Would a Michael Bennett "variety" or "highlight" show work?- Page 2

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/23/09 at 5:12pm

I don't disagree you with you at all that Marshall's choreography made the women look horrible, Phyllis.

In no way was there evidence to believe they were former dancers, and Marshall certainly did them a disservice by botching a wonderful opportunity. I just found Woods to be terrific amidst the clutter around her, which is why I would still recommend the clip as worth watching.

And there's no offense taken. We can certainly agree to disagree about Ivey. There's a video of her doing the song on "the site," so people are free to make their own assertions about her performance (though that is nothing compared to how it was live.)

Updated On: 7/23/09 at 05:12 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/23/09 at 5:20pm

Not only that (re Who's That Woman?) but I seem to recall - and can't bring myself to check the video on youtube to make sure - that they were calling out to each other and commenting just how idiotic they looked. And then when the young girls come in didn't the older women just stand upstage with their backs to the audience and sway their arms? Woods isn't a bad Stella, I'll give you that. There were a handful of performances in that show that deserved a better production, but for the most part, blech!

As for Judith Ivey ... I think she was just totally wrong for the part. And while I'm not one who thinks that every performer in a musical has to have a stellar voice, her complete lack of a voice just doesn't work with that role. I remember a review saying something about she had a lower register and and upper register that had never been introduced to each other.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/23/09 at 5:44pm

Judith Ivey's definitive rendition of "Losing My Mind.

I know you love her...but you are losing your mind.

With Dorothy Collins and Barbara Cook out there, the idea that Judith Ivey's nails-on-chalkboard rendition was definitive is not just laughable. It's sad and scary.

Judith Ivey, like Christine Baranski in the Encores production, is a brillant and talented actress who was defeated by Follies.

Kathleen Marshall and that British fellow who misdirected the Roundabout monstrosity were defeated by it too. They just didn't get it. Actually, they got the OPPOSITE of what the show is about. They thought the show was about how pathetic the old broads were. That concept should never have been allowed to be staged.

Follies is about survival, about still being here, about still being a Broadway Baby at 89. It's not about making a mass of your life--it's about making a mess of your life AND facing the next morning.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/23/09 at 5:54pm

Judith Ivey, like Christine Baranski in the Encores production, is a brillant and talented actress who was defeated by Follies.

Very well said.

Every time I think of the way Judith Ivey bleated out "Ta-da!" before the first "Don't Look at Me" I just dissolve into giggles.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/23/09 at 6:06pm

I completely agree about Matthew Warchus (who is usually quite brilliant) and Marshall misconceiving the show. They seemed to be too concentrated on bringing out the dark derivatives of the material to really take head to how badly they were neglecting the overall production.

As I said, I fully respect that other people have differing opinions about Ivey. My appreciation for her performance doesn't come from a personal "love" for her, since the only other thing I've ever seen her in is VOICES IN THE DARK several years ago.

I certainly don't feel the need to turn an artistic disagreement into anything overtly nasty, like calling your opinions "sick" and "sad," PalJoey. That's a little heavy on the drama, don't you think?

While you bring up a lot of terrific points of merit (and a wealth of knowledge on an array of topics,) I don't think your opinion is ultimate. People are entitled to disagree with you, and in this instance, I do.

Updated On: 7/23/09 at 06:06 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/23/09 at 8:40pm

I think he was just being hyperbolic for effect, because of his close attachment to the show. I don't think you are sick or sad. Just crazy! Kidding (sort of).

Look, someone I'm close with and who is knowledgeable about theatre told me a year or so ago the Roundabout production was the only production he's ever seen that he liked and I forgave him eventually.

The Roundabout Follies was to me, a Follies set in hell. Ugly, depressing, miscast and just completely and utterly off the mark in almost every respect. When the men in this show outshine the women, there's a big problem.

Since PJ brought up Baranski, I just have to talk about THAT train wreck for a second, even though we've know gone so far off the subject of this thread. I had heard some rumblings that she just couldn't figure out how to make that character work. For me, it wasn't just that the final notes of "I'm Still Here" were so ugly and bad and wrong that I audibly gasped during the show, it was that her Carlotta was miserable and bitchy and rather sexless, I though. I'm always someone who bitches when they cast Carlotta too old, but even though Baranski was age apppriorate, I'd have preferred seeing what Betty White might have brought the table instead. Not only was she defeated, but she could have sunk that whole production.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/23/09 at 8:41pm

That's a little heavy on the drama, don't you think?

Not in the least.

We're talking Follies here.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/23/09 at 8:44pm

Not in the least.

We're talking Follies here.

In the production I was just in, I was practically in tears fighting with the musical director, because a couple of lyrics were written wrong the music. I won one battle, but I lost one, too.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/23/09 at 8:48pm

Phyllis, Baranski was a complete mess.

Ironically, Cybill Shepherd was Casey Nicholaw's first choice for Carlotta. When things didn't work out with her (after she was heavily pursued,) Baranski came into the picture fairly late in the game.

Had the show transferred, she was one of the few principals who was going to be replaced.

Updated On: 7/23/09 at 08:48 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/23/09 at 8:50pm

Thank god, although I'm glad it didn't transferred. I didn't want a stripped, down Chicago-style Follies playing, even though I did love almost everything about that concert.

Cybill Shepherd isn't a bad choice at all, and I would never have even thought of her. On my way home from work I had a thought about who would make an usual, but possibly brilliant, choice for Carlotta, and now I can't freaking remember it at all.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/23/09 at 8:56pm

Debbie Reynolds (while older now, obviously) is one of the more "unusual" suggestions I've heard that I'd actually like to see for Carlotta.

She certainly brings the requisite wealth of "been there, done that" experiences.

Updated On: 7/23/09 at 08:56 PM

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 12:53am

Debbie Reynolds as Carlotta- I love this idea!

"The trouble is that there isn't enough recognisable material for Joe Public to sit up and take notice.Most casual theatregoers really wouldn't be interested in seeing "Highlights of A Chorus Line and Dreamgirls" and that is how such a project would be sold."

This made me think of possible venues for such a project. Could anyone see it at the Mitzi Newhouse? (...with a necessary transfer to the Vivian Beaumont of course...?)

[jv92]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 12:40pm

"This made me think of possible venues for such a project. Could anyone see it at the Mitzi Newhouse? (...with a necessary transfer to the Vivian Beaumont of course...?)"

Yes, but would LCT be willing to devote one of their theatres for such a project?
I think since the Shuberts were so connected to Michael and his work, it would have to play a Shubert house. Then again, Gerry and Bernie are dead. Would the current Shuberts care now?

[madbrian]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 12:57pm

I mentioned this on another thread, but I'd love to see Olga Merediz (Abuela Claudia in In The Heights) as Stella in Follies.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 1:12pm

I always thought that would be a good role for Bette Milder if they ever made a movie version.

[madbrian]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 1:31pm

For a movie, I'd pick Kathy Bates as Stella.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 1:32pm

As long as Vanessa Williams is Phyllis, I don't care how the rest of it is cast!

[madbrian]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 1:37pm

Agree in spirit about Vanessa Williams, but I do care about the rest of the cast...

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 1:43pm

True, me too. I really wanted Natasha Richardson (limited vocal range by damned) as Sally once upon a time.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 1:50pm

I love Judith's "Losing My Mind." But didn't her version go against the entire point of Loveland? She sang it in the present, as if she were still at the party.
But out of context, her version is pretty powerful, in my opinion.
Updated On: 7/24/09 at 01:50 PM

[Pgenre]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 1:58pm

Vanessa Williams as Phyllis... Karen Olivo as Young Phyllis?

Could be interesting... though I doubt Karen would take that small a role (unless it were a film...) at this point in her career. Kelli O'Hara was fabulous when I saw her play it... but you know you're in trouble when your Young Phyllis is better than your Phyllis, and your Phyliss is Blythe Danner.

BETTER YET:

Vanessa Williams and Karen Olivo in THE RINK!

I want to go to there...


P
Updated On: 7/24/09 at 01:58 PM

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 1:59pm

Vanessa Williams as Phyllis is absolutely inspired casting.

I have no idea what her vocal ability is like, but in terms of type, Laura Linney is a dream candidate for Sally.

Does anyone know what's going on with the film adaptation Aaron Sorkin is supposed to be writing for Sam Mendes to direct?

Updated On: 7/24/09 at 01:59 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 2:22pm

Vanessa Williams and Karen Olivo in THE RINK!


- Whoa. There's an idea!

[madbrian]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 2:26pm

If The Rink is to be revived, I'd like to see Patti LuPone and Leigh Ann Larkin.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 2:33pm

If Patti were to do the Rink, they would need to get someone very Italian looking (like her) to play Angel.