'The Visit' 0n Broadway! — Page 2

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#26

re: 'The Visit'

Posted: 5/13/08 at 1:39pm

This is from Chita's website:

"An off-Broadway production was scheduled for the Public Theatre in January 2004 with Chita as Claire and Frank Langella as Anton, but was cancelled when backers pulled out in August 2003. Behind the scenes the creators were rumored to be working with the Roundabout Theatre with a mind to a Broadway opening at Studio 54 within the same January 2004 time frame, but no production ever materialized. After repeated disappointing delays, Chita finally moved on and began work on Chita Rivera: the Dancer's Life with Terrence McNally."
The Visit Info on Chita's Website

#27

re: 'The Visit'

Posted: 5/13/08 at 3:32pm

Plus, Ann Reinking's choreography!!!! The whole package sounds great!!!

Apparently you've never seen her attempts at original choreography.

I loves me Ann Reinking, but have her stray from the Fosse venacular, and she's a train wreck. Take a gander at the ABC TV movie adaptation of BYE BYE BIRDIE and talk to those who saw the revival-flop of APPLAUSE about a decade ago.

Emulating and recreating Fosse's work is her forte' and I validate her position of being the torch carrier of his work and memory... but have her create something on her own -- a pure mess.

#28

re: 'The Visit'

Posted: 5/13/08 at 3:43pm

Lets not even mention 'The Look Of Love'

A young actress with Noel coward after a dreadful opening night performance said to him 'Well, i knew my lines backwards this morning!'' Noels fast reply was ''Yes dear, and thats exactly how you said them tonight'!'

#29

re: 'The Visit'

Posted: 5/13/08 at 4:05pm

Holy smokes, Dr. Jones! How could I possibly have forgotten to mention that short-lived 2003 Burt Bacharach/Hal David revue THE LOOK OF LOVE fiasco?!

Reinking's choreography for "What's New, Pussycat?" is now legendary. Even the dancers of the show were famously bad mouthing it, Ann Reinking and the crap they were given in terms of choreography.

re: 'The Visit'

#30

re: 'The Visit'

Posted: 5/13/08 at 4:08pm

She sat 3 rows in front of me at a less than half full preview. She didn't look the happiest of bunnies and stormed out in a very obvious rage at curtain time. She must have gone thru 3 pads of notes!

#31

re: 'The Visit'

Posted: 5/13/08 at 4:10pm

Whether the production is overhauled or not, I just really don't see this catching on as a "moderate hit or better". In order to recoup on Broadway, it will need to be a success with locals and tourists which, given the source material on which it's based, is not very likely (Smaxie - that is why I mentioned the show's odd elements, which are rooted in the material, not the production, and difficult to overcome).

Now, I don't have any ill-will towards the show. I just don't see how a profitable run could be conjured out of it. Perhaps with the right star, the right marketing campaign, unbelievable timing, lack of competition, and magic lamp, it could be a remote possibility. I did enjoy it more than the over-produced Spider Woman, but then, the only thing I enjoyed about the original production of Spider Woman was the score, so who knows? Maybe The Visit will sweep the Tonys! Still not an indicator of financial success, though.

Brody Fosse - You are so correct! Reinking's "choreography" to Bye Bye Birdie was ghastly-to-nonexistent. It was the worst element of the entire production and an embarrassment.

"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

#32

re: 'The Visit'

Posted: 5/13/08 at 4:15pm

Kander and Ebb are the most successful Broadway songwriting team in history? Someone tell that to the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization - I'm sure they'll be most amused.

Not to take anything away from Mr K. and Mr. E., who I adore, but, really.

#33

re: 'The Visit'

Posted: 5/13/08 at 5:14pm

Would have loved seeing Langella opposite Chita Rivera.

"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

#34

re: 'The Visit'

Posted: 5/13/08 at 5:25pm

The score will be better served by Hearn. John McMartin in Chicago couldn't quite give it the voice it needs.

Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.

#35

re: 'The Visit'

Posted: 5/23/08 at 3:18pm

K&E were partners for a longer time than R&H.

Great interview with Frank Galati about THE VISIT

"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” ~ Muhammad Ali

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