Phylicia Rashad in "Into the Woods" — Page 2

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#26

re: Phylicia Rashad in 'Into the Woods'

Posted: 6/15/06 at 4:57pm

Wonderful pictures, but I had no idea Betsy Josyln went on as the Witch. Huh!

Stop looking at my charisma.

#27

re: Phylicia Rashad in 'Into the Woods'

Posted: 6/16/06 at 1:53am

Joslyn played more performances as the Witch than anyone else. She played it for about six months on Broadway and for about nine months on the tour.

Her performances were a bit uneven, but when she was good, she was fabulous. As far as I was concerned, she was much better than Peters ever was in the role.

#28

re: Phylicia Rashad in 'Into the Woods'

Posted: 6/16/06 at 8:27am

I saw her too. Saw her over 4th of July weekend in 1988. Most of the leads were on vacation that weekend (no Zien or Gleason). I was too young to fully appreciate her interpretation. She was too much "Claire Huxtable" in my mind and I was missing the full-out vocal bravado of Bernadette from the cast album. I remember her being funny & gorgeous in the show and gracious at the stage door.

#29

re: Phylicia Rashad in 'Into the Woods'

Posted: 6/16/06 at 12:14pm

I saw Foley at he end of the run. Marrin Mazzie had originated the role of Rapunzel in San Diego, and was now playing it on Broadway. In front of the theatre there was a photo of Foley and Mazzie from the San Diego production - with Foley in a totally different costume and wig - a kind of punk rock look with tight jeans and a Tina Turner wig!

Updated On: 6/16/06 at 12:14 PM

#30

re: Phylicia Rashad in 'Into the Woods'

Posted: 6/16/06 at 1:10pm

I too saw Ms. Rashad and found her Witch to be flawless. I actually prefer her over Bernadette (I know sacrilege).

"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds." ~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns

#31

re: Phylicia Rashad in 'Into the Woods'

Posted: 6/16/06 at 1:29pm

I have the 1988 Tonys performance with Phylicia as the Witch on DVD... Her vocals are definitely not as strong as Bernie's, and the costuming has been re-visioned completely. But she seems powerful enough to carry the role....

Incidentally, I also have no ideao how to post it on Broadwayworld.com.

#32

re: Phylicia Rashad in 'Into the Woods'

Posted: 6/16/06 at 1:53pm

Off-topic: Mmmmmm... there's a lot of hotness on my laptop right about now. Robert Westenberg is adorable and whoever begs to differ should be eaten.

On-topic: I had no idea Phylicial Rashad played the Witch. She must have been amazing. I love her!

#33

re: Phylicia Rashad in 'Into the Woods'

Posted: 6/24/06 at 2:15pm

Okay, everyone. Got the 1988 Tonys clip up on youtube. It's probably best I don't post the URL here, but if you're interested, private message me and I'll send it to you. Enjoy!

#34

re: Phylicia Rashad in 'Into the Woods'

Posted: 6/24/06 at 2:20pm

Wait where are pics of Betsy as the witch?

So was Bernadette not eligible for a Tony nom?

Updated On: 6/24/06 at 02:20 PM

#35

re: Phylicia Rashad in 'Into the Woods'

Posted: 6/24/06 at 2:25pm

Page one of this thread. Middle picture. (They're really large, so you'll have to do some scrolling.)

#36

re: Phylicia Rashad in 'Into the Woods'

Posted: 6/24/06 at 11:55pm

Forgive me if this has been addressed, but is there a portion of the performance that was pre-recorded or included from prior performances? Judging by the timing of certain players (Rapunzel, Cinderella, etc.), it seems like not all of the performance was live. Can anyone, maybe MatthewBrock especially, explain? Thanks.

#37

Phylicia Rashad in 'Into the Woods'

Posted: 6/25/06 at 1:32am

I do believe that most of the clip was prerecorded at the Martin Beck Theatre. The identifying factor for me was the stage in the very first clip after Angela Landsbury introduces the musical... It looks EXACTLY like the stage from the PBS taping of the show. While musical DO bring their sets to the Tony awards, I doubt if they laid down a whole new stage floor for it. If you notice, right before Phylicia's (pretty pitiful) transformation, the set is similar, but the stage doesn't have the identifying characteristics of the Martin Beck set. My conclusion is that the first part of the performance was pre-recorded and the second half (beginning with "Children Will Listen" is live at whatever theatre was hosting the awards that particular year (the Tonys weren't at Radio City Music Hall until the late 90's). Hope that helps!

#38

Phylicia Rashad in 'Into the Woods'

Posted: 6/25/06 at 2:47am

Peters was eligible, she just didn't get a nomination. What makes you think that she wouldn't have been eligible, ljay889?

#39

Phylicia Rashad in 'Into the Woods'

Posted: 6/25/06 at 2:54am

Betsy was WONDERFUL as the Witch.

Rashad performed with the company on the 1988 Tonys. Glad I put that on DVD a while back or my copy would probably be worn out by now.

Updated On: 6/26/06 at 02:54 AM

#40

Phylicia Rashad in 'Into the Woods'

Posted: 6/25/06 at 3:00am

Bernadette was eligible for a nomination, but it seems that the Baker's Wife is the muscle part of the show and Johanna Gleason got the nomination and the win. (The woman who originated the part in London won the Best Actress award for it, too, and the Witch in that production was the incredible Julie MacKenzie!)

The fact that the show opened in October or November and, by the time the nominations were announced, Bernadette's contract was up and she had left the show may have had something to do with her not getting nominated...

"A coherent existance after so many years of muddle" - Desiree' Armfelt, A Little Night Music "Life keeps happening everyday, Say Yes" - 70, Girls, 70 "Life is what you do while you're waiting to die" - Zorba

#41

Phylicia Rashad in 'Into the Woods'

Posted: 6/25/06 at 3:19am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsFx5835Qrg&search=Phylicia%20Rashad%20%20

there's the link if anyone wants it

#42

Phylicia Rashad in 'Into the Woods'

Posted: 6/25/06 at 4:41am

Well, sondheimboy2, the Baker's Wife in Ldn was Imelda Staunton, and she's prob as big a star/incredible as Julia McKenzie! I thought the Ldn cast was really gd!

All That Jazz Check out & support my drawings @ www.facebook.com/felixdrawings

#43

Phylicia Rashad in 'Into the Woods'

Posted: 6/25/06 at 8:17am

Hmmm just watched that clip. Rashad doesn’t have much of a voice, but she can carry a tune.

#44

Phylicia Rashad in 'Into the Woods'

Posted: 6/25/06 at 1:04pm

Matthewbrock, what you named as the identifying factors are the exact same factors I was looking at. So, was the audience just watching the first section on a monitor or what?

I agree that the set pieces (elevated stage, mechanized backdrops, etc.) would've been somewhat difficult to move.

I know she's not as powerful as Bernadette, but I thought Phylicia's voice was pretty good. It was soothing and pretty. Also, her dancing was very nice. It's strange seeing this performance with a "new" witch, having watched the PBS dvd numerous times.

Glad this was cleared up and thanks for loading the clip.

#45

Phylicia Rashad in 'Into the Woods'

Posted: 6/30/06 at 2:23am

There was a mention in Variety at the time. Because Peters had left the production the creators put forward Joanna Gleason as a nominee for Best Actress. On the telecast, Bernadette Peters presented the award (and Gleason graciously pays tribute to her in her speech.)

Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!

I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com

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