On with the Sondheim revivals — Page 2

SidebySidebyLogan said: "My dream revival is Follies on the Vivian Beaumont stage, directed by Bartlett Sher with Laura Benanti and Norm Lewis as Phyllis/Ben and Kelli O'Hara and Norbert Leo Butz as Sally/Buddy. Jane Krakowski as Carlotta. Patti Lupone as Hattie. Throw in some stage legends like Donna McKechnie, Charlotte d'Amboise, Jennifer Holiday in the smaller roles. Spend an insane amount of money and really make it something special"

How could I forget Jane Krakowski??? I desperately need to see her on Broadway again. Norm Lewis would be perfect as Ben, & I was thinking Hattie for Patti too! I love the idea of Donna McKechnie but I have no idea who I'd cast her as.

And yes, they'd need as much money as they can get. This production would need an incredible, lavish set & full orchestra, & skimping on anything would mess it up.

Regarding Follies: I'd love to see the National Theatre production transfer to the Beaumont, with a cast of Broadway legends.

Regarding Evening Primrose: From what I understand, CBS (?) still owns the rights to it. There have been a couple of concert versions of it, but even those were put on with some very special permission, or some other restrictive circumstance like that. Would love to see another, or even to see someone attempt to stage and adapt it, but it seems like the powers that be don't want that to happen, for whatever reason. Or maybe they just don't want it done willy-nilly: f some high-profile, reputable producers approached them about it, maybe they'd be more amenable.

Regarding Passion: Audra McDonald played Clara at Ravinia with LuPone as Fosca. Seems like a better role for her, vocally, but she probably wouldn't take the role now. If she was cast as Fosca, she would undoubtedly deliver an excellent performance - because she always does. Still, I'm not sure I see her in the role.

Regarding Anyone Can Whistle: I agree that it wouldn't work commercially - no chance. But I think an Encores-style producion is precisely what this piece does NOT need. After seeing the Carnegie Hall concert this year, I agree with Ermengarde that the piece needs a production with REHEARSAL and VISION. It needs a strong director who can grab it by the reins, and execute the absurdist tone with precision and cohesion. And part of that is they also need a cast who has enough rehearsal time to get into the comedic rhythms of the piece, to get on the same page enough to play off each other, and all work as an ensemble to achieve the right tone.

I don't necessarily trust Roundabout to assemble the right team of artists, but Roundabout seems like a good place for this kind of production, programming-wise.

revivespringawakening said: "Oh, I've been waiting for this post! What the world really needs is a great Follies revival. Maybe in a few years with Kelli O'Hara, Laura Benanti (we know they both want to do it so let's get on with it already!), Audra, Patina Miller, Ruthie Ann Miles & Patti if she'll come out of retirement. It'll need a massive budget to work, though, so it's just wishful thinking for now.

& I'm still hoping that someday, somewhere, Christine Baranski will get an official full run as Mrs. Lovett. (I'd love if it was in NYC but I am willing to travel anywhere to see this.)"

She did play Mrs. Lovett in a production at the Kennedy Center, which I saw. Brian Stokes Mitchell was Sweeney. All were excellent. I also saw her play Mame at the Kennedy Center, which was an experience best forgotten. She was a potentially great Vera playing Mame.

The entire Sondheim Celebration at the Kennedy Center was so special. I hope someone mounts something similar again in the future.

We definitely NEED a revival of Forum! As for Gypsy, I would ABSOLUTELY kill for Stephanie J Block to be Rose! We could also use an A Little Night Music revival. I don't know if this one will come back to Broadway, but there should definitely be a "Sondheim on Sondheim" revival. The theatre I work at did an AMAZING production of it this summer! That definitely could work at an Off-Broadway theatre in NYC.