Sort of Insider "Sweet Charity" News

[Tenorific]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 7:47pm

Hi all.

One of my fellow grad school students does sign language for the big shows that come into town. She worked opening night. She stated that Christina went full force. Susan signed the show on the 13th and she said by the time the show ended Christina had no energy on stage. Susan said "It's not a good show, it's not a bad show, but Christina better learn to conserve her energy. Compared to the others, she was fading".

Veeery interesting!! She also stated Ernie Sabella does nothing and that Denis O'Hare is the only good thing about the show. Hmmmmm!!!

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 8:33pm

You know what I love. People expect the show to be perfect on its first out of town preview week.

Did we really need this thread to say Christina and the rest of the cast aren't good. GOD GIVE THEM SOME TIME.

[Plum]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 8:40pm

Between this and the Streetcar thread...

[Tenorific]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 9:09pm

Ljay.... we know it's a preview.....

I'm just saying that it was interesting to hear from someone whose been with the rehearsal process of the show.

Take the stick out!!

[Tenorific]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 9:14pm

And to clarify if you read any of my previous posts on this subject, Ernie Sabella is very under utilized in this piece, and people recognize that that I've talked to or have seen the show.
The ensemble is great, the dancing is wonderful, the music is fun... the book itself is not great.

[bjivie2]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 9:52pm

ljay, I guess I've never understood why they can't be perfect on opening night. I mean, they've been practicing and performing previews for two months. It's not like it's a new show and they're making changes and cuts. Should a show be ready on it's opening night?

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 9:54pm

Every single day, until opneing night, things get changed. Backstage crew get re-assigned, ensemble members get positions switched, it all is chaotic. It is a hard business putting on a Broadway show...give 'em a little slack, just a litle...

[bjivie2]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 9:57pm

Oh no, I totally understand what goes on with these shows. It's just that they get paid $1200 a week to be perfect. I totally empathize with last-minute switches and things, but it's their job to be ready for opening night. Not just the actors, but everyone: the musicians, the crew, the producers, everyone.

[wildcat]

Posted: 2/15/05 at 10:42pm

A show can be "ready" but so much depends on playing it in front of the general public. Laughs that were there with the "in" crowd suddenly disappear when you're playing to tourists so the performers have to settle into a different rhythm. And building up the stamina to play a full performance without flagging can take a lot longer than just a few weeks of rehearsal. Naturally everyone does their level best on opening night, but music theatre performers do have to build endurance if they don't want to burn out after a few months.

[Plum]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 12:17am

This isn't about opening night, though. They've just started previews, so I don't see what the issue is.

[LouieLovesTheater]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 12:20am

Yeah...the show hasn't even OPENED officially in Mpls. They only got reviewed here early because the official opening isn't until Thursday and they wanted a head start on a review. Anway...it's not like people are running around without direction, talent, or purpose. The sets are there, the lighting is there, costumes...everything. Right now there is just some general tweaking.

I've seen the show four times and never have I seen Christina with "no energy on stage". Not to say your friend didn't observe something different than I did but I for sure saw an arc to her performance.

[bjivie2]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 1:27am

If the show hasn't opened yet, then that's an entire different issue. It's totally normal for things not to totally work in previews, because that's what they're there for: to make sure things run smoothly, to see audience reaction, etc.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 10:03am

Good news travels fast....Bad news will beat the crap out of it to get to the finish line first.

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 10:55am

Sorry folks, but as I have said on other threads, SWEET CHARITY was not a very good show to begin with, it never was.

Why on earth do the producers think they could make money outta this show when there are greeeeeeeeeat shows out there to be revived?

It is odd they are reviving a show that got mixed reviews its first go round and mixed reviews in its most recent Broadway revival. At neither time was the show a moneymaker.

I keep wondering, with all the great properties out there, why would they think they could make money on a show that was not really very enjoyable and not terribly successful to begin with?

p.s. to Tenorific,,,,,,you sent me a private message and asked me to respond, but the system here says you don't accept private messages? Sorry.

Updated On: 2/16/05 at 10:55 AM

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 11:02am

Wish, why at you positively salivating at the prospects of SWEET CHARITY falling on its face?

Is it the greatest show ever written? No. Is it dated? Probably. But it has some snappy Cy Coleman - Dorothy Fields tunes, a great supporting cast and a leading lady who isn't 'slumming' but is clearly willing to work her ass off to prove herself. Give a girl a break!

From the snippets of video I saw, I think Christina has far more charm and appeal in the role than I suspected. I'm hopeful she will pull through and surprise everyone.

Updated On: 2/16/05 at 11:02 AM

[NBC]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 11:04am

I was wondering when WISHIHADATONY would chime in...

I think the Weisslers chose it because they have had great success reviving another Fosse show, and because it can be a good star vehicle if you get the right performer. (Whether they have or not remains to be seen, I suppose.) And whatever problems are in the book, it is a score with a lot of classic songs in it. Big Spender and If My Friends Could See Me Now are probably two of the most recognizable showtunes. (I knew the latter song way before I knew it was even from a show!)

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 1:30pm

It's a classic score from a classic show that has become a standard in regional, stock and school productions. Maybe it's not the best or most successful show that ever ran on Broadway, but it has become legendary. The last revival walked away with 4 Tonys. Why not revive it?

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 2:54pm

I hope the revival is thrilling and everyone loves it very much. Part of being on the board is sharing experiences. I have had SWEET CHARITY experiences and am simply making you aware, sorry if offending anyone. I genuinely don't mean to and am truly sorry for the repetitiveness, etc....

Sometimes we look towards what we read here to help guide us with our theatergoing purchases, etc..........

No one wants a magnificent new revival of a Broadway musical more than I do...I hope the show is redone to the point where it is amazing, the critics love it, the audiences love it and it has a long run, makes a fortune and spawns numerous national tours and other productions. I genuinely do. I adore Neil Simon and am in love with the work of Cy Coleman.

Hopefully the new creative team will fix the previoius problems with the show and win an armful of Tonys!

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 2:58pm

Question: what's the point of the character of Herman in this show (played by Ernie Sabella in the revival)? I saw "Sweet Charity" at my college last year, and this character served really no purpose other than to sing the song "I Love to Cry At Weddings," which has now been cut. So what does Sabella do in this version of the show? Doesn't he only have like, eight lines now?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 2:58pm

Eight lines and a lovely paycheck.

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 3:01pm

Wish, don't apologize. I find some people a bit too sensitive on these boards. The boards are here for opinions, discussions, etc. You shouldn't have to apologize to the minority who take offense or object to something that you have every right to state. And yes, THAT IS MY OPINION.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 3:17pm

Yes. People can express their views & opinions on this board. But WISH says the same exact thing in EVERY Sweet Charity thread. I am so sick of it, and so are others. I can tell you exactly what he is going to say. We get it point, we actually got his point weeks ago!

[LouieLovesTheater]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 3:19pm

But when you just copy and paste your opinion into every Sweet Charity category...that is what drives people crazy. At least come up with a different critical angle.

What 'experiences' have you had with Sweet Charity? Have you seen/read/have insider info on this production? How can you even compare if you haven't a clue what this new one has in store.

If you are going off the 1986 revival...yeah, that kinda sucked. The orchestrations were horrid (What the hell did they do to "I'm the Bravest Individual?") and all it was was a recreation of the original. This version takes the show in the same direction but chooses a different path to get there.

I understand you aren't saying you want it to fail and you want it to be good. So why keep carping on the fact that you don't like the show...we get it.

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 3:19pm

I can't speak for other postings as I haven't read any. I just find people are quick to jump all over someone for posting thoughts and opinions and GOD FORBID a thread is started that may have been created previously.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/16/05 at 3:36pm

I'm not mad at anyones opinion. They should be able to express it. BUT..it is VERY frustrating to see the same thing posted in every thread on the topic of Sweet Charity. I can't take it anymore. The last SC Revival happened over 15 damn years ago, and he still is going off about it and knocking it every chance he gets. UGH.