Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical- Page 7

[MrMidwest]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#150

Posted: 5/20/08 at 1:05pm

Some of the comments Sondheim has made about movie musicals make me wonder exactly how this is going to turn out. I hope a happy medium can be found between making the show work as a movie and completely gutting it.

"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter

[heathurrr]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#151

Posted: 5/20/08 at 1:09pm

To whomever suggested Rachel Griffiths, I love it!
I never would have even thought of her for this, but now I am, and I think it could work :)

"As we all should probably have learned by now, to be a Stephen Sondheim fan is to have one's heart broken at regular intervals" - Frank Rich

Dearest, how can this be so? You were dead, you know. - Candide

Oh my god, this show has everything! Half naked guys and girl on girl action! - [title of show]

(My avatar? Why, yes! That is Laura Benanti making out with a chick!)

[Unknown User]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#152

Posted: 5/21/08 at 6:56pm

Without a doubt Kathy Bates would make the most outstanding Stella for "Who's That Woman?" Shirley McClain or Eartha Kitt as Carlotta-someone who has truly been there and back.

For the male leads what about John C.Riley as Buddy-Kevin Kline is a good choice as well, but slightly too old-but that is that make-up is for. In fact he could play Ben as well. Maybe Tom Hanks as Ben?

When is comes to Phyllis and Sally...Goldie Hawn or Michelle Pfeiffer as Phyllis and Diane Weist or Diane Keaton as Sally. At least we know all those ladies can sing on top of act.

The younger ones could be almost anyone-I think some actors from CW series or Disney shows would bring in younger audiences that the movie would DESPERATLY need.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#153

Posted: 6/11/08 at 9:31am

What about Matthew Broderick as Buddy?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#154

Posted: 12/4/08 at 5:19pm

Now, I don't put any stock into anything that imdb says, and I still don't really believe we'll ever see a movie of this, but it's now listing Follies for 2012, which would make my choices for Phyllis and Sally (Vanessa Williams and Natasha Richardson), the perfect ages.

[MrMidwest]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#155

Posted: 12/5/08 at 3:30pm

So is Mishy your #2 choice for Phyllis?

"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter

[D2]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#156

Posted: 12/5/08 at 3:48pm

Love your casting choices, PRS. Spot on.

Cheyenne Jackson tickled me. AFTER ordering SoMMS a drink but NOT tickling him, and hanging out with Girly in his dressing room (where he DIDN'T tickle her) but BEFORE we got married. To others. And then he tweeted Boobs. He also tweeted he's good friends with some chick on "The Voice" who just happens to be good friends with Tink's ex. And I'm still married. Oh, and this just in: "Pettiness, spite, malice ....Such ugly emotions... So sad." - After Eight, talking about MEEEEEEEE!!! I'm so honored! :-)

[ljay889]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#157

Posted: 12/5/08 at 4:05pm

Love Williams for Phyllis. But Richardson could not sing Sally. And they would have to lower IN BUDDY'S EYES and TOO MANY MORNINGS a lot for her, which would suck.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#158

Posted: 12/5/08 at 4:13pm

Eh, they could tweak her in the studio. I'm not really that much of a purist about dubbing for musicals on film, as long as the voice looks like it fits the actor. Acting-wise, I think she would be positively glorious in the role.

MrM, was that Mishy Obama or Mishy Pfeiffer? I think Miss Mishy P would be my second choice. I could also see her as Sally, though she'd have the same vocal limitations as Natasha.

Now we just have to get Aaron Sorkin's name off this and get my screenplay in Mendes's hands.

[MrMidwest]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#159

Posted: 12/5/08 at 4:25pm

Heh. Yes, I meant The Pfeiff.

"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter

[logan0215]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#160

Posted: 12/5/08 at 5:12pm

I wish it was made 5-10 years ago with Bette Midler playing both roles and just changing wigs...

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#161

Posted: 12/5/08 at 5:23pm

So that it would have been awful?

[ljay889]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#162

Posted: 12/5/08 at 5:32pm

LOL

[logan0215]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#163

Posted: 12/5/08 at 7:48pm

You're right, we should wait 5 (more) years so that Vanessa Williams is to the point where she literally can't take her face out of the permanent "one-fierce-eyebrow-up" look.

[LadyDramaturg2]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#164

Posted: 12/5/08 at 10:13pm

yeah, so Phyllis R Stone, who's gonna sing for Nicole?

You?

[mattonstage]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#165

Posted: 12/6/08 at 9:12am

Just throwing it out there: Carrie Fisher as Carlotta?

I killed the boss, you don't think they're gonna fire me over a thing like that!!!!

[MrMidwest]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#166

Posted: 12/6/08 at 10:13am

I wouldn't mind her. I like her voice. However, I haven't heard her sing in 20 years and I'm not sure if she'd be interested in doing it.

"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter

[laura is broadway]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#167

Posted: 12/6/08 at 10:36am

Has anybody ever thought about Lupone for Phyllis? I mean, idk if it would work, but I think it's weird that I've at least never heard it mentioned... maybe?

[Usnavi]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#168

Posted: 12/6/08 at 11:06am

i don't see this movie being made at all. they would have to get a really stellar cast with box office pull not to mention reach a large demographic.

i could see it work as a smaller release aimed at an older demo more familiar with the original production and the theatre demo familiar with the show.
Updated On: 12/6/08 at 11:06 AM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#169

Posted: 12/6/08 at 1:58pm

LuPone lacks any of the grand sophistication required to play Phyllis. Phyllis is supposed to "look like a queen or something (...) like Jackie Kennedy," LuPone ain't it. Even if she were, she isn't a name and would never be considered for the role in a film.
I still like the idea of Mary-Louise Parker as Phyllis in 2012, it'd be wonderful. Laura Linney as Sally. Love PRS' idea of Matthew Broderick as Buddy. Get Daniel Day-Lewis for Ben and you got a top-notch cast. Then round them up with the cream of the crop of Hollywood's older actors and I'd be the happiest.

"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

[ljay889]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#170

Posted: 12/6/08 at 2:17pm

LOL Patti LuPone is 11 years too old for Phyllis. She was never really right for either role.

Give her Stella.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#171

Posted: 12/6/08 at 2:28pm

LuPone is perfect for Stella.

"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

[logan0215]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#172

Posted: 12/6/08 at 2:31pm

I was just thinking about this film further and realistically speaking: could it even work?

The Rob Marshall "Chicago" treatment is fine for "Lucy and Jessie" and a few other numbers, but aside from the story thread about the two couples, the rest of the show is (at its most watered down core) a concert of stellar Sondheim songs. I feel that in a movie the songs would begin come off as tiresome.

For instance, in Dreamgirls (wherein the songs advance the plot) people were beginning to laugh in the theater when the cast sang their dialogue leading in to "Family" all 3 times I saw it in the theater. I’m having trouble seeing much of the greatness of the score staying intact and ending up in the film...

[wonderfulwizard11]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#173

Posted: 12/6/08 at 2:37pm

I wouldn't pick Broderick for Buddy, but I find him generally annoying. Still, I can't think of anyone.

And YES to Kathy Bates as Stella.

I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.

[ljay889]

re: Sondheim Talks FOLLIES Movie Musical#174

Posted: 12/6/08 at 2:43pm

For instance, in Dreamgirls (wherein the songs advance the plot) people were beginning to laugh in the theater when the cast sang their dialogue leading in to "Family" all 3 times I saw it in the theater. I’m having trouble seeing much of the greatness of the score staying intact and ending up in the film...

- Well it worked for SWEENEY TODD. Burton didn't create some lame concept to excuse the singing. And the only time I remember people laughing was when Anthony sang JOHANNA after being beaten.