Thanksgiving Day Parade - What did you think of what you saw?- Page 3

[grownupgroupie]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 6:58pm

Goodness, no need to apologize at all! Sorry if I sounded harsh--there is certainly enough of that on this board.

Agreed--Swing is just odd out of context in general--I felt that way about Donna on the Tonys, great as she was.

I'm sad she left as soon as she did too--but there is so much drama and mystery surrounding whatever was going on there with her, health, the Weisslers....and consequently there wasn't the $$ put behind promoting her that's being put behind Brooke, less name recognition, and the ##s weren't so good. I hope that the Michael Reidles (sp?) of the world give it a rest with bashing her b/c she was amazing and deserved all the accolades she got and more.

When will you be seeing it with Brooke? Hope you enjoy her! I went in with low expectations (before all the reviews) so maybe that also helped me just relax into the new experience. You'll also love the new Eileen, Helen, and Chick Clark!

[bdwybelle]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 7:05pm

Oh good, I'm not the only one that notices that Michael Reidels (sp?) main focus is bashing Donna Murphy. I swear, its like she turned him down for prom or something and now he's taking his life out on her. lol.
I'm going to see it with Brooke either next weekend or the weekend after that I'm not exactly sure.
There were a lot of odd things happening, and because of a friend of mines dad is in the cast of Wonderful Town I know why she left early. It was no fault of hers, which is what makes me angry.
I've heard really great things about Jennifer Hope Wills (I think thats her name) so I'm really looking forward to that. I liked Jennifer Westfeldt as Eileen but it wasn't until I saw her understudy that I realized how truly great she was. So I'm excited about seeing her replacement. And chick clark, I don't know who replaced him, I guess I should check the site.
I'm happy to know that you accept my apology. I hate getting in fights on this site. Its pointless and annoying. lol.

[Plum]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 7:15pm

One year it's Bernadette Peters (who absolutely didn't deserve it), and this year it's Donna Murphy. I'm sure Riedel will find another leading lady to pick on soon, but he won't be able to resist making little snarky comments about the former two every once in a while just to make sure people don't forget what a smugly superior asshole he is.

[bdwybelle]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 7:19pm

No one deserves to have that '****' written about them. Why doesn't he get fired? I don't see whats stopping the post or the daily news, i forgot which one he writes for. Has ever written anything of quality?

[grownupgroupie]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 7:23pm

Well put, both of you! Whether it was being turned down to prom or being weaned from his mother's breast too soon, that man has some issues of his own!


bdwybelle, the new Chick is actually Ray Wills--who was one of the original Newspapaer Editors from when the show opened. He adds a rougher, sleazier "New York" edge to the character (though I liked the other one a lot too.)

REALLY liked Kim Baldwin, the new Helen. Nancy Anderson was great, but her "cartoony-ness" didn't work for me as much w/ Brooke as it had with Donna. (I've now seen Brooke 2x.)

Jennifer Hope Wills is lovely--a great Eileen with enough va-va-va-voom and innocence at the same time to really make the character work. And a GREAT voice--she really nails the operatic sections.

I have to say I'm curious about your insider knowledge...I'd PM you, but I understand if you don't feel comfortable sharing it.

[bdwybelle]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 7:30pm

I'm sorry. I would share it with you but I'm under strict orders not to tell. It'll come out eventually. I think Ray Wills was chick clark when I saw Wonderful Town (4 or 5 times - I can't remember).
Now I'm very excited to see the 'new' Wonderful Town. Now I remember I saw it 4 times with Donna and once with both lead understudies.

[grownupgroupie]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 7:37pm

Michael McGrath was Chick back when Donna was in it, BUT Ray Wills was his understudy, so you very well may have seen him.

Understood re: Donna....that's kind of what everyone's saying, that it will come out eventually. (Not that that will make Riedel eat his words.) Oh, and it's the Post. Which should tell you what I think of his credibility right there

Wow, you've seen it more than I have....how did you like Linda as Ruth?

[bdwybelle]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 7:40pm

I liked Linda as Ruth, it was just VERY VERY different. It seemed more like Eileen's mother. I know that sounds mean, but she played a rougher Ruth, which I think has to do with her bodytype, its very different from Donna Murphy.
The night that I saw it with Linda my mom had bought full price tickets because we had invited friends and wanted good seats and wanted them to see how brilliant Donna was, so we were pretty disappointed when her understudy was in. But I still enjoyed the show.

[bdwybelle]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 7:42pm

Michael McGrath right. I think I did see Ray Wills in that role once. Maybe he was understudying the last time I saw it because thats who I remember more vividly.

[grownupgroupie]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 8:02pm

I agree about Linda--so talented, but kind of a "bruiser" Ruth...like, I didn't buy her getting tossed around in Conga!!

All right, kidoos....I'm off to watch the OC!

Have a great night