RIALTO CHATTER: Riedel Says Zeta-Jones, Lansbury Set For 'NIGHT MUSIC' — Page 5

Thrilling news! Catherine Zeta Jones will be a stunning Desiree and Ms. Lansbury will be magnificent. I look forward to what is sure to be a smashing production!

To echo what ray said, the issue most of us had was that Hannah wasn't a name, nor the sole reason for the transfer. Therefore, without those two factors, allowing her to play the role is a slap in the face to every other actress in America.

Also, for the record, I am not a tremendous fan of hers to begin with, so she had a strike against her there.

And, for whomever it was that ranted about Angela being a Brit:
She is a member of AEA, so it doesn't really matter if she's British, Czech, or Ozian, she can do any show she's cast in.

---

Seems like Perez just read Riedel,
and didn't even read it all correctly.

Best12Bars and Ljay: I agree everything you have posted today. Wonderfully said.
Thomas: You INDEED can see the show, as Night Music will be in previews the week you are there. OPENING WILL BE DEC. 11.

In order to sell a Broadway show, a creative team needs 2/3 of the following:
1. A recognizable title (i.e. Hair, Wicked, 42nd Street, Mamma Mia, etc. Not 'A Little Night Music', which is mainly known to just the theatre community, and even then, only the smart, well versed members of the theatre community)
2. Big names in the production. It is sad but true how Broadway can often work, that someone like Marin, Hannah, etc fail to get roles that are perfect for them because they won't attract a wide variety of audiences (such as that time Julia Roberts took the stage in Three Days of Rain. Reviews were terrible, but so many people went to see it that the producers recouped after a number of WEEKS)
3. Good Reviews. (reviews were so wonderful for the Menier production that clearly producers are hopeful for the 'transfer'. Nunn and his team have already 'worked out the kinks' of their production in 2 major theaters, and they know what works and what doesn't.)

Clearly, from the above list, producers KNOW they must have good reviews and celebrity names in order to sell tickets.
Out of most celebrity names discussed, I think Zeta is a splendid choice, considering the production was almost called off, al la Spiderman. It's either Zeta and Lansbury and a BEAUTIFUL revival of one of the greatest musicals, or an extension of Burn the Floor.
Also, I think Zeta was a fine choice, because she indeed did get her start doing musicals in London (already proved herself with several starring roles in the West End before she became a film star - and even then won an OSCAR for a Musical Theatre role. And until YOU do that, don't complain about her).

So for those of you that question her stage ability, just know she's got what it takes, and has done it many a time...and it's because of her we are getting this show back..where it belongs on stage after almost 40 years.

Updated On: 8/21/09 at 08:32 PM

What? Brantley didn't mention Lipman.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/theater/08brantley.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1

ljay- It's not in that link.
Here, he loved her. http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/23/postcard-from-london-the-passion-in-the-art/

---

^What did she play on the West End?

---

Peggy Sawyer, 42nd Street.

Here's my question. Do we ever find out who Desiree's real father is? I could be wrong, but I don't think we actually do. Therefore, Desiree could easily had an "exotic look" based on the number of liaisons her Mother had. I think it actually adds texture to the text that Desiree isn't the spitting image of her Mother or country. Just a thought.

Zeta-Jones is sublime casting. Though I do think Ridel is being a bit naive by saying the role is perfect for Zeta-Jones because it featured no dancing. I'm a huge fan of her performance in Chicago and her dancing is clearly her strongest asset in that film. And she played Peggy Sawyer in the West End. So I'm not positive the non dancing aspect of the role is what won her over. Give the woman credit. She moved to NYC specifically to do a show. Reportedly before she even had a show. And good for her for dropping out of the other show. I don't think she had an issue with auditioning but asking someone to audition without after being cast, especially on Oscar winner who has proved her triple thread status on stage on on screen, is a tad insulting. And how could she refuse a casting offer from Sondheim? It doesn't get any better than that.

I hope she gets a wonderful Frederik. I wonder if this will change Esparza's mind. I really think he'd be superb. While Frederik doesn't need to be a superb singer, it doesn't hurt matters if he is, and he helps carry Desiree through a good part of the evening. That paring is so important to the show's success and I think Esparza could match Zeta-Jones' fire.

I also don't agree with the comment about Zeta-Jones not being able to play vulnerable. For two reasons. First, how vulnerable is Desiree for Night Music? Not much of it. She plenty hard for a good amount of the show. As for the vulnerability of "Send in the Clowns" watch traffic or her moment of defeat in Chicago. She can do vulnerable just fine.

I'm thrilled about this casting. If the show's a huge hit, let Mazzie replace her or do the tour. Zeta-Jones has the marquee value necessary. And as noted, she's the reason we have Dame Angela on board. She wouldn't have taken the role if Mazzie or a stage name were cast. I am so excited and will be making a trip out to NYC just to see this.

I saw this show in London.

I also think Catherine Jones is TERRIFIC casting.

She's correct.

I LOVED Hannah, in London.

But this weird production owes itself to Trevor Nunn.

And Mr. Nunn has done a strange thing with this production. He made it make LESS sense. The opening? Weird. And it was NEARLY three hours.

I saw it in London, and it was NOT a great show.

Mr. Nunn, please understand this:

"A Little Night Music" totally works.

Your "Chocolate Factory" production DIDN'T work.

It is a complicated show, but it TOTALLY works.

And "A Little Night Music" should ALWAYS work. It's one of the best books ever written for musical theatre.

You have an OPPORTUNITY to make this show WORK in Manhattan.

I'm buying tickets. I love the cast (if it's Jones and Lansbury), but PLEASE, make this show work.

Because even though you have a great (potential) cast, as you probably know, this is the ONLY Sondheim show that ever made money.

Mr. Sondheim knows this, as should you.

I'm not giving you a break, Mr. Nunn, because I saw "Gone With the Wind" in London.

What a bunch of crap that show was.

You've done great stuff. You made "CATS" make money.

But I'm DARING you to make Night Music WORK.

I saw the show at the Chocolate Factory.

New York doesn't stand for that kind of work that you did at Meinier.

I'm just saying. Ms. Jones, notwithstanding.

Catherine? Brilliant casting. But what are you going to do different between Waddingham and Broadway?

Your opening number? Horrifying. Your use of the Leidersingers?

What are you thinking?

If you open at the Walter Kerr with the same CRAP choreography that you did at the Chocolate Factory?

Yikes. And New York doesn't stand for that crap. I'M JUST SAYING.

The book of "Night Music" is FOOLPROOF. Work it.

Updated On: 8/22/09 at 01:25 AM

Ziggy-

Redundant 1.

Redundant 2.

Redundant 3.

Redundant 1.

Redundant 3.

Redundant 2.

Redundant 1.

Redundant 2.

Redundant 3.

Redundant 1.

Redundant 3.

---

Um Ziggy...what was that?

---

I can't help it, but the words "Chocolate Factory" always make me think of R Kelly.