#51
Posted: 5/10/04 at 10:42pm
Butler's omission didn't surprise me. Aside from her mostly lackluster reviews, she left the impression on me and others that she was consciously trying to avoid doing an Ellen Greene impression (which most people do in the role), yet she didn't seem to have developed her own "take" on the part, so she settled into a rather generic, safe reading that was ultimately underhelming and left a hole in the emotional core of the show. She also failed to deliver a lot of the laughs that are built-in to the part -- I remember seeing Greene in the show at the Orpheum back in the 80's and what I still recall fondly about that amazing performance (that really didn't entirely translate in the film version -- what seemed genuine on stage came across too broad and cartoonish on screen) was Greene's unique ability to effortlessly mine laugh after laugh from every second she was on stage (sometimes with just a look) and at the same time break your heart. I don't know how she did it -- it was pure genius. Butler just isn't in that league and the show suffered as a result.
Aside from that, the direction and pacing of this revival struck me as off, also undercutting the humor. And, perhaps I'm alone on this, but I wasn't crazy about Sills -- he seemed to be winking at the audience (deadly to this kind of piece) mugging and projecting an attitude of "oooh, look how funny I am." I can think of several actors who do this kind of material SO much better.
Anyway, no, not everyone was surprised this production was snubbed by the Tonys (and finishing 5th out of 5 is a definite snub). It pales in comparison to the original and is routinely performed at least as well at amateur theatres around the country all the time.
Aside from that, the direction and pacing of this revival struck me as off, also undercutting the humor. And, perhaps I'm alone on this, but I wasn't crazy about Sills -- he seemed to be winking at the audience (deadly to this kind of piece) mugging and projecting an attitude of "oooh, look how funny I am." I can think of several actors who do this kind of material SO much better.
Anyway, no, not everyone was surprised this production was snubbed by the Tonys (and finishing 5th out of 5 is a definite snub). It pales in comparison to the original and is routinely performed at least as well at amateur theatres around the country all the time.
"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie
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"The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney
Updated On: 5/11/04 at 10:42 PM
