I'd love to hear reports from Ruthie Ann Miles's return to the stage in London.
Yes, I know there's another long, existing thread. However, I find its title so sad, and I think that many of us would prefer to look forward in an appropriately titled thread without it being in the shadow of her past tragedies.
Apparently she had a walking stick for the entire show. Seems unlikely she will be carrying 8 performances - it is easy to forget given the tragedy that she herself was injured!
"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
I would assume many knew. It's the type of human interest story that would be picked-up. I would also hope that the traditional West End reticence for standing ovations to be overcome and that she got a BIG, huge, standing O!
[UPDATE - Reading further down the above linked Twitter thread, I see she did, indeed, get a standing ovation!]
@RuthieAnnMiles is possibly one of the strongest, bravest performers ever known - stunning performance and Her Curtain Call broke my heart this evening! Such an inspiration! Continue to be strong you wonderful woman
saw the king and I tonight. kelli o’hara is all I want to be. ruthie ann miles is a pillar of strength. rodgers and hammerstein’s music is beautiful. gtg gonna cry myself to sleep bc EMOTION
Last night was an emotional evening watching Ruthie Ann Miles return to the stage since the awful events of earlier this year. Here's my programme signed by Ruthie, Kelli O'Hara and Ken Watanabe.
Tonight’s @KingandIWestEnd was something so special. Such a privilege to see the first show of @RuthieAnnMiles back as Lady Thiang tonight. That was a very beautiful performance I will never forget.
The King and I was sensational, Mum was thrilled to return 38 years later! Kelli O’Hara is an angel, Ken Watanabe is fantastic, and Ruthie Ann Miles has my endless love and support. Incredible performance by an incredible woman
@KingandIWestEnd is simply wonderful. @RuthieAnnMiles gave the bravest performance I have ever seen and was just incredible. @kelliohara was breathtaking. I want to drink her delicious voice and performance. Classy and truthful. London, simply do NOT miss it.
What an example of strength and grace! I won't dwell on the tragedy here; I'll simply say how wonderful it is to see her back in the theatre, which is clearly something that has helped her to heal. Here's to a great run for her and the production!
Last night, our friend @RuthieAnnMiles was a triumph in @kingandiwestend. Every moment was a gift and continues to be. She is singing like an angel and commanding the stage with a heavenly force. An inspiration to all. I knew you would want to know.
Saw the lovely show this evening, I have never seen Ruthie before but I am pretty sure she wasn't in for the performance (Sat PM), not sure about the matinee. Maybe this is too do with it being a shared role, 2 show day or a lighter performance schedule to begin with?
EleanorC said: "Saw the lovely show this evening, I have never seen Ruthie before but I am pretty sure she wasn't in for the performance (Sat PM), not sure about the matinee. Maybe this is too do with it being a shared role, 2 show dayor a lighter performance schedule to begin with?
I met Kelli and Ken stage doored."
You saw Naoko. I was there last night as well. The Palladium did have at least two signs announcing her (one at the box office and another one at the merch stand around the Royal Circle entry) - both extremely easy to miss. They also had an usher who told us that Ruthie was going on for the 3rd time (she did not so I am not sure if I would trust his matinee information) and another one who upon asked if Naoko or Ruthie was in, responded after brief hesitation: "The first one".
The show remains lovely but the transparency about the actors performing remains terrible.
A friend managed to catch Naoko after the show (she was in a rush) and she said that they agreed on a schedule but if Ruthie can't go on, she'll jump in. Sounded like Ruthie will be doing most shows moving forward though.
^ You're right that you can't really trust the staff in the theatre - most of the ones I talked to had no idea what I was talking about. When I asked if Ruthie was actually in the production, they grabbed a programme to check if she was listed! I hope they are more forthcoming because I want to go back to see her but having seen the show several times, I ONLY want to go back to see her.
rjm516 said: "^ You're right that you can't really trust the staff in the theatre - most of the ones I talked to had no idea what I was talking about. When I asked if Ruthie was actually in the production, they grabbed a programme to check if she was listed! I hope they are more forthcoming because I want to go back to see her but having seen the show several times, I ONLY want to go back to see her."
I had the same experience and I am in the same predicament I only want to see this show again if both Kelli and Ruthie are in the show. I’d happily pay full price to do this if the producers can guarantee it (I.e., exchange or refund). But typical west end I doubt they’d agree to this. Oh well, their loss.
"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
dbird said: "EleanorC said: "Saw the lovely show this evening, I have never seen Ruthie before but I am pretty sure she wasn't in for the performance (Sat PM), not sure about the matinee. Maybe this is too do with it being a shared role, 2 show dayor a lighter performance schedule to begin with?
I met Kelli and Ken stage doored."
You saw Naoko. I was there last night as well. The Palladium did have at least two signs announcing her (one at the box office and another one at the merch stand around the Royal Circle entry) - both extremely easy to miss. They also had an usher who told us that Ruthie was going on for the 3rd time (she did not so I am not sure if I would trust his matinee information) and another one who upon asked if Naoko or Ruthie was in, responded after brief hesitation: "The first one".
The show remains lovely but the transparency about the actors performing remains terrible.
A friend managed to catch Naoko after the show (she was in a rush) and she said that they agreed on a schedule but if Ruthie can't go on, she'lljump in. Soundedlike Ruthie will be doing most shows moving forward though."
Thank you for clarifying for me! I thought it could have been Naoko but couldn't tell from the programme. She was amazing, just would have liked to have seen Ruthie as I had seen the Tony Awards performance.
I had originally booked for last night as that was supposed to be closing night but the production got extended. Would like to return and see Ruthie but its a pity the lack of clarification as to the performance schedule (Maybe this will change?!).
I already had my tickets in the stalls so didn't need to go to the box office, I did buy a programme at the stand but obviously the sign was hard to miss! It would be so much better if there was a little more clarification- I suppose having seen many shows on broadway, we don't have playbills or equivalent to slip a note in for cast subs but there must be a better way.....
Isn't it possible that the producers can't guarantee when Ruthie will be on? I doubt they are being purposely vague or misleading--how would that help them sell tickets? It seems like they've been allowing Ruthie to return to the role at her own pace.
I see and respect that and is most probably the case, maybe just wish that they would make it clearer on the night as to who is performing (a little more than a couple of easily missed signs and uninformed theatre staff)?
EleanorC said: "I see and respect that and is most probably the case, maybe just wish that they would make it clearer on the night as to who is performing (a little more than a couple of easily missed signs and uninformed theatre staff)?"
THIS. Also Naoko and Ruthie aside, it'd be nice to have a full cast list/information as well. I'm pretty sure the Palladium used to have at least one screen for The Wind in the Willows with full cast information and I recall seeing updated cast lists for Cats too.
I see that you booked for the original closing date - I think Ruthie is scheduled for Saturday evenings moving forward.