What a waste of money and time...Wonderful Town 10/2- Page 2

[Amy Archer]

Posted: 10/4/04 at 9:54am

Robbie, I am so glad to hear from you! I spent a very fruitful summer doing summer stock throughout the Steamers Circuit in and around Augusta, Maine. I've been told it's some of the finest training a young actress can receive.

[mominator]

Posted: 10/4/04 at 10:04am

Now I wish I could have heard Louise Pitre sing 100 Ways!
I was lucky enough to have seen Wonderful Town twice, both times with Donna and Jennifer, and loved it. Sadly I just can not bring myself to see Brooke Shields in anything (sorry Brooke fans!)

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/4/04 at 11:29am

Oh Amy,

There's not training like stock training!

It's where I honed my brilliance!

[musicalfandukie]

Posted: 10/4/04 at 3:09pm

i've been listening to the revival cd how come they left out it's love and wrong note rag on the cd?? i havent seen the show and would of liked to of heard those songs.

[magruder]

Posted: 10/4/04 at 3:14pm

Both songs are on my copy.

[musicalfandukie]

Posted: 10/4/04 at 3:20pm

oh i guess i dont have the whole cd after all then

[Blanche]

Posted: 10/5/04 at 10:38am

Hey Al!
I don't know how you could have seen Jennifer Hope Wills and not have loved her. She is an incredibly talented singer and actor. Lackluster? Hardly. It makes me wonder if that dot in the middle of your forehead is a bullethole cause you're judgement sounds like your brains are scrambled. (no offense)

[Al Dente]

Posted: 10/5/04 at 3:32pm

Gee, I wonder if you're a friend/relative of hers?? I and everyone else that saw Wills' at PMP, thought she was the most ridiculous Sandy ever. That was all anyone was talking about, and my young Niece could do a better rendition. Again, I haven't seen this incarnation of WT, but I can't imagine that she's doing better work with far more weighty material. Again, just one mans opinion and lest I bring up "Al's theory on the lesson of BARE and message boards in general" again, who cares? She was awful in GREASE and clearly, that didn't stop her from getting more work, so my good and discerning taste accounts for...not much. So relax, no one cares, neither should you. And if Ms. Wills' can't take the heat and needs you to stick up for her, she should get out of the proverbial, kitchen.

[Blanche]

Posted: 10/5/04 at 11:38pm

Not a relative, a friend, yes, and fellow actor who has worked with her. Funny that you were able to interview "everyone" who saw her at PMP. You must really get around. You must have missed the critics who reviewed and really liked her a lot, however. Too bad.

[bdwybug55]

Posted: 10/6/04 at 12:28am

Okay...what is going on here? Lest we forget that everyone is entitled to their own opinions. There is no need for such behavior...truly. Blanche, it is sweet that you are defending Ms. Wills ...you must really admire her but perhaps you do her a diservice by lashing out so. Al Dente, so far you are the only person on this board and on others that is bad mouthing Ms. Wills...seems a little suspicious. The word is that she is terrific in this role. I also saw her in GREASE and thought she was perfectly sweet. I thought the production itself lacked excitement and any kind of direction, but I thought the performers did as well as they could with what they were given. Anyway...that's my two cents.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 10/6/04 at 8:18am

Bwaybug, if you so much as read five of my posts on any subject at all, you would never call my post about Wills, "suspicious". Posts like that are my "thing" and hardly anyone is spared. I am firmly of the mind and have been very vocal, that a hundred dollars is a great deal of money to spend to see a "sweet" or mediocre, performance. For a hundred dollars, someone would ideally, blast me out of my seat, which I am doubtful Wills' would do. That's my three cents I do appreciate your putting proper perspective on the whole thing though.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/6/04 at 11:17pm

We're debating the merits of WONDERFUL TOWN?

WONDERFUL TOWN is a CLASSIC musical with:

A Top-Notch Leonard Bernstein score with ballads, comedy numbers, and "novelty numbers" all done beautifully!

The Book is chock-full of humor, drama and sentiment (based on a hit play, MY SISTER EILEEN.)

The only real debit to WONDERFUL TOWN is that it takes a unique, high-energy talent to put it over. (Like Rosalind Russell in original Broadway production in 1953.)

Although initial run lasted "only" 559 performances, that is because Roz Russell's one-year contract ended and management made the incredible mistake of replacing her with Carol Channing (in a brunette wig, no less!)

Read some of the original WONDERFUL TOWN reviews, folks. Brooks Atkinson said it was as good as GUYS AND DOLLS.

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 10/7/04 at 12:35am

I don't think we are debuting the merits. Just because something was a hit 50 years ago doesn't mean everyone has to like a half ass revival now.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 10/7/04 at 12:39am

I know it is my opinion and all, so I am going to give it

I bought the recording wanting to love it because it is BERNSTEIN, but alas I hated it. The overature and one or two other songs are good but the rest is throw away. I love the movie it is based on MY SISTER EILEEN (that is why I wanted to love this) but I was soooo dissapointed. I have listened to it once and never brought it out again. Oh well!!

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/7/04 at 1:07am

Point noted, NY.

I just hate people "trashing" a musical that has such a unique place in American Theater History?

Hey, did anyone see the summer stock tour in the 1970s with Lauren Bacall as Ruth? She was BRILLIANT.

[Marquise]

Posted: 10/7/04 at 1:32am

speaking of wonderful town i remember reading that this show was actually shown on tv.......cbs i believe it was with rosalind russell reprising her role of ruth. edie adams who originated eileen in the original broadway production wasn't even given the chance to reprise her role for the televised version and adams went on to write in her autobiography that russell played a part in her not getting the role for that version. Updated On: 10/7/04 at 01:32 AM

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/7/04 at 8:11am

Marquise,

You are CORRECT! :)

By 1958, Edie Adams was a MUCH BIGGER star than in 1953 [date of Broadway Production.]

By this time, she had married Ernie Kovacks and had been on TV QUITE A LOT IN FRONT OF A NATIONAL AUDIENCE.

Roz didn't want Edie upstating her, so part of Eileen in 1958 TV version was played by Jacqueline MacKeever.

By the way, the TV version was ALSO RECORDED and although hard to find, your library might have a copy.

You can detect a definite "energy level" depletion on Roz's part after five years from being away from the part--check it out!

[Broadwaylady]

Posted: 10/7/04 at 1:06pm

To me, no Broadway show is a waste of time and money especially if you do not even pay full price for a ticket. I saw WT with Donna and Jennifer and loved it. It is an old-fashioned musical which was entertaining and enjoyable. I had the misfortune of seeing Brook Shields in Cabaret and would never go see WT now as long as she is in it.

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/7/04 at 10:25pm

I've heard the original "Ohio" With Edie. Is is the just me or does she really screw up Eileen's operatic part at the end? It sounds like her voice cracks, and she falls flat. I know the recording is from the early 50's, so it's not top notch quality, but something definetly seemed wrong with her voice.

Anyway..I think 559 performances was good for the early 50s.. Plus it won Best Musical, Best Actress a few other Tony's, so it's obviously not a bad show.

I am really hoping Brooke is good. I am hearing positive things about her so far. She was suppose to be good in Grease as Rosie's Rizzo replacement.. But its been said a lot she stunk in Cabaret, so I'm thinking this may be more of her type of show and character.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/7/04 at 10:31pm

Edie Adams screwing up VOCALLY?

HERESY!!!

Edie (or actually Edith, as she was then known) Adams was THE definitive Eileen. She even hit all the high notes properly at the end of "Conversation Pierce."

Beware, or you'll get a huge Ernie Kovacks cigar shoved up your nose! :)

Updated On: 10/7/04 at 10:31 PM

[bdwybug55]

Posted: 10/8/04 at 10:52am

Edie Adams screwing up vocally? That is crazy! I love the way she does the high part in OHIO (as well as what Roz Russell adds)....it is hysterical. That part is not supposed to be beautiful. Her voice was amazing with a very strong middle and this crazy trick soprano. I love that she wasn't afraid to sound less than stellar when the acting moment called for it. I hear that Jennifer Hope Wills sings the score as written and does so beautifully...great! Mary Ethel...from some of your other posts, it seems as if I have found someone on my side of tracks.