Andre De Shields and Bat Out of Hell Aug 23
2019, 07:53:58 AM
The whole original cast of AINT MISBEHAVIN’ (no G) was electric onstage! So simple in retrospect— five livewire performers, a hot onstage band and pure magic happened every night. This was the original jukebox musical compared to which all others fall very short. One of the greats that made the 70’s perhaps the greatest decade of musicals in history.
Best and favorite Aug 20
2019, 11:45:08 PM
Best and favorite show remains OBC of A LITTLE NIIGHT MUSIC. But I have gotten ridiculous enjoyment from Pearl Bailey and Carol Channing’s respective revivals of HELLO DOLLY in the 70’s and GUYS AND DOLLS revival from ‘92. Recent favorites include BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY and GROUNDHOG DAY, though they are both pieces too flawed to be considered bests.
West End CAROLINE OR CHANGE revival at Roundabout in 2020 Aug 19
2019, 02:46:41 PM
I’ll be as excited as the rest of you to see this revival next year, but coming at it from a different direction. I went to the original Bway production expecting to see the show that all of you love and revere so, only to be left unmoved and frankly not a little bored. I’ve gone back and listened to the OBC cd over and over, understanding clearly what the show wants to accomplish, and still falling short for me. (Maybe I’m hyper sensitive to the depiction of the Jewish family as a bunch of mone
Rodgers and Hammerstein on Revivals (Question) Aug 19
2019, 06:38:50 AM
The above comment just reinforces Ol Blue Eyes’ thesis: most of those playwright’s works feature casts where African Americans are in the majority. Had they cast CAROUSEL with a chiefly African American cast, Billy Bigelow’s color would have ceased to be an issue, and the depiction of that character with all his flaws would have had nothing to do with race.
Haven't changed my avatar since I joined in 2012-- it's Boris Aronson's gorgeous sketch of the tree in PACIFIC OVERTURES to match my name. Suddenly last week some stranger showed up in its place. How can I get my original one back? (Asked by a technologically challenged luddite.)
Moulin Rouge cheaper tickets Aug 10
2019, 10:51:21 PM
A week ago I bought 2 center orch seats from Ticketmaster row P 102,103 for $199 for the Thurs matinee on Oct 3. $199 isn’t cheap but it’s not $340 either
I'm no good at downloading photos (maybe Morosco can help) but Peter Larkin's original set for THE RINK had a stunning partial 2-level set torqued into an astonishing version of false perspective.
Clarke Dunham's gorgeous set for GRIND boasted far more than just 2 levels; it contained a veritable rabbit warren of dressing rooms on probably 6 or 7 levels surrounding its Burlesque stage with its fully working fly loft, all placed on a constantly rotating turntable.The show ha
John Kander's "remixed" Cabaret? Aug 3
2019, 08:26:36 PM
And even in this exhaustive song list, poor unloved Meeskite failed to make the cut.
Paul McCartney is supposedly writing a score for '"It's a Wonderful Life". Perfect project for the stage, but I can't believe McCartney will be the best composer for it.
Leonard Bernstein had a beautiful singing voice (demonstrated frequently in his Young People's Concerts series), but for the life of me, I can't remember hearing him ever sing songs from his own shows.
"I didn't understand why that had Raul singing that song, I think it would have worked better as just an ensemble number commenting on Addison's adventures instead of Wilson."
Wait, they now have Willie singing parts of "Addison's Trip"? Wonder why...
Oklahoma! Hadestown or Beetljuice? Jul 27
2019, 07:55:28 AM
Mama’s ranking would be mine too, except that I’d put OK even lower down if I could. HADESTOWN was transporting bliss.
Saddest musical? Jul 26
2019, 08:39:55 PM
Applause for the person who mentioned BILLY ELLIOTT. That left me in puddles of tears all 4 times I saw it.
BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY might be first runner up.
WEST SIDE STORY, alas, is exquisite but has never ever moved me to tears.
Classics: RAGS, THE RINK, THE SECRET GARDEN (would that be considered short-lived?)
Recent: BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, GROUNDHOG DAY, GARY (I know, I know, not really a musical, but sort of...), also THE NANCE (see note above for GARY).
The two beats you mention of Marge’s arc both most assuredly happened in the Bway production. As I recall, she was seen listening to the radio on her window sill as the song starts. She begins to sing along until at a certain point, her live voice drowns out the radio and she solos for the rest.
The moment when she changes from a meddlesome neighbor to sympathetic friend was a lovely pivot in the whole arc of the Bway production for me. The new way we loo
