Questions about "Master Class"

[David10086]

Posted: 1/23/18 at 7:05pm

Hello everyone,

I'm curious about the production of "Master Class" and the actresses who played Maria Callas over the years:  Zoe Caldwell, Patti Lupone, Dixie Carter, Faye Dunaway and Tyne Daly (most recently). 

I'm sorry I never had the chance to see the show in its original mid 1990s run, the national tour, or the revival a few years ago. For those of you who saw the production(s), who would you say was the best in the role, and dare I ask - who was the worst? 

Also - have I missed any other actresses who starred in a production?

(From those who've seen the production (in my circle of friends), many have said Daly and Carter were the best, yet Dunaway was at the bottom of their list. )

Also, does anyone know what has become of the film version with Meryl Streep? I know Dunaway tried making the film for over a dozen years, ended up losing quite a bit of money, and never got it done. 

[Ravenclaw]

Posted: 1/23/18 at 7:48pm

HBO was set to produce a film adaptation starring Streep and directed by Mike Nichols, but I believe the project was scrapped when Nichols sadly passed away a few years ago.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 1/23/18 at 9:22pm

I only saw the tour with
Faye Dunaway, so I can't
give you comparisons. I
thought Miss Dunaway
was fine, but there was
nothing about the show
that evening that shook
my world.

Full disclosure: I'm not
much of a Terrance
McNally fan. On the
other hand, Chinatown
is one of my favorite
films.

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 1/23/18 at 9:33pm

Caldwell looked and sounded nothing like Callas but she was so charismatic and captured the essence of Callas so much so that she won the Tony that year. The only person I think to truly 'sound' like the woman was Tyne Daly. LuPone got terrible reviews across the board I believe. It's a fine play, but I don't see how it could ever work on screen - it's such a theatrical event. I think a pure Callas biopic would fare better. 

[David10086]

Posted: 1/24/18 at 7:54pm

Thank You all for the responses ! I didn't know LuPone received terrible reviews. I thought the critics liked her portrayal. I was also surprised she took the role as a replacement, after Caldwell got such great accolades. Then again, I guess she wanted to get back to Broadway in a project after 'Sunset' in London (and 'Sunset' was playing on B'way at the same time). 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/25/18 at 1:10am

I know Dunaway tried making the film for over a dozen years, ended up losing quite a bit of money, and never got it done. 

Faye Dunaway was able to purchase the rights to the play and indeed started principal photography on the film in 2010.  She was starring in, writing and directing the film when production was halted midway due money issues.  

Also, her son Liam Dunaway O’Neill and Danielle de Niese were part of this film cast.  Here's hoping the filmed footage does indeed see the light of day, even if it is incomplete. 

[carnzee]

Posted: 1/25/18 at 7:38am

I think you will find this article interesting.

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1997/10/maria-not-callas/376969/

Patti got a negative review in the Times, otherwise her performance was considered a big success.
I only saw Tyne, and I will never forget her doing the Sonnambula scene. It was mesmerising. And she came closest to mimicking Callas' shifting accent.

[nealb1]

Posted: 1/25/18 at 10:38am

I saw Faye Dunaway twice in the national tour when it played here in LA in 1997.  One of the most extraordinary performances I've ever seen in my life.  
Yes, Faye purchased the rights and it took many, many years for her to get it made, only to have the rights and funding fall out during filming.  

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 1/25/18 at 11:33am

I saw the original cast the weekend before Patti took over.  Honestly I don't remember much about the play except I liked it at the time. Zoe Caldwell was wonderful from what I remember and I had wanted to see Patti do the part but never got the chance.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/25/18 at 11:35am

I didn't know LuPone received terrible reviews.

They really weren't terrible.  I thought LuPone was perfection both times I saw her in the role.  Dunaway was so wooden and intolerable, I left at intermission.  

[nealb1]

Posted: 1/25/18 at 2:32pm

Faye was incredible.  I also saw a regional production of it here in LA a number of years ago in West LA and it was very good.  

[Mike66]

Posted: 1/25/18 at 9:57pm

I saw LuPone and thought she was terrific. Totally memorable performance.

Of course, there was a young woman in the show, as one of the students -- the character's name was Sharon Graham.  Anyway, this young woman was really fabulous and I've always wondered if she did anything else good.

Audra something....