RIALTO CHATTER: Riedel Says Zeta-Jones, Lansbury Set For 'NIGHT MUSIC'- Page 7
RIALTO CHATTER: Riedel Says Zeta-Jones, Lansbury Set For 'NIGHT MUSIC'
#150My thoughts
Posted: 8/22/09 at 4:23pm
I think Laura Linney or Kate Winslet would have been great. Linney I feel would have realistically taken the role.
Now, what I don't get is Angela Lansbury's demand that an A-lister stars as Desiree? Has this been developed on? Does she want to be sure that the show is a sell out hit? If Zeta Jones is involved, it will be.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
#151My thoughts
Posted: 8/22/09 at 4:28pm
Sort of Ray. Lansbury didn't want to feel like the show was resting on her shoulders. I'm wondering if she felt that with Blythe. Though I'm sure she was confident in her co-stars there, the box office really did depend, more or less, on her.
I think she doesn't want the audience to think they're seeing her in a lead. It's definitely a featured role and she knows that. I think she'll more at ease with a Zeta-Jones who can help carry the box office.
#152My thoughts
Posted: 8/22/09 at 4:29pm
My theory, ray, is that because of Lansbury's age, she doesn't want to have the entire production rely on her. God forbid she might miss a performance, the entire theatre could get refunds and that's a lot of pressure on Lansbury. She didn't want to be the only draw to the show.
ETA: Bobby stated the same thing.
"Sing the words, Patti!!!!" Stephen Sondheim to Patti LuPone.
Updated On: 8/22/09 at 04:29 PM
#153My thoughts
Posted: 8/22/09 at 4:34pm
Sort of Ray. Lansbury didn't want to feel like the show was resting on her shoulders. I'm wondering if she felt that with Blythe. Though I'm sure she was confident in her co-stars there, the box office really did depend, more or less, on her.
For half a second I wondered when Angela Lansbury and Blythe Danner did a show together.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
#154My thoughts
Posted: 8/22/09 at 4:48pm
Okay, thanks, guys. That makes a lot of sense. It just didn't seem like Lansbury to say something like "X name is not worthy enough to co-star with me" (like I'm sure other celebrities who do Broadway have done in the past). I truly hope Nunn is able to bring out the best from the cast and that we truly get a good production of NIGHT MUSIC.
I also hope that talks with Zeta Jones don't fall through.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#155My thoughts
Posted: 8/22/09 at 5:01pmI don't think a show like Little Night Music, that is considerably heavier than most shows we see on Broadway nowadays, could survive without a couple of big stars.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
#156My thoughts
Posted: 8/22/09 at 5:26pm
Lansbury also realizes that Madame Armfeldt is definitely a supporting role. It would create a weird balance to have her be the one big "name" in the cast. Smart gal, that one.
Can you imagine a Broadway production of "Guys and Dolls" where your one huge "name" was playing Arvide Abernathy?
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#157My thoughts
Posted: 8/22/09 at 5:48pm
But I do think that Zeta Jones and Lansbury
(and probsbly Freddie) will be above the title, no?
#158My thoughts
Posted: 8/22/09 at 6:27pmI would think all 3 would be above the title too. But obviously angela will be petitioned as featured for Tony purposes.
#159My thoughts
Posted: 8/22/09 at 6:27pmI would think all 3 would be above the title too. But obviously angela will be petitioned as featured for Tony purposes.
#160My thoughts
Posted: 8/22/09 at 6:52pmThat's a given, although I'd love to see if Erin Davie can match Patricia Elliot's Tony-winning effect on Charlotte.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
#161My thoughts
Posted: 8/22/09 at 7:46pm
Oh, Lansbury will definitely be above the title. So was Hermione Gingold.
Both were/are stars!
EDIT: Well, okay, on this sheet music they're technically "below" the title, but with star billing.
I'm sure, just as they did in 1973, they will have Mme. Armfeldt as a "featured" role. It's certainly not big enough to be considered a lead.
Billing-schmilling.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
Updated On: 8/22/09 at 07:46 PM
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
TalkinLoud
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/3/09
#163My thoughts
Posted: 8/22/09 at 8:01pm
That would be hilarious if she wasn't.
"Okay, Angie, we got a big movie star as Desiree now! Just like you wanted! So we'll throw you in the mix somewhere in the middle, 'kay?"
LOL
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#164My thoughts
Posted: 8/22/09 at 8:06pm
This is a real question, is Zeta-Jones still consided a movie star?
I don't think I have seen her in anything since Chicago.
Well I didn't want to get into it, but he's a Satanist.
Every full moon he sacrifices 4 puppies to the Dark Lord and smears their blood on his paino.
This should help you understand the score for Wicked a little bit more.
Tazber's: Reply to
Is Stephen Schwartz a Practicing Christian
#165My thoughts
Posted: 8/22/09 at 8:10pm
IMDB is your friend
She's had 7 major movie roles since CHICAGO
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001876/
#166My thoughts
Posted: 8/22/09 at 8:28pmBest, in the poster you posted, all three leads are below the title. Is there another poster where they're above it?
#167My thoughts
Posted: 8/22/09 at 8:31pmI saw two of those, well one, I walked out of one of them.
Well I didn't want to get into it, but he's a Satanist.
Every full moon he sacrifices 4 puppies to the Dark Lord and smears their blood on his paino.
This should help you understand the score for Wicked a little bit more.
Tazber's: Reply to
Is Stephen Schwartz a Practicing Christian
#169My thoughts
Posted: 8/22/09 at 8:38pmIt's Davie. According to the "insiders" (lol) on here. Updated On: 8/22/09 at 08:38 PM
#170My thoughts
Posted: 8/22/09 at 8:38pmOh lord. She'll get people in because they know she's a talented musical theatre star AND she has name recognition. I think we're living in a foolish world if we actually thought Winslet would leave her scores of film offers the same year she won the Academy award to do a Broadway musical. I'd personally rather see her in a dramatic play.
#171My thoughts
Posted: 8/22/09 at 8:39pmIf you're counting somethingwicked as an "insider" he's been wrong about most everything involving this show and has merely echoed or "confirmed" other people's rumors.
#172My thoughts
Posted: 8/22/09 at 8:43pm
Name one thing I've been wrong on involving this show, Bobby.
Your constant jabs at me are hilarious. For someone who called the reviews and box office numbers for MEMPHIS in Seattle "dreadful" and then quickly went silent when proven completely incorrect, you sure love to throw out accusations.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Updated On: 8/22/09 at 08:43 PM
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#173My thoughts
Posted: 8/22/09 at 8:43pm
LOL. That's what most of these "insiders" do, Bobby.
There is only one person on here who has proved to be an actual insider, and they do not post in these threads (regarding the rumors, etc).
#174My thoughts
Posted: 8/22/09 at 8:44pm
You said Powers was Charlotte.
It was dreadful hon. And I checked your box office "figures". You're wrong about that too. Give it up. You aren't the insider you claim to be.
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