patti lupone not in a little night music :(

[bway boy]

Posted: 8/20/09 at 6:40pm

I was always hoping for patti to play desiree, but in an interview with theatermania she said she would love to but Trevor Nunn wanted someone younger.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/20/09 at 6:43pm

Patti has played it in concert. She would be completely wrong for the role in a full scale production. Italian Patti is ANYTHING but Swedish.

[logan0215]

Posted: 8/20/09 at 7:09pm

ljay, you've used this "ITALIAN Patti" shtick in more than one thread on the board and I find it kind of laughable considering with a wig and makeup Patti's heritage would not be overt.

Jean Simmons, Elizabeth Taylor and Judi Dench certainly don't look the least bit Swedish but I don't find that detail to be integral enough to eliminate an entire pool of actresses.

I would certainly agree that on the basis of Nunn's vision of a younger Desiree, she would be exempt from consideration but otherwise I don't think it is as far-fetched as you are making it sound.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/20/09 at 7:13pm

Wasn't Winslet in consideration for this?

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/20/09 at 7:13pm

I actually think Patti would've made an amazing Desiree a few years ago. And, judging from the videos I saw of her at Ravinia, she did make a good Desiree. Her wig gave me the giggles, but she seemed to get the humor and the pathos of the part. now, she's just too old.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/20/09 at 7:14pm

LuPone jokes about being painfully italian looking all the time. She also jokes about her big italian nose (which I can relate to).
I am 100% Italian, so I clearly I have nothing against the nationality, lol. Patti is very proud of her heritage, as am I.

But a wig and makeup would not change Patti's Italian features, and I would think she'd agree with that.

Updated On: 8/20/09 at 07:14 PM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/20/09 at 7:14pm

Winlet was someone's dream pick on here and it got turned into a rumor.

People are starting to suggest Sondheim's usual suspects without knowing the damn show.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 8/20/09 at 7:15pm

I dont think Patti is right for the part either. Too old and too hot messy.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 8/20/09 at 8:29pm

Plus, Desiree is supposed to be an elegant beauty. Let's just put it this way, I don't think there's any role that Natasha Richardson--who was class personified--could have played that Patti LuPone is or would have been right for. LuPone's humor, presence, and persona lacks any of the sophistication and class required to play the part. I mean, maybe she's okay for Ravinia, but not for a first rate Broadway revival.
Of the crop of Sondheim actresses, Donna Murphy is the one who is most right for the part, and how I wish she'd have been cast

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 8/20/09 at 8:35pm

Ray, I completely agree. I love Patti, but nothing about her is elegant, graceful or delicate and that is what I think of Desiree. Patti is like a bull in a china shop, which is why she won a Tony for Momma Rose.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/20/09 at 8:41pm

ray, you know I love Donna Murphy, but something about her reads almost too elegant for Desiree. She comes across as a touch aloof to me, and I don't think that's right for Desiree.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/20/09 at 8:42pm

Someone just suggested Brian Stokes Mitchell for Frederik (well I assume that character but the person obviously doesn't know the requirements of the roles). How about this

Desiree: Patti Lupone
Madame Armfeldt: Lea Michelle
Frederik: Brian Stokes Mitchell
Anne: Nick Adams
Charlotte: Titus Burgess
Carl Magnus: John Tartaglia
Petra: Julia Murney
Henrik: Oliver Platt
Fredrika: Marcia Gay Harden

How do you like them apples?

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/20/09 at 8:44pm

but imagine how amazing Nick and Titus would sound singing "Every Day a Little Death".

although no one wants to see gays in the theater, so maybe recast Nick.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 8/20/09 at 8:47pm

Anne would be nude the whole show. Bobby your casting made my night. I laughed out loud!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/20/09 at 8:47pm

"I said every day! I mean evvvvvvvvvery day! There's a lil'! A lil'! A liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiil' death there is, yes there is!"

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/20/09 at 8:49pm

Betty, Nick is a serious performer now that he's played Birdland.

Anne will have man cleavage.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 8/20/09 at 8:57pm

Did your man cleavage thread get deleted? I couldn't find it?

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 8/20/09 at 9:17pm

For our Opera season here in Detroit, Leslie Uggams is going to play Desiree in A Little Night Music.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/20/09 at 9:22pm

Yep Betty it did. There's a thread trying to figure out why though.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/20/09 at 9:35pm

Oh yeah and Patti's tuba will be the only accompaniment

[bway boy]

Posted: 8/20/09 at 9:54pm

bobby bubby just wondering is your username from company when they call bobby, bobby bubby

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/20/09 at 9:54pm

LOL

[bway boy]

Posted: 8/20/09 at 9:59pm

ljay who do you think will play desiree

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 1:13am

I think it's gonna be Hannah Waddingham. After the glowing review from Brantley that she got earlier this summer, I don't see why she wouldn't transfer with the show.

I have gone from being totally excited about the cast (when Winslet, Esparza, and Lansbury were mentioned) to complete indifference at this point. All the BS I've been hearing has tired me out. Whatever happens, happens. Although I'm sure there will be plenty of complaining when the cast is announced. Never fails.

And just because someone says they have a third cousin who knows someone who was one friends with the dogwalker for one of the producers of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC that they may not be a legit source...

[AnythingGoes2]

Posted: 8/21/09 at 5:30am

Patti couldn't play Desiree in this revival - they are opting for a Desiree of about her 40's ... plus I couldn't ever see her in this role.

Leave her to do Dolly...