Posted: 8/1/15 at 12:43am
I've never heard the Scottish National Opera recording, but the OBC and English National Opera (the production I saw) recordings are both excellent.
Posted: 8/1/15 at 12:51am
"I think Show Boat or The Most Happy Fella would both be terrific ideas. Has Vanessa Williams ever played Julie La Verne? Because I think she would be perfect for it."
I don't remember if I posted about it here but while I enjoyed her performance for a concert (where people were still stumbling over some of their lines) she wouldn't be my first pick for Julie. I don't think she found the depth that she could have in her acting and while the way she interpreted the songs was enjoyable, it wasn't consistent and it drew me out of the context of the show a little.
I'm growing rather attached to the idea of Ragtime and The Most Happy Fella. I don't suppose they'll announce anything with The King and I not looking like it's going anywhere anytime soon.
Posted: 8/1/15 at 6:52pm
I'd like to see Carmen Jones done with a mixed race cast. It's a great show, but I think the "black" dialect that the lyrics are written with could DEFINITELY be changed.
"Beat out dat rhythm on da drum"
Um. How about no?
It's still a great show regardless that hasn't seen the light of day for quite a while.
Posted: 8/2/15 at 3:13pm
Add me to The Most Happy Fella camp. One of the best musicals ever written and it deserves a lush full revival.
Posted: 8/2/15 at 7:22pm
I would love a revival of "Caroline, Or Change" starring someone like Uzo Aduba. Not sure if she can handle the score, but she can sing and she has such a unique presence. If not, it could be nice to see Anika Noni Rose come full circle and play Caroline!
Posted: 8/2/15 at 9:02pm
I would personally love to see a revival of "Oklahoma!"
Who I would cast?
Curly-Andrew Samonsky
Laurey-Katie Travis
Aunt Eller-Ellen Harvey
Jud-Steven Pasquale
Will-Jay Armstrong Johnson
Ado Annie-Annaleigh Ashford
Ali Hakim-Maz Jobrani
Andrew Carnes-Patrick Page
Updated On: 8/3/15 at 09:02 PM
Posted: 8/3/15 at 7:10pm
But I also think that Gypsy could also have potential if it hasn't been revived by Lincoln Center
Rose-Bebe Neuwirth
Herbie-Brent Spiner
Louise-Sierra Boggess
June-Erin Mackey
Tulsa-Clyde Alves
Posted: 8/3/15 at 11:31pm
If Andrew Samonsky was too hard for Cable he'd definitely be too hard for Curly. I think Steven Pasquale would come across as too sympathetic (and yes, too attractive) for Jud. I do like the idea of Jay Armstrong Johnson as Will and Annaleigh Ashford as Ado Annie. I don't know if I'd put them together but I think they'd be good individually in those roles.
And oh, God, please not another Gypsy.
Posted: 8/4/15 at 2:11pm
"If Andrew Samonsky was too hard for Cable he'd definitely be too hard for Curly. I think Steven Pasquale would come across as too sympathetic (and yes, too attractive) for Jud. I do like the idea of Jay Armstrong Johnson as Will and Annaleigh Ashford as Ado Annie. I don't know if I'd put them together but I think they'd be good individually in those roles.
And oh, God, please not another Gypsy."
Hey have you ever thought that Steven Pasquale's could possibly be played down covered with the dirt and grim and a slight weight gain. And have you seen Andrew Samonsky's performance as Phoebus in "Hunchback" cause I think he could bring some of that into Curly. And yes no Gypsy at least not for another 3 to 5 years.
Posted: 8/4/15 at 3:46pm
Oh, they can revive Gypsy as often as they'd like. I just won't plan on seeing it again until Sydney Lucas is old enough to play Mama Rose.
Posted: 8/4/15 at 3:48pm
Enough with the damn GYPSY revivals!!!
Posted: 8/4/15 at 3:59pm
Give me another on the town revival now
Posted: 8/4/15 at 4:50pm
I love "Gypsy" as much as the next guy, but can't we swap it out with "Hello Dolly" or "Mame" for once?
Posted: 8/4/15 at 6:09pm
why don't they put a new musical there next. Isn't adam guettel working on a new show with Bart? If not, then hopefully Funny Girl
Posted: 8/5/15 at 10:45am
Sauja: One show I'm curious about is Kismet. I know almost nothing about it, other than that it's huge, it won the Tony, and it hasn't been revived on Broadway. Anyone have thoughts on it?
"Kismet" has gorgeous score that mixes Broadway belting with challenging Legit ballads. The score is wet to a genuinely funny burlesque-y book. The central character has to deceive everyone around him to pair his daughter with the prince and defeat the evil Wazir. Think a less PC "Forum" or Disney's "Aladdin" with more sex and violence.
"Kismet" is set in Baghdad but has been often cast with Caucasian performers. This is a sticking point for modern critics. Michael Ball and Faith Prince got raked over the coals when they headlined a London production in 2007. Brian Stokes Mitchell led the 2006 Encores production opposite Marin Mazzie. Ben Brantley was kind to them but dismissive of the show.
I actually enjoy the maligned movie version. It kept most of the score and some of the jokes but Dolores Gray is the only one who understands the tone.
http://threepanelmusicals.blogspot.com/2014/09/kismet.html
Updated On: 8/5/15 at 10:45 AM
Posted: 4/29/16 at 11:33am
BUMP
I would love to see a new production of Sweeney Todd
Posted: 4/29/16 at 11:47am
House of Flowers
Can Can
Brigadoon
Fanny
Posted: 4/29/16 at 12:15pm
I would like to see a Titanic revival on that big stage. It was my first thought when I saw what they did with the ship in King & I.
Posted: 4/29/16 at 12:16pm
Hallelujah, Baby with Cynthia Erivo, maybe with a judiciously revised book
Lady in the Dark
Lost in the Stars
Call Me Madam
City of Angels
Posted: 4/29/16 at 12:51pm
Kiss of the Spider Woman
City of Angels
Merrily We Roll Along
Dreamgirls
Funny Girl
Sunset Blvd
Follies - iIt's been said in this thread, I've said it myself in other threads, but it bears repeating. In 5-10 years hand the reigns over to Sher and lets see what this master can do with a contemporary classic. Cast Kelli O'Hara, Laura Benanti, Tony Yazbeck, & Steven Pasquale. Get Laura to talk Patti into stepping into Hattie's orthopedics. Maybe Katie Finneran for Carlotta? I know that's a little out of left field but she's one of those that can take a sexy character & make it hilarious or vice versa, plus she's always able to do so much with little material. I feel like a Lincoln/Sher Follies is an inevitability though. Everyone just wants to see what he pulls off with their resources and that material.
Posted: 4/29/16 at 12:53pm
This choice is only because Bart Sher is the resident director at Lincoln Center....Sweeney Todd. With his master work in reexamining classic works to make them seem fresh and relevant right now I think he would do something extraordinary with it. Also, I don't believe New York has seen his Sondheim approach yet. Otherwise it would be too soon to do it considering john Doyle's production was seen just a decade ago....ten years isn't long enough for a broadway revival. The rule from the greats of Broadway's golden era and before was 20 years.
Posted: 4/29/16 at 1:01pm
is it Kelli as Phyllis? because I need to hear Laura singing Losing My Mind. In 10 years I think that cast could happen.
Posted: 4/29/16 at 1:32pm
Yeah, I'm sure that Benanti and Pasquale would have no problem at all being cast as a bitter, bickering married couple
