Well, I think we all saw this coming. I saw the show twice and I have to say I did not see a masterpiece or any high theatre, but I had a good time and it was fun. I'm sure the cast will not have any trouble finding new jobs, they were all very talented.
Grateful for Hunter Parish's recording of "Beautiful City" and the notoriety of this revival on the forum. Ellis can't manage to hold a job for long, can he?
"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'm just surprised it took this long. Talk of low grosses and half-empty houses have plagued this show, but the producers certainly did their utmost to keep the show afloat. I know it's had its share of fans but, let's face it, this production of a very dated show was just a wee bit awful.
I'm in the UK, and have not seen this production, but from what I can see (and hear from the cast recording, which I think is superb) it seems like a brilliant production of Godspell.
Is there something about it when you actually see it that makes it so bad? Because from what I can see, it looks great, and I can't seem to understand the strong dislike for it from what I've seen.
THEATRE 2016:
Grey Gardens; SwkPlayhouse, Cats; London Palladium, Into the Woods; Royal Exchange, Show Boat; Sheffield Crucible, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Prsicilla Queen of the Desert; UK Tour, Narrative; RWCMD, Mojo; RWCMD, The Barber of Seville; WNO, Rabbit Hole; Hampstead, The Marriage of Figaro; WNO, Figaro Gets a Divorce; WNO, Tom: The Musical; UK Tour
Upcoming: Anything Can Happen; RWCMD, Cysgy'n Brys'ur, Long Day's Journey Into Night; Bristol Old Vic, Only the Brave, The Caretaker; The Old Vic, People Places and Things, Blue/Orange; Young Vic, Bernadette Peters, Carole King, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I & II
I'm in the UK, and have not seen this production, but from what I can see (and hear from the cast recording, which I think is superb) it seems like a brilliant production of Godspell.
Is there something about it when you actually see it that makes it so bad? Because from what I can see, it looks great, and I can't seem to understand the strong dislike for it from what I've seen.
THEATRE 2016:
Grey Gardens; SwkPlayhouse, Cats; London Palladium, Into the Woods; Royal Exchange, Show Boat; Sheffield Crucible, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Prsicilla Queen of the Desert; UK Tour, Narrative; RWCMD, Mojo; RWCMD, The Barber of Seville; WNO, Rabbit Hole; Hampstead, The Marriage of Figaro; WNO, Figaro Gets a Divorce; WNO, Tom: The Musical; UK Tour
Upcoming: Anything Can Happen; RWCMD, Cysgy'n Brys'ur, Long Day's Journey Into Night; Bristol Old Vic, Only the Brave, The Caretaker; The Old Vic, People Places and Things, Blue/Orange; Young Vic, Bernadette Peters, Carole King, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I & II
I have a friend who is one of the very many "producers" on the show. He said it's going on tour next - but they have to be super careful about where they book, because a high school or community theatre might be doing Godspell near by.
Your friend doesn't know what they are talking about. If they wanted to, they could keep anyone from doing the show anywhere near any of the performance venues. It happens all the time -- amaeur groups can be denied rights at any time, for any reason. Heck, I've had permission granted AND THEN PULLED because a professional group was going to tour.
It would take one phone call to set the wheels in motion.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Luke, I've seen this production of GODSPELL many times and can't understand why it has so many detractors. It's GODSPELL--basically the same show that ran for years Off-Broadway but with a few twists and a new staging to fit the in-the-round space.
It was bright, energetic and ultimately very moving.
The only thing i've complained about was the annoying original lead. I would not buy a ticket to a show starring somebody who annoys me. Your interview revealed him to be even more annoying than I imagined, so I feel it was an informed feeling.
Like most people who have seen it, I would definitely take a free ticket to see it now that that guy is gone. Now mostly the guy with the hat seems annoying. But he's small potatoes compared to the original lead.
You might find it fascinating that I could make a decision not to see something based on these factors, but I say that seeing it with that original guy would take a particular form of Catholic masochism that I bet really appeals to you.
Meanwhile, I love that you called the production the best thing you've seen all year and then admitted you hadn't seen anything else all year. Priceless. Long live goo.
Your friend doesn't know what they are talking about. If they wanted to, they could keep anyone from doing the show anywhere near any of the performance venues. It happens all the time -- amateur groups can be denied rights at any time, for any reason. Heck, I've had permission granted AND THEN PULLED because a professional group was going to tour.
It would take one phone call to set the wheels in motion.
Come on, hon. Think about this. They don't want to compete with a good production of Godspell, do they?
Speaking of making good for Godspell, Ken baby, I know you're reading. I want to say I'm sorry things didn't work out for you, my condolences, and that I wish you luck on your next Broadway venture.
Also, because I don't like to resist the opportunity to draw anyone's ire (much less Namo's), call us. We want the rights, which by the way, right now, are worth nothing, to a company at the Apollo. You made a tragic mistake not selecting my unit. We had the vastly superior production and you should have chosen us. You would have won for Best Revival straight up, and there isn't an industry personage who disagrees with me.
I know you're feeling bad, but how do you think we feel? We perfected the best production of Godspell since the original; you didn't choose us, and you should have, and now it seems you failed because of it. For God's sake, for both our sakes, what do you have to lose? You have to run this whole thing and the brand name into the ground to prove you were right when you were obviously wrong?
You could still rectify the error now by granting us the rights for the one company at the Apollo. Me and my associates will capitalize totally, you get 50%. One company, no grand rights. Do you and us a favor: grant us the rights for one company at the Apollo.
"There is no problem so big that it cannot be run away from."
~ Charles M. Schulz
Seriously, I don't know his version of the show but he comes across as so obnoxious and also completely unprofessional. Why post this stuff on a public forum? So childish. There's no proof that his show would have done any better. It must suck to be that bitter.
Funny. I seem to recall wishing someone had said that to Ken. My previous responses are all over this forum should you care to look.
Seriously, I don't know his version of the show but he comes across as so obnoxious and also completely unprofessional. Why post this stuff on a public forum? So childish. There's no proof that his show would have done any better. It must suck to be that bitter.
I've been called worse than childish, obnoxious and completely unprofessional -- you'll need bigger sticks and stones to break my bones, sonny boy. But actually, there is a way of proving my show would do any better. Of course, Ken has to grant us the Apollo rights first...
You've said this a lot in the past, haven't you?
Actually, yes I have. Talk to Jim Steinman about that one.
"There is no problem so big that it cannot be run away from."
~ Charles M. Schulz
"I've been called worse than childish, obnoxious and completely unprofessional -- you'll need bigger sticks and stones to break my bones, sonny boy. But actually, there is a way of proving my show would do any better. Of course, Ken has to grant us the Apollo rights first."
I don't know you nor do I care to hurt your feelings but if you think this is the proper way to act when you are trying to promote yourself as someone who runs shows then there isn't much wonder as to why people wouldn't want to do business with you.
Because what I'm doing is so much worse than someone running a show and the whole brand name associated with it into the ground to prove they're right when they're obviously wrong. I submit that Davenport did exactly the same thing (albeit with a lot more tact): he wouldn't let go of it.
"There is no problem so big that it cannot be run away from."
~ Charles M. Schulz