why reba macentire for south pacfic????- Page 2

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/14/04 at 5:14pm

That, and she made one of her daughters undergo electric shock treatment.

The A&E Biography is GENIUS!

[rlbgbc]

Posted: 10/14/04 at 5:16pm

You have a point, hausen of the beaver -- I should have read the thread more carefully to actually GET your point. LOL

Isn't it odd, though, how interracial relationships seem to be a recurring theme over time in musicals? Of course, SHOWBOAT. Then SOUTH PACIFIC. Then NO STRINGS (while it wasn't actually a "theme" of the show per se -- or a major one, I don't think, much was made of Diahann Carroll and Richard Kiley playing love interests), then of course, MISS SAIGON, to a degree. Updated On: 10/14/04 at 05:16 PM

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/14/04 at 5:22pm

I think the point about NO STRINGS was made but perhaps I can clarify a bit:

The first page of script describes Barbara [female lead] as an attractive, fashionable woman in her early 20s and "a lady of color [Remember, it was 1962.] There will be no further mention of her race."

Hope this helps!

[Marquise]

Posted: 10/14/04 at 5:37pm

rlbgbc,

you make "the sound of music" sound a whole helluvalot more interesting than it really is! i like your version waaaay better! LOL

[Jon]

Posted: 10/14/04 at 6:31pm

The real Annie Oakley story is not nearly as glamorous. She was around 17 when she met Frank Butler, who was at least 20 years older than her. They married, and then, only after being his sidekick for a few years, did she rise to stardom.

[Marquise]

Posted: 10/14/04 at 6:35pm

speaking of no strings. diahann carroll caused a big stink in the mid-60s when Universal bought the movie rights. Ross Hunter was producing it for them and it was announced that Nancy Kwan was cast in the role that Carroll originated on the stage. needless to say Carroll was pissed that at least she or another actress of color wasn't considered for the role. universal/ross hunter wound up shelving the project altogether.

[Rypm25]

Posted: 10/14/04 at 7:35pm

It's interesting that people suggest Reba for "The Unsinkable Molly Brown." I recall an interview with her a while ago where she discussed that she was the first person asked to play Molly Brown in "Titanic." However, in order to do it she would have to stop touring for a while and she didn't feel it was fair that all the people who work for her would have to stop working just so she could do a movie. So, the role went to Kathy Bates. Just thought that was interesting.:)

[moljul]

Posted: 10/14/04 at 7:43pm

Actually Annie Oakley's popularity rose quite quickly. Frank realized a girl that can shoot is a heck of a lot more interesting than a man who can shoot so he quit and became her manager making the premise of the show with them being rivals complete false. He was completely devoted to her. I don't think they were quite that far apart in age. I thought she was about 14 when they met and he was in his mid 20s. They had a very long marriage and died about 17 days apart. Annie went first.

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/14/04 at 8:33pm

RYPM,

that's maybe the best icon here.

is that moose and allistair???

[Rypm25]

Posted: 10/14/04 at 9:03pm

indeed it is robbiej...indeed it is..:)

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/14/04 at 9:04pm

god i love moose.

when are they going to release them on DVD???

Posted: 10/14/04 at 9:09pm

Rypm - I LOVE that Reba story - integrity in the business, who knew?

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/15/04 at 12:40am

Nancy Kwan as Barbara Woodruff in NO STRINGS?

What's next, Miyoshi Umeki as Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL? :)

[musicalmjk]

Posted: 10/15/04 at 1:31am

i would go see anyone in south pacific, it a good show. I missed it, South Pacific, when it played in DC, but its a great show to see. and i think reba would be a great nellie.

Updated On: 10/15/04 at 01:31 AM

[bjivie2]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 4:09am

Rebecca Luker as Nellie? She doesn't belt! Come on now!

I'm all for Reba playing Nellie. I think she'll be great. You know who else would be great in a few years? Laura Benanti.

[MusicMan]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 11:46am

Nellie Forbush is described by James Michener in TALES OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC as "a slender, pretty nurse of 22."
Emile De Becque and Nellie share a December-May romance (Rodgers and Hammerstein breaking tradition again).
Nellie is able to come to grips with her racism and change her views. Flexibility is the privilege of youth.
Casting middle-aged women in the role (Glenn Close!!) completely misses the point. (Mary Martin may have been in her late thirties when she played the role but her tomboy persona and ebullient charm at least gave off the appearance of youth).
I suspect that a recording is being made of this concert which is the only way one can justify the insane casting.
Updated On: 10/16/04 at 11:46 AM

[Matt_G]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 11:53am

This is a concert, MusicMan. It's not a full out production of the show. It's about voices.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 11:55am

MusicMan,

I TOTALLY agree with all your comments and would like to add just one more:

Nellie comes from a White Middle-Class Family in Deep South (Arkansas.)

Being a Country & Western singer doesn't mean you can fit into a role from the South like wearing a glove.

Who here thinks Loretta Lynn could play Scarlett O'Hara?

[artsamore]

Posted: 10/16/04 at 4:41pm

Yeah Reba may work,

But was Sutton Foster not available?! Surely she could have gotten a night off from Little Women.