THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 1:07pm

Since I have my new Tammy Grimes avatar I thought I would bring up this show.

Do you like it? Will it ever come back to Broadway? Etc.

Discuss.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 1:37pm

I enjoy parts of the score, thouch a lot of it leaves me cold (as is usually the case with Wilson's music). Grimes makes the recording worth having though.

A revival? Hmmmm, I doubt it but it could be fun.

I'm trying to think of an age approriate leading lady who is a great comic...

[Popular]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 1:40pm

ooooh! That reminds me, I was thinking of going the audition to this one for fun and see what comes of it. Any song suggestions? I'm not really a singer (not trained) but I've been told I'm not too awful to listen to. :)
Auditions

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 1:59pm

What about Susan Egan? She played Molly a few years back at California Musical Theatre.

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 2:07pm

With the right Molly, I think a revival could be enjoyable. Overall, the score is excellent, though I think the book could use a little "punching-up." This is a show that should be done more than it is.

[CastAlbumFan]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 2:10pm

Debbie Reynolds did a tour of this show about 15 years ago.

The score is hit or miss. Wasn't even nominated for a Best musical Tony (along with CAMELOT from that season). I do like to play it on occasion just for "I Ain't Down Yet", "Bely Up to the Bar, Boys", and "Dolce Far Niente". For some reason "Colorado, My Home" was left off the Original Broadway cast recording.

It might work as a revival, but the book would have to be tinkered with.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 2:15pm

I wouldn't hire Susan Egan to clean my bathroom.

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 2:16pm

I agree that the book needs some work but some of the music is sublime. I can see a revival being edgy yet holding on to that old fashioned musical aspect as well.

I'd love to get Debbie back to Broadway, IRENE anyone?

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 2:33pm

BobbyBubby you can just be downright cruel!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 2:37pm

Sorry! I hate The Egan!

[PerforMeg]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 2:40pm

"I'll Never Say No" and "My Own Brass Bed"are gorgeous songs too.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 2:40pm

I think they should cast somebody a little outrageous to play the part. Someone who'd break the "rules" a bit and shake up the scenery (even gnaw on it, once or twice).

Molly is an unconventional character (and a terrific one). Any stars our there who could "raise the roof?" I don't think she needs to be an accomplished singer. She needs to have loads of energy, focus and drive. If she comes off as a bit abrasive, it fits the part. I can't see them reviving it without a box office draw in the role, though. Any suggestions? Someone who'd sell tickets to the masses?

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 2:52pm

Everyone that I can think of is too old for the part unfortunately.

Updated On: 9/5/05 at 02:52 PM

[roquat]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 2:58pm

**** SPOILER ALERT *****

I worked on this show for some time a few years ago. I have a few definite suggestions.

The first act is fine; the second needs definite pruning, starting with the unnecessary love duet "Chick-a-Pen", which is like bad early Disney and makes proposed spousal abuse seem cute.

Something needs to be done with the stupid '50s-style ending which solves nothing and is historically inaccurate, sexist, and laughable. Some sort of believable truce between Molly and Johnny, instead of her giving up everything to go live in a cabin in the woods (which the real Molly did not do--and, honestly, who would?) The movie actually is an improvement in this sense, with a restrained ending recalling "My Fair Lady."

The actress who plays Molly must have a large and distinctive personality AND YET BE UTTERLY CHARMING. She does dislikable things throughout the second act; she must be bewitching enough to make the audience forgive her for them. Carol Burnett or Dolly Parton in their prime could have pulled it off. I can't think of anyone else offhand--didn't I hear that Reba McEntire was thinking about it? She could be perfect.

[Demitri2]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 2:59pm

I loved Tammy Grimes voice on that recording. In fact, Collectables CD'S has put out her two Columbia albums from the sixties on one CD. It's wonderful. As far as the show goes, I saw the Debbie Reynolds/Harve Presnell revival and it stank. The show went downhill right after "Belly Up To The Bar Boys". They also used the movie score version totally cutting out many of my favorite songs from the show. The book is a bore and I doubt a revival will ever be done. The lead also has to be a comedienne/singer. I remember once seeing a summer stock playbill from the mid sixties of the show with Dorothy Louden in her prime playing Molly. I bet she was fab in the role.

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 3:05pm

"I remember once seeing a summer stock playbill from the mid sixties of the show with Dorothy Louden in her prime playing Molly." ~ Demitri2

Oh, my God! I just creamed all over myself! I can only imagine how wonderful she would have been in that part!

Roquat ~ I totally agree with your suggestions. While still too old for the part, Reba would be brilliant as Molly! Ideal casting indeed! As long as Tom Wopat doesn't play Johnny I'd be fine. But hey, if it gets the show back on Broadway and Reba to boot, I'd take him!

PS: Don't let Bernie get wind of this suggestion! God knows she would probably want to play Molly.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 3:08pm

Reba's too old. That's the problem I have with good choices, as well. The solid performers I can think of now are all beyond a believable age of the part. I know, I know, Merman was way too old for Annie Oakley, even in the original, let alone her '60s revival (which is why many critics dubbed it "Granny Get Your Gun.")

...And if Molly doesn't have some crazy rebellion in her, charm alone would just put the audiences to sleep. But she definitely needs to be likeable. I would just like to see a "dangerous" choice rather than a "safe" one.

Updated On: 9/5/05 at 03:08 PM

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 3:10pm

What about one of the SIDE SHOW girls? Emily or Alice, although I must confess that I can see Emily doing it better before Alice. (Please don't throw sticks and stones at me for that comment)

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 3:13pm

Loudon would have been great in the part (in her prime).

I just can't see her selling enough tickets in a major revival though. Maybe we just don't have big (young) stars today that could pull it off.

[Popular]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 3:15pm

Why are we talking about a hypothetical revival where there is a REAL show to cast! Audition help, people.... LOL

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 3:15pm

I'm gonna sound like a tween fangirl here, but what about Sutton Foster?

I'd also like to see the great tour Millie Darcie Roberts (who is a divine comic) tackle the role.

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 3:42pm

I'd rather see Darcie over Sutton. I think Darcie is a better comedienne.

By the way best12bars, just in case you were unaware, very sadly Miss Dorothy Loudon passed away November 15, 2003. In her prime I can only imagine how brillaint she would have been as Molly but then again, I always found her to be brilliant in every role that she played.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 4:12pm

Thanks, WonderBoy. I was aware of her passing, actually. I was just playing along hypothetically on her in the part of Molly. But if I made her sound "alive" in my post, I'm glad!

She'll always be alive in my heart. One of my true favorites.

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 4:16pm

I figured that you would obviously know that but I was a little unaware because of your wording. I think that I'm gonna have to add you to my gang of "Have I told you lately how much I love you!"

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/5/05 at 4:44pm

WonderBoy... Wow! Thanks so much. I feel the love and send it back to you!

A word of warning though... I have my "cranky side" as well, but I guess everyone does, right?

I'll try my best to live up to all expectations and stay in your good favor.