Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Sweeney Todd & Company didn't have success with the actor/musican concept, why do it again with a show that nobody knows.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
Maybe since the characters are actually musicians in this show, there will be less of that "Oh my God, CONCEPT!" backlash and it'll appeal to a broader crowd? (Certainly at least a different audience than the limited number of Sondheim-seekers - the latter, you know, adding up to the fact that Sondheim shows are rarely commercially successful, instruments or not.) Because you can't exactly say that musicians playing instruments isn't a logical thing.
I'm just wondering what sort of touches one brings to make PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES 'visionary.' It just sort of is what it is...which can be a great deal of fun.
It can be a fun show, but after seeing it done everywhere (and well) back in the 80s, I'll gladly miss this incarnation. It's not a show that improves with repeated viewing.
I'm just wondering what sort of touches one brings to make PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES 'visionary.'
I don't know the show, but it seems like probably not much. Still, it'll be nice to see Doyle do something different. There's a certain irreverence that I've seen peeking through in some of his work that might really get to shine here.
Actually really excited for this! I agree with the previous mention of Doyle's irreverence and knack for sly comedy that peeked through in his earlier work that I've seen. Hopefully he'll get the chance to let some of that really shine through here.
The male characters always played their own instruments, the women played the spoons and plates, so it's not a Doyle concept thing and there's not much shading or interpretation to play with. You have to capture a homespun, diner, gas station charm.
The Circle is a good choice, the thrust could make a great Diner set in the right hands. Maybe they can serve scrambled eggs and bacon to the audience as they sing.
Neither Sweeney Todd or Company recouped by the end of their runs.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
I adore this show and would love to see it again. Great songs with some wonderful opportunities for comedy and some really pretty poignant ballads. The original was so special because it was performed by its creators, but I saw a small regional production that was quite wonderful. It all boils down to the specific talents of the cast and how their talents are utilized. It is not an easy show to pull off, but without the need for handheld mikes, there is more room for creative choreography. Vacation and No Holds Barred were absolutely joyous when I saw it. "I hate it when you do that."
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian