Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
#1Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/7/14 at 9:04pm
In an article on Indiewire and E! Online, Griffith states she's joining the cast in January. I had heard a rumor that a "fairly popular actress from the '90s" was joining the cast after Christmas, but to be honest, Griffith never crossed my mind.
She'll be 57 this month, but doesn't scream, "I'm pushing 60!" Would she be a Berthe replacement?
Griffith says "I'm joining Pippin in January"
brettarnett
Featured Actor Joined: 5/2/09
#2Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/7/14 at 9:11pmIf it was any other production I would say she could be Berthe or Fastrada. Although, I guess they could always modify the choreography for her. But I'm assuming Berthe.
Noel&Cole
Leading Actor Joined: 11/10/07
#2Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/7/14 at 9:13pm
I would assume Fastrada. But either would be possible. I LOVE Melanie Griffith. Something about her is just so darn endearing. I saw her in Chicago... was she good?... No... Did she fit the role of Roxie like a glove. Yes! She was Roxie. NO acting needed. Even then she was "older than she ever intended to be".
#3Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/7/14 at 10:04pmInteresting. I'm sure she'd look fantastic and be very funny as Fastrada, but no way can she dance like Charlotte. But, you guys are right, on stage she probably doesn't read "grandmother" enough for Berthe.
ethan231h
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/5/11
#4Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/7/14 at 10:06pmThis may sound crazy but i'm thinking once Andrea leaves they will do something like an all star cat type of thing to boost sales, like a Berthe in the fall, then Melanie in the Winter of 2015, and then maybe another person in the spring! At 57 I really doubt that she will be playing Fastrada. I think as long as she sells tickets it will be fine.
#5Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/7/14 at 10:25pm
In many, many productions, she'd be Fastrada. Singing wise, it's not the hardest role, but the choreography is very challenging. Sabrina and Molly are both OUTSTANDING dancers, but they don't have the dancer-dancer ness of Charlotte. However, choreography can be altered and for all we know, she could be doing 8 hours of dance lessons a day right now to prepare.
That being said, I'm guessing Berthe, but at the same time, wouldn't be surprised at all if she was announced as Fastrada.
ethan231h
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/5/11
#6Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/7/14 at 10:29pmWell maybe being that she knows now that she is doing this about 5 months prior for her being in the show make me now think that its Fastrada because she will have lots of time to learn the dancing.
#7Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/7/14 at 10:30pmOh my God. OH MY GOD. If this is true, I'll just be in absolute heaven.
#8Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/7/14 at 10:35pm
Griffith is saying it as a definite statement. I suspect we'll have some confirmation from the theater gods soon. A dear family friend is involved in the show and told us it was a "90's actress joining in a supporting rol." I was thinking someone like Jenna Elfman.
I will disclose that I found Griffith's Roxie to not be the worst I've ever seen.
#9Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/7/14 at 11:41pmI would assume she'll be Berthe. I can't imagine them changing the entire choreography for Fastrada's number just for Griffith.
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.
#10Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/8/14 at 8:09amI cannot imagine she would be anything other than Fastrada. Especially knowing her relationship with the Weislers in Chicago. By many people she is still considered a sex symbol and has aged really gracefully, hell! I don't even know if she'd accept a Granny-ish role at this point in her career. We shall see...
nasty_khakis
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/15/07
#11Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/8/14 at 11:08am
To be fair, she played a step-grandmother on "Raising Hope" and looked like her...dentist...botched a procedure.
I imagine it would be for Berthe since this production makes her a bit sexier and sexual in terms of costuming and choreography. However, if they're willing to change the Fastrada choreography, more power to them. I know the Weisslers are ok with having three different Roxie choreography levels, so why not open up the Fastrada stunt-cast game?
dreaming
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/24/09
#12Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/8/14 at 11:27am
All the Berthes have been over 60 (I know Griffith is 57, but part of the feat with the role of Berthe is the fact that the actress truly is over 60). I also think they're going to simplify the choreography for Fastrada for Griffith and that will be her role.
Updated On: 8/8/14 at 11:27 AM
followspot
Broadway Star Joined: 12/27/11
#13Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/8/14 at 1:09pm
"Tracy... Hold Mama's waffles."
Updated On: 8/8/14 at 01:09 PM
#15Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/8/14 at 3:43pmI don't think she is wrong for the part, I'm worried this is the beginning of a bad road for Pippin.The first time I saw the revival, I was speechless. In awe. It reminded me why I love theatre. I'd rather it close than become Chicago.
FindingNamo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
#16Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/8/14 at 4:05pm"She can't sing, she can't dance, but boy does she put asses in the seats."
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DAME
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/15/04
#17Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/8/14 at 4:11pm
"I'd rather it close than become Chicago."
Chicago is doing great and has been in good to great shape all thru out. It is just you yentas that need something to bitch about.
HUSSY POWER!
------ HUSSY POWER!
dreaming
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/24/09
#18Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/8/14 at 4:23pmWell it's the same producers...if it works...it keeps going on. (Not sure I want Melanie Griffith anywhere near this-especially as Berthe.)
#19Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/8/14 at 4:31pm
Speaking of "Pippin", there's an audition scheduled very soon for new additions to the cast. (Playbill.com)
Pippin audition
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
dreaming
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/24/09
#20Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/8/14 at 4:32pmThose have been up for awhile. They are for dancers and acrobats.
ethan231h
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/5/11
#21Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/8/14 at 4:57pm
"I'd rather it close than become Chicago."
I have no words for you. Pippin still has magic.
#22Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/8/14 at 5:01pmEthan, if you actually read my post before crying at any bad word about Pippin, I think Pippin does still have magic. But if it stunt cast a la Chicago, it will lose it. And Dame, I've seen Chicago 7 times due and I it hasn't been in "great" shape for years. The only yenta here is the one staring back at you in the mirror.
ethan231h
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/5/11
#23Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/8/14 at 5:29pmok but many broadway shows that are not making enough money then they could/should be will probably stunt cast.
#24Melanie Griffith to join Pippin?
Posted: 8/8/14 at 11:13pm
Not to thread-jack, but has anybody here ever thought about how Andrea McCardle would be as Fastrada?
Updated On: 8/8/14 at 11:13 PM
