Next Sondheim?- Page 3

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 3/22/24 at 1:04pm

How was the Encores production of Anyone Can Whistle? I've seen clips and Donna Murphy is a dream. I feel like Sutton and Raul could go either way.

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 3/22/24 at 1:57pm

KevinKlawitter said: "Concord Theatricals is teasing "exciting Sondheim news" in the coming weeks.

They're probably talking about the cast recording and/or licensing rights forHere We Are,​​​but hey we can dream."

Concord scoring the rights to Here We Are would be really interesting, given that all but two of Sondheim's shows (Do I Hear A Waltz and Gypsy) are licensed through MTI.

[joevitus]

Posted: 3/22/24 at 2:28pm

binau said: "joevitus said: "Maybe Bernadette utilizing the same voice for Sally as she used for Marie has confused people about the general age of the four leads."

HAHAHAHAH. To be fair, I do think 49 in 1970 means something different than 49 in 2024 (or 2011;)). I also continue to be annoyed that Bernadette, who at least can sing, always gets trashed for her vocals in Follies while Staunton gets a free pass despite having very little lyrical beauty in Buddy’s Eyes, and lowering the key for Too Many Mornings. Though I thought her Losing my Mind was powerful even if overwrought in her typical style.


I’ve heard that people are trying to put on Forum - so far the attempts have been unsuccessful."

I'm grateful you got a laugh out of my comment--I was a little worried you'd be offended (I do think the voice was too elderly, but respect your love for Peters).

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 3/22/24 at 2:39pm

HenryTDobson said: "How was the Encores production of Anyone Can Whistle? I've seen clips and Donna Murphy is a dream. I feel like Sutton and Raul could go either way."

I’ve gone to Encores! performances for over 16 years, and that is easily in my top 3 (behind maybe Follies and Into the Woods).  The pairing made no sense to me at the time (except for Donna, who unsurprisingly blew the roof off) and the early video releases of Sutton in rehearsal did no justice.  However, she had me in tears during the title song and thought the show, I remember her performance so vividly. Raul was also in top form (I’m sure he sounds exquisite still, but this was him in his prime). 

It wasn’t a very production heavy Encores! but it worked and the orchestra was phenomenal (much more than I can than the recent Carnegie debacle…I had to walk out it was so bad). 
 

I agree with Kad, unless I can get a Cate/Julie Night Music, Whistle with that cast would be my next first choice. Hell, I’d settle for a live recording from the run!

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 3/22/24 at 3:02pm

I doubt it would ever work on Broadway but the Southwark Playhouse production of Anyone Can Whistle (which I saw shortly after the recent Carnegie Hall concert) was the closest I've ever seen for the show "working" (and Alex Young as Cora was a hoot too).  I'd love to see a smaller scrappier version of Whistle stateside as well.

[binau]

Posted: 3/22/24 at 3:18pm

I agree chrishuyen. Somehow I can’t imagine it going down well on this board but the tone was so right because it was so silly. 

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/22/24 at 3:50pm

Today would have been his 94th Birthday so it is all Sondheim all day in my home! 

[NakedMaid]

Posted: 3/23/24 at 4:09pm

I've been waiting for a James Cordon FORUM revival. With his west coast TV show now done, and the need for a Sondheim revival, could now be the time?

He's a name draw, lover of theatre and was absolutely hilarious in ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS.

[Kad]

Posted: 3/23/24 at 4:52pm

NakedMaid said: "I've been waiting for a James Cordon FORUM revival. With his west coast TV show now done, and the need for a Sondheim revival, could now be the time?

He's a name draw, lover of theatre and was absolutely hilarious in ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS."

It was very close to happening in 2015, directed by Alex Timbers, but then he got the Late Late Show. His performance in One Man Two Guv'nors was absolutely hysterical- that production remains one of the funniest things I've ever seen. However, it was just announced he was going to star in a new play called The Constituent at the Old Vic this summer, so it doesn't seem likely in the immediate/near future.

(I also wonder if popular opinion on Corden hasn't largely soured over the last decade).

[Robbie2]

Posted: 3/24/24 at 6:21pm

Forum then Bart Sher's Follies at LCT

[Jesse St. James]

Posted: 3/28/24 at 9:57pm

Next sondheim is Anyone Can Whistle

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 3/29/24 at 7:03am

I would love a Judy Kuhn Cora

[The8re phan]

Posted: 3/29/24 at 9:31am

I'd prefer a Carolee Carmello Cora

Updated On: 3/29/24 at 09:31 AM

[Kad]

Posted: 3/29/24 at 9:40am

A CSC Whistle makes sense. Wholesale did well for them, they’ve done three other offbeat Sondheim shows, and they’re in a bad spot financially right now and this would be kind of a sure hit for them in terms of ticket sales. 
 

I actually saw a stripped down Whistle in London with Rosalie Craig as Faye - it happened at the exact same time as the Encores production, coincidentally enough. The production did a Brechtian take on the material and I thought it worked surprisingly well.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/29/24 at 10:27am

The8re phan said: "I'd prefera Carolee Carmello Cora"

I thought of Carmello as well. The role needs a brassy singer. Even someone like Kahn sounded bland singing the role.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 3/29/24 at 11:09am

I’m not sure Judy Kuhn has a funny bone in her body.

 

Nancy Opel!

[Falsettolands]

Posted: 3/29/24 at 11:25am

A Tracie Bennett Cora would be my pick.

Yes, She can sing it just fine -not accepting criticism of her voice today.

 But her interpretation would be incredible!

Updated On: 3/29/24 at 11:25 AM

[CurtainsUpat8]

Posted: 3/29/24 at 11:51am

How about we have a year moratorium on producing Sondheim shows?  I love him as much as anyone else, but theatre in NYC is just getting silly.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 3/29/24 at 11:59am

CurtainsUpat8 said: "How about we have a year moratorium on producing Sondheim shows? I love him as much as anyone else, but theatre in NYC is just getting silly."


Then don’t go. Anyway.

[Kad]

Posted: 3/29/24 at 1:39pm

Nancy Opel is an incredible casting suggestion. She’s beyond overdue for a great leading role again 

[rattleNwoolypenguin]

Posted: 3/29/24 at 2:22pm

CurtainsUpat8 said: "How about we have a year moratorium on producing Sondheim shows? I love him as much as anyone else, but theatre in NYC is just getting silly."

do you hear yourself?

[rattleNwoolypenguin]

Posted: 3/29/24 at 2:29pm

That said, I'm not convinced Whistle as a real revival will work.

It's a wonderful score but I've now seen the show now numerous times and every time I say "It is the flop that it is."

Unless someone goes in and does some real real work on the book I just don't think this is the Sondheim show that's gonna come back alive and that's okay!

It really is and was perfect for Encores in that way.

I knew that Merrily could get it right eventually, and I'm thrilled they did.

I'm not sure this show can

 

[Jesse St. James]

Posted: 3/29/24 at 2:58pm

According to sweaty oracle, John Weidman is doing book revisions. He did a great job revising the book for Wholesale. 

[Ravenclaw]

Posted: 3/29/24 at 3:20pm

For me, the Encores production was nearly perfect. I doubt Weidman's book revisions will get close to what David Ives's revisions did--spinning a thread of logic while totally preserving the wacky tone, clearing out the clutter of the piece, and letting the score truly shine. I've wished for years that the Encores book would become the officially licensed version (like Follies), but, alas.

[rattleNwoolypenguin]

Posted: 3/29/24 at 4:01pm

I think it should be a one act. Absurdity of this nature should be a one and done experience.