bring back "the rink"

i've only heard the cd but think this is a fun show, all they need to do is update, de-80s the orchestrations.

who would be a good mother/daughter team if they brought it back?

wouldn't bebe neuwirth be great as anna? and idina menzel as angel?

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Idina replacing Liza? I don't know, I don't like that casting, nor Bebe. I think the show was made for Liza, once she left the show, it closed. So you need a bankable star for that role.

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theatreguy said:

"i've only heard the cd but think this is a fun show, all they need to do is update, de-80s the orchestrations. "

First of all, the show isn't "fun", it's actually a very moving show. Why update? Why re-orchestrate? If you don't like or understand the substance of a show,no changes that anyone could make would improve it.

Well, it IS revivable. In fact, my theatre revived it 5 years ago. McNally has rewritten the script, taking out all the specific time references (mention of "a peanut farmer for a president", talk of the father having served in Korea, etc.).

The rewritten version returns the show to what they originally intended before Liza was cast - a star vehicle for Anna, with Angel as a supporting character. "Colored Lights" no longer opens the show. It is sung at the end of Act 1 (where she did a reprise on Broadway). "Angel's Rink and Social Center" and "Wallflower" are cut. "All the Children in a Row" has copmpletely new lyrics - it's now a song about Angel searching for her father, rather than a hippie anthem.

I just don't understand why a show can't take place in another era. Is it strictly because of the ignorance of some audience members with regard to not understanding or knowing about anything that went on before WICKED?

I remember the Patti LuPone proposal from a while back, got me very excited. I love this show, always felt it was one of the better underrated Kander & Ebb shows. I like all the changes that were mentioned. It sounds like it's been tightened up, and Anna is the more interesting character. IMHO.

Love "The Rink". I've never seen it, but I'm in love with the cast recording. I thought it was really "fun" music, very 80s, when I first heard it, but when you find out about the story and what's happening and you can piece it all together, it really does make for a moving story and moving music.

(Is anyone else loving the song "Mrs. A" right now? It's my new favorite song from the recording.)

As for Bebe as Anna and Idina as Angel? Keep Bebe Neuwirth, but please...Not Idina as Angel. I can't think of anyone who could play Angel at the moment, but I really could NOT see Idina doing a good job with this role (nothing against her, I think she's fantastically talented, but I just don't think she'd be right for it)...

I hope it is revived someday. It's a show I really would LOVE to see onstage.

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Thanks, now that's stuck in my head now!

(Not smart. I'm at school.)

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I have to admit that The Apple Doesn't Fall Very Far is one of my all time fav performances. Song is ok, but I just love the chemistry they have. Don't Ah Ma Me and Chief Cook and Bottlewasher too.

OMG! I forgot to mention that magnificent set, the rink that broke away and disappeared at the end of the show.

Patti LuPone and Michelle Pawk

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Maybe Patti or Michelle alone but I dont think it could work as a pairing. Unles Anna had Angel at the age of 5 or 6.

The ages are very specific in the show. In the "now" scenes, Anna is 48 and Angel is 30. Of course, in flashbacks, Anna is a young as 18 and Angel is as young as 5.