Passion DVD(s)?

[heathurrr]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 9:16pm

Someone on youtube uploaded all of Passion (originally aired on PBS) with Audra McDonald, Patti LuPone and Michael Cerveris. A killer cast in an excellent musical.
Was this ever released on DVD? Is the only DVD of the show the OBC?

Thanks a bunch

[Taryn]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 9:28pm

It was one of the Live at Lincoln Center, so it was only aired a couple of times on PBS and was never released commercially (like the Light in the Piazza recording).

[fanpires]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 9:29pm

i thought you could buy it from ebay?
i'd rather have the OBC on DVD...

[heathurrr]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 9:32pm

I want both on DVD, haha.
Oh well. Thanks for the info!

[StageManager2]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 9:42pm

The OBC PASSION is on DVD.

[fanpires]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 9:44pm

wth. i must have confused it withe lincoln center production. thanks.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 10:05pm

I actually very much disliked the production with Audra, Patti, and Michael.

Audra was the best, but she was too warm for Clara, IMO.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 10:05pm

BOTH were shown on PBS. The film of the Broadway production aired on Great Performances and is out on DVD.

The semi-staged concert performance aired on Live from Lincoln Center and is NOT available for purchase.

[fanpires]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 10:10pm

Audra was too soft, I agree. Marin was the perfect Clara. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed for a revival with Kelli O'Hara as Clara.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 10:16pm

Marin Mazzie was fantastic as Clara, but Audra McDondald made the character much more complex and interesting.

As for a Broadway revival, don't bet on it. It's not a show that appeals to a mass audience. Even in Washington's Sondheim Celebration it was the least sold of all 6 shows (although still sold out 80% of its seats over 15 performances.)

If it does get revived it would probably be a chamber opera staging. The NYCO might try but the 2700 state theatre would dwarf the show.

Did anyone see the Chicago staging with Adam Brazier last fall?

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 10:20pm

I guess my problem is that Audra's Clara was so beautiful and warm and Patti's Fosca annoyed the heck out of me. So, I couldn't figure out for the life of me why Giorgio would choose Fosca over Clara in this production.

[fanpires]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 10:24pm

I heard the Chicago staging, and whoever played Clara was FABULOUS.

Ugh, I HATED Patti AND Michael in their roles. I think they did a horrible job, especially Patti.

[heathurrr]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 10:25pm

If any Sondheim show is going to be revived (after Merrily) it HAS to be A Little Night Music.

[fanpires]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 10:27pm

I agree with the revival of ALNM. It would be fantastic, but I'm afraid nothing will ever beat the OBC.

[heathurrr]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 10:29pm

That is true. I heart Glynis Johns and Len Cariou crazy amounts.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 10:32pm

I really think the cast from the Lincoln Center production is terribly weak both due to the fact they are miscast and Lonny Prince's direction of course.
If there's a Sondheim show with an original cast that is virtually impossible to beat, it is PASSION.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 10:43pm

Yes, no Fosca will ever top Donna Murphy, IMO.

[musicaltheater1]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 11:39pm

I love Patti, Audra and Michael but I agree with some of you. I personally prefer OBC Murphy, Mazzie and Shea. I recall watching it on Broadway and it was the most passionate and emotional musical I have ever seen. Bravo, Sondheim and OBC! I hope to see more concerts of this production.

Now, has anybody heard of the London production recording? Or, the previous Lincoln Center production featuring Judy Kuhn and Rebecca Luker? Please share your reviews on those two productions especially Kuhn's version of Fosca.

Updated On: 6/28/08 at 11:39 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 11:51pm

I'd love to get my hands on a soundboard of the Kennedy Center production with Judy Kuhn as Fosca.
The London recording is such a debacle. Maria Friedman gives what in my mind is one of the worst performances committed to a cast recording. Michael Ball does make for a neat Giorgio, but after listening to Shea and Ball multiple times, I am convinced that Shea has the edge. The girl who plays Clara--blanking out on her name--is no Mazzie or Audra.

[fanpires]

Posted: 6/29/08 at 12:54am

I actually liked Helen's take on Clara. It was different, albeit she was no Marin.

I didn't care for Rebecca Luker; her vibrato was insane.
Updated On: 6/29/08 at 12:54 AM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/29/08 at 12:55am

Maria Friedman played Fosca, not Clara.

[fanpires]

Posted: 6/29/08 at 1:25am

i meant helen hobson, sorry. i'm sounding like a complete idiot today.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 6/29/08 at 1:28am

Audra sounded like a fantastic Dot in the recording of the Ravinia SitPwG.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/29/08 at 1:29am

Helen's portrayal sounds very young, girlish, and naive. She isn't bad though.

But Marin's portrayal is beautiful, mature, and in control.
Updated On: 6/29/08 at 01:29 AM

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/29/08 at 1:30am

Maria was pretty bad. TBH, I haven't found a Fosca I've even liked since Donna Murphy, though I've heard Judy Kuhn was good (I wouldn't know because I haven't seen/heard that performance).

I should also add that I dislike the new addition "I Love Fosca." I found it unnecessary and took away the gorgeous moment of revelation in "No One Has Ever Loved Me."

Updated On: 6/29/08 at 01:30 AM