Doyle's Sweeney Todd, Company, and The Color Purple are all wonderful reinventions of classic shows. His production of Passion is absolutely phenomenal as well.
Daniel Fish's Oklahoma! with Mary Testa was pretty great.
I almost feel like the current production of Chicago is a stripped down version of the original larger production.
The Donmar's stripped down version of PARADE, on the other hand, felt like an absolute insult. One of the worst re-envisioned productions I've ever seen. And don't get me started on their arrangements & orchestrations. Disgraceful.
I saw a chamber music version of Ghost. For me Ghost is supposed to be loud and rock concert like especially with Rain/Hold On. In that version it was taken out.
Okay, as long as Henrik is the only one who has to play an instrument.
" Actually I think it is a show where it is appropriate for the actors to play instruments. He has had some shows such as Company and Allegro where it was unnecessary, but A Little Night Music and Pacific Overtures would lend itself nicely to that style.
I'd like to see do Doyle do A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC where not only do the characters play instruments, they are instruments. Desiree can sing "Send in the Clowns" to 'Frederick', the double bass with an off-stage vocalist. I expect a very graphic sex scene with Desiree and the double-bass.
Desiree: Isn't it rich
Frederick: Are we a pair
Desiree: Give me your bow
Frederick: Don't stick it in there
"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
I've always felt the grandeur of the original House on Sunset was an important part of Norma's distorted reality. It's a museum to all things past, and plays into her madness. I've seen productions without it, and it's always lacking in my opinion. I also feel this is one of the major drawbacks of the show...and it's one of my favorites.
aces25 said: "what are some great "stripped down" versions of big shows you've seen? Such as Fiasco Theatre's Into the Woods.
"
Yes, YES! Fiasco’s Into the Woods was a transformative experience for me. Sure, the performances could’ve been better, but what a concept. Pulled off with such aplomb.
Now, what if someone stripped down some long-running classics like… Les Mis? Wicked? Dare I say it, Phantom??