The All-Sondheim Thread- Page 8

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 9/1/04 at 11:43pm

dwarves are very upsetting

[jayem1968]

Posted: 9/2/04 at 12:05am

Sumofallthings:

I'm not quite sure how I missed your earlier post - but I just climbed on my computer chair and gave you a standing ovation. Of course, then the wheels rolled back and I almost fell on my face - but you just made my evening.

Priest: you are wise beyond your years. Your peers are shouting Wicked Rocks Man! Be proud of your Sondheim Self. And I agree with you on ACW - the book is a sinker.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 9/3/04 at 12:29am

Here is a question. It is ambiguous. Just answer.

Sweeney, Mrs. Lovett or Toby?

[amasis]

Posted: 9/3/04 at 12:54am

I have no idea what the question is about, but my answer is:

Sweeney!

Because he gets to sing "My Friends" and "Pretty Women"

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 9/3/04 at 2:17pm

Toby! And let me tell you why...

I worked with a vocal coach on "Not While I'm Around" (I was complaining earlier about how I couldn't hit the high note in that song) and now I can do it ! I just stopped doing it in a Neil Patrick Harris wannabe falsetto, and belted it and it worked!

Anyway, I also wanted to resurect this thread... I just bought the original AND revival cast recordings of "Assassins" and really love them! Especially "Unworthy of Your Love"- what a romantic, and VERY creepy song! I like the girl who plays Fromme better on the original, but I like Alexander Gemignani from the revival production better as Hinckley.

Anyone else interested in keeping this thread alive?

[BT]

Posted: 9/3/04 at 2:20pm

I can't wait to read some reviews of the Sunday in the Park at Ravinia in Chicago with Audra and Patti!

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 9/3/04 at 2:48pm

like, I just saw the title of this thread, ya know? and like, I was thinking - How COOL would it be if there was, like, this theatre, like, and all it ever played was Sondheim shows!!!! How totally awesome would that be? like, you know? "All Sondheim, All the Time!" (like "totally nude nudes!")
Seriously, though - it would be a nice thing to have a Sondheim show running constantly at a local Broadway theatre - maybe do 4 shows a year for three months each...wouldn't that be great? and give lots of actors WORK and keep people happy by constantly having a Sondheim fix? Neato, Possums!

[Plum]

Posted: 9/3/04 at 2:54pm

As long as there's some kind of thoughtful musical on Broadway at all times, I'll be happy.

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 9/3/04 at 3:10pm

Oooooh, I like that idea, redhot. I've not seen a great many of his shows, and cast recordings just don't beat seeing them live (videos are better, but still). I'm very excited about the "Pacific Overatures" revival, even though I'm very unfamilair with the show itself.

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 9/3/04 at 3:12pm

The unfortunate thing is that "Pacific Overtures" is a limited run. After that closes to make way for "Streetcar..." we're left Sondheim-less...

[NuggetMonkeys]

Posted: 9/3/04 at 3:29pm

Nothing against "Streetcar", I hope.
And redhot....GENIUS! I would love that theatre to be created!
-d.b.j-

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 9/3/04 at 3:50pm

Oh, not at all. I'm looking forward to Streetcar as well. But commenting on the dearth of Sondheim, post-Pacific Overtures...

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 9/3/04 at 3:55pm

I shall be happy, Possums, to continue to oblige you all with many more fanTAStic ideas before my time on this astral plane is through...LOL....

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 9/3/04 at 10:57pm

NyState---PACIFIC OVERTURES has three of musical theatre's must brilliantly constructed songs, 'Please Hello', 'Someone in a Tree' and 'Chysamthanum Tea'

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 9/4/04 at 12:14am

I'll probably be out looking for the OBCR tomarrow, Priest.

[Plum]

Posted: 9/4/04 at 12:38am

And "Bowler Hat." Have to love the "Bowler Hat." :)

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 9/4/04 at 1:51am

Hmmmmm... I guess I'll figure out what that means if I find the recording, huh?

[SamIAm]

Posted: 9/4/04 at 8:11am

BT - go way back and watch Lansbury in Gaslight. A great performance

[BT]

Posted: 9/4/04 at 9:09am

Thanks Sam - I'm netflixing it now! Gotta love that Lansbury! And I have to say that I'm really excited about Pacific Overtures. When they did it in DC for the Sonheim Celebration it was performed by a company from Japan - in Japanese! It was an interesting take on the show that generally portrays a sort of sad story about Japan's loss of some cultural identity after opening up to the west for trade. It will be nice to see it in English, though! And luckily in DC early next year they are doing a version of it at the Signature Theater. I heard an interview once where Sondheim said that "Someone In A Tree" was the song he was most proud of. It is a clever number, indeed, and even better to see staged. Perhaps I'll see some of you in NYC and DC at the show.

Posted: 9/4/04 at 10:03am

The Roundabout production is identified as the English-language version of the Japanese version of Sondheim-Weidman's PACIFIC OVERTURES that was originally directed on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre by Harold Prince.

Amon Miyamoto is the same Director-Choreographer who in 2002 brought this Japanese production to Lincoln Center in NYC, and to Kennedy Center in DC.

Would a Japenese version translated back into English be considered a Sondheim revival?

[SamIAm]

Posted: 9/4/04 at 11:21am

I agree Margo. I love a lot of Sondheim, but SITPWG is my favorite, I think.

Move on, We do not belong together, Finishing the Hat....on and on...

For those who have not seen it and want to, there is a DVD available with the original cast that was done awhile after the show closed. It is well worth renting or buying to see it in person and not just try to imagine it on the stage.

[Plum]

Posted: 9/4/04 at 11:48am

Strangely, I found the opening scene of that DVD, when George's world begins to form, more visually stunning than the vaunted Act I closer, though I adore the song "Sunday" to an extent that's a bit frightening.

[lovettespies]

Posted: 9/4/04 at 12:00pm

The Sonheim Celebration in DC did a great job. All of the shows were amazing. Of course my favorite was Sweeney, but even if it wasn't my favorite show of all time Brian Stokes Mitchell would make it be. He was just incredible. That performance was really a treat to see.

And redhot, I really like your idea! I would be going up to New York a lot if there was a theater like that!

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 9/4/04 at 12:11pm

Yes, Lansbury is great in "Gaslight", she plays it like a young Ms. Lovett (even though of course she had no idea who Lovett was at the time).

Speaking of Netflix, I should be recieving "The Manchurian Candidate" with Lansbury soon !

[BT]

Posted: 9/4/04 at 12:14pm

The original Manchurian Candidate is amazing. Angela is at her wickedest best. It is no bedknobs and broomsticks, but then again, what could compete with dancing fish...