It's Official! Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch to Star in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC Starting 7/13- Page 5

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 2:10pm

I just figured out why they are doing this. They want a commercial video recording of it (both actresses are probably willing since both have allowed commercial videos of their work to be made). I wanted a video of CZJ and Angela Lansbury.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 2:14pm

I do not think they are doing this to make a video.

Of course the production will be re-reviewed. The Stritch/Peters casting ia a major Broadway event.

Brantley is famous for re-reviewing productions and changing his mind (usually for the better). He famously did it with LuPone in GYPSY. I predict he will not only re-review it, but that this time his review will be a rave.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 2:20pm

I alsoI fully expect a video of the show to be made now with these two.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 2:24pm

The reason I think they want a video is to add to the Sondheim catalouge already out there. ALNM is one of Sondheim's better shows, and let's face it, Sondheim is entering "the bucket list" territory.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 2:32pm

There is absolutely no reason, though, to think that Lansbury or Jones would have vetoed a professional filming of the production, and obviously, from a production standpoint a video of the two of them would have been a lot more viable.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 2:34pm

I predict he will not only re-review it, but that this time his review will be a rave.

I'm not so sure I agree with you about this. He hated everything from the design to the direction. Those two aspects will be remaining the same, especially the design. The only part of the production that he really liked was Lansbury.
Updated On: 6/8/10 at 02:34 PM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:54pm

I really don't see how anyone can anticipate the critical reaction at this point. Though Peters has sung "Clowns," she's never played the role, and as she has already explained, will take the part in a different direction than Zeta-Jones. Her age, rather than a detraction, could enhance and deepen a production in dire need of more emotional resonance. If the men appear younger than she, it won't be Cougar-esque, as some have opined. She's playing a great stage star, and I think she will approximate Desiree's profile and charisma effortlessly.

Ironically, Zeta-Jones would make a damned good Countess to the Peters Desiree. Those two singing "Every Day a Little Death" might've been magic, and they look like they might be friends.

[D2]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 3:58pm

Except Desiree and Charlotte do not sing "Every Day a Little Death." Charlotte and Anne sing it.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 4:00pm

Ha! Where was my head! Jeesh. Talk about humiliations!

I should't be allowed to post here for a month. Well, until July 13th.

Updated On: 6/8/10 at 04:00 PM

[theeatah]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 4:08pm

There is a reason that CZJ might've vetoed filming the production. She could well have ambitions to star in a big screen version and snag a second Oscar.

I wonder if another big screen version were to happen with CZJ, would they likely dump Lansbury and cast Dench, or Redgrave?

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 4:13pm

I would love a new film. But without the right director, it could be another disaster of a Night Music film.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 4:15pm

In the Meryl Seacrest Sondheim bio, she quotes himself as being against a film from day one. Prince immediately saw it as filmic material, while Sondheim felt the entire piece was too static. I doubt the finished production mgave him faith that a new version would serve.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 4:26pm

"There is absolutely no reason, though, to think that Lansbury or Jones would have vetoed a professional filming of the production, and obviously, from a production standpoint a video of the two of them would have been a lot more viable."

Yeah, I don't see why Jones would've vetoed it (except a possible upcoming film version). This is the same woman who insisted that her hair be short in Chicago so that everyone knew she was the one doing the dancing. She wants recognition for her work.

[Broadwayboy2631]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 4:43pm

Yeah, and for her dancing in that movie, she damn well deserved the recognition that she got. Plus, isn't the short hair period friendly anyway? So off topic...

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/8/10 at 5:49pm

"I wonder if another big screen version were to happen with CZJ, would they likely dump Lansbury and cast Dench, or Redgrave?"

Like they dumped the perfectly cast Patricia Routledge so Lansbury could sleep walk through "Pirates of Penzance"?

[bryan2]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 5:03pm

I thinks Elaine Stritch is crass and cant sing and always acts the same LOUD and LOUDER ...this is all part of her act

Bernie is wonderful but I agree wih the part is
very european ish..not really suited..but she wasnt suited for Annie and she made it work for me...so go girl

It is of course stunt casting....and there is nothing wrong
with getting people into a broadway show anyway you can
it keeps people working..

[jagfkb]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 5:38pm

With this "reopening" of sorts, can I make a few changes?:

-SPEED IT UP!!! Many of the book scenes drag when they shouldn't, and with a little speed, everything can fall together like clockwork! The same goes for some of the songs: "Everyday a Little Death" in particular, though I love the reimagined opening.

-Can Anne not be THE most annoying person in the world? Please? Both performances, she's shorted out her microphones due to that inane shrieking.

-Charlotte should never out & out cry in Act One; she's composed: emotional but composed, making her the most interesting character of the piece. Without that composure, she has nowhere to go for Act Two. And noone should ever cry while singing... ever... Erin Davie if you weren't so brilliant half the time... half the time...

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 6:12pm

I'd love to see a Catherine Zeta-Jones-Vanessa Redgrave led film adaptation of NIGHT MUSIC directed by Stephen Daldry. Of course it'd never ever happen but it's nice to think about.
I wonder what Brantley will write about the show this second time around. I can't imagine him liking the actual production again but this time he'll probably be much kinder to the leading lady.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 6:32pm

The same goes for some of the songs: "Everyday a Little Death" in particular.

Not going to happen. I was told Nunn would not let go of the slower tempo to that song.

Charlotte should never out & out cry in Act One

Again, that's a major part of Nunn's vision for Charlotte. We don't have to agree with it, but I highly doubt he will change it.

[binau]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 7:13pm

People claimed that after Nunn left the cast were deviating a little from his 'vision'....I wonder if it is all going to 'come back' again for the new opening :P.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 7:18pm

Having seen it five times since the first preview, the only real differences are Hunter and Leigh Ann toning down their performances. Aaron and Erin got much stronger. Meanwhile Mallory actually turned up the histrionics.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 7:23pm

Apparently the show is getting a new Musical Director after the hiatus. I wonder if that will change anything musically for the production?

[Will42]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 8:08pm

Angela Lansbury replaced Estelle Parsons. Patricia Routledge was replaced by Estelle Parsons for the Broadway transfer.
Why would they replace Three-time Oscar nominee and Five-time Tony winner for the movie version anyway? It's not Mame/Lucille Désirée Ball situation.

[moljul]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 8:15pm

Give you one guess who the new Musical Director will be?

[binau]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 8:16pm

Marvin Laird?