The Importance of a Singing "Desiree"...

[Brodybaby03]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 5:44pm

I'm listening to A Little Night Music....
I know we all discuss the possible revival a lot on the boards...I'm just curious how important everyone feels it is for the person who plays Desiree to sing well...I know Patti Lupone played it, I didn't see her...I imagine she was probably amazing....but most other women to portray the role have been Actresses....not Actress/Singer's....I know, along with others I've often said Marin Mazzie would be incredible.....but I wonder of the relevance of a singer

[ThePinballWizard]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 5:48pm

It's not really that relevant. As long as they can act the crap out of the role, singing is not going to be that much of an issue. It's not like she's Carlotta in Phantom or something. I actually believe it adds to the character if she's not that great of a singer.

[Brodybaby03]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 5:52pm

I also thought for Fredrik....
Michael Nouri

[Auggie27]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 6:00pm

To me, the role requires a mysterious blend of glamour, comdic edge, and a truely distinctive personality. Glynis Johns, the first, had all three, as well as middle-aged sexiness (she got applause on her red dress entrance).

Since Johns, the role's gone to leading lady types, Jean Simmons, or just musical theater divas dying to sing "Send in the Clowns." Betty Buckley is entirely wrong. And Lupone might be okay, but her Dottie in NOISES OFF wasn't all that funny, and to me, she's always got that Queens housewife quality. Queens housewives are swell, but they aren't usually Desiree Armfeldt.

Because the role needs that quirkiness at its core, I've always thought revival rumors, like Glenn Close, were all wrong. Glenn's hauteur wouldn't really serve.

For me, Ebersole might be wonderful.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 6:09pm

I saw Federika Von Stade as Desiree and I can tell you that the singing is far less important that the acting. FAR LESS.

So.......far......

Let's just say it was a long night.

"I also thought for Fredrik....
Michael Nouri"

I saw Michael Nouri in the recent tour of South Pacific. He forgot some of the lyrics to Some Enchanted Evening and got behind so much he had to stare at the conductor until he knew where he was in the music. I can't imagine what he would to do "Now".

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 6:16pm

The role was written for a non singing actress; which outside of opera productions, Sondheim seems increasingly insistant on (although even the last NYCO and LA Opera productions featured "non singing" Desiree's - Juliet Stevenson and Judith Ivey."

Patti LuPone is about as wrong as possible for Desiree; and as much as Sondheim loves her work, I doubt he'd encourage her casting in any major production of the piece outside of a concert.

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 6:25pm

Although I agree that the role should go to a great actor, I tend to disagree a bit with the majority about the singing. I believe Desiree should be able to at least carry a tune. No, she doesn't have to be a Patti--who I agree is wrong for the role--but I think she should be able to do better than talking or croaking it out. Send In The Clowns is a beautiful piece that can be terribly diminished if the actor can't sing AT ALL (Blair Brown at Kennedy Center, e.g.). Just my thoughts. Let the flaming begin.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 6:27pm

Well, I think its a given that the role should be played by somebody who can carry a tune - that's not the same as a non singer...

Blair Brown is in fact the only Desiree I can think of in a major production who was actually painful to listen to; Glynis Johns, Judi Dench, Jean Simmons, Judith Ivey, and Juliet Stevenson can all sing on pitch - they just aren't "singers."

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 6:31pm

I had the utter displeasure of seeing Hayley Mills as Desiree (Buckley dropped out) in the Seattle production about 5 years ago. Both her singing and acting were awful. Still, I was able to forgive her poor vocals. The acting, not so forgivable.