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Post by bobbievanhusen on Jan 8, 2023 3:49:16 GMT
watched some of it again today. I wish AJC's Getting Married Today was slowed down, just a tad. Some of it gets lost in the middle, which is a shame because she was great performing it
Jenna Russell was woefully underused.
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Post by sukhavati on Jan 9, 2023 5:22:43 GMT
Jonny was originally asked but because he was headlining above the title in Cock he couldnt get the night off - so they originally were looking at a mixture of the new way and the old way - Drive A Person Crazy works better with women anyway I find 🤷🏻♂️ I have to say the particular alchemy of George Blagdon, Matthew Seadon, and Richard Fleischman was perfect to me. The song usually does work beautifully for ladies, but the boy's chemistry combined with light attitude of these three actors was genius, with fun reactions by RosieMae hitting all the right notes. By comparison, the NY cast seemed very forced, a bit too try hard. Well, other than Patti, the whole NY transfer seemed very try hard compared to London. I much preferred the version at the Gielgud. |
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Post by alece10 on Jan 14, 2023 19:49:42 GMT
Just rewatching the concert and it made me wonder if Broadway has done anything similar? I don't remember hearing of anything.
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Jan 14, 2023 20:20:41 GMT
Just rewatching the concert and it made me wonder if Broadway has done anything similar? I don't remember hearing of anything. They had a memorial service at one of the theatres where colleagues like James Lapine and John Kander spoke but no specific concert event. Apparently James Lapine told an anecdote about him and Steve taking ecstasy before going to see a production of Merrily lol |
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Post by apubleed on Jan 15, 2023 14:47:15 GMT
Bernadette is almost 75 years old! I don't think it is realistic for anyone to expect her to sing like she used to. The name of the concert, 'Old' friends should be taken literally! The only person I can think of whose voice didn't seriously deteriorate by that age is Patti LuPone. Still, I think she managed to show off her trademark vulnerability and unique timbre with "Losing My Mind", holding her own on that stage. I completely understand why people might not find her voice pleasant, both now and even in her prime. There is honestly nothing like it - it's so weird and bizarre and not for everyone, but that's why it's so great and was the perfect instrument to help Sondheim and Lapine bring their groundbreakingly odd show 'Sunday in the Park with George' to life. Bernadette also turned out definitive Sondheim performances in "Into the Woods", "Anyone Can Whistle", "Evening Primrose" (on CD with Mandy Patinkin) and "A Little Night Music" as well as polarising (but to my ears brilliant) performances in "Follies" and "Gypsy'. A highly regarded Sondheim concert at Carnegie Hall in the 90s that is well documented on CD, at least 2 Sondheim readings (his latest unseen work and previously Bounce/Wise Guys), and she also auditioned as Mrs Lovett in the Sweeney Todd film (she was filmed singing Worst Pies), although as somewhat made fun of in this very concert Helena Bonham Carter got the part even if her voice was not the best choice because she had the right look and personality (Sondheim apparently agreed and had final approval). In the New York Times Sondheim said Bernadette's performance in Sunday is among his favourite (along with Lansbury in Sweeney Todd and Merman in Gypsy). Given this body of work and relationship with Sondheim she is not just a leading interpreter but THE leading interpreter. If you can't enjoy it, fine. For those that can, I think we know there is something very special about the pairing of the two.  |
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Post by karloscar on Jan 15, 2023 21:19:08 GMT
Bernadette is almost 75 years old! I don't think it is realistic for anyone to expect her to sing like she used to. The name of the concert, 'Old' friends should be taken literally! The only person I can think of whose voice didn't seriously deteriorate by that age is Patti LuPone. Still, I think she managed to show off her trademark vulnerability and unique timbre with "Losing My Mind", holding her own on that stage. I completely understand why people might not find her voice pleasant, both now and even in her prime. There is honestly nothing like it - it's so weird and bizarre and not for everyone, but that's why it's so great and was the perfect instrument to help Sondheim and Lapine bring their groundbreakingly odd show 'Sunday in the Park with George' to life. Bernadette also turned out definitive Sondheim performances in "Into the Woods", "Anyone Can Whistle", "Evening Primrose" (on CD with Mandy Patinkin) and "A Little Night Music" as well as polarising (but to my ears brilliant) performances in "Follies" and "Gypsy'. A highly regarded Sondheim concert at Carnegie Hall in the 90s that is well documented on CD, at least 2 Sondheim readings (his latest unseen work and previously Bounce/Wise Guys), and she also auditioned as Mrs Lovett in the Sweeney Todd film (she was filmed singing Worst Pies), although as somewhat made fun of in this very concert Helena Bonham Carter got the part even if her voice was not the best choice because she had the right look and personality (Sondheim apparently agreed and had final approval). In the New York Times Sondheim said Bernadette's performance in Sunday is among his favourite (along with Lansbury in Sweeney Todd and Merman in Gypsy). Given this body of work and relationship with Sondheim she is not just a leading interpreter but THE leading interpreter. If you can't enjoy it, fine. For those that can, I think we know there is something very special about the pairing of the two. HBC was in a relationship with the director of Sweeney Todd for over a decade. I doubt Sondheim had much say in her casting. (And he didn't regard Merman as the definitive Rose in Gypsy, much preferring Lansbury and Tyne Daly who's acting skills far surpassed Ethel's. |
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Post by apubleed on Jan 16, 2023 1:47:06 GMT
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Post by justsaying113 on Jan 16, 2023 9:18:50 GMT
Really interesting point apubleed makes about LuPone. I know she's very much a marmite performer but, purely in terms of how her voice (regardless of whether one likes it or not) has remained as strong and unchanged is quite extraordinary. I heard, no idea if it's true, that she still has voice lessons religiously every week.
Bernadette's voice isn't what it was but I saw her in 'Follies' on Broadway and I thought her 'Losing My Mind' was heartbreaking. That she's still doing it at 74 is remarkable.
Anyway, I've enjoyed this thread and it's always interesting to see how others agree or not about certain performers. Personally, Imelda Staunton leaves me utterly cold whereas, in her prime (long past, granted), Elaine Paige was as good as it gets. How boring it would be eh if we all liked (and disliked) the same artists.
And, finally, how sad Julia McKenzie gave up live performing at a relatively young age. Pure class!
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Post by karloscar on Jan 16, 2023 12:02:29 GMT
Patti Lupone's voice has changed a bit over the years, it has a mellower tone than it used to have and belting all those high notes in A New Argentina would no longer be possible. She said herself that she realised as she approached forty that she would not be able to sustain her voice if she kept punishing it the way she had up to that point, so she sought professional help and relearned how to sing in a safer, healthier way. It's much more common now for non classical singers to have a voice teacher to help maintain their voice over the years. Bette Midler did a similar thing when she was preparing to do Gypsy. Her later recordings and live performances are much better vocally than what she did in her early years though some may miss that brash unpredictable excitement of 70s Bette.
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Post by alece10 on Feb 9, 2023 18:32:19 GMT
Just listening to a podcast "The Mayor of musical theatre" with Anna Jane Casey which I really recommend as she is great fun.
She talks a little about the Sondheim Gala and said that the version of "Not Getting Married" we saw on the BBC was recorded at the dress rehearsal as, on the night, she "fu**Ed it up!" to quote her.I can't say I noticed mistakes on the night but it's such a difficult song.
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 9, 2023 18:55:23 GMT
Just listening to a podcast "The Mayor of musical theatre" with Anna Jane Casey which I really recommend as she is great fun. She talks a little about the Sondheim Gala and said that the version of "Not Getting Married" we saw on the BBC was recorded at the dress rehearsal as, on the night, she "fu**Ed it up!" to quote her.I can't say I noticed mistakes on the night but it's such a difficult song. Yeah, she did f**k it up on the night |
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Post by mattnyc on Feb 9, 2023 19:31:27 GMT
And also Judi Dench, correct?
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Post by alece10 on Feb 9, 2023 20:40:47 GMT
And also Judi Dench, correct? It was such an iconic night I was just grateful to have been there. |
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Post by Being Alive on Feb 9, 2023 23:46:51 GMT
And also Judi Dench, correct? Yes, Judi on the film is from the dress rehearsal. |
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Post by christya on Feb 10, 2023 14:32:54 GMT
There was also a fairly glaring missed cue in 'Into the Woods', so there's another one they took from the dress.
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Post by westendcub on Feb 12, 2023 21:15:22 GMT
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Post by theatremiss on Feb 12, 2023 21:17:35 GMT
Can’t wait for this. I hope the tickets are cheaper than the one off concert |
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Post by marob on Feb 12, 2023 21:38:47 GMT
Nice cast. We knew about Bernadette, but Lea Salonga is a pretty cool addition. Decent run too, so shouldn’t be too hard to get a ticket this time.
Will be nice to finally see Jac Yarrow in something that isn’t Joseph. I wonder will he be doing the bits Rob Houchen performed in the gala?
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Post by Being Alive on Feb 12, 2023 21:43:31 GMT
The addition of Lea, and particularly Jo Riding, make this once again unmissable
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Post by mattnyc on Feb 12, 2023 22:04:29 GMT
Peters, Salonga, Riding - yeah I’ll be there. :-) :-) :-) :-)
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Post by alece10 on Feb 12, 2023 22:12:33 GMT
Thus is a great line up with Bernadette, Lea, Joanne and Janie. I'm thrilled for Jac Yarrow as well, it will be great to see him do something different than Joseph.
He did a number from Sweeney at a concert a while ago and was excellent.
I think it will be fairly easy to get tickets due to the length of the run and the fact Sondheim has a limited audience. I can see me booking 2 or 3 trips.
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Feb 12, 2023 22:28:11 GMT
'Further names set to appear during the 16 weeks is to be revealed'
That sounds like people will be doing a few weeks here and there. I assume they'll add some more men to the line up. Jac Yarrow might be a good Anthony, but i dont think he's ready for Sweeney just yet.
Lea Salonga hasnt been on a London stage in 27 years? That doesnt sound right.
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Post by theoracle on Feb 12, 2023 22:29:07 GMT
Also hoping it won't cost £1250 this time
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Post by theoracle on Feb 12, 2023 22:32:07 GMT
Also, keeping fingers crossed that we'll get to have another decent sized orchestra for the run, and I will die happy if I get to hear Joanna Riding sing Losing My Mind again
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Feb 12, 2023 22:38:42 GMT
'Further names set to appear during the 16 weeks is to be revealed' That sounds like people will be doing a few weeks here and there. I assume they'll add some more men to the line up. Jac Yarrow might be a good Anthony, but i dont think he's ready for Sweeney just yet. Lea Salonga hasnt been on a London stage in 27 years? That doesnt sound right. I was told a few months ago (but embargoed until now) that the plan is to have cast rotate in and out to accommodate “name” availability. |
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