Elaine Paige to be NYCO's Mrs. Lovett

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/4/03 at 6:24pm

This was just posted. This strikes me as inspired casting. She was one of the best Norma Desmonds (unlike the other divas, not afraid to steal a little from Gloria Swanson; she even looked like her, beauty mark and all). Funny and moving. She's got the pipes, she's a bonafide Brit (who can play low class -- anyone see her in BILLY with Crawford at the start of her career?), and she'll probably be formidable -- big enough -- on the City Opera stage.

Updated On: 12/4/03 at 06:24 PM

[Deena Jones2]

Posted: 12/4/03 at 7:15pm

Where did you see this?? Tell us more!!!!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/4/03 at 7:43pm

Yes, do tell more. This is the first I'm hearing of it.

[shermanslave]

Posted: 12/4/03 at 7:45pm

I have never seen a production of Sweeney even though it is one of my favorite shows and I have gotten to do it twice. My brother-in-law is an asst. conductor at NYCO. Maybe I should finally take him up on the offer of comps.


http://www.shermanslave.com/

[Rob]

Posted: 12/4/03 at 8:17pm

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/83135.html

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 12/4/03 at 9:05pm

OMG, OMG, OMG, O...M.....G!!!!!! I HEART Elaine Paige and I've already got my ticket to Sweeney!! I'm just dyin', I'm just dyin', I'm just dyin'!! Gonna faint, gonna faint. Calm down Chrissie....just..breathin'..chillin'...out. OMG, OMG, OMG, O...M.....G!!!!!!

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 12/4/03 at 9:06pm

Did I mention I was excited about Elaine Paige?

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 12/4/03 at 9:08pm

SHERMAN!!! How are you even hesitiating if you can get comps?! I WILL expect to see you in March!!

[shermanslave]

Posted: 12/4/03 at 9:11pm

comps!! woo hoo! usually he calls like one day before to go see the final dress or a tech or if the show is not selling than an actual performance. I will keep my fingers crossed that this production is no exception.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/4/03 at 9:38pm

Calm down fellas. NYC Opera often uses rotating casts (it IS an opera company!). It's very possible that Elaine Paige will not appear at every performance.

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 12/4/03 at 9:43pm

I am not a huge fan of Sweeny but with Elaine in it, they just sold a ticket that otherwise would have not have been sold!!! She is simply powerful to listen to!

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/5/03 at 8:38am

Dollypop raises a good question: Will La Paige appear at every show? My guess is, this show is being cast like last season's (to me, alas, dull) LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, the show playing a full two weeks of back-to-back performances rather than going into the rep. It may play with Elaine (and ??) and then, show up later in the season with a company Mezzo in the part.

For me, the role will always require acting chops first, singing second. It's never as exciting without a major personality. That's why, with Sondheim's blessing, Christine Baranski scored at the Ken Cen. Ditto, Dorothy Loudon after Angela, whom I thought wonderful. The first time it was cast at City Opera, Joyce Castle played it. She was okay, but 15 minutes in, you missed Lansbury.

Posted: 12/5/03 at 11:39am

NYCO's schedule for Sweeney (as well as every other opera this season) has been out since the summer. Sweeney runs March 5 through the 15, which is a standard number of performances for the NYCO; albeit usually they are rotated along with two or three other operas (I recall one week in October going to a different opera each night, man was that fun).

I think your concerns about Ms. Paige being in all performances are for naught, Dolly. I've never known the NYCO to use a rotating cast, that seems to be more of a Met thing. I am, however, concerned that this may be one of those rare shows that the NYCO chooses to mic....

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/5/03 at 7:10pm

Sorry, NYC Opera DOES use rotating casts. May years ago there was a highly touted production of THE MERRY WIDOW starring Beverly Sills. I bought a pair of tickets, but didn't realize they were using rotating casts. Instead of "Bubbles", we say Barbara Daniels--who was no slouch in the role!

Posted: 12/5/03 at 10:34pm

Are you sure that was NYCO? Bubbly is a Met soprano.... Seems like too much of a step down for her.

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 12/6/03 at 1:31am

Well, If Lady Elaine doesn't go on at the performance I attend,

I'll just die
I'll just cry
I'll let loose a heavy sigh.
I'll be distraught
All for naught
Happiness sought
But not found
All around
By the pound
All my hopes ground
In to dust
No more trust
Fate I cussed
See Elaine I must
With her heaving bust
I would covet
Her Mrs. Lovett
And of course love it
Nothing above it

Updated On: 12/6/03 at 01:31 AM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/6/03 at 8:45am

Let me correct you, here:

Beverly Sills was the reigning diva at the NYC Opera before she moved over to the Met. She sang many, many roles for CityOp. In fact, it was she who put CityOp on the map. Her career at the Met was relatively brief.

The Met hadn't done THE MERRY WIDOW for many, many years. It was only added to the repertoire a few years ago as a star vehicle for Frederika Von Stade.

[JakeB]

Posted: 12/6/03 at 9:07am

Some theatre fans in England seem to have some kind of hate campaign against her!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/6/03 at 9:19am

Why would the British theater-goers have anything bad to say about Beverly Sills? She's a nice lady.

Updated On: 12/6/03 at 09:19 AM

Posted: 12/6/03 at 9:14pm

Just checked back on my Molto Agitato book.... you were right about Ms. Sills, Dolly. I've never known the City Opera to use a rotating cast, but I've only been a City Opera go-er for the past fifteen years or so.... I know for a fact no opera this season has used a rotating cast thus far, and I'm sure Elaine can handle ten days performing Mrs. Lovett (unless some emergency or other comes up.... or if she goes Kathleen Battle on the NYCO).

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/6/03 at 10:31pm

CityOp has been under new leadership in the past few years. Maybe the policy concerning rotating casts has changed.

Posted: 12/6/03 at 10:41pm

P'hrps. What really gets me is the Amato Opera. I hate it when I get a cast I don't entirely love because all I can think is "Had you gone last night, you might have gotten their best cast."

[kec]

Posted: 12/7/03 at 3:23am

Dollypop, I think Jake was referring to Elaine Paige, not Beverly Sills.