1,432 posts
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Post by BVM on Oct 20, 2023 13:06:39 GMT
I’m not sure this is making the point you intended. Most very big fans of shows are very tribal and protective of original productions/casts. Alice Ripley was huge for a while in the late 2000’s, and won lots of awards including the Tony award. I think it’s quite surprising therefore that many, including myself, who saw both productions actually favour much or even all of the Donmar production. And, tellingly, Caissie Levy’s performance over Ripley’s - believe it or not (sorry). To take a performance like Ripley’s ingrained in musical theatre history and re-imagine it anew without being negatively compared to the original takes some real doing. Big fans are usually the hardest to please and the fact they were won over as well by Levy’s stunning performance is quite a superb achievement for the actress and the production. I think my point was fairly clear. I said I didn’t know many (well, any, but there must be some) people who weren’t big fans of the show but thought Cassie should win. At no point did I talk about comparing NTN leads as I don’t know anything about it and have never heard of Ripley. But I do know lots of people who were very sceptical of both a Lloyd production AND Nicole’s ability to carry a musical who had then been blown away by what she did and now do think she’s a deserved winner. |
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Post by couldileaveyou on Oct 20, 2023 13:13:28 GMT
It could also be objected that Norma Desmond has been deeply re-conceived in the Lloyd's revival so that NS could heavily rely on her persona in order to pull off the role and that there is nothing of Wilder's character in her performance
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Oct 20, 2023 14:38:21 GMT
There's no doubt that Caissie Levy sung the hell out of the score, but i wasn't getting much more depth from her, especially when Jamie Parker was leaving it all up there and acting her off the stage. Also, Caissie did exactly what people expected her to do, where as Scherszingersurprised everyone and that will definitely work in her favour. Its also a much big flashier role that easier to remember.
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Post by apubleed on Oct 20, 2023 14:54:35 GMT
Maybe it’s because I also have seen many other lesser Dianas, but the range and depth in vocal acting that Levy brought across a number of songs - I miss the mountains, you don’t know, how could I ever forget, so anyway etc I thought was high. When someone says she sang the hell out of the score I think it actually downplays her accomplishments. Because she didn’t just belt the whole thing. There was a lot of nuance and range of emotions across the spectrum of anger, sadness, vulnerability, regret etc. that’s why I cannot agree with other thoughts it was at all one note.
Unfortunately for Levy, Nicole also showed she can act while singing, but she also has a much stronger charasmatic star presence, is in a production with a hot director right now that was much more groundbreaking in the context of other sunset productions than this next to normal was and did the role more recently. Plus she gets to have more fun with the role - a lot of that due to her own personality too of course. So it is going to be an uphill battle.
But I don’t know if I like this revisionist negative view of Levy - she could easily go to Broadway and win the Tony. (So could Nicole). And overall, this production of next to normal will stick longer with me than Sunset because of how emotional it was and overall just a better score in my opinion.
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Post by happysooz2 on Oct 20, 2023 14:58:23 GMT
Aren’t we blessed to have had two performances of such note in such close proximity?
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Post by toomasj on Oct 20, 2023 15:17:34 GMT
apubleed spot on. Levy gives one of the great all-time performances. Phenomenal performance from one of the top talents in the world in her field.
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Oct 20, 2023 18:25:19 GMT
Maybe it’s because I also have seen many other lesser Dianas, but the range and depth in vocal acting that Levy brought across a number of songs - I miss the mountains, you don’t know, how could I ever forget, so anyway etc I thought was high. When someone says she sang the hell out of the score I think it actually downplays her accomplishments. Because she didn’t just belt the whole thing. There was a lot of nuance and range of emotions across the spectrum of anger, sadness, vulnerability, regret etc. that’s why I cannot agree with other thoughts it was at all one note. Unfortunately for Levy, Nicole also showed she can act while singing, but she also has a much stronger charasmatic star presence, is in a production with a hot director right now that was much more groundbreaking in the context of other sunset productions than this next to normal was and did the role more recently. Plus she gets to have more fun with the role - a lot of that due to her own personality too of course. So it is going to be an uphill battle. But I don’t know if I like this revisionist negative view of Levy - she could easily go to Broadway and win the Tony. (So could Nicole). And overall, this production of next to normal will stick longer with me than Sunset because of how emotional it was and overall just a better score in my opinion. I didn't say she belted the whole thing, I said she sang the hell out of it.
And it's not a revisionist view because I didn't rave about her in the first place.
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Post by westendwhistledown on Oct 31, 2023 21:53:52 GMT
Does anyone know how they did the blood in Act 1? (N2N, not Sunset lol!!)
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Post by doornumberthree on Oct 31, 2023 22:51:48 GMT
Does anyone know how they did the blood in Act 1? (N2N, not Sunset lol!!) I believe they were under the plastic box with Gabe’s things in, and the blood released under it to pool out around |
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2,496 posts
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Post by zahidf on Nov 20, 2023 10:04:48 GMT
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Post by jaggedlittlepie on Nov 20, 2023 10:08:54 GMT
The best news!!
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5,910 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Nov 20, 2023 10:11:55 GMT
WONDERFUL NEWS!!
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Post by strawberrypie on Nov 20, 2023 10:18:27 GMT
This is going to be dangerous for my wallet but TAKE ALL MY MONEY! Very, very excited to hear this, I can't wait for this production to be back in my life
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Post by toomasj on Nov 20, 2023 10:54:44 GMT
Told you so. This has been booked since before the Donmar run ended, as I posted on here several times. It hinged on the director wanting Caissie as I said before. Caissie is returning, by the way. No idea about the rest yet.
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Post by toomasj on Nov 20, 2023 10:59:07 GMT
I heard it was doing a limited 16 week run next year You heard correctly. Summer, it has a venue. Funding was dependent on Caissie staying. They’ve managed to secure her booking. It’s done. |
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Post by NorthernAlien on Nov 20, 2023 11:02:47 GMT
Exciting - I may actually be able to get to see this now!
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Post by vickyg on Nov 20, 2023 12:06:42 GMT
Really exciting news! I wonder how many of the Donmar cast will be returning. |
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530 posts
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Post by jampot on Nov 20, 2023 12:16:26 GMT
Donmar members on sale 28th Nov. Donmar also announcing their next season tomorrow.
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Post by toomasj on Nov 20, 2023 12:31:02 GMT
Caissie is incredible. So excited
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3,578 posts
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Post by Rory on Nov 20, 2023 12:32:44 GMT
I am intrigued. What was the amusing reference in relation to, now we know it is destined for the Wyndham's? |
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Post by toomasj on Nov 20, 2023 12:37:53 GMT
I am intrigued. What was the amusing reference in relation to, now we know it is destined for the Wyndham's? The information I had was it was planned for the former Comedy Theatre theatre, but this was unsuitable for some reason. The next word I got was it was booked - so I assumed it was at the same place, but apparently not. Wyndham’s is a much better venue anyway, so I’m delighted across the board. |
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Post by capybara on Nov 20, 2023 12:41:57 GMT
Great news. One of the best shows I’ve seen this year.
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Post by doornumberthree on Nov 20, 2023 13:19:43 GMT
Told you so. This has been booked since before the Donmar run ended, as I posted on here several times. It hinged on the director wanting Caissie as I said before. Caissie is returning, by the way. No idea about the rest yet. This wasn’t the case, nothing was confirmed until the week after it closed. And of course the transfer was Caissie dependant, they weren’t transferring it without her! |
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5,910 posts
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Post by mrbarnaby on Nov 20, 2023 13:23:00 GMT
Told you so. This has been booked since before the Donmar run ended, as I posted on here several times. It hinged on the director wanting Caissie as I said before. Caissie is returning, by the way. No idea about the rest yet. No idea where you get your information , but this certainly was NOT the case. And I know numerous people involved in this show. They hoped for a transfer- but as of closing at the Donmar- none of them knew for sure. It was dependant on a theatre and Caissie. Anyway it’s happening.. so let’s move on. |
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Post by solangelafitte on Nov 20, 2023 13:30:01 GMT
Thrilled this is transferring. Haven't always been a big fan of the show but really enjoyed this production and look forward to seeing it in a larger space to see how it comes across. I know some people weren't raving about his vocals in this but I really hope Jamie transfers with it. I always enjoy him, and him popping up for a minutes in the last few episodes of The Crown reminded me of that.
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