Night Music replacement rumor?

#1

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 9:31pm

According to ATC, a "name actress" with "major Sondheim ties" has approached the producers and they are reconsidering the closing.

Anyone know anything or have ideas about who this name might be?

Perpetual Anticipation

Updated On: 5/26/10 at 09:31 PM

#2

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 9:34pm

All right, I'll bite. Bernadette?

#3

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 9:36pm

Hmmm...Sondheim ties, huh? Name actress?

Bernadette Peters is the only person I can think of. Lupone? Both seem doubtful but they are the only 2 Sondheim related names I can think of.

Unless it's to replace Angie. Julie Andrews? Carol Burnett? Mia Farrow?

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"Broadway...I'll lick you yet!"

Updated On: 5/26/10 at 09:36 PM

#4

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 9:37pm

Nunn did not want Bernadette the first time because of her age. Maybe he changed his mind?

#5

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 9:40pm

Maybe the producers will change his mind for him.

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"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

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blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#6

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 9:42pm

I wouldn't mind a Bernadette/Stritch combo.

But why would Bernadette want to replace? A favor to Sondheim, maybe?

Updated On: 5/26/10 at 09:42 PM

#7

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 9:42pm

Would Bernadette really REPLACE in a show, though?

#8

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 9:54pm

If it's a role she's always wanted to play on Broadway, then yes.

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"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

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blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#9

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 9:54pm

I highly doubt it, but I suppose there's always a slight chance that Maria Friedman might replace? I don't know which role but she did a recording of Night Music?

Sondheim does call her his muse of England or whatever (she's done like every leading role of Sondheim over there at some point!), and her sister is the producer! But she's certainly not a name by any stretch over here.

#10

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 9:56pm

The producers would not consider rescinding their closing notice for Maria Friedman.

#11

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 9:57pm

I suppose you're right. I hope if it turns out to be true she pulls a Brooke Shields and demands a new cast album be released.

#12

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 9:58pm

It's Judi Dench.

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"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

#13

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 9:58pm

As Madame Armfeldt? That would be brilliance. Is that just wishful thinking?

Updated On: 5/26/10 at 09:58 PM

#14

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 10:00pm

Presumably this would be a name for Desiree, as I think the producers did have a few options for a replacement Madame Armfeldt but felt they needed a star to replace Zeta Jones.

Peters was actually the one who volunteered herself for the role of the Witch in the original INTO THE WOODS when Sondheim mentioned in passing that they were having trouble casting the role (nobody thought she would take such a small part). Perhaps she would do something similar in volunteering to be a replacement when most wouldn't think to ask her.

Donna Murphy is the other suggested choice that seems plausible, though she is doubtful enough of a name to make the producers reconsider closing the production, unless perhaps she was teamed with a name like Strich or Rivera...

#15

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 10:01pm

I would to line the theater seat with a wee wee pad if that were true.

Bernadette Peters & Judi Dench just has a wonderful ring to it.

#16

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 10:03pm

I think Donna Murphy would sell about 6 tickets.

#17

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 10:09pm

And then they'd have to refund those six tickets when patrons find out she is sick and her understudy is on.

---

"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

#18

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 10:12pm

Donna would be amazing in the role if they got a big enough name for Mme. Armfeldt.

#19

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 10:13pm

Shame on you Capn - I'd expect better of you than to jump on the cheap joke Donna Murphy absence bandwagon.

#20

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 10:15pm

I just want to know. I really hope this is true.

#21

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 10:15pm

Maybe it's Reba who was also in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN that starred Tom Wopat who's now tearing up the stage nightly in SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM. There's your Sondheim connection.

Updated On: 5/26/10 at 10:15 PM

#22

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 10:19pm

Patti LuPone did say in some interview that when she first heard that NIGHT MUSIC was coming back she desperately wanted to play Desiree; but I think we all should really hope she's not the one petitioning the producers. Even though I know she did a concert version of it at Ravinia, she is sooooo wrong for that role especially for this production. Let her play Madame Armfeldt in the next revival...

#23

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 10:20pm

Michael Bennett -- yes, true, plus I have no room to talk. Every time I've seen a show that she was in, she's always been on.

---

"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

#24

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 10:21pm

Madonna?

Hey, she did 'Dick Tracy.'

In regards to Stritch, apparently she told a class of theatre students at Marymount Manhattan that she would turn down an offer to play Mdm. Armfeldt. Apparently she thinks it's a dumb idea to return to Broadway in a wheelchair.

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"If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don't want to do it." -Stephen Colbert

#25

Night Music replacement rumor?

Posted: 5/26/10 at 10:21pm

Does Desiree wear isotoners?