The Robber Bridegroom...

[beav]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 12:07am

Does anyone else on here think that a revival of the musical, The Robber Bridegroom, would work well? A charming small show by Robert Waldman and Alfred Uhry, it was on Broadway twice in 1976 and 1977 (one with Patti Lupone, and Barry Bostwick). It is based on the book by Eudora Welty and is a fun fantasy story set along the Natchez Trace, in the south. Great music, great ensemble show. Any thoughts...?

[beav]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 12:11am

Oh, and I guess I should mention that Manhattan Theatre Club did a reading of it back in 2002-ish with Chris Seiber as Jamie Lockhart and Kerri Butler as Rosamund. Not ideal casting in my mind, but it seems that nothing ever came of it.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 12:52am

I do love the show, especially "Sleepy Man", but I don't think a commercial production on Broadway is conceivable at ALL...

[beav]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 1:07am

Why is that??

[philcrosby]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 8:41am

I think it is terrific musical, but it plays best in an intimate theater (250-500 seats) and would lose some of its magic in a Broadway house.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 8:45am

circle in the square!

[tophertilson]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 9:45am

It's also staggeringly politically incorrect. What's the name of that one song? "Lovin' On The Sly" or something? The one where Jamie talks about how he likes to knock girls unconcious before he makes love to them. Oy!

That said, the music is gorgeous. Just gorgeous.

TT

[philcrosby]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 9:47am

If you force us to be politically correct, we'll have to eliminate all of Southern literature.

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 9:51am

It's a fun show, and a real crowd-pleaser. I was in it with Tom Wopat and Barbara Marineau (both from the national tour) back in the '80s. The show relies on very specific direction and "tone," and it can easily tank if not handled properly.

But with the right people involved, I think it could be a success.

Our show was a big hit, but that was more because we had "Luke Duke" as our lead.

[philcrosby]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 10:52am

Who directed your production 12Bars?

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 10:58am

We started with one of our regular stock company directors, but ultimately it was Barbara Marineau and Tom Wopat that took over the helm about a week before we opened, because they understood how this very "specific" show should be done.

Our show started out "wobbly" at best, but after that, it did a 180. They turned it into a focused, quirky and very funny show. The audiences loved it.

And I got a nice lesson on how important good direction, solid concepts and creative vision can be.

Updated On: 5/23/06 at 10:58 AM

[philcrosby]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 2:30pm

A dear friend of mine (and my old boss) Gerald Freedman directed the original production, and he always spoke of it very fondly. I also got to meet Robert Waldman when he did the musical adaptation for the CHRISTMAS CAROL that Jerry directed in Cleveland.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 2:47pm

"If you force us to be politically correct, we'll have to eliminate all of Southern literature."

Ain't it the truth.

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 3:56pm

philcrosby---very cool! I'm sure some of the direction we received from Tom and Barbara was actually Gerald's original creative vision.

It really was quite unique and refreshing, as I recall (it was 20 years ago!), and it completely freed up the "earthy" story and the performances. Not your typical musical to start with, so why present it in a conventional way, right?

[philcrosby]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 3:58pm

12Bars -- I absolutely agree!

Now I just need to get my download my LP to CD so I can listen to it more often!

[dancinfan]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 4:15pm

I would also love to see it revived well, but I was thinking more along the lines of the York than some big Broadway house. I'd like to see Will Chase as Jamie Lockhart.

[irenegrecco]

Posted: 5/23/06 at 4:34pm

I saw this show on Broadway in 1977. The original was at St. Clements with Patti LuPone as Rosalyn and Kevin Klein as Jamie. Then Barry Bostwick took over as Jamie when it moved to Broadway. If I has to pick my two favorite musicals they would be The Robber Bridegroom and She Loves Me. My favorite songs are "Steal With Style" "Love Stolen" "Once Upon a Nachez Trace" and Prickle Pear Bloom". I agree that it would probably do better in one of the large Off-Broadway Houses like the Century Center or the Darryl Roth or 2nd Stage or The Promenade. It only ran for 149 performances on Broadway. I also saw it at Equity Library Theatre in 1983 and at what is now the Rattlestick Theater in 1989 or 1990.

[MusicalMo]

Posted: 5/27/06 at 2:56pm

People will think I am crazy, no doubt, but I am thinking of producing a revival of The Robber Bridegroom. Yes, it should a smaller house, but I don't think off-broadway would be a good idea...not enough exposure. I like the idea someone mentioned above about Circle in the Square. Who knows how long Spelling Bee will be there. I like the idea of Gary Griffin (director) Jarrod Emick or Cheyenne Jackson (Jamie Lockhart) Anyone else who really knows the show care to offer realistic and good casting ideas. (None of this stupid, random celebrity stuff. Thx.

[MusicalMo]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 1:23am

BUMP

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 3:32am

Phil,

You can now buy Robber Bridegroom on CD. I did!

Loved that show when I was in college. I saw it many times on Broadway, including the last performance. I had a crush on Barry Bostwick for years...and then he became George Washington! No more "sexy hair."

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 12:26pm

Love this show!!! While she is a bit long in the tooth for it, Emily Skinner would make an awesome Rosamund. But Mary Testa as Salome is a great choice and why not bring back Ernie Sabella as Big Harp.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 12:43pm

I believe my college is doing this show next year...

[shermanslave]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 2:19pm

I know someone else who dreams of producing this show on B'way. I did the show many years ago in Denver at The Elitch Theater (where Antoinette Perry had her first professional job) and patrick Cassidy was Jamie. The theatre just got the okay to be renovated and when Patrick was there last week for the Joseph tour I guess he did some fundraising stuff for it.

I fand when this show ever makes it to B'way, I will sell my soul to play Goat again. I have done the role twice and it is the most fun ever.

[Jon]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 2:26pm

Emily Skinner as Rosamund? Maybe ten years and fifty pounds ago...

[MusicalMo]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 2:47pm

Shermanslave... if you know someone else who dreams of producing the show, you should connect us. As the show says, "Two Heads Are Better Than One"!