#1
Posted: 1/2/05 at 10:50am
Is it good? Is it worth seeing in Boston with Christina Applegate?
#2
Posted: 1/2/05 at 10:52am
I think it's gonna be great. And by the time they're in Boston they will have played Minneapolis and Chicago, so it should be in good form.
#3
Posted: 1/2/05 at 10:55am
Is it taking a run on Broadway or is it a tour? What is it about?
#4
Posted: 1/2/05 at 11:02am
It opens on BWAY in April, I think those dates are it's pre-broadway run.
Grace: I just gave a quarter to a homeless man. I think it was Johnny Depp.
#5
Posted: 1/2/05 at 11:44am
Funny, I just saw these fun production shots on ebay today:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=778&item=3864465105&rd=1
Cute
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=778&item=3864465105&rd=1
Cute
#6
Posted: 1/2/05 at 11:51am
Ha! I like them...it makes the show look a lot more fun/cute. I'm pretty excited about this. I think the show will be goood.
#7
Posted: 1/2/05 at 1:13pm
The original show with Fosse's brilliant choreography and staging -- some of the best of his career -- was a classic. This "new" version tosses out everything Fosse created and replaces it with new choreography by Wayne Cilento (whose work thus far in his career has been, to be kind, anything BUT "brilliant"). We shall see whether or not Cilento is up to the task (personally, I'm not very optimistic).
"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie
[http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/]
"The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney
#8
Posted: 1/2/05 at 1:18pm
Cilento had some mixed success, I think, taking on a Fosse show with How to Succeed in Business. His stuff wasn't as witty and stylized as Fosse's choreography for that one, but it was at least a level better than the Aida and Wicked choreography. I'm hoping he'll rise to the challenge, but I share Margo's trepidation.
"Gif me the cobra jool!"
#9
Posted: 1/2/05 at 1:26pm
Aw, come on! Where's the Cilento love?? That part where all the chorus walked in a square and then jumped behind Elphaba in Loathing?? Brilliant!
#10
Posted: 1/2/05 at 5:02pm
I agree, Margo and Magruder, I'm not a big fan of Cilento's work thus far.
CHARITY is dangerous, as well, because much of Fosse's original choreography was preserved in the film ("Big Spender" and "Rich Man's Frug" in particular). Where as Ann Reinking got away with doing "Fosse Lite" for the CHICAGO revival, that original work isn't as well known as his choreography for CHARITY.
It's going to be very difficult for anyone to compete with Fosse. But we'll see.
CHARITY is dangerous, as well, because much of Fosse's original choreography was preserved in the film ("Big Spender" and "Rich Man's Frug" in particular). Where as Ann Reinking got away with doing "Fosse Lite" for the CHICAGO revival, that original work isn't as well known as his choreography for CHARITY.
It's going to be very difficult for anyone to compete with Fosse. But we'll see.
#11
Posted: 1/2/05 at 5:08pm
The three strengths of the show were Fosse, Verdon & Coleman/Fields.
But the story is very weak. To modern eyes, Charity is both a doormat and nincompoop. I can't help feeling Jane Krackowski had the right idea when she bailed.
But the presence of O'Hare and Sabella do give me some hope for this production.
But the story is very weak. To modern eyes, Charity is both a doormat and nincompoop. I can't help feeling Jane Krackowski had the right idea when she bailed.
But the presence of O'Hare and Sabella do give me some hope for this production.
"Christ, Bette Davis?!?!"
Updated On: 1/2/05 at 05:08 PM
#12
Posted: 1/2/05 at 5:11pm
I think it could be a success. I'll see it when it opens just out of curiousity. And I like Applegate, so I'm looking forward to seeing her as Charity.
#13
Posted: 1/2/05 at 5:18pm
I'm a fan of the show, but can't imagine it without the Fosse choreography. The Frug is my favorite number of all time and I just feel like I will be dissapointed by whatever is done with it. I'm hoping that the show does well, but I don't really know how I will feel about it when I see it.
#14
Posted: 1/2/05 at 6:18pm
my theatre dept. is going in march...i'm excited! it looks like it'll be great...
and all that I could do because of you was talk of love...
#15
Posted: 1/2/05 at 6:42pm
Everything I have seen Cilento do has been awful, so I am joining the skepticle group - I would have rather seen Kathleen Marshall or even Jeff Calhoun take it on - atleast their choreography is actually dance. Anne Reinking wouldn't be a bad choice either.
And, contrary to others, I am not at all excited about Sabella or O'Hare. Sabella irritates the hell out of me, and O'Hare is quickly becoming the same in everything he does. Hopefully he will be different here.
And, contrary to others, I am not at all excited about Sabella or O'Hare. Sabella irritates the hell out of me, and O'Hare is quickly becoming the same in everything he does. Hopefully he will be different here.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
#16
Posted: 1/2/05 at 6:44pm
Finest career choice Krakowski has made.
"One no longer loves one's insight enough once one communicates it."
The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
#17
Posted: 1/2/05 at 8:11pm
Okay, the choreography is very VERY important. Don't get me wrong.
But if they get the leading lady wrong the whole show will come crashing down. Verdon was irreplacable, but others have played Charity successfully (Helen Gallagher, Juliet Prowse, Donna McKechnie, Debbie Allen). If they have erred in the casting of Applegate, if the choreography is somehow brilliant, the show will still lose a lot. This is a monster role. So enormous that the one costume change Charity has had to be made onstage in the original production.
But I'll also voice concerns about Cilento. He's no HORRIBLE, but he is no Fosse and up until now I haven't seen anything from him that wasn't merely adequate.
But if they get the leading lady wrong the whole show will come crashing down. Verdon was irreplacable, but others have played Charity successfully (Helen Gallagher, Juliet Prowse, Donna McKechnie, Debbie Allen). If they have erred in the casting of Applegate, if the choreography is somehow brilliant, the show will still lose a lot. This is a monster role. So enormous that the one costume change Charity has had to be made onstage in the original production.
But I'll also voice concerns about Cilento. He's no HORRIBLE, but he is no Fosse and up until now I haven't seen anything from him that wasn't merely adequate.
#18
Posted: 1/3/05 at 10:21am
I think Christina is a good choice from a looks/acting/type perspective. Just hope her singing/dancing holds up.
Wishing her the best!
Any reviews from out of town?
Wishing her the best!
Any reviews from out of town?
#19
Posted: 1/3/05 at 11:12am
They JUST started rehearsals last week (12/27) so, no there aren't any reviews from out of town.
"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie
[http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/]
"The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney
#20
Posted: 1/3/05 at 11:26am
Did anyone else catch that SWEET CHARITY concert a few years ago at Avery Fisher, where Charity was split between Donna McKechnie, Debbie Allen, Ann Reinking, Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera and others who had previously played Charity?
It was a fascinating evening. Gwen did the closet scene (she didn't sing, she just did the scene), and the makeshift closet set that they used fell down on top of her. She laughed it off and kept on going. I think that may have actually been her last public performance in a musical.
It was a fascinating evening. Gwen did the closet scene (she didn't sing, she just did the scene), and the makeshift closet set that they used fell down on top of her. She laughed it off and kept on going. I think that may have actually been her last public performance in a musical.
#21
Posted: 1/3/05 at 11:34am
What a great evening that was, Veuve. Verdon was hilarious doing the cigarette bit in the closet -- unzipping the garment bag, blowing in the smoke and then zipping the bag up again. What a treasure she was. That night may have had the greatest assemblage of Broadway dance talent ever put together on a single stage.
"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie
[http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/]
"The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney
#22
Posted: 1/3/05 at 11:45am
Margo, for the life of me, I can't remember who played Oscar in that concert (and it's not listed on IBDB). Who was it?
#23
Posted: 1/3/05 at 11:52am
I believe Jim Dale, Brian Stokes Mitchell and John McMartin (the original) shared the role of Oscar.
"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie
[http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/]
"The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney
#24
Posted: 1/3/05 at 11:55am
First of all, Christina is a GREAT choice for that role. She is a very talented actress who has grown with her abilities over the years. The singing isn't as important as the dancing, and you know that she has to be a great dancer to have gotten the part.
As for Cilento. People! Have you forgotten the Who's Tommy??? One of the most choreographed shows, ever!?? Wayne has a signature (and that's pirouette's, because he uses so many of them in every show he has done.) and his choreography is not terrible. True, he's no Bob Fosse, but is Fosse putting on this show? Let's not forget Rob Marshall in the film version of Chicago, who did a wonderful job. Let me just say, part of the reason I will not see Fiddler is because it is in the contract to use Robbins' choreography very time someone does that show. I've seen that choreography. I would like to something different. Variety.
As for the show, I think it's gonna be great.
As for Cilento. People! Have you forgotten the Who's Tommy??? One of the most choreographed shows, ever!?? Wayne has a signature (and that's pirouette's, because he uses so many of them in every show he has done.) and his choreography is not terrible. True, he's no Bob Fosse, but is Fosse putting on this show? Let's not forget Rob Marshall in the film version of Chicago, who did a wonderful job. Let me just say, part of the reason I will not see Fiddler is because it is in the contract to use Robbins' choreography very time someone does that show. I've seen that choreography. I would like to something different. Variety.
As for the show, I think it's gonna be great.
"Do you know what pledge time is, Andrew"? said the PBS Executive.
"Yes", Lloyd Webber replied. "My 50th birthday special must be one program that gets done a lot."
"No", mused the man from PBS heedlessy. "Not so much. Our Stephen Sondheim Carnegie Hall concert. That's a big one."
Spoons, forks and knives seemed suddenly to suspend their motion in horror, all around the table.
#25
Posted: 1/3/05 at 12:01pm
Really, Margo? Wow, I have no recollection of Jim Dale or Brian Stokes Mitchell being on the stage. (I remember McMartin being there in some capacity).
I guess with all those dazzling ladies on the stage, none of the men could possibly make an impression. Well, that and the fact that my memory isn't what it used to be.
I guess with all those dazzling ladies on the stage, none of the men could possibly make an impression. Well, that and the fact that my memory isn't what it used to be.
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