RIALTO CHATTER: Riedel Says Zeta-Jones, Lansbury Set For 'NIGHT MUSIC'- Page 6

[Smaxie]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 7:01am

As part of a 60 Minutes or Dateline NBC profile of Catherine Zeta-Jones, they included some dynamic performance footage of her as Peggy Sawyer. This was quite a few years before Chicago and just around the time she had a few movie roles under her belt and everyone was first buzzing about her. I hadn't been aware of her West End credits and really felt after seeing that segment that she can do anything. In beauty, demeanor, comic sense and star presence, I think she's an excellent choice for Desiree. Her screen roles have been chilly types, but I think she'll summon up the vulnerability for "Send in the Clowns". It's also a great reinvention of her image, since it seems that Hollywood has no idea what to do with her. Her casting is the absolute ideal solution for the production to go forward.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 10:30am

Ziggy's random letter to Trevor Nunn written in poetry prose aside, he's basically right. Nunn has some major changes he needs to make before this thing comes to Broadway. He claims he's going to tighten the pace, but that's just one of the problems. What I'm hoping for is that with this dynamic cast (as it's shaping up to be), the chemistry and the comic instincts of the shows ensemble will help Nunn discover the comedy of the piece. I'm hoping that Lansbury, being one of the few actors who completely "get" Sondheim inside and out AND have a very close relationship with him, will call Nunn out on any of his bullsh*t. It may not happen because Lansbury is a lady. But she is also at a point in her career where she can be brutally honest with directors about what she thinks. And SOMEONE needs to call Nunn out when he's desperately trying to make his vision fit with this musical.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 11:32am

Just a little thought on all this "vulnerability" talk about Send In the Clowns. It's a raw emotional moment for Desiree, but she's more PISSED than anything else. It's not a pity party. She is wanting to laugh at the whole thing (aka, Send in the Clowns), but she can't. She's too upset. She thinks she royally screwed up.

Sondheim and Glynnis Johns have both commented on this. Desiree is quietly angry (mostly at herself) that she put her emotions and romantic notions out there, gambled on revealing her true intentions to Frederik, and it didn't work out. The timing was off.

I'm not that concerned at all about CZJ being "vulnerable" as Desiree. She can reveal a tiny bit of that, sure, but any more would come off boring and self-pitying. My concern is that she can't handle the light touch of the comedy scenes. It isn't bawdy or brash "broad humor." And it isn't bitchy parody. It's "light comedy." I think she might have a heavy hand. BUT ... as others have said here who have seen her in clips, and I have seen myself glimpses of in her film work, she can "lighten up" and handle it well.

But for those concerned, I wouldn't hope for a "vulnerable" Desiree. Ugh! Even in that Act II bedroom scene with Send In the Clowns. And I'm pretty sure she'll have no trouble conveying the quiet anger.

And Sondheim has said that most people who sing this song have no idea what it's about. They want to get all wistful and romantic with it. What the character is really saying, in a gentler way, is, "Aint it a bitch?" "What the hell was I thinking?" "Boy, did I screw this up!" "This whole thing should be funny right now, but who's laughing?" "I know I'm sure as hell not." That's the right attitude for this song.

And if a tiny, "vulnerable" tear comes to her eye while she's singing it, that would be a nice and effective touch.

But any more vulnerability than that would stink up the moment, the character, and the show.

Updated On: 8/22/09 at 11:32 AM

[wickedfan]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 11:39am

I think CZJ can handle the comedy. If you've seen her in "Intolerable Cruelty" you can see that she definitely has comedic skill. And it's very much the same style of comedy as Night Music: very light and very catty. Not to mention, she looks absolutely beautiful in it.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 11:43am

Bottom line: I think she'll be very good.

... as long as Trevor Nunn can guide her, and she trusts him. That's the part that scares me. So many indications that he has no idea how to direct this show (and a long list of others, too).

Is it too late to lose him? Sheeeesh.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 12:30pm

Here's a clip of her performing "One" in tribute to her husband. Man he must love her for allowing her to bring this ghost out of his closet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwssxCwGFMc

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 12:37pm

Here's a fun montage that highlights her comedic gifts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k264tqSd_eg

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 12:38pm

Okay, I have to ask for an answer from someone who knows more about her than I do -- WHAT is with her accent? Is it there? Is it not? What is it? I have always been confused by that. A great mystery.

Updated On: 8/22/09 at 12:38 PM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 12:54pm

She'ls Welsh Em. She can get rid of it when she needs to.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 1:42pm

Thanks. :)

[blaxx]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 2:02pm

Ha ha, "Remember A Chorus Line - the movie that made us love the Broadway show even more?" She's funny.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 2:04pm

I know. She took quite a few Chorus Line jabs at him.

He really adores her. I'm glad they lasted after all the crap they got.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 2:11pm

I know I'm super biased because I don't like her, but I wasn't super impressed with her singing. She's not terrible, but...I don't know. it's probably just me.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 2:12pm

Again, a great voice isn't necessary to Desiree. Though I don't have a problem with her voice.

[blaxx]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 2:20pm

I think she has a very good voice.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 2:21pm

So do I. But we knew people were going to complain no matter who got the part.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 2:42pm

well, I know I'll go see it anyway. I love A Little Night Music, and will try my best to go in with an open mind. I kind of hate being the person who is so down on casting, although I don't know if I've ever been this down on casting before.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 2:44pm

Aren't you glad it got Angie on board though?

[blaxx]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 2:47pm

Aren't you glad that by casting a Hollywood star the show might actually stay open for a long time?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 2:49pm

I'm also curious as to which Hollywood star (who realistically would have taken the role) would be better than CZJ?

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 2:49pm

yes! definitely! and I love the idea of Boyd Gaines as Fredrik, although I'm not sure how realistic I think it is.

I also don't even mind the possibility of super expensive tickets; I happen to love the balcony seats at The Walter Kerr.


I really liked the idea of Kate Winslet, even though I'm sort of on principle opposed to a younger Desiree. Other than that, though, I can't think of any really big named actresses. I mean, I'd love Laura Linney or Kristin Scott Thomas or Marion Cottilard, but I don't think they'd sell tickets.

I know it's really just me who's not crazy about CZJ.

Updated On: 8/22/09 at 02:49 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 2:49pm

I'm just glad we have two stars who could potentionally turn a Sondheim revival into a smash hit!
As great as Marin is, she wouldn't sell tickets, and we wouldn't have Angela.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 2:59pm

I liked the idea of Kate Winslet, too, but didn't that turn out to be completely false? Like, the person who reported it to us had heard it from a friend who was mistaken and had gotten Winslet mixed up with somebody else?

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 3:04pm

yeah, it was a rumor. doesn't mean I didn't like the idea of Kate Winslet as Desiree!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/22/09 at 3:07pm

Yeah, I think that would have been my top choice. Ah well.