RIALTO CHATTER: Riedel Says Zeta-Jones, Lansbury Set For 'NIGHT MUSIC'- Page 2

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 7:13am

Zeta Jones leaves me cold, not sure if she is the right choice for this.

Lansbury on the other hand is a whole different story.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 7:45am

I've been excited to finally see a production of this show live, and assuming this is true, I'm infinitely more excited than I was before.

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 7:52am

Patti who...?

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 7:58am

How about Brent Barrett as Frederik?

[AngusN]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 8:07am

Zeta-Jones? Please. She doesn't have the acting ability to pull off a part like Desiree. Yes, she may be an Oscar winning actress, but Velma doesn't require the depth and complexity of Desiree. This decision annoys me. I think she is overrated and really don't see why America (generally speaking) loves her.

Lansbury on the other hand, sounds great.

Also, I agree, I think Brent Barrett would be an amazing Fredrik.
Updated On: 8/21/09 at 08:07 AM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 8:29am

I would just like to point out how infinitely amusing it is that when Riedel publishes a gossip article about something "positive," no one complains about his lack of sources, or that it's unsubstantiated. But, when he writes about something "negative" suddenly he's slime, bad for theater, a jerk, worthy of hatred, etc., etc., etc. This rumor about Zeta-Jones is just as unsubstantiated as his Spiderman not happening rumor. Yet, no one has declared their hatred for him in this thread yet.

The double-standard is fascinating.

[RyToast1]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 8:39am

adamgreer....my thoughts exactly. If the article were about Lansbury NOT being in the show, then...wooo crazy.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 8:49am

^ Ditto!


And while I'm not totally sold on CZJ, it is interesting. And WOW...Lansbury on the boards again???? The B'way Community has been VERY good to deserve this!

I just decided my first show of my holiday trip!!

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 8:56am

How about Cheyenne as Frederic (assuming Finian's doesn't last, although I feel reasonably confident it will make it to the end of the year and continue, pending the reviews).

RE: Follies movie. If and when this happens, how about Angela as Hattie?

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 9:17am

And THAT is wildly exciting.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 9:41am

They're both American movie stars. Glynnis Johns and Hermione Gingold were both British. But they were also both American movie stars.

Zeta-Jones would definitely sell tickets. I just don't think she looks remotely Swedish for a show that is so definitely set in Sweden.

Maybe she's played Latin or Italian on the screen so many times, it's hard for me to see it. But she's Welsh.

I'm not thrilled. But I'm not disappointed, either. Somewhere right in the middle, I think.

Updated On: 8/21/09 at 09:41 AM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 9:48am

How about Cheyenne as Frederic

Please god, no. Enough with him already. I still don't see what the attraction to him is. He's so bland.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 9:51am

Cheyenne as Frederic? So instead of having a ridiculous young Desiree we'd have a ridiculously young Frederic?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 9:55am

I'm not thrilled. But I'm not disappointed, either. Somewhere right in the middle, I think.

That's how I feel, assuming this is true. And dammit, I want to know who's playing Frederick. I guess the fact that they're still "on the hunt" or whatever he said means that it's not any of the names that have come up so far. :/

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 9:59am

I think my biggest issue with Zeta-Jones isn't her dark looks. It's that she's too "heavy," and I'm not referring to her weight at all. She usually plays tough ladies or broads. I don't see her handling the "light" romantic comedy too well.

And as for a Frederick, they need to get someone who can hold his own opposite her, or she'll swallow him alive, bones and all.

That's what I mean by "heavy."

Updated On: 8/21/09 at 09:59 AM

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 10:00am

The first person who comes to mind that could stand on the same stage with her and not "disappear entirely" would be Kevin Spacey.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 10:02am

Agreed, completely. I think she's really talented, but she always seem to have that... edge. And completely agree about Frederick, too. Which I have to say is one of the areas in which Raul would have been excellent, even if he's too young. Normally that's something I find myself saying about him in terms of co-stars. There's an actor who can hold his own. Oh well. I hope they find someone else equally awesome.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 10:09am

I was thinking the exact same thing about Catherine Zeta-Jones as well. She was great in "Chicago," but that is a whole different thing from "A Little Night Music." I'd be interested in hearing her rendition of "Send in the Clowns."

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 10:14am

I can't believe I might get to see Lansbury perform live in my lifetime. Unreal! So excited!

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 10:17am

I'd be thrilled about Angela Lansbury, and not so thrilled about CZJ. something about her really rubs me the wrong way, and I have to agree with those who don't think she has the acting chops.

[philcrosby]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 10:23am

While I agree with best12's concerns about CSJ's lack of light touch in what we have seen in most of her work, she is a talented actress and singer, and with the right direction I believe could pull it off wonderfully.

She and Lansbury (and "the song") also have the star power to pull in the ticket buyers, even more importantly.

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 10:43am

Now if the show opens in mid December, when approx. would previews start? Mid November or later?

Late November.

I don't recall anybody actually rejecting the idea of Waddingham because she was British, just saying that it was probably Equity's argument for not allowing it.

Not only are Lansbury and Zeta-Jones U.S.-based, Equity almost always makes an exception for big stars, so that wasn't an issue here.

Also, I'm pretty sure the producers wanted to nail their Desiree first (oops, that sounds dirty) and then begin looking for a Frederik so that they could cast him to match her.

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 10:47am

I suggested Brent Barrett for Frederik earlier in the thread, and while I still think he'd be terrific, if there are concerns about not being overmatched, wouldn't Boyd Gaines do well?

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 11:00am

Boyd Gaines is a great actor, but I don't know if he could handle the singing. Frederick sings quite a bit.

[Kad]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 11:05am

"Zeta-Jones would definitely sell tickets. I just don't think she looks remotely Swedish for a show that is so definitely set in Sweden."

Why must every Swede be fair? It's not as if the citizens of each country are forever obligated to stay in their homeland. Who's to say Desiree's ancestors are even Swedish? There's black Irish, why not black Swedish?