SWEET CHARITY: Stage or Film?

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 10/26/13 at 10:31am

Which version of SWEET CHARITY do you prefer? The original stage version of the 1969 film? Updated On: 10/26/13 at 10:31 AM

[ggersten]

Posted: 10/26/13 at 10:41am

The 1985 revival.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/26/13 at 10:42am

I saw the Fosse '85 revival and (of course) the film.

I like them both equally well. The choreography was the same for both (more or less).

[goldenboy]

Posted: 10/26/13 at 11:31am

To see Gwen Verdon in Sweet Charity was to see a pure amazing fantastic theatre performance. There was or is nothing like the original Gwen Verdon/Bob Fosse Sweet Charity. It is/was the best hands down. Shirley MacClaine was coached by Verdon for the film and I kept thinking Gwen does it so much better. Why didn't they use Gwen? Shirley kind of whined her way through it which I found annoying. I felt like yelling at the screen you are not Charity--Gwen Verdon is!! In fact, trouper that Verdon is, she gave MaClaine all her tricks and taught her the choreography.! WE have the film to thank for preserving all that wonderful Fosse choreography but the casting of Charity and the overly quick cuts didn't help the film The Debbie Allen Revival was very good and Debbie did make the part her own: It was an excellent revivial . Then Anne Reinking took over for Debbie Allen and I ran back. I am a big Ann Reinking fan but boy did she ruin Sweet Charity. She played it like a cartoon with a very unattractive blonde wig. It's amazing how one performer can ruin a show.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/26/13 at 11:36am

I think the film is pretty bad, or rather, pretty unsuccessful in getting me invested. It just feels too much like a film directed by a first time director. Yet, that's also what makes it interesting, since you get to see the beginnings of Fosse's brilliant style, you can see him experiment with a lot of things that he later developed into the masterpiece that is CABARET, and his other great movies (LENNY, and ALL THAT JAZZ). I think it's certainly worth watching. I didn't see the 1985 revival, but love the cast recording, and by all accounts, Debbie Allen was spectacular. And how I'd have loved to see Bebe Neuwirth in her first Tony-winning performance.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 10/26/13 at 11:38am

I saw the revival in '85 with Debbie Allen and she was great! I am a big fan of the film and the Fosse choreography. Suzanne Charney in THE RICH MAN'S FRUG number is now iconic. So many artists "borrow" from the film's choreography and style.

It also boasts one of the best scores ever composed for a musical. It's one recording where I really don't feel the need to skip a song - - - every song is a winner.

Easily one of my all time favorite musicals.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/26/13 at 1:24pm

Original with Gwen Verdon by far

[TrulyOutrageousJem]

Posted: 10/26/13 at 1:52pm

I much prefer the stage version. The film has some great moments, and I like Shirley MacClaine as Charity, but they cut out so much stuff I feel like it's missing the campy, silly heart of the show.

I saw the revival with Christina Applegate. They ruined the show by making some stupid, IMO, cuts and changes and very odd choices for certain things. The Rhythm of Life, in particular, I hated. And Christina acted the part well enough, and certainly danced it well enough, but vocally was not up to the show. There were a few other great performances but really the choreography was what made me enjoy the show. Would love to see a revival with a lead that could really handle the role and without the unnecessary changes/cuts.

[darquegk]

Posted: 10/26/13 at 2:18pm

Sweet Charity is a show that has relatively few script variances, but three different endings that cycle in and out of productions. This is a peculiarity that seems unique to this show.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/27/13 at 4:42pm

I think Shirley is wonderful in the film, adorable and heartbreaking.

I also think the orchestrations are superior to the stage show, and I like the new title song music better, which was used but re-orchestrated for the '85 revival. I also love all the New York locations.

I don't like that they added a phony "studio echo" to most of the singing, making it impossible for the vocals to seem "real" especially with a pre-record.

Updated On: 10/27/13 at 04:42 PM

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 10/27/13 at 4:51pm

I prefer the stage show - one of the first I saw. Not the original, the Christina Applegate revival.

The movie is great too, but a little too "groovy 60s", or something. Dated.

Updated On: 10/27/13 at 04:51 PM

[evic]

Posted: 10/27/13 at 5:35pm

Debbie Allen was surprisingly funny in the part and she danced the hell out of it- coached by Verdon as well. Went back to see it with Reinking because after Verdon, she is the supreme Fosse dancer. It was the Sunday matinee where she took a swig from the beer bottle and ran off stage screaming because (I heard this later) a stagehand forgot to clean the bottle thoroughly and there was cleaning fluid or something in it. They brought down the curtain for 15 minutes and Bebe took over for her and Dana Moore took over for Bebe. It was so bizarre. That night when I got home, I watched Murder She Wrote and the story was about an understudy who kills the lead!!!!! Then I started thinking that Bebe could not be THAT mean. The movie is fun on second or third viewing...Fosse was eviscerated for fast cuts in the film and a few years later, MTV came on TV with fast cuts for most of the vids. He was always ahead of his time (Chicago anyone?). Chita looks better today than she looked in that movie-they really made her look beat up and old and Paula Kelly is a goddess...McClaine was good but no one tops Verdon from the clips I have seen. I missed the hysterical subway scene in the movie and the ending with the fairy god mother- hysterical.....Neil Simon in his prime. The show is better thsn the film Imho.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 10/27/13 at 8:35pm

Another example of Hollywood screwing up a classic Broadway musical.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 10/27/13 at 9:12pm

The movie is bloated and the zooming camera work is annoying, but MacLaine and her dancing are great.

Updated On: 10/27/13 at 09:12 PM