Sweet Charity w/o Christina Applegate last night

I attended Sweet Charity last night. Christina was out sick, apparently.

Although Charlotte D'Amboise is a talented actress/dancer, she is a bit old to pull off the role, in my opinion. It really changes the nature of the story if Charity isn't a young naive girl but rather a woman in her 40s.

Anyway, if anybody is going this weekend, be forewarned that you may not see Christina.

I thought Charlotte left the show... oh well, she's great.

I think her age changes the show, but doesn't ruin it. Instead of being young and naive, it makes it as if Charity has been around the block - she's been doing what she does for longer. I saw Charlotte in Boston, and thought she was great.

I actually think Sweet Charity can work with an older actress, not that D'Amboise is that old.

And I would have much rather seen the talented D'Amboise over Applegate who just "got by" in my opinion.

I would have LOVED to see D'Amboise take on the role! She's terrifiic!

And is she much older than Applegate, anyway? She doesn't look it.

"I would have LOVED to see D'Amboise take on the role! She's terrifiic! And is she much older than Applegate, anyway? She doesn't look it."

They said that Christina was sick, so I wouldn't be surprised if she is out again tonight. Go see it... there were a lot of people trying to get refunds last night. I'm not sure if they gave any.

I will say that I felt a bit uncomfortable with the other audience members. There were a lot of unhappy people in the audience. I was seated near several audience members who loudly complained before the show and through intermission. It was also obvious that many audience members were not applauding Charlotte's scenes, and applauding for other scenes.

But I think the complaints were partly driven by the lack of a "tv star" on stage with an out-of-town audience.

When I saw Christina as Charity last month, there was NO mention of Charlotte in the program, only Christina's understudy, so I assumed that Charlotte was no longer associated with the production. I can understand the audience's reaction. This is a true star vehicle show, and Christina brought every bit of her star quality to the role, besides giving an all around excellent performance. I would have been disappointed too, to say the least, had I not had the very good fortune to see her!

When I saw the show in May, Charlotte wasn't even listed in the Playbill.

Amen magruder!!!

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Thanks Magruder. I am tired of Applegate being held up on this board like she is this flawless musical comedy star. WHile she has a lot of gusto, and does great in her book scenes, her singing and dancing are amateur at best. She's lucky she broke her foot. Got her better reviews than she would've gotten without the injury.

So true, Middy...

Has Oscar ever been played by a straight man?

Is John McMartin gay? He originated the role.

I thought O'Hare was hysterical--more neurotic than gay.

Charlotte D'Amboise is too old to play Charity...in THIS production: a production designed and built around a Charity who is 30 years old.

Charlotte D'Amboise is a stellar performer, but in my opinion, she does look a little out of place compared to the rest of the Applegate-Age-Appropriate cast.

And no -- Oscar isn't supposed to be gay. Nor is Bobby in COMPANY. Nor is Percival in THE SCARLET PIMPERNELL. Nor is The Phantom of the Opera...

Updated On: 7/8/05 at 11:24 AM

"Charlotte D'Amboise is too old to play Charity...in THIS production: a production designed and built around a Charity who is 30 years old."

I'd tend to agree with that. For example, I thought that the costumes weren't that flattering for her. It all contributed to the "pitiful" element that I referenced earlier.