I've heard from a friend that I trust and who is close to the production that Laura would like a three month hiatus from the show, and come back in April or May, and the producers are trying to see if she can be accommodated. They also have every expectation that the show will run at least through the summer of 2014.
CZJ at opening night party for A Little Night Music, Dec 13, 2009.
I don't know any behind the scenes details but what would the conflict be between a January reading and a show running March 12 - May 4? Is there any indication Dames at Sea will open before summer?
ETA: Is this the cast for the Dames at Sea workshop? Laura Osnes, Rachel York, Mara Davi, John Bolton, Cary Tedder, and Danny Gardner. SourceUpdated On: 12/18/13 at 10:27 PM
Sorry, I don't, and from what I understand, this is anything but a done deal. I think there are many issues that would need to be resolved in order for it to work.
CZJ at opening night party for A Little Night Music, Dec 13, 2009.
There really are no theaters left available for DAMES to go into for the spring. The Palace is way too big for this small show. No other theater is currently available for the spring. So Osnes cold return in May and stay for the summer. It's all nice to hear that the producers want to keep Cinderella open through the summer at least.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
I'm unclear what doing a one night concert at Carnegie Hall has to do with her not renewing her contract. Many performers have a night or two off to do major concerts during their contract of a musical.
Saw the show last Tuesday night. Understand I'm a big fan of Laura Osnes but to be honest there were two performances I enjoyed far more than hers. Santino Fontana was truly charming as the Prince and his voice is impressive and strong. But by far the biggest audience response of the evening was for Rebecca Luker and her singing of "There's Music In You". She was absolutely wonderful and there were cheers and yelps after she hit her last note. It was without a doubt the highlight of the evening. I'd be more concerned missing them in the show than Osnes yet I do understand your disappointment in not seeing her. However I think you'll still enjoy the show whether or not she's still in it. The sets, costumes and staging are top notch. The whole show has a beautiful look. And it's great hearing Rodgers music played live by a full orchestra.
Because Laura Osnes may be leaving in January, I saw the show again this afternoon. Laura is still my favorite part of the entire production. She's absolutely perfect and this role was really tailored to her strengths. I can't imagine a pop star in this role. I'd see it while Laura, Ann Harada, Peter Bartlett and Phumzile Sojola (Lord Pinkleton) are still there. They are consistently wonderful.
(Oddly, in contrast to the person above, I can take or leave Santino Fontana and Rebecca Luker. Ms. Luker has improved a great deal from when she first started - finally getting the hang of Crazy Marie - but I still prefer Victoria Clark. And I'd love to see a Prince Topher who can dance. Maybe on tour...)
Can you please elaborate on how a role that was written 55 years ago was tailored to suit Laura Osnes?
I know there were changes etc.. so I realise it is possible, but I'm curious about the detail of what exactly what tailored to suit her..
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
Do you think that Laura and Santino will be out for the afternoon shows for their commitments (Laura: DAMES and VALENTINE'S DAY, Santino: ACT ONE)? Weather permitting, I'm seeing Cinderella in mid-January and I don't want to miss them at all.
I saw this back in August. Laura Osnes was simply enchanting in the role. She brought so much to the role, and I could not take my eyes off of her the entire evening.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
^^Sure. I’ve seen enough interviews with the Broadway cast and creative team to know they tried various iterations of the Cinderella character before settling on this one and they did tailor it to Laura (to the extent possible). The new book made that possible. This Cinderella is known for her charity, generosity and kindness. That can be a treacly role to play, and in the wrong hands come off unbearable, but it works beautifully for Laura, who, in my opinion, naturally kind of radiates kindness and goodness. She manages to not make it feel fake or saccharine. That’s tough to do, and if it's not pulled off, this version of the show doesn't work.
I recently heard Harriet Harris say in an interview (linked below): “Very early on there were a lot of lines that Cinderella had that were sort of tongue-in-cheek or sort of like smart girl lines and I think they just went ‘We’ve got something so valuable here, we’ve got an actress that everybody ... believe[s] in her goodness so why undercut that.’” You can tell they worked with it and emphasized that quality.
I also think the balletic dance is wonderfully suited to her dance strengths. She floats onstage. All my opinion, of course.
I know the rumor is pop star, but they would cash out if they brought Brandy in. I'm sure that someone thought to contact her, and she's not doing anything right now. Not my pick, but she'd be a strong financial choice.
Thanks for posting that link! I really enjoyed watching/Listening to that video while I was working out! (LOL, that sounds vain, but that's actually what I was doing while listening to it! )
@ 1:11:00 in the SAG interview – Harriet Harris talks about a song that was cut for the stepmother (at least that’s how I perceived it) anyone know what song she was talking about?
It was a song called "I have Loved and Learned" it was only in the show for the first two weeks as well as an Act 2 number for Gabriella and Jean-Micheal.
I am still sad the first was cut because it was really fun and gave Harris a great moment, but it is to similar of a song to "A Lovely Night". The show was also running over three hours at that point.
"I think lying to children is really important, it sets them off on the right track" -Sherie Rene Scott-
Will Sally Murphy be in The Threepenny Opera? I am a copywriter and a huge fan of Ms Murphy. I would like to write a sales letter for the production to help promote it. Thank you for any information you can give.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Laura seems so passionate about this show, I wonder why she is leaving soon with no announced plans of returning like rumored above. Hopefully she has something big lined up to take on.