The Future of Wonderful Town- Page 2

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 11:16pm

Donna is signed through Sept 5 I believe.

cvapb, you have no taste, nor class.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 11:20pm

I was waiting for jrb to chime in defending our beloved Wonderful Town....and the brilliant Donna Murphy.

[NuggetMonkeys]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 11:28pm

Agh. this is a joke? ...maybe?
i dooo hope. shields is te anti-ruth!
-d.b.j-

[mallardo]

Posted: 7/28/04 at 6:47pm

The role of Ruth may not need a great singing voice but it needs a great singing actress, which Murphy is. Brook Shields? This cannot be serious.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/28/04 at 11:51pm

The Ruth Role?.....Who else but Karen Ziemba!! How many shows has she relaced the lead...and been better?

[bythesword84]

Posted: 7/28/04 at 11:52pm

I think it would be more probable to call in Brooke for the role of Eileen as opposed to Ruth.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/29/04 at 4:54pm

Exactly, Rowsend. I mean why would they hire Brooke? She's not going to sell enough tickets to justify hiring someone not as talented as KZ, or a few others we could name.
(thanks for the heads-up, Margo).

Updated On: 7/29/04 at 04:54 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/29/04 at 5:03pm

Riddle me this....

In Swing, if Ruth is supposed to be so awkward and square, which support the rhythm and lyrics of the song, why can she suddenly scat and sing so well halfway through the number with blatant sophistication in the notes and jazz tones as Donna displays in her performance?

As a directorial choice, it makes no sense whatsoever. I understand trying to highlight Donna's singing proficiency (which does exist, cvapb), but it conflicts with the script and the score. Russell does the scat section so much better because she's NOT a singer, so it sounds like a non-beatnik trying too hard to sound beatnik, which is exactly the situation in the scene.

I'm I the only one who's noticed this?

[mominator]

Posted: 7/29/04 at 5:04pm

Brooke Shields??? OMG no! Am I ever so glad I am seeing it again this Sunday!

[Thoroughly Modern Cara]

Posted: 7/29/04 at 5:25pm

I saw Wonderful Town for the first time on Monday night and I have to say that I really did like it. It wasn't my favorite performance by any means but it was enjoyable and impressive.

I don't know where anyone comes off critisizing Donna's performance though. It was really the highlight of the experience. She truely is one of the best comedic actresses I have ever seen. Not only is her delivery flawless but her physical comedy is unrivaled. I never saw Brooke Sheilds but I have read reviews and I cannot believe the producers are so quick to destroy such a strong character! Actually you know what I can believe that they would do it, it happens all the time but it just makes me sad!

[The Goat]

Posted: 7/29/04 at 5:48pm

Yes, Margo! Jackie Hoffman as Ruth is a great idea. Then cast Varla Jean Merman as Eileen and you have the ideal replacements for "Wonderful Town."

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/29/04 at 11:50pm

Mister Matt: apparently it is a choice. It isn't as if Donna is a lazy actress. I never have had a problem with the way the number is performed--again, I suggest you see the number as it is in the production before continuing to judge it. MUCH was cut on the Tony performance. We've had this discussion already.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/30/04 at 12:55am

Another good person to replace Donna is Harvey Fierstein: he might do the role justice.

J/k.