My Fair Lady - Page 2

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 2:25pm

^That video had the opposite effect on me.

She's a lovely actress. I guess there must be a classical soprano in there somewhere that none of us have heard yet. I trust Bart. Although it's not like the casting of Ken Watanabe or Conrad Ricamora were strokes of genius.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 3:33pm

I thought Ken Watanabe was sensational as the King and brought a real intensity and stage presence to the role. I know it's not a fair comparison because I'm sure he was everything his reputation said he was live, but I much preferred Watanabe's performance to that of Yul Brynner's in the film version. Most people I overheard during intermission and after the show seemed to have agreed with me regarding Watanabe's performance. I think maybe some of Watanabe's line-readings may have missed some of the humor that is potentially there (I saw a YouTube video of a regional production where the actor totally nailed the line delivery), but he brought something else that I felt perfectly fit the tone of what Sher was going for with that production.

 

ETA: I do have some apprehensions about Ambrose's singing this particular score because I haven't heard her sing anything that sounds like anything from this score. I do really hope there's a surprising soprano that just hadn't been exposed to the public yet. However, if she really brings the emotions to the songs, then I can see the songs resonating than a more clinically correct sung version. However, I dream of having both.

Updated On: 1/18/18 at 03:33 PM

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 6:51pm

Didn't that God Bless The Child video show that Ambrose has a very versatile and soulful voice that is extremely flexible? I was quite impressed with that vocal- she has a soulful quality that has never been brought to that role before. You do not agree?

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 7:16pm

I'm having a hard time reconciling that sound with Eliza's songs. I think it's one of those things I just need to hear for myself.

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 7:55pm

Me, too- that is why I think she could bring something unexpected- she has the pipes- she might bring something that Julie- that sweet innocence- or Audrey- that elegance and refinement- did not bring. the last thing this show needs is a sweet, bland leading lady. Has to be something new, strong, contemporary to set this apart from all of the other versions. 

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 8:16pm

The production does require someone new, fresh, and contemporary, but they should also be able to sing the score. I'm not convinced Ambrose can, but hopefully I'm wrong.

[Bwayfan292]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 8:19pm

Do we know when the ensemble will be announced? I may have missed it but I know cameron adams said she was leaving hello dolly for it on her instagram a few days back.

Updated On: 1/18/18 at 08:19 PM

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 8:33pm

I'm more concerned that IMO Bart Sher tends to take the humor out of pieces. It's a valid approach to take a more serious look at classic musicals but IMO My Fair Lady needs humor and a light touch, otherwise it can seem extremely long and talky. The show has one of the wittiest books ever made for musicals (I mean duh, it's mostly G.B. Shaw). I hope this revival sparkles with that wit and humor.

[Musical Master]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 9:03pm

poisonivy2 said: "I'm more concerned that IMO Bart Sher tends to take the humor out of pieces. It's a valid approach to take a more serious look at classic musicals but IMO My Fair Lady needs humor and a light touch, otherwise it can seem extremely long and talky. The show has one of the wittiest books ever made for musicals (I mean duh, it's mostly G.B. Shaw). I hope this revival sparkles with that wit and humor."

Bartlett Sher usually doesn't strip away humor in his revivals. His production of The King and I smartly retains the rich comedy thanks to O'Hara and Watanabe's chemistry. I have a good feeling that he's going to do the same thing with My Fair Lady.

 

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 9:11pm

I have to really disagree about Sher taking the humor out of his productions. If anything I find that he finds more humor it's just a truthful kind of humor as opposed to over the top musical comedy.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 9:28pm

Musical Master said: "poisonivy2 said: "I'm more concerned that IMO Bart Sher tends to take the humor out of pieces. It's a valid approach to take a more serious look at classic musicals but IMO My Fair Lady needs humor and a light touch, otherwise it can seem extremely long and talky. The show has one of the wittiest books ever made for musicals (I mean duh, it's mostly G.B. Shaw). I hope this revival sparkles with that wit and humor."

Bartlett Sher usually doesn't strip away humor in his revivals. His production of The King and Ismartly retains the rich comedy thanks to O'Hara and Watanabe's chemistry. I have a good feeling that he's going to do the same thing with My Fair Lady.

"

I found Fiddler on the Roof's Schindler's List-ish framing device a bit heavy-handed and also thought that the whole revival was a little self-serious. 

[Musical Master]

Posted: 1/19/18 at 1:53pm

I kind of disagree, the revival from 2004 was much more self serious than the 2015 revival. At least Bartlett Sher's revival of Fiddler on the Roof was a bit more balanced with both comedy and drama.

But that's just me.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 1/19/18 at 1:57pm

Bwayfan292 said: "Do we know when the ensemble will be announced? I may have missed it but I know cameron adams said she was leaving hello dolly for it on her instagram a few days back."

Given that previews begin on March 15th, rehearsals should start sometime in February. Which means the whole cast could be revealed within the next month.

Updated On: 1/24/18 at 01:57 PM

[Musical Master]

Posted: 1/23/18 at 10:42am

According to the LCT website, the revival will have a 37 member cast and will have a 30 piece orchestra using the original Robert Russell Bennett and Phillip J. Lang orchestrations (which is really good IMO). 

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 1/23/18 at 11:08am

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "Given that previews begin on March 22nd, rehearsals should start sometime in February. Which means the whole cast could be revealed within the next month."

Minor note, previews start on March 15th.

[Jayar2]

Posted: 1/28/18 at 2:37pm

I will be in the city celebrating my birthday over opening for this show. I've never experienced a Broadway opening before, and I would love to be able to attend with my husband. Any tips on getting tickets as they are not for sale?

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/28/18 at 3:38pm

I feel like shows tend to release tickets for opening night closer to the date, after they have all the guests sorted out.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 1/29/18 at 8:50pm

poisonivy2 said: "I'm more concerned that IMO Bart Sher tends to take the humor out of pieces. It's a valid approach to take a more serious look at classic musicals but IMO My Fair Lady needs humor and a light touch, otherwise it can seem extremely long and talky. The show has one of the wittiest books ever made for musicals (I mean duh, it's mostly G.B. Shaw). I hope this revival sparkles with that wit and humor."

Alan Jay Lerner is spinning
in his grave. In one of his
autobiographies, he com-
plains that he wrote at least
75% of the libretto, but be-
cause he worked so hard
to match Shaw's dialogue,
everyone assumes Lerner
just cut and paste from
PYGMALION.

I've never made a line by
line comparison myself, 
but that's what Lerner said
on the subject. LOL.

(To be clear, I'm not
"correcting" you. I don't
know the truth. I'm just
adding AJL's claim to
the thread.)

Updated On: 1/29/18 at 08:50 PM

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 1/29/18 at 8:54pm

The Beaumont neon is up!

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 1/31/18 at 10:51am

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Lincoln-Center-Theater-Announces-Full-Casting-For-MY-FAIR-LADY-20180131

Full casting!

Updated On: 1/31/18 at 10:51 AM

[Musical Master]

Posted: 1/31/18 at 10:56am

John Treacy Egan is part of the great ensemble cast; that makes me wonder if he is going to understudy for Norbert Leo Butz as Alfred Dolittle. I hope he is.

Also that neon sign looks really nice.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/31/18 at 10:59am

Fantastic ensemble! I wonder if Kerstin Anderson will be covering Eliza!!

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 1/31/18 at 11:25am

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 1/31/18 at 11:28am

Allan Corduner as PIckering - wow, amazing!

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 1/31/18 at 11:32am

Liz McCartney is in the ensemble--I assume to be a cover for Rigg and Muggleston?