Standbys for A Little Night Music

[NYC_or_Bust]

Posted: 11/26/09 at 5:36pm

I'm somewhat surprised that Lansbury and Zeta-Jones don't have even remotely comparable standbys.

Not that many people (other than theatre junkies) knew who Maureen Moore when she went on for Peters during GYPSY, but Moore had an extensive history with GYPSY.

Also, she's sort of known for being an off stage workhorse for two other shows that rely almost 100% on their leading women; Grey Gardens & Sunset Blvd. Not to mention Moore also has prior involvement with Night Music from the Kennedy center production.


What I'm basically getting at is...If i'm dishing out (and i've already purchased them) $380 bucks for a couple of less than decent seats, should Zeta Jones or Lansbury happen to be out. I want to be torn with the option of getting my money back or sticking around to see a pretty good standby.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/26/09 at 5:40pm

To be honest, Desiree and Madame Armfeldt are not the most demanding roles. If anything, Fredrik is more demanding. I don't think the roles call for standbys.

Plus Zeta-Jones has two weeks off in the Spring. I highly doubt she will miss anymore than that. And Lansbury did not miss one performance of BLITHE SPIRIT, and that was a more physical and demanding role.

I think you'll be fine.

[NYC_or_Bust]

Posted: 11/26/09 at 5:49pm

It was really more of a theoretical. My tickets are for Dec 15, and i highly doubt anyone would be out the night after opening night,especially when they have a day off in between.

It just sort of got me to thinking.

And I agree ljay that Mme Armfeldt isn't the most demanding role, and true while Desiree isn't as demanding as Rose in GYPSY, it's still a pretty big role.

I doubt anyone would come to the show and say..."HMMMMMM, Zeta-Jones is out. That sucks, but the part isn't all that demanding anyway. I think I'll just decline my refund so I can see Hanson. That poor man basically carries this show"

Updated On: 11/26/09 at 05:49 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/26/09 at 7:04pm

Have they announced whether Jones' standby is actually doing the performances during her two week absence? I could definitely see them pursuing another name to fill in since its such a small commitment...

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 11/26/09 at 7:07pm

Who are the standbys?

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/26/09 at 7:12pm

There are no standbys, lol. You can see the understudies on their website. Jayne Paterson understudies Desiree, and Karen Murphy understudies Armfeldt.

MB - I thought the same thing about them bringing in someone else. But as of now it looks like Jayne will be going on. but that can always change by then.

[THDavis]

Posted: 11/26/09 at 8:24pm

I hope they allow their understudies the chance to go on during her absence, but from a production point of view, they could probably pack in the houses even during her absence and possibly calm upset customers by booking another big name. I mean, you could have a flashing banner on the website saying Catherine won't be performing and people would still not notice it.

[binau]

Posted: 11/26/09 at 9:03pm

Will I be able to get a refund if Alexander Hanson or Zeta Jones or Angela Lansbury is out?

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/26/09 at 9:04pm

^ Yes. All 3 are above the title.

[NYC_or_Bust]

Posted: 11/26/09 at 10:46pm

Not that i'm super bent on talking about it to death, but while the topic is up...

I can't help but want to see Laura Linney in those two weeks that CZJ is out. While she's not known for her singing, she could act the HELL out of desiree and she does know at least how to carry a tune and match pitch. Desiree isn't a HUGE singing part anyway. If you can get thru "clowns", you're golden.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/26/09 at 10:50pm

Would a Hollywood actress really agree to play 2 weeks though?

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 11/26/09 at 10:58pm

Yeah I highly doubt someone like Linney would play the role for two weeks. Would a Broadway star take the gig though? And what kind of Broadway star who would accept to do it would actually sell tickets?

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 11/26/09 at 11:04pm

She's not a star, but I'd love to see Marin Mazzie as Desiree.

[NYC_or_Bust]

Posted: 11/26/09 at 11:12pm

Everything she (linney) has right now, Hollywood wise is in post production, and unless she starts new projects in the spring, that gives her an open block for Night Music.

The problem ljay, is that for a show like Grey Gardens or even GYPSY for that matter...is both Peters and Ebersole aren't HUGE hollywood actresses. Let's get real here, most NON theatre people can say they've seen Bernadette Peters before in a couple films or they might know the voice, and sure some people saw Richie Rich and Black Sheep, but how many of them can say...oh yeah! The blonde chick in those movies was great! Isn't that Christine Ebersole?

When people are dishing out top ticket prices especially during the spring season when lots of people travel to NYC for breaks, wouldn't it would be in the producers best interest to at least find a name who could be a nice balance between Hollywood NAME and Broadway TALENT?

Would Linney do it? Doubtful. Would she knock it out of the park. Almost positive. And, as much as I love the name CZJ, I would honestly pay 380 PER ticket to get to see Linney become Desiree.I think she's one of the most talented actresses currently living.

But realistically...getting someone with a better Broadway name at least to "cover"... I suppose Marin Mazzie would be a good choice. EDIT* It seems you beat me to the punch on the Mazzie post!


Victoria Clark could be a good choice too for a Broadway name.

Updated On: 11/26/09 at 11:12 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/26/09 at 11:13pm

During one of Yul's KING AND I vacations they brought in Angela to play Anna while he was out to keep business up.
Laurey Linney works a lot, but they might still get a name if they entice her with taking over when Zeta-Jones leaves.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 11/26/09 at 11:18pm

NYC_or_bust, someone on ATC had mentioned Mazzie as a good choice for Desiree before Zeta-Jones had been announced, and since then she's been my absolute number one choice for the role.

I love Victoria Clark, but I don't think she's quite right.

Laura Linney would be wonderful though.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/26/09 at 11:22pm

Apparently Mazzie was seen and considered for the role, but It's understandable why they went with someone who could sell tickets.
And there was a rumor on ATC that Victoria Clark was seen/auditioned. I love her, but I think she lacks the "sex" that this production is centered on.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/26/09 at 11:33pm

Angela didn't want to be the "star" of the production, i.e., she didn't want the success or failure of the production resting on her shoulders.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 11/26/09 at 11:54pm

Could Susan Boyle pull it off for a couple of weeks?

[NYC_or_Bust]

Posted: 11/27/09 at 12:08am

For Madame Armfeldt? Yes, I suppose Boyle could.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/27/09 at 1:08am

Desiree really isn't that big of a role when you get down to a line count. I think there are plenty of names who might be willing to step in to play the role for two weeks. The biggest reason most stars list against doing Broadway is the time commitment.

I mean Lansbury did KING AND I, Liza did CHICAGO and VICTOR VICTORIA, Betty Hutton was Carol Burnett's vacation sub for FADE OUT FADE IN...

I would think the production would lose a lot of money the two weeks that Jones is out of it.

Even having a Broadway name like Marin Mazzie would peek more interest than Jayne Patterson.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/27/09 at 1:13am

I wonder if equity would allow Hannah Waddingham to come over for 2 weeks to do it?Though I doubt that would peek much interest.

[NYC_or_Bust]

Posted: 11/27/09 at 1:58am

I think you answered your second question (at least), ljay.

Somehow I feel like that would be waaaaaay to complicated of a union battle to get someone who most American's could care less to see.