THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA Musical - News & Discussion Thread- Page 16

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/6/22 at 9:38pm

I don't think it's a matter of name value at all. It's about the stage presence. Miranda, as played by Streep, is regal, quiet, and venomous. Leavel has always exuded something more campy and over the top.

No STAR actress should want to follow in the footsteps of Meryl in this adaptation, unless the role was made radically different. Maybe the key would have been an a-class theatre actress (who isn't a money name) having a bit of a comeback in this. Someone like Eve Best or Lindsay Duncan or Fiona Shaw or Jennifer Ehle or Joanna Gleason. (Maybe Miranda's songs should be more patter. We're all just spitballing here.)

Kevin McCollum are you listening to this thread!?!

Updated On: 8/6/22 at 09:38 PM

[Bill Snibson]

Posted: 8/6/22 at 9:57pm

Exactly! Find the driest of actresses or go extreme and have Chenoweth strut around like a little precious toy poodle and any time she’s alone she lets her voice out and rages!
 

But, again…I think the material prevents actresses of a certain level and stature to want to attach and inevitably be compared to Meryl Streep. 

Similar to why I fear Company couldn’t find anyone with a recognizable enough name to replace the “bdwy icon who just won the tony award for this very role”. You will only be compared and criticized. Why risk it? Wait for the right fit and even more so a show where you can be nominated and possibly take home a trophy. The replacement game is very very tricky. 

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 8/6/22 at 10:38pm

Donna Murphy. That’s all.

Updated On: 8/6/22 at 10:38 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/6/22 at 11:11pm

I was thinking Baranski. 

[Bill Snibson]

Posted: 8/6/22 at 11:16pm

Yes and yes but if the material isn’t up to par then neither of those ladies are signing up. Which I think has been the big problem. 

Posted: 8/7/22 at 1:15am

Updated On: 3/3/23 at 01:15 AM

[Luminaire2]

Posted: 8/7/22 at 1:29am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "I don't think it's a matter of name value at all. It's about the stage presence. Miranda, as played by Streep, is regal, quiet, and venomous. Leavel has always exuded something more campy and over the top.

No STAR actress should want to follow in the footsteps of Meryl in this adaptation, unless the role was made radically different.Maybe the key would have been an a-class theatre actress (who isn't a money name) having a bit of a comeback in this. Someone like Eve Best or Lindsay Duncan or Fiona Shaw or Jennifer Ehle or Joanna Gleason. (Maybe Miranda's songs shouldbemore patter. We're all just spitballing here.)

Kevin McCollum are you listening to this thread!?!"


Just wanted to comment on the bold. 
 

and the issue is, no audience wants something other then the Meryl version of Miranda. It’s iconic. 

[Melissa25]

Posted: 8/7/22 at 6:38am

ajennyishjoanne: Donna was involved in early workshops back in 2018/2019. Cannot remember why they parted ways.

She’s smart.

[Kad]

Posted: 8/7/22 at 11:51am

Haven’t seen it, but I am genuinely shocked at how cheap it looks and how laughable the “fashion” is. This looks like The Devil Wears Prada bought from Wish.com.

Updated On: 8/7/22 at 11:51 AM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/7/22 at 3:19pm

Luminaire2 said: "and the issue is, no audience wants something other then the Meryl version of Miranda. It’s iconic."

Yes, and these are the perils of adaptations.

This whole thread reminds me of the lead-up to BULLETS OVER BROADWAY where there was so much speculation about who would play Helen. At the time, I remember a lot of people viewing Marin's casting as "ehh" over people like Betty Buckley or film stars. And Meryl as Miranda is so much more iconic (and recent) than Wiest as Helen.

Of course, I'm sure one could have said the same of MAME and APPLAUSE back in the 60s/70s. Those actresses and the shows' writing were able to transcend the original properties, one more so than the other. (And both were stars in career slumps willing to take that risk of comparison on Broadway.)

Updated On: 8/7/22 at 03:19 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/7/22 at 3:34pm

I think just is not the show for this director. This needs camp. 

The Devil Wears Prada Outlet. 

[VotePeron]

Posted: 8/7/22 at 4:06pm

RippedMan said: "I think just is not the show for this director. This needs camp.

The Devil Wears Prada Outlet."

I assure you this show has 100 problems and Anna is only one of them. While she is responsible for a lot, the core narrative and music issues would not be fixed with a different director. We got played into thinking this would be anything more than Pretty Woman 2.0, a real shame.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 8/7/22 at 4:11pm

Get Jerry Mitchell and the Legally Blonde design team. Make this a gay extravaganza that’s worthy of Broadway pricing. 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 8/7/22 at 4:19pm

 

 

 

 

 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 8/7/22 at 4:20pm

Robbie2 said: "









"

Even the show curtains - Suck!

Updated On: 8/7/22 at 04:20 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/7/22 at 4:29pm

VotePeron said: "RippedMan said: "I think just is not the show for this director. This needs camp.

The Devil Wears Prada Outlet."

I assure you this show has 100 problems and Anna is only one of them. While she is responsible for a lot, the core narrative and music issues would not be fixed with a different director. We got played into thinking this would be anything more than Pretty Woman 2.0, a real shame."

While all of that might be true, the direct is the one who - at least they should - is shaping the material and leading the team. Again, I don't know how this process works and I can't imagine anyone going to Elton and telling him his music sucks. But at least she could help structure the book. Or not have the Eiffel tower on stage for the entire second half. 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 8/7/22 at 4:35pm

RippedMan said: "VotePeron said: "RippedMan said: "I think just is not the show for this director. This needs camp.

The Devil Wears Prada Outlet."

I assure you this show has 100 problems and Anna is only one of them. While she is responsible for a lot, the core narrative and music issues would not be fixed with a different director. We got played into thinking this would be anything more than Pretty Woman 2.0, a real shame."

While all of that might be true, the direct is the one who - at least they should - is shaping the material and leading the team. Again, I don't know how this process works and I can't imagine anyone going to Elton and telling him his music sucks. But at least she could help structure the book. Or not have the Eiffel tower on stage for the entire second half."

 

AND how do you have the Eiffel Tower set on stage with a view of the Eiffel Tower in the background...now that's clueless on the Director, Set Designer - Producer's part  being ok with that is just 1 of many things simply wrong.  *CUSTOMER Reviews: https://www.chicago-theater.com/theaters/james-m-nederlander-theatre/the-devil-wears-prada-a-new-musical-customer-reviews.php?r=a&page=all

https://www.tiktok.com/@spilltheatx/video/7127305952516164910

 
 

Updated On: 8/7/22 at 04:35 PM

[Robbie2]

Posted: 8/7/22 at 4:47pm

Jordan Catalano said: "I was thinking Baranski."

Thinking Bebe Neuwirth. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/7/22 at 4:58pm

She’d be fabulous!

Updated On: 8/7/22 at 04:58 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/7/22 at 5:19pm

What time should reviews start coming in?

[DaveyG]

Posted: 8/7/22 at 6:38pm

Jordan Catalano said: "What time should reviews start coming in?"

I think critics see it tonight so it may take another day or two before we see reviews.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/7/22 at 6:42pm

Ah, I thought theyd be published tonight. 

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 8/7/22 at 10:14pm

Saw tonight’s performance. This board had me expecting a trash fire. Instead it’s just… fine.

Andi has serviceable ballads, some great act two costumes and an understandable arc. The production has a look and tone that separates it from the film.

Nigel and Emily get the best songs (Bon Voyage & Seen) and the heartbreak that comes from Miranda’s treatment.

Miranda needs an overhaul. She’s too sensible. Too understanding of Andy’s goals. She reminds me of Professor Callahan from Legally Blonde. Her act two monologue is when Andy’s supposed to see what a monster she is. But the film’s Miranda was a narcissist who pit her staff against each other and destroyed their self esteem. She was an abuser. Musical Miranda is just… a hard worker who put her career first.

Her job interview, reminiscent of Blood in the Water, is too polite. Her Cerulean speech is drowned out by the chorus. It needs to be a proper solo. Her press conference song ends before it can catch fire. Yes film Miranda shouldn’t sing but stage Miranda better dang well get the barn burning, bring the house down, 11 o clock number. Someone needs to write it.

 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 8/7/22 at 11:30pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/videoplay/VIDEO-Go-Inside-Opening-Night-Of-Broadway-Bound-THE-DEVIL-WEARS-PRADA-In-Chicago-20220807

 

[DaveyG]

Posted: 8/8/22 at 12:27am

Jordan Catalano said: "What time should reviews start coming in?"

1st review is a pan - NY Post:

https://nypost.com/2022/08/07/devil-wears-prada-musical-is-a-haute-mess/amp/