SWEET CHARITY Revival- Page 5

[nycward]

Posted: 11/4/16 at 1:31pm

I remember seeing the original production at the Palace with Gwen Verdon. I was verrrrrrrry young :) Yes, Ruth Buzzi did this fairy ending which at that time I thought was lame. In hindsight, the original show was very much rooted in the 60's sensibilities. My guess is that this new production wants to get closer to the original Fellini source material which in 2016 is really a good thing, just as the recent productions of Cabaret and La Cage have tried for a grittier approach. Not sure that Neil Simon's book will ever allow that to totally happen though. Im seeing it in a few weeks and am hopeful however.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/4/16 at 1:35pm

You are so lucky that you saw Gwen!! Was that at the point where she was cutting the Soliloquy and occasionally Where Am I Going?

[Kad]

Posted: 11/4/16 at 1:36pm

How many endings has Sweet Charity had over the years?

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/4/16 at 2:35pm

There's the 1966 and 1986 fairy ending, the hippie ending from the movie, the 2005 empowered "Bravest Individual" ending, the new 2016 "Where Am I going?/You Should See Yourslef" ending. I believe the chocolate factory revival used a variation of the Applegate ending. Can anyone confirm?

It really is fascinating how many endings have been used. I remember it being a big deal that Simon created the new 2005 ending specifically for that revival.

[SweetLips]

Posted: 11/4/16 at 2:59pm

Thank you everyone for your Good Fairy memories--I'm pleased that at least part of me is still working!

Contacted a Melbourne theatre friend and 'our' Good Fairy is still singing for various organisations around the city and she has appeared in numerous stage productions over the years.

I now know a lot more[about the Fairy]-and remember,after being prompted by others.

[darquegk]

Posted: 11/4/16 at 3:16pm

There's another thread on this board that tracked all the endings- I believe the earliest, Fosse ending was one where Charity kills herself, or ponders it at the end. This was allegedly the ending that inspired the "we need a happier ending" intervention that led to the Good Fairy.

[newintown]

Posted: 11/4/16 at 3:25pm

I've seen all the endings (except for this one), and they're all problematic, probably because the show stays relatively true to Nights of Cabiria except in a really essential way - changing the lead from a prostitute to ... well, what? Who today has ever met a dance hall hostess? There's no modern equivalent, is there? It's not a stripper, or a hooker, but it was a job for a girl with no money, education, or class. A job that went extinct 40+ years ago.

The movie ending with the hippies is closest to Fellini's ending, and because of that, works best for me by showing how Cabiria/Charity can't help but love life and join in with the world, no matter how many awful things happen to her. If she ever does give up, it'll be decades later, when she can no longer dance.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/4/16 at 3:34pm

I like Simon's 2005 ending because at the time at least it felt so right. She opened the show asking if we ever had one of those days that was perfect and asked the same question at the end. It was a lovely bookend and even though her story was not perfect her declaration that "there's always tomorrow" was just so Charity to me. That she would dust herself off and remain optimistic. That's the Charity I love. I know the ending has always been problematic but I really enjoyed that one even though the production itself was troubled.

[nycward]

Posted: 11/4/16 at 3:47pm

I can't really remember frankly. I was up in the balcony and like 17 years old. The Palace still had the old fashioned movie marquee as I recall. She was just wonderful. The fact that she was older really made the show work for me. Most of these revivals the Charity comes off as too young. I think Sutton will bring the right edge as being over forty which at that time was truly the end of the line. Applegate was just too young for the role last time around. 

[newintown]

Posted: 11/4/16 at 3:56pm

"Most of these revivals the Charity comes off as too young."

Ditto Roxie Hart (except for Reinking). Charity needs to be definitely past her prime, or there's just not much pathos. If she's a pretty ripe young thing, what's the point?

Updated On: 11/4/16 at 03:56 PM

[JoseLee_]

Posted: 11/4/16 at 4:20pm

I really hope it gets a Broadway transfer

[cliffordbradshaw2]

Posted: 11/4/16 at 4:31pm

Hope this helps with the discussion of "Charity"'s various endings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSYCqU07F5Q

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/4/16 at 4:38pm

Whoa!! Amazing. Can't wait to watch later. Thanks. 

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 11/4/16 at 6:43pm

Oh my goodness!!! That video is magic!! I still prefer the Applegate ending, but I loved the 2010 London revival ending too. Very cheeky and in the same vein of the Charity we all know and love. What I'd give for the full McKechnie or Applegate video.

[dry2olives]

Posted: 11/4/16 at 11:34pm

To newintown:  The modern equivalent to a dance hall girl would be a lap dancer, although a more fully clothed one.  When guys went to see Charity, or any of the other ladies, the dance was an excuse to hold her close and see how much she'd let him touch her.  There were rules restricting how much contact could be made, but for the right price anything would be possible.  Simon has Charity say a line explaining that she doesn't go as far as some of the others.

The Rodgers and Hart song "Ten Cents A Dance" is sung by a dance hall girl.  There's a lyric that goes "I'm one of those 'lady teachers.'  A 'beautiful hostess," you know."  Those were polite phrases they would use to make their jobs seem more innocent.

Updated On: 11/4/16 at 11:34 PM

[Jimmyb1969]

Posted: 11/5/16 at 9:35am

I LOVED THIS SHOW! Good luck getting tickets...or the few that are even left. Sutton Foster is a force of nature and the supporting cast is pure gold. I loved the dancing, the costumes, the lighting, the intimacy. You feel what these women have to endure but it doesn't lose the humor. At intermission I was like who is playing Helene...and then I discovered is was Emily Padget. She really works the role...she's fantastic. And Joel Perez is a star...so good in every role. 

Excellent production. My only gripe is that I thought the small jazz band could have been filled out more. It's a little sparse...I know what they're going for but come on. A few more pieces and it would've really filled the space. It unintentionally cheapens an otherwise amazing production. 

And why are people making the wigs a big deal...thats so ridiculous. They absolutely work...or at least they did on Friday night.

You're gonna love this production!

My two cents.

Updated On: 11/5/16 at 09:35 AM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 11/5/16 at 9:42am

curious as well if the show has understudies. It's only a cast of 12 and I don't think there's any swings.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/5/16 at 10:27am

cliffordbradshaw2, the video clips were fascinating! The fairy ending is growing on me. The 2005 ending was a little too "girl power" for me, but I was reminded how good and natural Applegate's acting really was. The 2010 London revival ending is surprising, love the idea that she meets another man yet again. It's really amazing how just about every major production of this show has a new ending. 

To those who saw Sutton's revival so far, does Oscar push her into the lake at the end? Or do they cut like 2005 and 2010? 

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 11/5/16 at 12:55pm

Jimmyb1969 said: "And why are people making the wigs a big deal...thats so ridiculous. They absolutely work."

I've come to the conclusion that maybe the single image we have of the wig is just a bad picture, or not a good representation of what the wig actually is. And it's just Sutton's wig I didn't like. For example, Emily Padgett's brown pixie wig is perfect, and I can't imagine a better choice for her and that character! I'm even more eager to see production shots now, to see Sutton's wig in action. 

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 11/5/16 at 10:36pm

Here's the costume design for Charity.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 11/5/16 at 11:14pm

I saw this tonight and adored every second. Sutton Foster is such a star and has the audience in the palm of her hand the whole show. If this transfers to Broadway, she should win a Tony for the sandwich bit alone.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 11/5/16 at 11:23pm

That was my favorite scene as well. I liked Sutton, but had never seen her do physical comedy at that level. I was sore. 

[Scott Rosson]

Posted: 11/6/16 at 1:49am

I am praying for another extension. I will be in NY a week after the run is set to end

[Melissa25]

Posted: 11/6/16 at 3:48am

I loved this show and I am so glad that I got to see it in this intimate space.  Sutton is truly a star.  Her comedic scenes (sandwich and closet) were worth the price of admission alone.  I am embarrassed to admit that I was not familiar with Charity prior to Friday night.  I never got see the Applegate version.  I just added the Shirley MacLaine and The Nights of Cabiria movies to my queue.

Hensley and Perez were also outstanding.  I loved Hensley in Fiorello but I really thought he got to show another side as Oscar.  His claustrophobic frenzy in the elevator is award-worthy. Perez' Vittorio and Daddy were delicious.

I have been watching clips of the frug on you tube. Just so rich in art.  Thankfully I get to see this again in December.  Until then I can admire this gorgeous window card that has taken up a prominent spot in my home.
 


 

Updated On: 11/6/16 at 03:48 AM

[Relevance81491]

Posted: 11/6/16 at 7:34am

Stupid question:

did it come framed?