I missed the early Squeezebox version of the show (I think I hadn't even moved to NYC yet). My first experience was at the Westbeth where it was set at the TGIFridays across from Madison Square Garden. It also contained the German-language version of of You Light Up My Life, which I thought was so bizarrely magnificent, I couldn't wrap my head around it. I would love to hear the differences between the earlier version and what ended up at the Jane Street Theater.
I'm a big fan of NPH, I think he's great. I'd hoped that he'd bring a Barnum revival to NY (he's so perfect for that) but when I heard this news I got REALLY excited because it was so completely unexpected.
I LOVE IT!!!
It shows how eager he is to stretch as an actor/singer, how willing to take a risk on something not safe and not "family friendly."
Can't wait to see what he'll do with this role---I saw him live in the Company concert (twice) and a bootleg of his Emcee in Cabaret--he's got the goods.
'"would love to hear the differences between the earlier version and what ended up at the Jane Street Theater."
You might never, if they're going to rewrite for broadway. Um, uh,that is, unless you find an alternate way to see it. cough.'
What...what? I saw the Westbeth version twice (in one week) and the Jane Street version twice. I was wondering what the piece was like when JCM was doing it at Squeezebox.
"how willing to take a risk on something not safe and not "family friendly." "
To be fair, his work on Harold and Kumar was not what I would call family friendly at all (and that was what really brought him back to the public eye and gave him the exposure to land How I Met Your Mother). And even though that show is on in the 8:00 (family) time slot his role there isn't exactly the most family friendly there either. So he's pushed away from that label well before taking this role on.
Gaveston - that's a line from a song in 9 TO 5, not a direct order from me. Move on!!
I just don't get how this announcement has become so polarizing in both directions. When was the last time BWW reacted so viscerally to a casting decision? I'm sure it was recent but I can't remember.
I think a lot of us are very protective of the HEDWIG of our imaginations. I've only seen the film, but it's still one of my favorite musicals of the past 20 years.
But I am on your side here, Headband. I'd love to see what NPH does with the role even while I'm fully aware that some people will never be happy with anyone but JCM in the part.
Quotation or not, however, this is not the first time you've ordered me to do one thing or another. With all due respect, my behavior really isn't your call. (But I certainly did not mean to declare "Open Season" on you. You've done me no harm.)
::quote::To be fair, his work on Harold and Kumar was not what I would call family friendly at all (and that was what really brought him back to the public eye and gave him the exposure to land How I Met Your Mother). And even though that show is on in the 8:00 (family) time slot his role there isn't exactly the most family friendly there either. So he's pushed away from that label well before taking this role on.::end quote::
Point well taken. He also must've shocked the Doogie Howser fans in his role as Emcee :)
I just figured (wrongly) that he might do something "safer" for Broadway. I'm delighted that he's doing this!
"Everybody bitched about him hosting the Tonys again, until he actually hosted the Tonys and killed (once again) and everybody waved palm fronds at the return of the Savior. "
"Great actors can take a role that they don't seem right for and do an amazing job with it. And NPH is a great actor.
As much as I enjoy what Harris does, I think that's a tremendously hyperbolic statement. Olivier and Gielgud were great actors; Meryl Streep is a great actor; Rod Steiger was a great actor.
It's a big list, but (up to now at least) Harris isn't on it, showing a dexterity at light TV comedy, and (in my opinion) being only satisfactory (not great) in attempts at something more rigorous (Company, Assassins).
He has a wonderful lightness, but I haven't yet seen an ability to go beyond that facileness. (Nor do I think he ever really has to - there's nothing wrong with a career of light comedy.)
I forgot to mention: the amazing @SpencerLiffhttps://twitter.com/spencerliff">@SpencerLiff will be working his magic on @ActuallyNPHhttps://twitter.com/ActuallyNPH">@ActuallyNPH this spring choreographing the revival of Hedwig!??
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle