Next for Frankel and Korie
Next for Frankel and Korie
Sondheim_Disney1595
Understudy Joined: 1/18/15
#1Next for Frankel and Korie
Posted: 6/8/17 at 10:32pm
Any word on what Frankel and Korie's plans are post War Paint? I left Grey Gardens feeling they could not top that theatrical experience and I loved FFH and War Paint even more!
Owen22
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/24/11
#2Next for Frankel and Korie
Posted: 6/8/17 at 10:39pm
Grey Gardens was almost perfection. But that Strohman piece about death and subways they wrote for the Mitzi Newhouse? HORRID. Far From Heaven? One of the worst scores I've ever heard. Their Finding Neverland? I heard it was awful as well (obviously, they were fired). So I was pleasantly surprised by War Paint. It's far from the quality of Grey Gardens. But it's a good solid score that makes me think they are not one hit wonders. But I do fear I'll have to sit through another one of their lesser, horrible scores again before my theatre-going days are through.
#3Next for Frankel and Korie
Posted: 6/8/17 at 10:51pm
I think that Grey Gardens, Far From Heaven, and War Paint are all spectacular. I love to see them do Carol as a musical (with Kelli O'Hara or Laura Benanti please) and maybe It's A Wonderful Life. I look forward to whatever they produce in the future.
Updated On: 6/9/17 at 10:51 PM
#4Next for Frankel and Korie
Posted: 6/8/17 at 10:52pm
I can't say I connect well with Far From Heaven either, but I enjoy both Grey Gardens and War Paint. However, as to the question about why they were fired from Finding Neverland - I think it's clear from the outcome of that musical that they (the producer and/or director) probably wanted to take that in a completely different direction (i.e., mass-market pop appeal) than might sit comfortable with the skills/talents of Frankel and Korie. I actually think in theory they'd do a great Finding Neverland, but clearly weren't suited to the vision of the musical we got.
"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
Updated On: 6/9/17 at 10:52 PM
#5Next for Frankel and Korie
Posted: 6/8/17 at 11:07pm
I've loved their three "major" projects so far (Grey Gardens, Far From Heaven, and War Paint). It's irrational, but I really hope they pick up Far From Heaven again one day. The score is probably my favorite of theirs (I'm in the minority I know), and I wish It'd had a better shot. I'd be interested to see what they could do in terms of originality, but I wouldn't be opposed to any new score weather original or adapted. Part of me wonders what they could do with The Help. I'd love to see it musicalized, and I think they have the nuance to do it justice.
Updated On: 6/8/17 at 11:07 PM#6Next for Frankel and Korie
Posted: 6/9/17 at 12:07am
When you say pick up again do you mean a major production or extensive revisions? (Or both).
It is curious that the show never made it to Broadway. With the cast, creative team and off-Broadway venue it's hard not to believe it was being pruned for a Broadway run. I guess in the end no one put up the money but why? Was it well received by audiences and critics? I didn't follow it closely at the time.
"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
#7Next for Frankel and Korie
Posted: 6/9/17 at 12:12am
icecreambenjamin said: "I think that Grey Gardens, Far From Heaven, and War Paint are all spectacular. I love to see them do Carol as a musical (with Kelli O'Hara and Laura Benanti please) and maybe It's A Wonderful Life. I look forward to whatever they produce in the future."
I never realized how much I needed this! Frankel and Korie would be PERFECT for Carol!! I would love Laura Osnes as Therese and Laura or Kelli as Carol
KnewItWhenIWasInFron
Leading Actor Joined: 6/23/14
#8Next for Frankel and Korie
Posted: 6/9/17 at 12:25am
icecreambenjamin said: "I think that Grey Gardens, Far From Heaven, and War Paint are all spectacular. I love to see them do Carol as a musical (with Kelli O'Hara and Laura Benanti please) and maybe It's A Wonderful Life. I look forward to whatever they produce in the future.
"
That casting makes no sense. Those two, 40ish actors are virtually the same age and the story is explicitly about an older woman and a younger one.
#9Next for Frankel and Korie
Posted: 6/9/17 at 12:59am
^ You don't need to be fvcking rude. I meant to say "or." I just corrected it.
Personally, I think Lena Hall would be beautiful as Therese. It would be different from a lot of the other roles that she's played, but I think she'd be great.
#11Next for Frankel and Korie
Posted: 6/9/17 at 1:13am
Yes it was. There's no reason to enter a thread and start "correcting" people without actually contributing anything to the conversation. It's just kind of rude.
#12Next for Frankel and Korie
Posted: 6/9/17 at 1:18am
I really admire Doug Wright as both a person and a playwright, but I hope whatever this team does next has a stronger narrative hand. Frankel and Korie are capable of astonishing craft, but that craft hasn't been applied to a real sense of coherent over-arching purpose most of the time. Grey Gardens was quite satisfying in its original production, but even that was pretty loose in terms of dramatic thrust. Imagine what this team could do if their incisive character-based work was in service of a really thrilling and clearly-defined story. I'm a defender of War Paint, but even after all the rewrites, it ain't that/
#13Next for Frankel and Korie
Posted: 6/9/17 at 1:25am
^Yeah. I unfortunately agree. Wright is a great writer, but his musical books lack some focus and any sort of actual narrative.
Sondheimite
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/5/14
#14Next for Frankel and Korie
Posted: 6/9/17 at 3:26am
icecreambenjamin said: "Yes it was. There's no reason to enter a thread and start "correcting" people without actually contributing anything to the conversation. It's just kind of rude.
"
But you are the one who made the mistake. Your mistake was pointed out. I'm going to guess that you're between the ages of 15 and 25, Benjamin?
Broadway World's Fireman.
#15Next for Frankel and Korie
Posted: 6/9/17 at 3:31am
^My age is none of your business, but I am within the age range that you have predicted (on the later end).
Yes I made a mistake and later fixed it. I don't understand why people keep popping up in this thread to correct me and not respond to the topic. Please don't try to derail this thread for no reason. Also, my name is not Benjamin.
#16Next for Frankel and Korie
Posted: 6/9/17 at 5:10am
gleek4114 said: "I've loved their three "major" projects so far (Grey Gardens, Far From Heaven, and War Paint). It's irrational, but I really hope they pick up Far From Heaven again one day. The score is probably my favorite of theirs (I'm in the minority I know), and I wish It'd had a better shot...
"
It's not irrational at all. I'm told that people who don't like jazz don't like FFH, but I like the way it references 1950s jazz and even TROUBLE IN TAHITI. It's become my favorite of theirs as well, though I am still warming up to WAR PAINT.
