Stunning Staircases — Page 2

Not a staircase (but definitely a forerunner), but the ladder in Rent, that Mimi climbs down in "Out Tonight."

Updated On: 8/5/04 at 07:34 PM

Re PASSION -

Michael Ball who played Giorgio in the London version narrated this interesting vignette re Stephen Sondheim ( MUSICAL STAGES interview) :

"...Michael describes their first meeting.

I'd heard stories that he was very shy and could be tricky. When I was due to meet him, I phoned (producer) Bill Kenwright and asked how I should treat him. Bill said he'd just had exactly the same conversation with Stephen about me...So I just arrived and said 'Hello, Mr. Sondheim' and he said 'Hello Michael' and we sat down and we made superficial chat. Then he mentioned having had lunch with Julia Mackenzie. 'Julia said you're actually very funny - a real clown - have you ever done any comedy?' 'No' I said, 'This will be my first!'

'That broke the ice so I followed it by claiming the staircase for my own entrance instead of Fosca's which entertained him with the idea he would have to write a musical for me where I had nothing but staircase numbers. Our rapport grew trom there..."

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So, staircases are really highly regarded as great props

Jo:

Thanks for that story - I hadn't heard that one before! :)

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OMG!!! how could i forget the staircase in Wicked during the "Dancing Through Life" scene!!!!
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just kidding!

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Updated On: 8/5/04 at 10:03 PM

And 42nd Street's finale staircase was phenomenal also. The definition of stunning.

Man of la Mancha was really good. I was so worried that an actor was gonna fall off.