" lyric in the show that afternoon (He just said 'Argentine', etc). Nathan: "Because Daddy didn't feel like it." Someone brought up "The Odd Couple" and asked if it would be
a musical, and Nathan & Matthew politely answered no.
They showed film clips of BIRDCAGE and ELECTION. Nathan noted how nice it was to work with Robin, etc. Matthew had little to say about his films, but was very funny on the subject of working with Marlon Brando offering a spot-on impression of him. Nathan made a few quips about working on TV ("Short-lived series are the only kind I have") and WIN A DATE WITH TAD HAMILTON!: "Of course, none of YOU will see it, but the studio is hoping than millions of teenage girls will." He talked fondly about working with George C. Scott - who appearantly was quite homophobic. During ON BORROWED TIME, Scott announced to the cast, "'Boy am I glad there are no FAGS on this stage!' Whereupon three gay men went 'pfffft' (spitting water)!"
I'm paraphrasing the quotes, and leaving much out (it was a very full evening), but you can get the idea!
"Christ, Bette Davis?!?!"
