Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie- Page 2
Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
#25re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 12:05pmIt's been a good 18 years since I saw the show but I'm almost positive that the Shriner's Ballet took place after Spanish Rose in the Tune/Reinking revival. I have my playbill at home so I can double check after work.
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Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#26re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 12:16pmIt always seemed gang rapey to me, too. Shrug.
#27re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 12:18pm
"I'm almost positive that the Shriner's Ballet took place after Spanish Rose in the Tune/Reinking revival."
You very well may have seen Ann Reinking perform Spanish Rose. But during her stay they replaced the number with a duet for her and Mae, "He's Mine." The same duet was used for Lenora Nemetz.
Updated On: 8/24/09 at 12:18 PM
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#28re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 12:20pm
Is rapey a word?
Gower is spinning in his grave, but not as fast as Jerome.
Jon
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
#29re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 12:24pm
The difference is that Roundabout is not doing "Gower Champion's BYE BYE BIRDIE", while the WSS revival is SUPPOSED t be recreating Robbins' choreography.
Is Champion going to spin in his grave whe "The Telephone Hour" doesn't feature the original Mondrian-esque set?
#30re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 12:40pmThe only part of the show that I hated was the Shriners's Ballet, so I'm pretty happy it's gone.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
#31re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 12:50pm
I just thought...
They very well may be adding a few songs to the revival, so cutting the Ballet could reduce a possible long/unneeded running time.
Updated On: 8/24/09 at 12:50 PM
#32re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 12:53pm
Does anyone know if they're adding anything else besides the title song?
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Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
#33re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 12:54pmI love that the actress that gave us Bound and Showgirls (with the most tasteless rape scene ever) finds it "a little too gang rapey". Didn't that used to be a requirement in her films?
#34re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 12:54pm
We haven't heard what is being added. But my guesses are the title song and "A Mother Doesn't Matter Anymore."
As I said earlier, I will not be happy if "Let's Settle Down" replaces Rosie's "One Boy" Reprise/Dance.
#35re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 12:58pmI think Gershon should just admit she can't dance the damn number.
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#36re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 1:08pmShowgirls and Bye Bye Birdie aren't really equals for comparing, though.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#37re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 1:19pm
And we STILL don't know whether her abilities (or lack thereof) have ANYTHING to do with the choice. And if she's not "up to it" there are PLENTY of creative ways to get around it.
Maybe, just MAYBE, that's the way the producers feel.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#38re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 1:40pmWell, how was Gina Gershon's dancing in Cabaret? I really think the cut is because of the skeeviness of it, not because she can't do it.
Dollypop
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#39re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 1:45pmThis is like cutting "The Waiter's Gallop" from HELLO, DOLLY!
"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)
rjm516
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/24/09
#40re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 2:05pm
Agree with Pal Joey.
I was in this in school and I've seen the show a lot, and I've never been patient during the ballet. I always wanted it to end. It is just out of place, like suddenly you are watching a different show, and definitely meant for Chita. I'm excited to see this now so I don't have to groan through the dance again.
Smaxie
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
#41re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 2:14pmThe production will use the Broadway songs, with no additional songs from the TV version or the Tune/Reinking tour. I believe that the title song from the movie will only be making an appearance in the finale.
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.
#42re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 2:32pm
Wow. I am a bit shocked they are not giving Jayne anything to sing. "A Mother Doesn't Matter Anymore" is a wonderful song.
At least it seems they are trying to remain faithful to the original!
Updated On: 8/24/09 at 02:32 PM
#43re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 2:46pm
It isn't necessary to the plot or to character development. It's a comedy bit, and it does grind the show to a halt for way too long. We already know that Rose is upset and drinking at the bar outside the Shriners meeting. This just extends the moment by emphasizing her frustration.
But to say it's gang-rapey is a copout. That would depend on how it's staged. If she goes into that room and flirts with the Shriners and works them into a fever, then, yeah, that's pretty gang-rapey (or more like gang-bangy). But if it's rethought a bit, with her in total control of the situation (just the way the staging was rethought for "A Secretary is Not a Toy" in the '90s How to Succeed revival), then it could work. She's the one with the power, and she's rendering the "boys" powerless. She could just crash their convention to stir up trouble and freak them out. Not "come on" to them and slither over their bodies. With a clever choreographer (where the hell are they, these days?), I could see this being a real standout.
Of course, that approach would require the creative team and talent to have some imagination.
What am I thinking?!?!
Okay, so it won't kill the show if it's missing (by any means). They're just losing an opportunity to creatively rise to the challenge, instead of caving under it.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
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CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#44re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 2:51pm
Jon, you are absolutely correct, it's not Gower's Choreography but it does seem the days of choreographer's using dance to entertain and make a focal point of the show work are gone.
Rapey still sounds like something cutsey.
Updated On: 8/24/09 at 02:51 PM
#45re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 3:36pm
This is hardly akin to cutting "The Waiter's Gallop", which is easily one of the most iconic Broadway sequences ever.
The 'Shriner's Ballet' is just a relic from a different era that was only shoehorned in to show off Chita.
But hey, if there's anything for BWW members to get their panties twisted about, you can damn well expect twisted panties.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#46re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 3:40pmMy panties are usually the most twisted, but they feel relatively starched over the Shriner's Ballet.
#47re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 3:41pmI usually use you as a twisted pantie barometer, to determine the severity of a Broadway situation.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#49re: Roundabout cuts a dance sequence from Birdie
Posted: 8/24/09 at 3:43pm
Rapey still sounds like something cutsey.
Fine. Gang rape-like. You're really missing the actual issue.
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