Why would anyone sane invest in a show that was thoroughly mediocre, and a financial failure, the first time around? Were it not for Julie Andrews, this would have been a much bigger flop than it was.
If not a revival, then a special concert performance. We could finally see Anne Runolffson perform, perhaps?
"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)
Jarethan said: "Why would anyone sane invest in a show that was thoroughly mediocre,and a financial failure, the first time around? Were it not for Julie Andrews, this would have been a much bigger flop than it was.
"
So this. The score was beneath mediocre. Who would ever want to hear it again? Completely forgettable show that got by on the strength of Andrews (and her voice was already halfway gone before the infamous surgery, so that's saying something about her star power).
Aside from all the reasons above, there's some REALLY cringey stuff in the book. I watched it recently and it just doesn't work nowadays –– our culture has a totally different view of gender presentation and sexual identity.
Watch the film instead. (Which isn't that great to begin with, though Andrews and Robert Preston are charming.)
MichelleCraig said: "Just rewatch the best version, the movie with Julie Andrews."
Exactly! That is what I am doing right now - - - and I must say the film still holds up. Andrews and Preston are great, Garner is a great reactor - - - especially during the "Le Jazz Hot" sequence and Warren is a comic revelation.
Loved the movie. Was disappointed by the stage show. If it were to be presented in an Encores type setting I'd want to see a genuine clown in the role rather than an ingenue with a belt.
The types doing broad comedy these days aren't "stars." Beth Leavel? Leslie Kritzer? Kerry Butler? Sarah Stiles? Any of the Mean Girls?
You'd need to focus your star casting on the Toddy role, and write him a better song than "Trust Me." Andrew Rannells? Matt Bomer, anyone?