can we please have a revival of "On the Twentieth Century"?- Page 2

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 3/14/09 at 4:24am

I saw the original production nine times (once with Kahn, eight times with Kaye). I also saw the bus-and-truck with Kaye, Coca, and Gorshin. As the bus-and-truck demonstrated all too clearly, the production really needs to be nearly perfect or the show doesn't work.

I was away at the time of the Actors' Fund benefit but I've seen the video. It was very good under the circumstances of limited rehearsal time, but the second act especially could have used tighter pacing. And though she was good, I don't think Mazzie is the ideal choice for Lily.

I'm sorry that Comden and Green made the revisions they did, though I do understand why as those revisions make it easier for small companies to perform it. Or at least some of the changes do. I can't figure out the reason for some of the other changes.

Unfortunately, for whatever reason, this show doesn't seem to catch on with audiences as much as it should. I think it may be in part because you really never feel a desire for Lily and Oscar to get back together. Lily seems like a great talent and Oscar does seem an egomaniacal charlatan. I love the show anyway (obviously I wouldn't have seen the original production nine times if I didn't), but I think that's a stumbling block for any production.

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 3/14/09 at 12:35pm

Rachel York as Lily Garland please please please.

Comedy, voice, beauty, comedy.

[dfwtheatreguy]

Posted: 3/14/09 at 2:35pm

the "Veronique" and "Repent" sequences are probably my favorite of any musical ever

Updated On: 3/14/09 at 02:35 PM

[wonkit]

Posted: 3/14/09 at 3:31pm

I seem to recall one of the most touching things about the Goodspeed production was the ability of the Oscar and Lily to show that the egomaniacal producer and the Hollywood diva were to some extent masks for the couple that had once been in love. So you did want them to re-unite, to drop the "act" they are both required to put on in public.

[morosco]

Posted: 3/14/09 at 7:46pm

So you did want them to re-unite, to drop the "act" they are both required to put on in public.

If staged right the number "Our Private World" can go a long way in getting the audience to want to see them reunited. Kind of a "So in Love" Kiss Me Kate thing.

[wonkit]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 12:02am

Morosco - absolutely. And the Kiss Me Kate parallel is so perfect.

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 12:48am

I wish I'd seen the Goodspeed production. But for me, "Our Private World" doesn't succeed in doing that.

I'm not sure if one reason why Comden and Green cut the opening French Girl is because it made Oscar seem talentless, but I miss it. I think opening with "Stranded Again" is weak.

But overall I think Oscar just doesn't seem to deserve Lily. Even absent The French Girl opening, he seems a bit of a cartoon and "Our Private World" isn't enough to change that impression. Doesn't keep me from loving the show, but I do think it may be why it's never been really popular with large audiences.

[dfwtheatreguy]

Posted: 3/15/09 at 1:32pm

it's too bad that Ms. Kahn is no longer with us, she would be a superb Letitia if they revived it currently.

i'm rethinking chenoweth as lily, who else, who else?