The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

[Sleeth1]

Posted: 5/18/07 at 9:21pm

(Film: 1964) Saw it for the first time last weekend. It was incredible. It was if if I was watching something completely unique. Could it ever be a play on Broadway? It has a breathtaking score. Wasn't La Boheme in French? How long did La Boheme run? Is it considered a success?
And while we're at it... tell me about The Light in the Piazza. I notice that it was nominated for BEST MUSICAL at the Tony Awards last year (and I've read good things about it), but it's not still playing. What do you think happened?
Anyone seen Umbrellas, La Boheme and Piazza? Anyone seen any of the 3?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/18/07 at 9:33pm

How much is that doggie in the window? You know -- the one with the waggily tail?

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 5/18/07 at 9:46pm

As much as I love CHERBOURG, Demy's other film, LES DEMOISELLES DES ROCHEFORT would "play" better.

[TenThousandThings]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 12:27am

I saw the Two Rivers (NJ) production of Umbrellas last year, and while I didn't love the writing, I thought it was beautifully directed and incredibly well-acted (especially by Heather Spore, as Genevieve).

[Fenchurch]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 12:32am

Umbrellas is an incredibly little Chamber Opera, and I think it would play wonderfully.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 12:35am

For me a huge part of the appeal is the cinematic quality of the visuals--that's why I can't picture it on stage (though I knwo ti's been done)

i *heartily* recommend the underated (in English anyway) third of the Demy/Deneuve/Legrand musicals Peau D'Ane (Donkey Skin)--a very weird fairy tale. It's my fave of his scores--though it may have helped that my french grandma would show it to me as a kid. Gorgeous music
Updated On: 5/19/07 at 12:35 AM

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 12:35am

i'm still bitter that there's no complete cd...

Updated On: 5/19/07 at 12:35 AM

[Atrias]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 12:37am

Aaah, this movie makes me cry. I really wouldn't want an English translation, though. Those never seem to "work" when telling the story.

[Sleeth1]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 1:38am

"i *heartily* recommend the underated (in English anyway) third of the Demy/Deneuve/Legrand musicals Peau D'Ane (Donkey Skin)--a very weird fairy tale. It's my fave of his scores--though it may have helped that my french grandma would show it to me as a kid. Gorgeous music".

Thanks, guy. I absolutely will check that out!

[Sleeth1]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 1:40am

"As much as I love CHERBOURG, Demy's other film, LES DEMOISELLES DES ROCHEFORT would "play" better".

What is that in English? Regardless.... I'm checking that out. It's available?

[Sleeth1]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 1:43am

"I saw the Two Rivers (NJ) production of Umbrellas last year, and while I didn't love the writing, I thought it was beautifully directed and incredibly well-acted (especially by Heather Spore, as Genevieve)".

So it HAS been a play! What was the problem the writing? Was it really that different than the movie?

[Paulyd]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 4:36am

Not sure if its still available, but if you can find the french 2 cd set of the soundtrack then buy it now. Not only has got the entire score but also includes a few demo recordings,alternate takes and a few covers. My favourite is Tony Bennett's version of Watch what Happens. Check it out

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 6:54am

Yup...the 2-disc motion picture soundtrack contains the entire score, as well as 6 bonus tracks that feature other versions of the themes and songs, done instrumentally or vocally by other artists --- and is still available EVERYWHERE online:

[Andrew Lowe Watson]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 7:27am

It's a wonderful, touching, moving and very French film and I think it would work magically on stage. Now if I had $10 million to invest...

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 7:41am

DEMOISELLES is sometimes called "The Young Girls of Rochefort". The opening scene is worth it alone, but the whole movie has this wonderful campy sensation about itself. And it's got Gene!

[ggersten]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 10:45am

Umbrellas did have a stage version - I saw it in San Francisco back in 1980 or 1981. It then went to Los Angeles as part of the Civic Light Opera season. It was well reviewed in San Francisco. It was very very very close to the movie - albeit in English. The music was incredible.

I don't know why it didn't transfer. Probably money issues. CLO was not doing so well, and shortly afterwards got sold. CLO did serve as an out of town tryout - I saw Odyssey with Yul Bryner (later Home Sweet Homer - still possibly the worst musical I've ever seen and a one day Broadway wonder) and The Baker's Wife with Topol - neither of which were sucessess.

[whimsical]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 11:02am

I love both of these movies but The Young Girls of Rochefort holds a special place in my heart. I absolutely adore the opening duet with the two sisters. The whole thing is just so charming and bright. It would make a great stage musical.