Victor/Victoria needs a revival

[bigbelterbaby]

Posted: 11/26/16 at 1:18am

I like really this musical and it kind of bums me out that it's rarely performed regionally or by amateur groups. It has all the makings of a classic like Cabaret, but for some reason it's not talked about much. Who could play the lead role today ?? Le Jazz Hot !!!!

Updated On: 11/26/16 at 01:18 AM

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 11/26/16 at 2:09am

Um, Sutton Foster has all the makings for this.  

[RockyRoad]

Posted: 11/26/16 at 2:24am

Reason why it's not revived?

- Bad script/dialogue

- Horrible songs added for Broadway

- Characters you care nothing about

- A film version that is one million times superior to this stage turd.


Anything else?

[PatrickDC]

Posted: 11/26/16 at 3:15am

This show will always be special to me as it was the very first Broadway show I saw on my very first trip to NYC. My friend scored amazing seats, 10th row center. Loved the show. When Rachel York was touring in ANYTHING GOES a co-worker and college friend of Fred Applegate got me in backstage and I loved sharing with Ms York about the show. I never understood the criticism of it, I thought it was wonderful on many levels. I know I'm in the minority but don't care. I loved it. I still ocassionally watch the excellent DVD that was produced. 

[bigbelterbaby]

Posted: 11/26/16 at 5:02am

For some reason I can't see Sutton Foster dressed as a man.

A creative team could come together and re-work it to be more similar to the film. 

Julie Andrews is so connected to the role, it would be nice to see a fresh new staging and see what someone else could do with it. 

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 11/26/16 at 5:40am

I could see Heléne Yorke as an amazing Norma. Sutton could be good, but it almost seems too on the nose for her to be the one to do it. I'm almost thinking either Annaleigh Ashford, Jessie Mueller, or honestly, I think Laura Osnes could be an inspired and out of the box choice.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 11/26/16 at 7:57am

And I would be satisfied if it were never to be performed again. DOA and joyless, with uniformly awful new songs. 

[markypoo]

Posted: 11/26/16 at 9:29am

rockyroad and smaxie you couldn't have put it better.

I saw it in Chicago pre bway and from then on with all the changes that were made the show seemed to actually regress.

Andrews seemed to act as though she was wondering just how she could get out of it all.  Variety confirmed this in their opening night review.  And as we know, its failed dismally any time someone else assumed the role.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 11/26/16 at 9:37am

To be kind, there were a couple of things in the production to enjoy; the Julie Andrews-Rachel York tango, the elaborately staged cat and mouse farce scene on the two-tiered hotel set, Rachel York's imitation in "Chicago, Illinois" of the break in Julie Andrews' chest to head voice, the unbelievably cheesy title song in the finale, and finally, Rocker Verastique's legs in the opening number. Otherwise, a bust.

[markypoo]

Posted: 11/26/16 at 10:02am

Shortly after the show opened the NYT did an article mentioning the shows successful performance at the box office and how it was expected to recoup in a relatively short time.

But it never did and closed at a loss and I never knew just why.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 11/26/16 at 10:59am

BrodyFosse123 said: "Um, Sutton Foster has all the makings for this.  

 

"

She was in this a few seasons ago... it was the at the same time as her stint in Gypsy. Everyone ne was so astonished that she could be in two different theatres at once. 

 

[phan24]

Posted: 11/26/16 at 11:23am

Recently watched the taped version on Broadway and the show would feel incredibly dated for our modern times, the book left a lot to be desired. 

[evic]

Posted: 11/26/16 at 1:04pm

It would be egregious if this was ever revived.  It stunk to high heaven- every song was worse than the one preceeding it.  The only good thing was the choreography in the Jazz Hot number- everything else- crap.

Posted: 11/26/16 at 1:38pm

I rather enjoyed elements of Victor/Victoria.  Louis Says & Gregory Jbara's portrayal of Squash Bernstein in particular. 

[PatrickDC]

Posted: 11/26/16 at 2:15pm

"Louis Says" had already been cut by the time I saw it. Glad that it's included on the DVD.

I'm curious, for all those who dislike the musical so much, did you like the film, or do you just dislike the entire franchise? 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 11/26/16 at 2:15pm

It will NEVER be revived on Broadway unless they re-write the book and most of the score.  I saw it on Broadway with Julie Andrews and remember liking her, Robert Preston -- oh, wait, that's the movie -- the sets, the Jazz Hot number, and that's about it.  I saw it last summer in Ogunquit and thought it was better in a more intimate setting, but still felt it was thoroughly mediocre, and best suited to summer theatre. In the closer setting, I particularly hated the way the Norma role was written (and performed), and I started to wonder whether it was written a little less over the top in the movie or, as appreciated as it was, if Lesley Anne Warren's performance was under appreciated at the time, since she was a hoot in the movie.

If Julie Andrews hadn't been i the show originally, it never would have even been attempted for Broadway.

Posted: 11/26/16 at 2:42pm

(I think a case could be made that Lesley Ann Warren deserved the Oscar that year more than Jessica Lange, who was helped in winning with her double nomination in the Best Actress category for Frances.) 

 

(Sort of off-subject yet the Warren/Rachel York role of Norma Cassidy is another favorite element of Victor/Victoria.)

 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 11/26/16 at 2:52pm

Interesting that you should say that.  Jessica Lange has given many great performances and probably would have won for Frances in many other years in which she did not have to compete with Meryl Streep in Sophie's (fuc-ing) Choice, for my money one of the 5 greatest movie performances ever.  I always felt that her performance in Tootsie was a warm, delightful performance, but not Oscar worthy.  Of course, Lesley probably would not have won anyway, because it was a comedy role...although Marisa Tomei did win for a comedy.  So, who knows.

Posted: 11/26/16 at 3:33pm

At that time, a performer doubly Oscar nominated would win Supporting & lose Leading.  It happened with Fay Bainter, Teresa Wright, & Jessica Lange.  The trend halted in 1989 when Sigourney Weaver (who also gave "a warm, delightful performance but not Oscar worthy" in Working Girl as Katharine Parker) lost Supporting to upset winner Geena Davis.  As I said, I maintain Lange was aided in Supporting by her Leading nomination for Frances.  Obviously, I was really rooting for Lesley Ann Warren to win for Victor/Victoria. 

 

Getting back on track, I really enjoyed Louis Says as the Entr'acte for Broadway's Victor/Victoria.  Musicals are always tweaked when translated from Broadway/Hollywood & vice versa.  The introduction of Louis Says for Broadway was a positive (for me).  Yet New York Times critic Vincent Canby referred to it as "the nadir" of the production.  Perhaps this is why it was cut early in the run?

[Auggie27]

Posted: 11/26/16 at 9:19pm

Minority opinion, but I think Lange is sublime in "Tootsie." It's the performance that anchors the rom-com angle of the film, and she is genuinely luminous. 

[Smaxie]

Posted: 11/27/16 at 6:15pm

I think it was Clive Barnes in the NY Post who referred to "Louis Says" as the worst number he ever saw in his entire theatre reviewing career.

[Felm_heart]

Posted: 11/27/16 at 11:25pm

Cynthia Erivo, please! 

[Felm_heart]

Posted: 11/27/16 at 11:25pm

Cynthia Erivo, please! 

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 11/28/16 at 12:19am

Meryl Streep (We need to see her back on the stage soon!!!)

Cynthia Erivo

Cher (She needs the damn Tony)

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 11/28/16 at 12:22am

Also... just thought I'd throw in an aside... how amazing would a Mame (another show I think that show be revived) revival with Cher and Meryl be?!?!