"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
It also probably means the Barcelona production with Alice Ripley will not make it to London as once rumoured. However, I think the show probably does deserve a full staging at the Donmar for its first outing in London.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I have tickets to next to normal at the Donmar for September 11th or 12th. (I forget which date). We also have tickets for the English-language premiere of Rebecca, and will be planning on two more shows. Always thought I'd get to do a Broadway trip before making it out to the West End, but I am very pleased with this turn of events! I'm desperate for casting news, but can't think of anyone in particular. I still think of Caissie Levy as a 20-something in my head, but I bet she would be fantastic. Would also still love Julia Murney as Diana, but I don't think she has any west end ties. Anyone else have tickets?
Well an American is playing Diana lol. Caissie Levy was announced this morning as getting the role and I’m very excited to see her! Trevor Dion Nicholas was also announced today as playing Dr Madden/Fine, with further casting to come
Caissie Levy's Mom arc has been going swimmingly. Caroline, or Change, Bedwetter, Leopoldstadt, and now this. Sad there's no way I'll get to see it. I wonder if it could have some sort of future.
British people be like “OMG YASSS SHARON D CLARKE GO TO BROADWAY AND PLAY AN AMERICAN” and then when the same director brings an American talent back to the UK “THEY TAKING OUR JOBS”. It’s about giving and taking, not just taking. I guarantee if there was a better choice in the UK this director would have found it.
I cannot WAIT to see this at the Donmar.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
Levy is probably doing the role as part of the American and British Equity exchange. For every Brit allowed to appear on Broadway, the West End has to counter by casting an American.
“I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then.”
Caissie has been impressing me more and more these days. She was sensational in Caroline, Or Change. Was a standout in Leopoldstadt. And I have no doubt she will be a revelatory Diana in N2N. She just keeps working non-stop. Love that for her!
Square Peg2 said: "All this talk of Caissie Levy being American is making the pedant in me flinch...she's Canadian. It's totally different. ??"
Ha a good point I hadn't even thought of. Regardless, I find Caissie to be an incredibly warm performer who makes an audience almost instantly connect/empathize with her. This made her a standout in Les Mis sure but was especially interesting in Murder Ballad andCaroline where I think she took otherwise unsympathetic characters and made them so human.
DIdnt see Ghost or Frozen and thought she was totally wasted in Leopolsdtadt but is there a meatier role for her than Diana Goodman? Its a shame I'll be in London next month and will almost certainly miss this.
First clip of I Miss The Mountains and I think we can all breathe a sigh of relief that Cassie is going to deliver in this role. I think it’s also about time we had a new cast recording.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
CL is Canadian. So (with or without US dual citizenship) she is a British Commonwealth National. Unless I'm mistaken, this completely moots the discussion of her not being British and working on the London stage.
She sounds good but that was a pretty flat performance of the song dramatically. I would guess her perfornance on stage will be played with different intention.
“I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then.”
That video seems like a little promo thing and not indicative of how she’d perform on stage. Seeing it early on in a little over two weeks (!!!!!!!!!!) so I’ll report back if she does sing it that way live.
Heads up to people who waited too long to buy tickets, like I did....they released a very limited number of tickets today!
Most are tagged as somewhat limited view (it says edges of the set and some brief moments of action may be missed); I'm going to London at end of August so I didn't check dates outside of that timeframe, but seems like there's availability scattered across a number of performances.
Managed to snag a lone full-view ticket the day I arrive. Might be a bit aggressive landing at 7:30 am and going to a 2:30 pm matinee, but last time I did the overnight flight I was able to be functional most of the day despite having limited sleep so I'm optimistic. Was really hoping for a second extension for Groundhog Day too, but seems that's out of the question. Fortunately I'd seen that before in NYC, but I wasn't a very prolific theatergoer when N2N ran so that was definitely the priority!