What Could The Directors Offer To This Years Musical Revivals

[esparza 333]

Posted: 11/6/08 at 8:28pm

Last year Bartlett Sher re-imagined South Pacific and gave one of the landmark productions of our time. This year the bar is set high for revivals. I was wondering what you think the directors of Pal Joey, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, and Hair could offer to make the pieces relevant and have a new meaning. The only production that we have really seen is Diane Paulus's production of Hair which as we all know received rave reviews this summer. The other productions have acclaimed directors Arthur Laurents, Joe Mantello, and Des Mcnuff who have a history of phenomenal productions. Arthur Laurents has already stated how different this West Side Story will be from other productions. Mcnuff's and Mantello's vision for their productions are a complete mystery at this point. But based on the director's past work and approaches to pas productions what do you think they will bring to the table and which production do you predict to be this ear's landmark and possible Best revival.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/6/08 at 8:47pm

I wouldn't call SOUTH PACIFIC a "re-imagining." SWEENEY and COMPANY were re-imaginings. Sher didn't tamper with anything. SOUTH PACIFIC was a traditional production - and THAT is why it was so good.

[esparza 333]

Posted: 11/6/08 at 9:04pm

maybe a re imagining is no the right word but I think Sher brought a different meaning to the piece.

[Boq101]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 3:54am

...how about nudity? oversex EVERYTHING, that's never been done before!

oh wait...

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/7/08 at 4:15am

Yeah, I was just gonna say, they did that for South Pacific. Though, it hasn't really been a selling point. I could see Hair doing some high profile photo shoots for high end magazines with some partial nudity.