This morning on Today with Hoda and Jenna, Nathan Lane mentioned that he recently took part in a reading for a new Sondheim musical with Bernadette Peters. Does anyone know anything about this? Is it for Buuel or another new musical entirely?
I’d imagine it’s that musical, but I thought he said it was DOA. In any case that’s amazing. I had resigned myself to the fact we’d never get another Sondheim musical.
WOW. That is pretty much the most exciting thing ever. I can’t believe it! (And I’m not being sarcastic). I just hope a production is mounted.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
The NYT reported that it wasn't going forward as of this past April. Maybe that spurred someone else to pick it up for development. Or maybe he wasn't working on Bunuel anymore because he was working of this "new" show.
How has the internet not exploded at this astounding news!?!?
Of course it could come to nought, but oh, how delighted we'd be to all require a reprinting of "Look I Made a Hat" with a whole new final chapter. Yes, please.
I know it was only a reading, but I thought Nathan Lane wasn’t really down for doing musicals because of his advancing age (he’s 65) and preference for straight plays.
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quizking101 said: "I know it was only a reading, but I thought Nathan Lane wasn’t really down for doing musicals because of his advancing age (he’s 65) and preference for straight plays."
Well, I think the demands of this are probably much different than that of ADDAMS FAMILY, which is the show that "broke" him. And it's also Stephen Sondheim. But as you say, it's only a reading.
Whether this is Bunuel or something else entirely, will be interesting to see what it is and if it ever comes to life. Or maybe it's a project Sondheim started years ago and is dusting off now?
It's not 'New' but, a gender-swapped Sweeney Todd. Bernadette Peters as Sweeney - imagine the tears! Nathan Lane as Mrs. Lovett - that alone sells tickets.
Mr. Lane did not mince words nor confuse a new revival with a new musical. He said, “I just did a reading of a new Sondheim musical. He's 90 and he's written this new musical.” This is major!!!
quizking101 said: "I know it was only a reading, but I thought Nathan Lane wasn’t really down for doing musicals because of his advancing age (he’s 65) and preference for straight plays."
I do not understand this advancing age remark. Is the inference that he is so old that he feels he does not have the stamina for musicals?