Why Wasn't Kaitlin Hopkins in the Into the Woods Revival? — Page 2

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#26

re: Why Wasn't Kaitlin Hopkins in the Into the Woods Revival?

Posted: 1/14/06 at 1:31pm

I'm sorry but Williams does a damn good job on the cast recording.

No one could possibly top Peters and Gleason in their original roles, it just couldn't happen. I think Sondheim & Lapine made a great choice with casting Williams. Though I didn't see the revival, I enjoy the cast recording. And most of the critics seemed to enjoy Vanessa - though some stated she never brought her songs down with a big Broadway ending - which is true.

Williams is one of the few "pop singers" I trust with a Broadway score.

Updated On: 1/14/06 at 01:31 PM

#27

re: Why Wasn't Kaitlin Hopkins in the Into the Woods Revival?

Posted: 1/14/06 at 1:39pm

Porter's version of "Last Midnight" isn't bad - but somtimes his voice is a little too "man diva" for me.

I just have no interest in seeing a male Witch.

Updated On: 1/14/06 at 01:39 PM

#28

re: Why Wasn't Kaitlin Hopkins in the Into the Woods Revival?

Posted: 1/14/06 at 1:47pm

See, I disagree. Overall, I didn't enjoy williams's performance (judging by the recording), and Porter's last midnight (IMO), is just exponentially more powerful than that of Williams. He is so talented and desperately needs a big role on Broadway. (I also think he should have been the witch, without a doubt.)

#29

re: Why Wasn't Kaitlin Hopkins in the Into the Woods Revival?

Posted: 1/14/06 at 1:49pm

I find Williams performance on the recording too whispy and dull for The Witch. I adored Williams' work in Spider Woman, but I can't get through her performance in Woods.

Most of the cast of that dumb revival is boring as crap. I prefer the OBC or the OLC, which also has some great performances.

There were just too many text changes in the revival. If it ain't broke...

#30

re: Why Wasn't Kaitlin Hopkins in the Into the Woods Revival?

Posted: 1/14/06 at 1:53pm

It's tricky with how I feel about Williams with her cast recordings.

Kiss Of The Spider Woman - In NO way can she touch Chita on the cast recording. Williams give a nice touch to the songs - but lacks how eerie and dark Chita sounded.

Bye Bye Birdie - Really enjoyed her in the movie. Did a great job with Rosie's songs. She does a good job with Chita roles.. (I would love to see her as Velma Kelly.)

Into The Woods - I just really love her on here. She can't top Peters - but does a nice job giving the songs her own touch.

Overall - I think Vanessa is a GREAT singer, and I would love if she returns to Broadway soon.

#31

re: Why Wasn't Kaitlin Hopkins in the Into the Woods Revival?

Posted: 1/14/06 at 6:32pm

Broadway Doc, what makes Kaitlin Hopkins difficult to work with it?

#32

re: Why Wasn't Kaitlin Hopkins in the Into the Woods Revival?

Posted: 1/14/06 at 9:17pm

I just have to know this now: was Billy Porter going to play the Witch as a man or as a woman? obviously, a male can play the Witch as a woman when she's the crone, but when she transforms and returns to her original beauty and glamour, we would be talking high-level female impersonation here. or would the Witch have been a man?

I find the idea of Porter in the role fascinating, but I need to know these last little details! :)

"Sweet summer evenings, hot wine and bread / Sharing your supper, sharing your bed / Simple joys have a simple voice: It says why not go ahead?"

#33

re: Why Wasn't Kaitlin Hopkins in the Into the Woods Revival?

Posted: 1/14/06 at 9:29pm

BillFinn: In addition to Into the Woods, I've also seen her as Molly Brown (Unsinkable Molly Brown) and Mother (Ragtime). Again, she "hits all the right notes," as they say, but nothing about her warrants the amount of work she gets. Her Molly Brown was irritating to the point of almost driving me from the theatre, and although her Mother in Ragtime was pretty average and inoffensive, there are PLENTY of other people out there who could be playing the role.

I understand you like her, and that's fine. I don't. To each his own...it's all a matter of personal taste.

#34

re: Why Wasn't Kaitlin Hopkins in the Into the Woods Revival?

Posted: 1/15/06 at 4:33am

Tirso de Molina, who cares if Porter would have played the witch as a man or a woman? what difference does it make? we shouldn't be so stuck on categorization. the interpretation should be up to the audience. we can't always have everything spelled out for us, especially in the theatre.

"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad

"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)

Updated On: 1/15/06 at 04:33 AM

#35

re: Why Wasn't Kaitlin Hopkins in the Into the Woods Revival?

Posted: 1/15/06 at 8:06am

Wanna Be A Foster & Ruprecht-

If you don't believe me that Kaitlin was the original choice for POET, please visit the link below. That should clear up any and all speculation.

And Foster, at the time KH was announced, Edward Hall (A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE) was still contracted to direct.

http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=504067

Updated On: 1/15/06 at 08:06 AM

#36

re: Why Wasn't Kaitlin Hopkins in the Into the Woods Revival?

Posted: 1/15/06 at 8:36am

ok mef darling, you're only confirming what we said. you said in your earlier post:

"Kaitlin was also the original Mrs. Harford in the current revival of A TOUCH OF THE POET. She dropped out to do TRAILER PARK."

If a new director was assigned to the show, he would cast who he wanted. Clearly he chose to re-cast, Kaitlin not being included. She didn't "drop out".

Someone at this point in her career isn't going to turn down a Broadway show for an Off-Broadway show, especially with only one Broadway credit behind her.

Updated On: 1/15/06 at 08:36 AM

#37

re: Why Wasn't Kaitlin Hopkins in the Into the Woods Revival?

Posted: 1/15/06 at 9:15am

I don't want to get into an argument about this, but what does only having one Broadway credit have to do with anything? Lots of well-known theatre actors have only one or two real Broadway credits. Look at Julia Murney. She's very well-known within the NY theatre community, but technically only has one Broadway credit, LENNON, unless you count all of those one-night-only Actors' Fund concerts.

With every passing year, Off-Broadway becomes more viable and popular. I don't find it impossible to believe that Ms. Hopkins would pass up a bit role with 10 minutes of stage time on Broadway for a leading role with several great songs off Broadway. Besides, look at who she was in the cast with: a Tony winner, a popular vocalist/actress, and a highly acclaimed theatrical actress.

BTW, I heard that Kaitlin still had the offer even after Hughes was brought in to direct, but decided to do TRAILER PARK instead. The person who said that could be wrong. I really don't know. Unless you are Kaitlin Hopkins, I guess you really can't know.

#38

re: Why Wasn't Kaitlin Hopkins in the Into the Woods Revival?

Posted: 1/15/06 at 9:21am

Source, please?

No? Didn't think so.

Acting is a job as well as it is a fun thing to do. Off-Broadway money is pocket change. Broadway money is the most you can make doing straight theater in NY.

In respect to it being a "bit role" in POET...Adriane Lenox won a Tony, amongst several other awards for a 10-minute role in DOUBT this past season. It's not always about stage time. It's about the role, and the performance. This role in POET is a meaty one.

Updated On: 1/15/06 at 09:21 AM

#39

re: Why Wasn't Kaitlin Hopkins in the Into the Woods Revival?

Posted: 1/15/06 at 9:23am

Updated On: 1/15/06 at 09:23 AM

#40

re: Why Wasn't Kaitlin Hopkins in the Into the Woods Revival?

Posted: 1/15/06 at 9:25am

Wouldn't me saying who told me that be breaking message board commandment #1?

Seriously, it's just a message board. I was just passing on something I heard. Since I don't know Kaitlin personally (although I do have friends who have worked with her), I really can't confirm 100%. Believe me or don't, I really don't care either way.

Updated On: 1/15/06 at 09:25 AM

#41

re: Why Wasn't Kaitlin Hopkins in the Into the Woods Revival?

Posted: 1/15/06 at 9:26am

Run along.

#42

re: Why Wasn't Kaitlin Hopkins in the Into the Woods Revival?

Posted: 1/15/06 at 9:28am

Seriously, you need to get over yourself.

The sooner you realize that you are not the supreme authority on this board, the happier everyone will be.

Updated On: 1/15/06 at 09:28 AM

#43

re: Why Wasn't Kaitlin Hopkins in the Into the Woods Revival?

Posted: 1/15/06 at 10:36am

I'm nowhere near an authority on this board. I never said I was.

Updated On: 1/15/06 at 10:36 AM

#44

re: Why Wasn't Kaitlin Hopkins in the Into the Woods Revival?

Posted: 1/15/06 at 10:49am

Now, now, let's not be like "others" on this board and fight dirty.

"Besides, look at who she was in the cast with: a Tony winner, a popular vocalist/actress, and a highly acclaimed theatrical actress".

That is a very good point MEF and one that's a bit hard to argue with. My point, having no knowlegde of this particular instance is that there is, indeed, a proclivity for theater actors to lie about emplyoment opportunities, or rather, lackthereof. I too, would be breaking board rule #1 if I were to get specific with examples I personally know of and could site. And they don't just do it with "jobs they turned down", you have no idea how many times I've read bio's where an actor says he was in a show *on Broadway* that he was never in. Again, I won't get specific.

Updated On: 1/15/06 at 10:49 AM

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