Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?- Page 2
Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Theatrefanboy1
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/2/15
#25Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/18/22 at 7:26pm
I would love to see a revival direct by Sher. Laura Osnes as Maria. Cheyenne Jackson as Von Trapp. Audra McDonald as Mother Superior. Lea so Logan as baroness. Norm Lewis as max.
a full lush set and orchestrations. Would all be sublime
Sutton Ross
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
#26Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/18/22 at 7:31pm
^God, that casting sounds atrocious regarding the two leads.
Yeah, everyone has seen this show. It's been done everywhere and anywhere. No one needs a new recording of this, probably ever.
MikeKay
Swing Joined: 7/18/22
#27Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/18/22 at 7:33pm
As iconic as the movie is, I've always preferred the stage version. The stagebound claustrophobia adds to the sense of political menace, and raises the stakes...and the Max and Elsa numbers stir the pot even further. I don't dislike the movie, but in my dreams it would have been directed by Billy Wilder...or Alfred Hitchcock!
Georgeanddot2
Featured Actor Joined: 2/20/20
#28Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/18/22 at 8:10pm
joevitus said: "Georgeanddot2 said: "Because it's a dull musical made for Christians in middle America."
Yeah, no non-Christian ever cared for The Sound of Music. I guess you think Fiddler only appeals to people who are Jewish."
Sorry where did I say this??? Lol. Are you done putting words in my mouth?
#29Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/18/22 at 8:11pm
This is so timeless/timely!
I just said, to a friend of mine today, that I wouldn’t be surprised to wake up tomorrow to news of a new revival starring Billy Porter as Maria!
babyjunegem
Understudy Joined: 12/1/21
#30Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/18/22 at 8:37pm
The reasons are obvious as to why not. I would love to see Rachel Zegler as Maria if it ever happens. She has the perfect voice for Rogers and Hammerstein shows.
A bold reimagining of the musical might work. I have always had this idea of changing the location and context.
#31Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/18/22 at 11:06pm
Nothing will beat the revival in 1973 when Cher played Maria and Sonny played Von Trapp!
Fan123
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/30/08
#32Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/18/22 at 11:08pm
While it's not Broadway, the show does seem to pop up in European musical and opera programs fairly regularly. Some of the productions look traditional, while others have done something a bit different. Maybe there's some sense of freedom to do that because, as with something like Romeo and Juliet, any audience member going in is already going to know the basics.
For example, Malmo Opera's production in Sweden (https://www.malmoopera.se/sound-of-music):
#33Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/19/22 at 12:01am
I remember reading the Times review of the Sound of Music after Laura Benanti had taken over the role of Maria. I cringed when the reviewer wrote that the show was better with the younger woman in it. I thought that it must have hurt Luker to read that. I guess Broadway people never get hardened against criticism?
if and when someone does try another stage production of the Sound of Music, I think that is the direction that they should go. Don’t try to find someone who can play the role of Maria like Julie Andrews, but try to find a fresh face who can bring a different perspective to the role. I think that Alan Cummings succeeded in re-creating the role of the MC in a manner separate but equal to Joel Gray.
Sher will be too busy on the centennial production of Show Boat to work on anything else. Doing a production of that musical is a great challenge since there are so many songs to choose from, and different directions for the second act plot to follow. Might be pretty tough putting that musical on the Beaumont stage.
And Bartlett also has the lush 10th anniversary concert production of Bridges of Madison County.
(yeah, I would be the last one to have any inside information.)
#34Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/19/22 at 12:11am
Perhaps NY City Center should do a 2-week production of Sound of Music? And if it gets a lot of buzz and sells out, perhaps it can move to Broadway a 2 months later like INTO THE WOODS!
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#35Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/19/22 at 1:47am
For a show like this, the real money is to be made on the road. So if there is a Broadway revival of it, I would not expect that until about 10 years after the last tour ended its non-Eq run.
I don't know how much tampering should be done with the book and musical arrangements (if any), but a lot of productions cannot balance the darkness and the levity –– they don't go hard enough with the jubilant numbers, but they also don't go dark enough with the Nazis and the rise of fascism. Someone like John Tiffany or Bartlett Sher or Michael Arden could maybe do something interesting with the piece. I agree that no stage production will be able to capture the majesty and scale of the film –– but perhaps the issue with the stage show is it's done too literally. And maybe it needs an actress who can totally depart from the vocal stylings of Andrews & Martin.
A few things that annoy me:
1) Elsa is not a Baroness in the stage production, and I have been to too many productions of SOM that refer to her as such in the program!
2) The stage show has a weak opening. We start with the nuns singing Rodgers' Catholic durge, and then we get into a version of the title song that's more wistful than what people know from the movie. And then we get "Maria," a lengthy book scene, and then a stately rendition of "My Favorite Things" all before she even leaves the abbey. The movie is able to use the choral piece to set the tone of the abbey after that thrilling opening sequence and helicopter shots.
3) The first act is SO LONG, ending with "Climb Every Mountain" (unlike the movie which places that right after the intermission). It's a thrilling end to the act, but by then the audience is restless.
4) The Captain and Elsa's relationship is more interesting on screen. Elsa's more political in the stage show. I love the two songs for Max & Elsa in the musical, but Elsa is also far less conniving onstage (Brigitta, not Elsa, is the one who convinces Maria to return to the abbey because the Captain loves her).
BwayLB
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/18/17
#36Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/19/22 at 2:01am
I saw a regional production at the La Mirada Theater on Mother's Day. It was a beautiful production. I'm familiar with how different the stage version is from the movie already due to the NBC production in 2013. On the other hand, there are some things i liked best done in the movie. Do Ri Mi being set after the thunderstorm for example and Lonely Gothard with the puppet show. I thought Edelweiss was done best when sung twice instead of only one time at the near end.
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#37Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/19/22 at 2:05am
BwayLB said: "I thought Edelweiss was done best when sung twice instead of only one time at the near end."
imho in the movie it's a bit repetitive, but also becomes a crucial moment to show the evolution of the Captain & Maria's relationship
Pernigraniline
Chorus Member Joined: 11/12/11
#38Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/19/22 at 6:28am
The film rewrite does wonders for the material - which isn't the best book.
The London revivals have always had something else going for them - the 80s version had PETULA CLARK never missing a performance, and using the aisle of the Apollo Victoria as the church (it was a MASSIVE production), and the 2000s version had an Andrew Lloyd Webber TV show winner in the lead.
That production also had the most magnificent piece of staging for the final song festival. As we joined the Von Trapps on stage, the auditorium was suddenly bedecked with swastikas and armed Nazis appeared. As Von Trapp gets the audience to give in and sing along to Edelweiss, the soldiers audibly****their guns and point them out into the auditorium. The audience went silent instantly, it was the creepiest staging I have ever seen.
#39Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/19/22 at 7:40am
The production value of the recent tour was outstanding, one of the best outside of Wicked for a touring show I felt. I was constantly surprised they could tour with that set. That was my main takeaway, the set. Nothing about the piece, even if I found it well acted/sung.
I think that’s what this show is now, tour every decade or so in some capacity so people like my parents and go and see them play the hits. No need for a broadway revival.
henrikegerman
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/29/05
#40Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/19/22 at 8:42am
It's not as good as South Pacific, Oklahoma or Carousel. And unlike those 3, the movie of Sound of Music is far better than the show.
chewy5000
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/1/09
#41Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/19/22 at 8:45am
I'd like to see Laura Benanti do it as a one-woman show, a la Cher's bizzare West Side Story.
#42Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/19/22 at 10:38am
OlBlueEyes said: "I remember reading the Times review of the Sound of Musicafter Laura Benanti had taken over the role of Maria. I cringed when the reviewer wrote that the show was better with the younger woman in it. I thought that it must have hurt Luker to read that. I guess Broadway people never get hardened against criticism?
if and when someone does try another stage production of the Sound of Music, I think that is the direction that they should go. Don’t try to find someone who can play the role of Maria like Julie Andrews, but try to find a fresh face who can bring a different perspective to the role. I think that Alan Cummings succeeded in re-creating the role of the MC in a manner separate but equal to Joel Gray.
Sher will be too busy on the centennial production of Show Boat to work on anything else. Doing a production of that musical is a great challenge since there are so many songs to choose from, and different directions for the second act plot to follow. Might be pretty tough putting that musical on the Beaumont stage.
And Bartlett also has the lush 10th anniversary concert production of Bridges of Madison County.
(yeah, I would be the last one to have any inside information.)"
For the record, even Mary Martin was criticized behind the scenes for being too old for the part. I agree with you about a fresh face that doesn't attempt to replicate Julie Andrews.
#43Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/19/22 at 11:56pm
Despite it being a rather staid and frumpy show, Dame Julie Andrews sells the role of Maria as a credible manic pixie dream girl: she’s classy while remaining a little strange and earthy. And in her own androgynous way, she manages to make Maria kind of sexy. Which is a hard task playing a woman-child nun just shy of Peter Pan territory.
The legend of the Dame has eclipsed her actual self and acting persona to some extent: she was the brilliant soprano and the poised Mary Poppins incarnate, but Julie was known for balancing it with a streak of mischief, a bawdy sense of humor and a famously foul mouth. If you’re going to have a worthwhile Maria and a worthwhile sound of music, you need a performer who can make Maria believably idiosyncratic. She has become so familiar, so traditional, that we forget that she’s canonically a weirdo.
#44Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/20/22 at 1:10am
Pernigraniline wrote: “That production also had the most magnificent piece of staging for the final song festival. As we joined the Von Trapps on stage, the auditorium was suddenly bedecked with swastikas and armed Nazis appeared. As Von Trapp gets the audience to give in and sing along to Edelweiss, the soldiers audibly****their guns and point them out into the auditorium. The audience went silent instantly, it was the creepiest staging I have ever seen.”
I saw that production. When ceiling-to-floor red Nazi banners with black swastikas in white circles dropped to completely cover the side walls of the London Palladium…it was unexpected, which made it even more powerful and frightening. A scenic gut punch.
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#45Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/20/22 at 1:29am
joevitus said: "For the record, even Mary Martin was criticized behind the scenes for being too old for the part. I agree with you about a fresh face that doesn't attempt to replicate Julie Andrews."
I believe Hammerstein (before he died) and Rodgers even agreed that it needed a younger Maria, which is why they always cast a woman in her 20s/early 30s after that (Florence Henderson, Andrews, etc). Martin got away with it, but the character could not be in her 40s perpetually.
#46Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/20/22 at 7:33am
And to put the lie to what I just said about having a Maria that was too old, it seems that the best stage production ever done was the 1981 London revival which starred Petula Clark at age 49. To boomers, Petula is known as the beloved hit machine of the 60s and 70s. But she turned into a lot more. She thought she was too old to play the role at 49 but she was talking into it and she received rave reviews and the show itself has the highest advanced sale to that time.
It addressed some concerns here by importing the two new songs from the film: “Confidence” and “Something Good.” It also placed “My Favorite Things” into the context of the film. And it was just a huge hit.
So maybe I should have put that more as not necessarily casting a young person who is not Julie Andrews but just casting someone who was very talented and very popular.
Now I’d like to hear that recording. I wonder if they kept the two adult songs that the film through out.
BwayLB
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/18/17
#47Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/20/22 at 10:20pm
ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "BwayLB said: "I thought Edelweiss was done best when sung twice instead of only one time at the near end."
imho in the movie it's a bit repetitive, but also becomes a crucial moment to show the evolution of the Captain & Maria's relationship"
Might have a point on that!
#48Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/21/22 at 12:16am
ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "joevitus said: "For the record, even Mary Martin was criticized behind the scenes for being too old for the part. I agree with you about a fresh face that doesn't attempt to replicate Julie Andrews."
I believe Hammerstein (before he died) and Rodgers even agreed that it needed a younger Maria, which is why they always cast a woman in her 20s/early 30s after that (Florence Henderson, Andrews, etc). Martin got away with it, but the character could not be in her 40s perpetually."
Accurate about their perspective, but they has zero to do with the casting of Julie Andrews. That was Ernest Lehman, all the way.
Pernigraniline
Chorus Member Joined: 11/12/11
#49Why Have We Only Had One Broadway Revival of THE SOUND OF MUSIC?
Posted: 7/31/22 at 3:51am
OlBlueEyes said: "Now I’d like to hear that recording. I wonder if they kept the two adult songs that the film through out."
Its available on CD and Download - and yes, "How Can Love Survive" was in it, not 100% Sure about "No Way to Stop it", which is the darker of the two songs.
From an old BroadwayWorld post "The 1981 production had an on stage cast of 61. The pit orchestra was no less than 21." - Heavens
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