Ravinia Musical?

[SahDu]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 2:43pm

Has the Ravinia musical been announced for this year? I was on their website and couldn't seemed to find anything. I loved Most Happy Fella last year and Gypsy the year before. I'm hoping to catch another good show this year. On a side note, it seems Betty Buckley and Barbara Cook are performing on separate occasions, as is Aaron Lazar. Those should be interesting. Thanks.
Updated On: 2/15/14 at 02:43 PM

[SpellingBeeFan4Ever]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 3:45pm

I thought last year's was West Side Story. And Gypsy wasn't supposed to be staged but it was. It was supposed to be a concert.

[pc1145N2]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 4:41pm

Sadly, it appears that there will be no musical at Ravinia this year due to Patti's obligations with Gypsy.

This is truly sad news for those of us who have been going for 6-ish years now starting with the amazing Sweeney Todd.

[SpellingBeeFan4Ever]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 4:45pm

She left Sweeney Todd to do Gypsy!

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 4:53pm

pc, that has nothing to do with it. Patti was not in Fella or West Side was she?

[pc1145N2]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 5:12pm

True, but she did perform in in the concert staging of Jake Hegge's To Hell & Back. She was in neither Fella nor West Side Story but she has been in all of the Ravinia Musicals which were originally started as the Sondheim 75th Celebration. Gypsy was put on after the official "celebration" was over which is why Sondheim refused to appear (with less than 48-hours notice)in an on-stage interview prior to the starting of the first night's performance of Gyspy. The previous five Sondheim performances were:

Sweeney Todd
A Little Night Music
Sunday in the Park with George
Passions
Anyone Can Whistle

So, while I'm not saying that officially that Patti's unavailablity has anything to do with there being no musical this year, it is certainly a component. Patti has performed in a musical there for the past 7 years and it is a loss to the Ravinia Festival. In addition, while Patti performed in a musical every year for the last seven, she typically would also perform in a concert setting as well. As an example, she and Audra McDonald performed thier joint concert there last year.
Updated On: 3/30/08 at 05:12 PM

Posted: 3/30/08 at 5:27pm

You know, the Ravinia festival survived a few decades before Patti LuPone and will no doubt do fine without her.

[commasplice]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 6:09pm

"Gypsy was put on after the official "celebration" was over which is why Sondheim refused to appear (with less than 48-hours notice)in an on-stage interview prior to the starting of the first night's performance of Gyspy."

Sondheim didn't "refuse to appear." He got food poisoning.

[pc1145N2]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 6:48pm

That's not what we were told at the theatre nor what was reported in the paper the following day.

And yes, it survived decades without Patti and will do great in the future. For me, however, it won't be quite the same.

[JeaniusIsMe]

Posted: 3/30/08 at 11:24pm

I was told that Sondheim canceled due to illness as well. Anyway, it is extremely disappointing that there won't be a musical at Ravinia this year. I've truly enjoyed the ones I have seen. And Patti or no Patti, I'm sure there are other Broadway names that could carrying a show at Ravina (Michael Cerveris, I'm looking at you. . .).

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 3:52am

I too heard that Sondheim didnt appear due to illness. Just beacause nothings been announced doesnt mean there wont be a musical of some kind. Thats me trying to be optomistic. But I really think there will be something. I hope there is because I have enjoyed the things I have seen in the past. And as for the concerts im curious about Aaron Lazar having a concert. He seems to be an odd choice.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 8:41am

Gypsy wasn't supposed to be staged but it was. It was supposed to be a concert.

It was staged as much as all the other Ravinia concerts. The orchestra is on stage and they employ some minor staging to give the audience a feel for the show, but it is not fully staged.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 8:50am

I swear to god Playbill.com and other major Theatre news sites were all reporting that Sondheim explicitly could NOT appear due to illness.

Posted: 3/31/08 at 10:20am

OK I'll say it: PC is talking through her hat. Wait till the schedule comes out in April before we mourn there is no musical.

Posted: 3/31/08 at 3:29pm

No big musical this year but lots of interesting evenings. Betty Buckley (two nights!) and the Backstreet Boys catch my eye!

The whole schedule isn't up yet, you have to scroll month by month (June-September).
Ravinia

[tonytonytony]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 5:41pm

Ravinia happens to be around the corner ffrom my home. So if you ever need a complimentary parking space, just let me know. This summer brings Betty Buckley, who I happen to see at Fenstein's last month in NYC - She is terrific!

[madophelia]

Posted: 3/31/08 at 5:44pm

There actually is a musical being done on September 5-6. It is "Unlock'd," based on Alexander Pope's "The Rape of the Lock." However, it is not being done in the Pavillion, as have most others. I'll give you a link below. But I believe it is under the same auspices as last year's musical.

Unfortunately, you can't buy individual tickets to the Martin Theatre's Martinis at the Martin series. The whole thing goes for for $225 and includes:

Sun, June 8 - The Songs of Ira Gershwin with Kevin Cole (7 pm)

Sun, June 22 - Betty Buckley (4 pm) or
Mon, June 23 - Betty Buckley (8 pm)

Sun, July 6 - Barbara Cook (7 pm) or
Mon, July 7 - Barbara Cook (8 pm)

Thurs, Sept 4 - Carol Lawrence (8 pm)
Unlock'd at Ravinia