Passion DVD

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 2:58pm

I just bought this and have watched it a couple times and I do really love being able to see it and the wonderful performances. There are three things I have issues with/questions about, though:

*Spoiler Alert*

1.) On the stage, was there actually nudity during "Happiness" or was it as discreetly and awkwardly covered up as in the DVD?

2.) In the scene after Fosca follows Giorgio up to the hill and he ends up having to carry her back down, the scene where he's dreaming that they're "together," shall we say, why does the director decide to use that weird effect as the servants are turning the bed?

3.) I love Jere Shea in this. I think he's wonderful, both acting and singing. However, in the scene where Giorgio tells Fosca he loves her and they end up on the bed together, why does he kiss her so strangely? Maybe it's just me, but he's on top of her and his kissing is so sporadic and jerky that it's almost embarrassing to watch. Does anyone else think this? Or even know what I'm talking about?

[jacco]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 3:20pm

I only know the aswer to your first question: Yes there was nudity, but VERY well-lit if you know what I mean......

[Pinguin]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 3:27pm

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Passion, but I think the direction is weird; listen to the commentary on the DVD! It's very interesting...they were mostly with the servant video effects trying to take advantage of the fact that they were filming it, but I agree that it's silly.

And yes, there was definitely real nudity in the show that they redid for the DVD; hence why it looks awkward with all that sheet action :0)

I have no opinion about the Jere Shea kissing...but I see what you mean.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 3:28pm

where do you get the DVD at?

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 3:29pm

Thank you so much for your responses! I really aprpeciate them. I will definitely be listening to the commentary next time.

[Pinguin]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 3:31pm

You can buy it here and save a whole quarter :0)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000093NR3/qid=1123011040/sr=8-14/ref=pd_bbs_sbs_14/102-7762913-8748921?v=glance&s=dvd&n=507846

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 3:33pm

Shea showed much more on stage than the DVD shows. The show I saw he displayed his glorious gluteus maXimus to almost a full view. Highlight of the show.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 3:38pm

baddad--
THAT is the sort of thing that should be on the DVD! I thought the point of the DVD is to show those of us who couldn't go see the show or who were only 12 when it debuted and still thought that POTO was the height of sophisticated theatre what the show was like exactly. Grrrr... Now I'm mad.

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 3:39pm

I assume they wanted to make it more family friendly. Saw lots of Mazzie's boobs too, which are very nice, but wasn't all that interested in those.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 3:42pm

Yes, I have no doubt that they're nice, but I have to agree with you on that one.

But I have to wonder how many parents would honestly say, "Well, kids, let's stay in and rent a movie! How about Stephen Sondheim's Passion? That sounds ever so child-friendly." Damn kids, ruining musicals.

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 3:44pm

I agree - it might have been the actors' decisions as well. It is one thing to strip down and appear on stage with no cameras recording it to be shown forever.

I was very jealous of Marin - would've given anything to feel the fur!

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 3:47pm

"Feel the fur." baddad, you are a poet.

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 3:47pm

Thanks, I am blushing all over.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 3:53pm

[Anne5122]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 4:00pm

I have the Passion DVD and I thought it was great. But I have to disagree about Jere Shea. I didn't think he was all that great and yes, the scene where he finally kisses Fosca, was very jerky. I quickly fast forward through that just because it's so awkward to watch. If they had Michael Ball, I would watch the DVD more often =)

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 4:03pm

I'm glad we agree (and disagree) about Jere Shea! I love that scene so much and I usually end up crying, but then the kissing begins and I feel like it spoils the whole mood. I learned the second time I watched it to fast forward. It's a little thing, but it's very important.

[KristinChenowethFan]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 4:11pm

I think the whole kissing part was just supposed to show his "built up passion" for fosca...I don't know I thought it was a bit weird also but my husband says that with the lighting and such the kiss is supposed to be in "fast forward motion"...thought I would add my two cents...but I agree it is weird. Yes, if Michael Ball were in it...I agree I would watch it a heck of alot more...I would love to see his bare bottom! woooohooo!

[kec]

Posted: 8/2/05 at 4:13pm

Isn't the DVD the version they showed on PBS a few years ago? It would explain why there was no nudity...

[Isabella2]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 7:34pm

what do you mean?

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 7:40pm

Love it!

But, I much prefer the production they did last April with Michael Cerveris.

[Marguerite Chauvelin]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 7:43pm

I think the Cerveris one is great too. I loved that performance!! It made me want to adopt Sondheim. Of course, he's 75...

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 10/6/05 at 7:57pm

He he!

I won't mention what that performance made me want to do....

[Isabella2]

Posted: 10/9/05 at 10:39pm

Sondheim is truely a genius. I remember watching the Passion with Patti LuPone in it last may and I was able to sit through the whole thing and for some reason not judge it. The dvd enhanced my love for it. It made me recognize how wonderful Donna Murphy is.

I agree with what most of you are saying about it. The commentary makes me happy, the kissing is definately jerky, and the end makes me cry everytime. I just wish I could get the Patti Lupone version. Chrysanthemum62001 already has graciously told me how I could get it but i'm not sure if i'll be able to buy it that way. Does anyone else have any ideas of how I could get this dvd?

[bdwybelle]

Posted: 10/9/05 at 10:46pm

I believe the DVD of Passion is on Amazon.com. Or you can get it at COLONY in Manhattan.
I saw the concert version of Passion with LuPone, Cerveris and McDonald and I loved Cerveris and McDonald and LuPone, but LuPone didn't do it for me. I much prefer Murphy's interpretation of Fosca. She gives Fosca a sense of delicacy, whereas I feel that LuPone is a little too big (not necessarily physically) for the part.
I also had the pleasure of seeing the concert version of Passion with Murphy, Cerveris and Mazzie, and I LOVED that. Each actor was excellent, although McDonald and Marin both played it very well.

[Isabella2]

Posted: 10/10/05 at 12:18am

You saw both of these live? or did you see them on dvd? bceause i'm dying to see it.

And I was talking about the passion version with Patti LuPone, I already have the one with donna, Jere and Marin. I love them :)