REVIVAL OF VIRGINIA WOOLF

Who would you like to see as Martha opposite of Jonathan Pryce? I vote for Stockard Channing, but there are so many other contenders. How about Meryl Streep?

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Stockard Channing is an excellent choice, but I can't stand Jonathan Pryce. I think Kevin Kline would be an interesting choice.

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I saw Pryce play George opposite the great Uta Hagen in the one performance only (in NY, anyway) reading/benefit at the Majestic in the 90s. He was brilliant, and apparently is doing it in London, Martha TBD. (How about Emma Thompson?)

I've seen three other Marthas on stage: Colleen Dewhurst, Glenda Jackson (in LA opposite Lithgow--both odd, but compelling), and Peg Murray. I think Sueleen's coices of Stockhard and Meryl are terrific. Even after all these years, I find a lot of Liz Taylor's work in the film holds up amazingly. Her line readings are stuck in my brain; anyone else find that's true?

Some other ideas: Mercedes Ruhl (did it at the Guthrie, to acclaim), Tyne Daly, if she dieted to her Gypsy weight, a big if; and 2 choices people may disagree with: Susan Sarandon, and my favorite, Jessica Lange. Lange is exactly the right age, sexy, and has the range. The role needn't be played by a tank-like presence to score. I wish the'd do another film, and use Lange.

In recent years, in addition to Ruhl, Liz Ashley and Judith Ivey has performed, neither woman exciting Albee, apparently, and that's required to get within 500 miles of B'way.

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Updated On: 3/29/04 at 07:40 PM

If I were Equity, I'd protest the casting of Pryce, given that George is such a quintessentially American character. I was lucky enough to see Denis O'Hare do a reading of Virginia Woolf a few weeks back, and lemme tell ya, there's your George right there.

On the other hand, the show is really dated. It would be nice to see the Martha character not played as a tank, but the freakin hipster lingo is so laughable nowadays. "C'mon, lover, dance with me."

Sheesh.

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If she can hold back on that Neely O'Hara screech. You know, the one that probably put nodes the size of marbles on her vocal chords?

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I love a chain where both Patricia Clarkson and Patty Duke come up.

Kathleen Turner

Gawd I love Pryce, cannot wait

I think Turner can coast when she wants to, but I think she can still give a good performance. Although I thought she & everything else about THE GRADUATE sucked

I would love to see her raise her game with Pryce

You nailed it, Sueleen.

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I'm with Dolly on this one. Patti would be inspired.

Judith Ivey, Blythe Danner, Swoosie Kurtz...hell, lets bring Julie Christie to the NY stage! Or how about Kathy Bates!!

Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey as Nick and Honey. Oh, wait: Jessical Simpson and Nick Lachey ARE Nick and Honey. Well, how about Patrick Wilson and Maggie Gyllenhaal, then.

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Updated On: 3/30/04 at 12:37 PM

And the way things didn't quite work out according to plan with Oklahoma!, maybe not even a footnote.

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Patrick's on stage Sunday in L.A. doing that Benefit Reading of Sunset Boulevard (straight play, not the musical). Perhaps that will whet his appetite for live performances instead of emoting for a camera.

I hope he'll find a nice balance between film and stage. :o)
(Fingers crossed!)

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