Sound of Music brought to you by Walmart & Stouffer's Lasagna- Page 2

Posted: 12/6/13 at 6:26pm

You are welcome to say you don't like it, but aside from the switch out of "Ordinary Couple" for "Something Good" the production can not be faulted for not being faithful to the "original" version.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 12/6/13 at 6:47pm

PB starts a thread to shame the broadcast for their changes from the "original" when, in fact, this is the ORIGINAL version (with the exception of one song)? My God, the narcism is overwhelming.

[JohnyBroadway]

Posted: 12/6/13 at 6:49pm

Clearly PBS has seen some regional productions that made illegal cuts.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 12/6/13 at 10:41pm

Who is PBS? Who said anything about me shaming anyone? The production I saw at the Walnut Street theater in Philly was a legal R&H production. I was there and so were reps. from R&H on opening night. They (R&H) made changes from the original production obviously because they felt it was a better choice. The film and other productions kept those changes which resulted in an award winning film and future productions that many have come to enjoy.

Overall, I disliked last night's show for many reasons and gave my opinion as to why. This chat is over as far as I'm concerned.

Updated On: 12/6/13 at 10:41 PM

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 12/6/13 at 11:05pm

That is a great philosophy to live by for someone who apparently runs his or her own entertainment company.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/6/13 at 11:35pm

Were messages deleted from this thread or what has any of this to do with either Walmart or Stouffer's Lasagna?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/6/13 at 11:48pm

This thread about cray heifers.

[veronicamae]

Posted: 12/6/13 at 11:57pm

Underwood's acting aside, I genuinely enjoyed it - and I had absolutely nothing to compare it to, having never seen the movie nor a stage production.

NBC gave 3 hours to musical theater - and most of the cast were stage actors. That is a GOOD thing. They should do this with a show every year. It would be WONDERFUL for theater and its fans. Not everyone has the opportunity to see hundreds of shows, or even one show.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 2:29am

"They (R&H) made changes from the original production obviously because they felt it was a better choice. The film and other productions kept those changes which resulted in an award winning film and future productions that many have come to enjoy. "

The changes were made FOR the film--so it MADE changes, it didn't keep changes that had been made beforehand (and Hammerstein was long gone by that point, anyway.) Using some of the movie changes has become standard in many revivals (I believe even the last Broadway revival) and it is officially approved, but that doesn't have anything to do with whether the R&H people think the changes were improvements, but rather that people (like yourself) seem to get confused and upset when the stage version doesn't reflect the film the same way you did.

[BroadwayBenny]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 1:52pm

PB ENT, you are completely ignorant on the history of this musical. Just fess up and stop trying to justify that you know what you're talking about. You don't.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 3:36pm

Someone who doesn't know their musical theater FACTS has NO BUSINESS being a contributing editor/writer for a Broadway theater site.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 5:33pm

The plastic version of which you will be able to find...at Walmart! Walmart: Makin' dreams come true!

[Back Row]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 6:35pm

For some perspective, look at the NY Times review of the 1965 movie. The movie was hardly considered an artistic masterpiece.
NY Times review of the 1965 movie

[bobs3]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 6:36pm

Normally I don't respond to bitchy remarks from bitter used-up theater queens like yourself. But I am making an exception. Your remarks are unkind about a production that hundreds of people put countless time and energy into.

This production from the very beginning never pretended to be anything but "The Carrie Underwood Show" she was always the star attraction. And she delivered -- the numbers don't lie -- 18.5 million viewers (about 1.5 million more than NBC guaranteed advertisers). It was always billed as Carrie Underwood starring in The Sound of Music LIVE! The names Rodgers and Hammerstein were not even mentioned in the advertising. None of the other actors appeared above the title. Do you really think this broadcast would have attracted 18.5 million viewers if your precious Laura Osnes, your beloved Anneliese van der Pol, or the overrated Sierra Bogess had been cast in the lead. Carrie's acting chops may not be the greatest but her singing is always amazing and that is why most people watched the show.

This broadcast was meant to appeal to middle America -- anywhere outside of the elitism of NYC, DC and LA -- (a place you obviously know nothing about) which is why Wal Mart was the main sponsor. You may not shop at Wal Mart or eat Stouffer's but middle America does (they also shop at JCPenney, Kohl's, Ross and eat at Luby's, Piccadilly and Chili's and don't think twice about buying a Chevrolet).

In the future you should keep your negativity to yourself. At my viewing party a invited guest brought along an uninvited bitter theater queen (actual quote -- "I was in the first national company of 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'" -- which of course made him the know all, end all and be all of the American theater) who spent the entire first 20 minutes until the first commercial break giving a running commentary about everything he hated about the broadcast at which time I looked at him and said "Please save your comments until the show is over. Most of us are trying to enjoy this without your negativity. MY HOUSE MY RULES." He pouted in the corner and crept out after about an hour without thanking me for the meal I served.




Updated On: 12/7/13 at 06:36 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 7:05pm

I know plenty of people in Middle America who watched it because it was Sound of Music and not Carrie Underwood, and some were moist, non-theatre kings!

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 7:43pm

I am sorry that this post caused so much controversy. It was not meant to be mean spirited towards anyone. I did not have my facts correct and did not take the time or have the opportunity to research the NBC production facts , but instead compared the NBC production to the film and more recent productions (which I personally wished they had taken that direction).

My references to Walmart & Stouffers may not have been my best choice of words, even if I think the production was overall "community theater quality" with the exception of a few Broadway actors. It was obviously not received in the humor I was intending.

I jumped the gun by foolishly posting this on the BWW msg. board. It's been a very long long time and I'd forgotten how quickly people are judged and crucified here for their opinions and at times lack of good judgement AND perfection. I will ask Rob to review the post for deletion, if he likes and keep my personal opinions far from the BWW board.

Ok, I've taken the heat and the high road on this one and hope others will do the same. Peace!

Updated On: 12/7/13 at 07:43 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 7:47pm

Maybe you could leave the thread and give us the cross? It's getting cold and we could use the wood.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 12/7/13 at 11:54pm

PB, if you so enjoyed the show at Walnut, then surely you know that the Mother Abbess and Maria sing "My Favorite Things" and that "Lonely Goatherd" is set in the bedroom. Were you thinking or hoping it was going to be a remake of the film?

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 12/8/13 at 11:56am

It's been 11 years since I covered Walnut's 2002 Sound of Music, when I wrote for Talkin' Broadway. I'm sure the coverage is somewhere in their huge archives. I googled the cast: James Brennan (Von Trapp) and Luann Aronson (Maria). Also starred Philly's Jeff Coon and Mary Martello who are still actively working in Philly!

Yes, I do remember the score being different than the film, likely the original version, which I recall surprised me at the time. But I did not have any issues with this. I enjoyed Walnut's production even with the changes. The acting, sets were top notch as I recall. I will have to ask my TB colleague Tim who now covers TB Philly if he can find my article for me. Not so much with NBC's version. Yes, I was hoping for a lot of things to enjoy about this version. I was disappointed in the NBC presentation for many reasons which no one really cares/ needs to know at this point. Again, just my opinion.

What I remember from 2002 is the controversy about Walnut attempting something that R&H was not informed about and that reps for R&H were sitting in the front rows on Opening night and quickly exited before the curtain call as they made sure there were no surprises. The Walnut has an excellent rep. and needed to keep it that way. I have great respect for Bernard and co. Again, it's been 11 years and about 300 articles later for me.

Here's the link to the R&H issue:
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/75288-RH-Org-Nixes-Walnut-Streets-Singalong-Sound-of-Music

Updated On: 12/8/13 at 11:56 AM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 12/8/13 at 1:04pm

Ladies and gentlemen, The Trial of PB Ent has concluded. Charges have been answered, apologies have been given, restitution has been made, demerits have been issued. Demerits that will remain on the accused party's permanent record, which will follow her for the rest of her life.

Court is adjourned.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 12/8/13 at 1:08pm

Yes, don't expect perfection every time someone puts in their 2 cents...but being knowledgeable about the subject you are writing about is an asset...and I might add does not put your credibility into question.

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/8/13 at 1:14pm

Does someone have to take a class to have an opinion of The Sound of Music telecast? It's an opinion, one of many, just like yours and mine.

This thread and all of its angry posts remind me of Walmart, though.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 12/8/13 at 1:54pm

No besty, one does not. But if one is writing about a theatrical piece as a contributing editor to a theatrical website don't you think knowledge of the subject is required?

For example, the original poster had an issue with the "changes" made to THE SOUND OF MUSIC on the recent live broadcast and based those opinions in comparison to the 1965 film. The poster had no clue that these "changes" were always a part of the original stage show.

I have no issue with the original posters opinion of the show, but get your facts straight because then you just lose all credibility.





Updated On: 12/8/13 at 01:54 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/8/13 at 2:31pm

So let her lose all credibility. I don't think a public hanging was in order. At most, just write it off as ignorant.

And don't read her column.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 12/8/13 at 2:41pm

I wasn't hanging her. I was pointing out the obvious and for the record I don't read her column. I'd rather get my information from people who know what they're talking about. Thank you very much.