The Sound of Music at Lincoln Center- Page 2

[Dom P]

Posted: 8/10/23 at 8:52pm

Jarethan said: "Voter said: "Dolly80 said: "Actually .. I can read- and it’s NOTHING to do with this announcement today.

It is the next musical and I know because a planned London staging of The Sound of Music has been pulled because Lincoln Center are doing it.

Hope that’s cleared up any confusion."

I can't think of another show that I'd want Bartlett FURTHER AWAY FROM"

Why??? He has already done acclaimed work on two other R&H musicals.

I must admit that I was hoping that Spamalot would get Josh Rhodes some serious recognition, and that he would be given the opportunity to take on SOM on Broadway, because I saw a production that he directed in Sarasota that was absolutely perfect, and I didn’t even want to see it. I have seen three or four things he has done in SRQ, and all have been done so well."

Perhaps it's time for a breath of fresh air at the Beaumont.  

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/10/23 at 9:08pm

KevinKlawitter said: "Curious what new perspective Sher plans on bringing to it. More so than even previous Lincoln Center musicals TSOM is a show that's ubiquitous to the point of almost feeling sterile - I saw a community theatre production of it a week or so again and while it was a fine show with really good performances, it was mostly the actors that were bringing the vitality and energy instead of the the direction (although it had some good moments).

I'm assuming he hassomething in mind, and I'm definitely interested in finding out."

Nazi planes flying over the stage in the title song to remind us of the setting?

A chorus of 50 nazis lining the aisles during the festival scene, flanked by swastika flags?

[pethian]

Posted: 8/10/23 at 9:12pm

If there's any credibility to the rumor, I would be concerned about SOM coming in by Spring '24. What with Cabaret, Harmony, and Prayer for the French Republic already announced, and Lempicka rumored, I fear SOM's dealing with the fascism of the period might seem quaint and simplistic by comparison.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 8/10/23 at 9:25pm

Dolly80 said: "This will be the next Bart Sher production in the Beaumont. Great idea I think"

LOL nope U wrong dude! Spind doctor much

Gospel, funk, soul, and Afrobeat come together in The Sound of (Black) Music, a reimagining of the beloved Rogers and Hammerstein score by Michael Mwenso and Jono Gasparro in Alice Tully Hall (Nov 9)

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 8/10/23 at 11:15pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "KevinKlawitter said: "Curious what new perspective Sher plans on bringing to it. More so than even previous Lincoln Center musicals TSOM is a show that's ubiquitous to the point of almost feeling sterile - I saw a community theatre production of it a week or so again and while it was a fine show with really good performances, it was mostly the actors that were bringing the vitality and energy instead of the the direction (although it had some good moments).

I'm assuming he hassomething in mind, and I'm definitely interested in finding out."

Nazi planes flying over the stage in the title song to remind us of the setting?

A chorus of 50 nazis lining the aisles during the festival scene, flanked by swastika flags?"

Jesting aside, I could see elements like that added to the direction that could work. 

In the aforementioned production I just saw, for instance, the ensemble and crew members who were moving sets around between scenes were in conventional costumes/stage black during the first act, but in Act 2 were all in Nazi regalia. It was a subtle touch, but it worked as a way of showing how sudden and abrupt the takeover of Austria felt.

Things like that - gradually showing through set design and performances how the fascist influence gradually asserted itself into the community until the Von Trapps felt they had no choice but to flee - that could work.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 8/10/23 at 11:41pm

Please let this be gossip that proves untrue. What a sad, pathetic reflection on the state of LCT if it is true. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/10/23 at 11:57pm

HogansHero said: "Please let this be gossip that proves untrue. What a sad, pathetic reflection on the state of LCT if it is true."

Seconded.

It seems that Andre has lost touch with the interests of the theatergoing public, while Bartlett has lost the sense of confidence that made his first 3 LCT musicals feel so brilliant and daring, and now he's taken to second-guessing himself and the material. Sher needs a break from musical revivals. Andre needs to retire. Let him have one final production, but there is so much unrealized potential in that building right now. As the Met and Philharmonic and the Lincoln Center parent organization step forward boldly and embrace modernity, LCT still feels firmly rooted in the 20th century, trying to reach an audience that either no longer exists or no longer cares. Time for some new blood.

[inception]

Posted: 8/11/23 at 1:11am

Sound of Music is a show people know well and love.  I could see it selling much better than Camelot. Off the top of my head, put Sutton Foster & Victor Garber - at their prime - in it and it would be a delight. 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 8/11/23 at 2:38am

Not sure why people are so against this. It’s one of America’s most beloved (movie) musicals and there hasn’t been a Broadway mounting in literally 25 years. 

[NotTheComfyChair]

Posted: 8/11/23 at 7:17am

Saying "Aye" to to both HogansHero who said: "Please let this be gossip that proves untrue. What a sad, pathetic reflection on the state of LCT if it is true." and Sutton Ross who said "If true, they need to stop doing tired revivals with the same director."

I would add to it and say "tired revivals with the same tired director..."

 

 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/11/23 at 10:13am

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "Not sure why people are so against this. It’s one of America’s most beloved (movie) musicals and there hasn’t been a Broadway mounting in literally 25 years."

LCT is a nonprofit with the cushion of a member base and donors, which means it SHOULD be taking bold risks and producing new work or more challenging work that otherwise wouldn’t be produced. Anyone could mount Sound of Music. I’ve seen it so much that it’s become kind of tiresome, and it’s not top-tier R&H material.

A lot of us have also grown tired of Bartlett Sher’s “bag of tricks.”

Unless there was a really bold & compelling production mounted, I can’t really get excited about Sher doing this at the Beaumont. 

Updated On: 8/11/23 at 10:13 AM

[Voter]

Posted: 8/11/23 at 10:52am

Throwing out an insane idea: Lileana Blain Cruz directs A Little Night Music with Emilie Kouatchou as Anne, Cameron Loyal as the Count (if not someone older, he would be a wonderful Frid), Alex Grayson as Fredrik, and Nikki Renee Walker as Charlotte ... as a rough idea

Because THAT's the kind of risk taking and innovation on classics that a house like LC should be doing!!!! I'd be in the audience MULTIPLE times for a production of ALNM with some new life.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 8/11/23 at 11:04am

Voter said: "Throwing out an insane idea: Lileana Blain Cruz directs A Little Night Music with Emilie Kouatchou as Anne, Cameron Loyal as the Count (if not someone older, he would be a wonderful Frid), Alex Grayson as Fredrik, and Nikki Renee Walker as Charlotte ... as a rough idea

Because THAT's the kind of risk taking and innovation on classics that a house like LC should be doing!!!! I'd be in the audience MULTIPLE times for a production of ALNM with some new life."

 

They'd need stars for Desiree and Madame Armfeldt -- because the cast you're talking about would collectively sell tickets into the double digits (maybe).

[Voter]

Posted: 8/11/23 at 11:22am

JSquared2 said: "Voter said: "Throwing out an insane idea: Lileana Blain Cruz directs A Little Night Music with Emilie Kouatchou as Anne, Cameron Loyal as the Count (if not someone older, he would be a wonderful Frid), Alex Grayson as Fredrik, and Nikki Renee Walker as Charlotte ... as a rough idea

Because THAT's the kind of risk taking and innovation on classics that a house like LC should be doing!!!! I'd be in the audience MULTIPLE times for a production of ALNM with some new life."



They'd need stars for Desiree and Madame Armfeldt -- because the cast you're talking about would collectively sell tickets into the double digits (maybe)."

Honestly: you’re right (hence me not naming those) but the point stands— they have the facility to do some incredible stuff, as we’ve seen in the past.

[UWS10023]

Posted: 8/11/23 at 5:13pm

If they can find a property that can run at least a year or so it probably benefits them financially. For those in the know, how important is box office to the organization in general? Seems like it holds some weight given recent decisions to close shows early. And how much do they have to placate their subscriber base which tends to be  older?

On another note, when does the recently announced Lehman Trilogy start previews?Seems they should be selling tickets by now. Is something up?

[Dom P]

Posted: 8/11/23 at 7:09pm

Voter said: "JSquared2 said: "Voter said: "Throwing out an insane idea: Lileana Blain Cruz directs A Little Night Music with Emilie Kouatchou as Anne, Cameron Loyal as the Count (if not someone older, he would be a wonderful Frid), Alex Grayson as Fredrik, and Nikki Renee Walker as Charlotte ... as a rough idea

Because THAT's the kind of risk taking and innovation on classics that a house like LC should be doing!!!! I'd be in the audience MULTIPLE times for a production of ALNM with some new life."



They'd need stars for Desiree and Madame Armfeldt -- because the cast you're talking about would collectively sell tickets into the double digits (maybe)."

Honestly: you’re right (hence me not naming those) but the point stands— they have the facility to do some incredible stuff, as we’ve seen in the past."

They do have the facility to do some incredible stuff and recently they havent.

[Dom P]

Posted: 8/11/23 at 8:53pm

Dom P said: "Voter said: "JSquared2 said: "Voter said: "Throwing out an insane idea: Lileana Blain Cruz directs A Little Night Music with Emilie Kouatchou as Anne, Cameron Loyal as the Count (if not someone older, he would be a wonderful Frid), Alex Grayson as Fredrik, and Nikki Renee Walker as Charlotte ... as a rough idea

Because THAT's the kind of risk taking and innovation on classics that a house like LC should be doing!!!! I'd be in the audience MULTIPLE times for a production of ALNM with some new life."



They'd need stars for Desiree and Madame Armfeldt -- because the cast you're talking about would collectively sell tickets into the double digits (maybe)."

Honestly: you’re right (hence me not naming those) but the point stands— they have the facility to do some incredible stuff, as we’ve seen in the past."

They do have the facility to do some incredible stuff and recently they havent."

I do remember seeing a IMHO wonderful "Twelfth Night" with Helen Hunt, Paul Rudd and others. And also "Contact" with Karen Ziemba ,directed/choreographed by Susan Strohman which was wonderful. 

On reflection,  "A Little Night Music " would play well with a First class cast and Director. It's IMHO a beautiful score. 

Imagine if the had presented the US premiere of "Leopoldstadt" here, the world premiere of "A Strange Loop" at the Newhouse then moved it upstairs, and the US Premiere of "The Lehman Trilogy " (rather than the Armory). Or even "The Girl from the North Country (rather than at the Public).

Just saying there have been many exciting and engaging productions they could have fostered and presented.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/11/23 at 9:58pm

They clearly have a certain vibe for their MainStage - musicals for old people - and they take risks on the smaller stages. A strange Loop would not have been the ticket for their subscriber base (old white people). I think they need to do something that will ignite their brand again. Sher is great but surely someone else can do something interesting. I’d love to see what Timbers could do with that space and budget. 

[Dom P]

Posted: 8/12/23 at 12:00am

RippedMan said: "They clearly have a certain vibe for their MainStage - musicals for old people - and they take risks on the smaller stages. A strange Loop would not have been the ticket for their subscriber base (old white people). I think they need to do something that will ignite their brand again. Sher is great but surely someone else can do something interesting. I’d love to see what Timbers could do with that space and budget."

True but even the older base didn't push "Camelot" to success status. Anybody but Sher. There are other very talented directors whom if engaged could do some very exciting work and perhaps bring new audiences in as well. 

[lapinitsa]

Posted: 8/12/23 at 1:08am

I don't think the problem with Camelot was Sher. Or Sorkin for that matter. The problem with Camelot was...Camelot.

[Dolly80]

Posted: 8/12/23 at 3:45am

Robbie2 said: "Dolly80 said: "This will be the next Bart Sher production in the Beaumont. Great idea I think"

LOL nope U wrong dude! Spind doctor much

Gospel, funk, soul, and Afrobeat come together inThe Sound of (Black) Music, a reimagining of the beloved Rogers and Hammerstein score byMichael MwensoandJono Gasparroin Alice Tully Hall (Nov 9)"

Read my second post ‘dude’. LOL

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 8/12/23 at 6:12am

This thread is so bizarre. Is there a rumor that LC/Sher are doing a revival of The Sound of Music next season or not? Where has this come from?

What's the f@cking problem? It's a beautiful, classic show, and it's about time we had a sumptuous revival of it. We have a Glass Menagerie every three years. Shakespeare's Globe does... Shakespeare. The way people are reacting it's like we haven't had a LC SOM in minutes. I would adore this. 

Updated On: 8/12/23 at 06:12 AM

[Kad]

Posted: 8/12/23 at 8:52am

I’ll believe it when I see it, but considering LCT has had two back-to-back embarrassing flop musicals, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were to do something seemingly foolproof. 

[Dom P]

Posted: 8/12/23 at 9:33am

Kad said: "I’ll believe it when I see it, but considering LCT has had two back-to-back embarrassing flop musicals, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were to do something seemingly foolproof."

Unfortunately, You're probably right.

[pethian]

Posted: 8/12/23 at 12:53pm

Dom P said: "Kad said: "I’ll believe it when I see it, but considering LCT has had two back-to-back embarrassing flop musicals, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were to do something seemingly foolproof."

Unfortunately, You're probably right."

I think that they thought they were doing just that with Camelot.