THEATRE GOSSIP #483: The A Hill of Beans To Die On Edition

Previous thread:

Now that Beanala has been thoroughly humiliated and put in her place, let’s never speak of her again.

So is Into the Woods extending and if so…with what cast?

From the previous thread.... "What's the dish on Hal Luftig?"

Blue Wedgewood China.

r3, NY City Center is certainly hinting so...unless this is their tribute to Feldstein. (Beans everywhere!)

Someone years ago here posted about blowing Howard McGillin in a restroom.

Are we done contemplating all the intricate layers of HALF A SIXPENCE?

Cause that was riveting talk, that.

[quote]Cause that was riveting talk, that.

Trenchant and absorbing, r7.

So far, nothing has been announced for the new Broadway season that really interests me except for LEOPOLDSTADT and only because I want to see it again (I saw it in London pre-pandemic).

Stella Deems...

"Are we done contemplating all the intricate layers of HALF A SIXPENCE?"

Even the wafer thin layer of HALF A SIXPENCE"s upper-most epidermis has more interest than anything on Broadway right now.

Seeing ITW matinee tomorrow. The suspense over who will be performing is killing me.

I was changing the channel and came across Shelley on Dick Cavett. I thought she looked to be in a (for her) svelte period. She's pushing two things. Minnie's Boys and Bloody Mama. So dichotomous!

for R575 from the previous thread: EVERYONE had to blow Richard Jay.

Did it taste like chicken?

ITW is extending. but they need to replace more leads. News tomorrow.

Beanie will be The Baker's Wife.

I am telling you NOW so I don't have to tell you later.

Dorinda from RHONY is the Witch

What did Jan Maxwell do to make Alec Baldwin lose control and punch a wall?

The BIG question will ultimately be whether or not Into The Woods has become a title that sells itself and doesn't really need stars. Except for maybe 1 or 2 TV has-beens.

per Twitter:

Stephen Sondheim bringing in Wicked-size grosses on Broadway? You love to see it.

I could be wrong but I don't think Alec Baldwin's violent temper and physical display was even directed toward Jan Maxwell. I think he was just fuming and she witnessed him punching his fist into a wall backstage and it was too much for her. And, no doubt, it wasn't the first time but one time in a series of actions.

Of course, Roundabout producer Todd Haimes had to appease Alec because he was the big star. This would never fly today. A great example of how things have changed and improved in our culture.

Jan simply wouldn't stop raving about how reasonably priced and spacious her Manhattan Plaza apartment was.

Enough already.

Peppermint IS The Witch.

[quote]EVERYONE had to blow Richard Jay.

Hmm. For some reason, I always assumed Richard Jay was at the other end of those transactions.

ITW is extending. NeNe Leakes, Lens Dunham, and Beanie will be joining.

With Diana Ross’ daughter Tracee as Rapunzel.

Continuing the dish from #482 -- let's keep that vintage Broadway gossip coming!

Did George Rose leave Sandy Duncan's 'Peter Pan' (replaced by Christopher Hewett) for more ominous reasons than scheduling conflicts? Were the DROOD chorus girls really as bitchy towards Donna Murphy as has been whispered? Did Kaye Ballard turn down "Mama" for Encores 'Chicago'?

I don't know why Rose left Peter Pan but Chris Hewett was so much better. He played the part like a big queen which is how it is written.

What did John Lithgow think of B.D.'s Wong being show to him every night?

I remember a producer friend telling me years ago that Martin Short was being seriously courted to replace Nathan in the '96 FORUM before they wound up going with Whoopi and David Alan Grier. Although Marty's more a Hysterium, he would've been phenomenal in the part. Like Lane, he really gets that style of old school burlesque/vaudeville.

As a footnote: there was a big kerfuffle casting the tour. Originally, Big League wanted to send a Bus and Truck out with Jo Anne Worley, but she terminated the contract when they wouldn't let her dogs fly with her. They then got Rip Taylor instead.

Jo Anne Worley would have headlined Forum? I had no idea.

[quote]What did John Lithgow think of B.D.'s Wong being show to him every night?

What? Being show to him? What does that mean?

So it looks like Rip Taylor was actually the FIRST one offered the FORUM tour. But then when he took another offer, they went after Worley instead.

When the airlines wouldn't accommodate her pooches, they terminated the contract and Taylor became available again! I hear he was actually quite good on the road (he was excellent in Sugar Babies!)

Oh, R33. Read it again.

What did John Lithgow think . . . of B.D.'s wong [= penis] . . . being shown to him every night?

The Rabelaisian wit of the DL isn't for everyone.

Food for thought at link, DL.

Some of these have already gotten the ENCORES treatment or other concert productions. Which ones (if any) would succeed in an open, commercial run on Bway?

(Having endured the original production of TITANIC, I still live to see what a smart, well designed production of the show might look like. Some of the score is gorgeous.)

Daniel Fish will want to restage "Into the Woods" with Jada Pinkett Smith as Rapunzel.

Was it ever established who Reinking replaced in Encores Chicago? I've heard Liza, Vanessa Williams, Juliet Prowse.

It was Prowse. She'd done it on the West Coast with Neuwirth but developed cancer.

Into the Woods is extending to October 16, per a piece in the NY Times' morning email newsletter, New York Today.

[quote]Someone years ago here posted about blowing Howard McGillin in a restroom.

That was me. The blower, not the poster.

Interesting list r36. Some of those are obvious why they haven’t been revived.

Kiss of the Spider Woman needs a specific type of leading lady. Chita had that mysterious energy about her that was excellent for the show. Nobody comes close. Audra McDonald did a workshop a few years ago, trying to reconceive the show, but it never went anywhere.

Nobody is begging for a production of Fiorello. Encores did it which was appropriate.

Titanic was a “meh” show. The music isn’t outstanding.

Rags and The Rink would need a book overhaul. There are interesting concepts in both, but they lose their way.

I’m sure The Secret Garden, Grand Hotel, City of Angels and Will Rogers Follies will be revived some day but they cost major money to produce and each show needs excellent talent to attempt the show.

Revivals tend to rob old show queens of their moment in the spotlight. “I saw Barbra in Funny Girl and it was the most thrilling, never to be repeated show on Broadway.” Then you get a revival and see how bad the book really is.

And has there ever been a revival that improved on the original? I saw the original Evita and I don’t think that staging and energy can ever be repeated successfully. The revival certainly didn’t improve it.

The advantage the original has is that the originators are all working on it, and channelling their vision and their excitement about it into the show. Even when a show originates in the UK, as Evita did, you still have the creators flying to the US to ensure the Broadway counterpart reflects what they want.

No matter how thrilled people are about restaging something, they can never bring the excitement of the creators.

[quote]

And has there ever been a revival that improved on the original? I saw the original Evita and I don’t think that staging and energy can ever be repeated successfully. The revival certainly didn’t improve it.

Chicago?

I's love to see ITW extend as long as possible, but if replacing the leads means, god help us all, LuPone as the witch? No.

Which leads need to be replaced?

Roth didn't specify cast changes but seemed to imply that there would be some, to be announced "shortly." Whatever, the popularity of this production can't be just because of Sondheim's death.

Does Patti really want to do all the work required to play the Witch? Has there ever been a Witch played by someone in her 70s?

The Chicago revival has a few assets of its own, but I think it weakens the original material in other ways. The numbers in Fosse's original production were all in different vaudeville styles, so there was more of a visual interest and variety. In the revival, someone comes downstage center to sing a song. And then someone else, and then someone else. There's some monotony that was not a factor in the original. There are parts of concepts of numbers that no longer make sense. Billy, in "All I Care About" was performing a striptease as a reverse-gender Sally Rand fan routine for a scene with a tailor that followed that no longer exists. Now it's a number with fans. The original was meaner, sexier, grittier. But, to its credit, the revival has a leanness that I think works in its favor. That is a by-product of how the show benefitted from the Encores! staging approach, rather than attributable to Walter Bobbie's supposed genius.

Not that I was around to attend the original production, lol, but the recent revival of ON THE TOWN seemed like a faithful and perhaps even improved version. of the original.

r49, the original version of "All I Care About..." was also done with fans....and so much more.

Patti should just hang it up and stick to concerts.

[quote] And has there ever been a revival that improved on the original?

The Color Purple and absolutely nothing else from John Doyle

Doyle should have learned to revive only bad shows with that much room for improvement, not great shows that he will ruin

Boing Boing

The revival of Oh, Calcutta! was much better than the original production.

Boeing perhaps?

It's early, r57. :)

Some people are saying this INTO THE WOODS is better than the original.

(ducks, dodges flying objects)

Well, James Lapine is not directing, so that's already an improvement. Seriously, the new production is quite good and very enjoyable. I don't know if it's necessarily better than the original, as several performances in that original cast were indelible, but it's a little lighter on its feet than the original production.

It's barely a production. It's a concert with some good performers. Entertaining but not emotional.

When will Jordan cast. himself as the Witch?

ITW official extension notice.

David McDonald is dead.

R38, it was Liza Minnelli.

THE INHERITANCE makes its West Coast premiere.

Daringly, this time they have cast at least a couple of openly gay actors to play actual gay men! Comme c'est scandaleux.

Anything with beautiful daddy Tuc Watkins gets my full attention at full mast.

How long is POTUS playing. Is it worth a visit?

[quote] How long is POTUS playing. Is it worth a visit?

I found it repellant in every department. Your mileage may vary.

Jerry Mitchell’s husband gets ready for Kinky Boots

[quote] Someone years ago here posted about blowing Howard McGillin in a restroom.

Lucky bastard!

[quote] Anything with beautiful daddy Tuc Watkins gets my full attention at full mast.

I wish he'd be cast in something where we get to see HIM at least half mast.....

POTUS is playing to 50% capacity so, if you want to see it, hurry.

I still chuckle over witnessing Jerry Mitchell’s twink hubby getting his panties in a bundle over not being cast as Cowboy in the revival of The Boys in the Band. He whined “I’m cuter than the guy who got the role!”

He honestly looks like Jerry’s son, assuming Mommy was a redhead. The age difference must be 25 years.

Lena Hall joining Little Shop Sept 6

People love Lena Hall, but I’m not a big fan. Am I alone here?

She's no Lani Hall...

She was a kick-ass Hedwig

After looking at the cast announcement yesterday for the West Coast Inheritance, a friend of mine said, "I swear, Tuc Watkins is every director's 4th gay choice." I replied, "And Bill Brochtrup was every director's 4th gay choice 20 years ago."

That pretty much sums up the level of this cast. Plus with all the old lady actresses with a name (and talent) who could come in and nail that cameo in the 2nd part and make some waves, they go with.... Tantoo Cardinal???

Will be skipping this vigorously. I thought The Inheritance was a wonderful production on Broadway, but it has to be handled correctly with the right cast and the right director. This production has boredom written all over it, and the first clue is that it's being done at The Geffen. They haven't produced a decent show in years.

She didn't play hedwig.

She actually did go in and play Hedwig for a short time.

I wouldn't think of Lena Hall for Audrey, but Michael Mayer is the same person who cast Beanie in Funny Girl, so....

r81 Yes, she did. It was a gimmick they did on the national tour for a few shows

R73, POTUS is a limited engagement through August 14, so those who want to see it should hurry anyway. But it doesn't seem likely they'll close earlier at this point.

R&5-25 years? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Oh, that's priceless.

R66-Juan Castano, the actor with the beautiful cock who sat bare-assed onstage at The Public for Oedipus El Rey? Flight to L.A., PLEASE!!!!

You'd fly across the country to look at a cock for a few seconds?

[quote] She didn't play hedwig.

Yes, she did

Patti LuPone cannot do another Broadway show because she’s too busy curating her barn-cum-museum of stolen theater artifacts.

Richard HJay was fired from Les Miz by Cameron Mac because he was sucking off all the young gay male cast members.

Richard Jay.....

[r91] is that real or just DL stuff. Is there someone who can post about that with first hand knowledge?

[quote]Someone years ago here posted about blowing Howard McGillin in a restroom.

Where's the proof? We need to see the receipts.

[quote]barn-cum

Pics please.

R93-Look up Ricky Martin's number. He'd be happy to verify. Or you could ask any number of disgruntled former cast members.

Did anyone see the Inheritance in Boston with DL fave Jared Reinfeldt

Who?

Into the Woods' reputation has grown so much over the years due to so many schools and community theaters doing it. It's right up there with Grease and Annie these days. I'm not surprised it's a hit. When that show is well-cast and well-paced, it's a very enjoyable and moving night of theatre.

The plus side is seeing a Sondheim show that's making money. I hope Steve is smiling wherever he is.

I saw Rip Taylor in Sugar Babies. Strangely, he had a gorgeous tenor voice.

Strange in what way, r100?

[quote]Is that real or just DL stuff. Is there someone who can post about that with first hand knowledge?

If memory serves, RJ ran afoul of Equity due to charges that he was harassing the touring cast of LES MIZ. I don't believe sexual harassment was specified, but of course, that doesn't mean it wasn't sexual.

I never miss a Jared Reinfeldt musical.

RJA ushered Chenoweth into irrelevance with her tacky Broadway concerts. Does he still have his hold on her?

I'm sure Steve is smiling, wherever he is--all that money will benefit his foundation.

r81 here apologizing

Frida, The Musical! Who will play Frida?

Is Karen Olivo allowed back on Broadway?

R107 Their name is now KO, keep up!

This news will piss beanie off.

[quote]Frida, The Musical! Who will play Frida?

I'm still wondering who's going to play Hazel.

[quote] This news will piss beanie off.

It will also piss of the listeners' ears.

When I saw ITW last week, the audience was packed full of overweight flyover fraus and their children. They behaved as though it was a Disney concert - screaming and cheering and carrying on like barn animals. Wild applauding and going nuts after every single song. Sometimes mid-song.

Glad they enjoyed it and I’m happy it’s making money because I love Sondheim, but my GOD, what a circus.

O Brave New World, r111.

(r111) Any kind of dignity or theater decorum is lost to the ages, sadly. I had the misfortune of seeing "Funny Girl" with Beanie after receiving two tickets as a gift. We were in the third row and to hear the cacophony behind us, made me grateful we were not behind them.

They screamed, cheered, stood-up and carried on as though it were the Second Coming.

My high school produced musicals with better production values and we had a 29-piece school orchestra supporting the singers. The sets for FG were second-rate and despite some okay performers, Beanie was a disaster. Her overplaying of every scene made Tommy Steele seem subtle and sublime by comparison. Vocally, she was not even adequate. A larger orchestra would have helped drown out some of the less than stellar notes.

The audience, however, reveled in every moment, although the many empty seats spoke volumes.

Overheard at intermission, "Is there nothing she can't do? She's amazing..."

There's no accounting for TASTE.

I can't pinpoint when theater audiences got so raucous, but I do recall sitting in the orchestra of Carousel in 2019 where many patrons near us stamped their feet and whooped after every single song, and laughed uproariously at lines that warranted a smile at best, or maybe a chuckle (Carousel isn't a laff riot). It was just astonishing.

You can't make an Isolde out of a barely adequate Barbarina.

[quote]I can't pinpoint when theater audiences got so raucous

When I went to see The Secret Garden, the music started playing and people were still talking. A 30-something lesbian yelled out, "Listen to the music."

Oy. ^^

r117 😂

It does really take you out of the experience to have the wild cheering after every song. It also makes the show longer because you have to build in time for the nonstop applause. The barn animals were cheering wildly and stopping the show with applause for practically every line reading by Patina Miller in Act 1. It was maddening.

I love that the flyovers are supporting Sondheim and bringing their children. I appreciate their enthusiasm for theater - it’s just quite a different experience these days…

Maybe this is how it's done at the Grand Ole Opry

[quote]and we had a 29-piece school orchestra supporting the singers

To be fair, r113, they were slave labor.

(r121) Indeed. It was a Catholic School, so they were doing it for Sanctifying Grace and Plenary Indulgences.

Plenary Indulgences is going to be my new drag name!

Much of the audience response at Funny Girl is coming from the sound board.

Catholic high school FOLLIES

Why is Sally in green?

Little Charlie Stemp is doing Crazy For You in Chichester. Will it make it to the West End and eventually to Broadway?

A part of me enjoys a little audience participation and enthusiasm, as it shows they're really invested in the story and characters, but I don't believe every number or every show's finale deserves a standing ovation.

I think being too polite in the theater can sometimes backfire, especially when you're seeing a comedy. I always feel bad for the actors in those shows because all they'll get are a few polite titters from the back row and they have no idea if the material is landing or not.

[Quote] When I saw ITW last week, the audience was packed full of overweight flyover fraus and their children. They behaved as though it was a Disney concert - screaming and cheering and carrying on like barn animals.

I wonder if this, along with ITW's sudden increased commercial viability (even if it is only for a few months) might be something to do with it being the first major revival after the Disney film was released? Despite always having been popular, it has brand recognition in a way that it didn't have 20 years ago.

R129 Well, maybe but probably more because ITW is a much produced show for schools and community theaters...it's developed a loyal following. And, it's really the most family friendly Sondheim show...despite all the death and adultery in Act II.

Saw ITW this afternoon and was prepared for the over-reaction I had heard about There was a bit of excess whooping, and every number was treated with almost precisely the same amount of enthusiasm. Still, I didn't find it annoying; instead, I saw a show received with an abundance of warmth and appreciation, which it deserves. It's a loving and very skillful production with a lot of endearing performances. (I skipped it at Encores! because I feared the worst.) The audience—many many tourists and lots of kids from what I could tell—ate it up. Most of all, I was moved for its implicit tribute to Sondheim —a lovely way of honoring the man and his genius.

"The barn animals were cheering wildly and stopping the show with applause for practically every line reading by Patina Miller in Act 1. It was maddening.:

It's a combination of Pavlovian/learned behavior from television, the abandonment of public manners, the death of arts education and sheer narcissism. It has nothing to do with an acknowledgement of the performance but a congratulation of self.

[Quote] It's a combination of Pavlovian/learned behavior from television,

That durned new radio box with pictures

Lovely comment, r131.

R111 - From r12 at the link below after seeing Company: “It was pretty good. “Ladies Who Lunch” was really restrained and well done.

The audience was like an episode of “Good Times”: thunderous applause after every song and sassing back when Patti did something (or anything).

And the ladies next to us raised their cocktails and tried to stand up at “I’d like to propose a toast”.

It must’ve been something to see in the 70s, before it became a religious service.”

Lens Dunham is readying to be the new Witch in the ITW extension. BOOM SPLAT

I feel blessed that I saw the dress rehearsal of ITW at Encores. The audience was sceptical at first after the last two horrible shows but almost immediately came on board and ended up rapturous. But it was rapturous in a smart not 'screaming for the sake of screaming' way. I have little interest in seeing musicals on Broadway anymore. Most don't interest me, and I count myself lucky that I was around in the sixties to see all those gret shows back then. (really, I'd rather see Ilya Darling again then some of the crap playing now. If I see a show these days, it's usually Off-Bway.

[quote] When I went to see The Secret Garden, the music started playing and people were still talking. A 30-something lesbian yelled out, "Listen to the music."

How did you know she was a lesbian, dear? Did she remove her mouth from her seatmate's vagina to yell at the crowd?

Apparently Secret Garden composer Lucy Simon is not well

I took it for granted Lens would be playing the cow, despite the puppet's excellent reviews.

What, no?

Well, maybe Beanie then.

R138 Really? Are you suggesting it's completely ridiculous and impossible to surmise the sexuality of certain people based on appearance and behavior?

You don't get out much, do you?

Stage Adaptation of ‘High Noon’ Headed to Broadway:

[quote]Stage Adaptation of ‘High Noon’ Headed to Broadway:

As a musical?

Nope, as a play. I really do not get it.....

[r138] I hope no movie producers are reading this thread, because I could totally see that scenario play out in a new limited series for HBO Max later this year

[quote]How did you know she was a lesbian, dear? Did she remove her mouth from her seatmate's vagina to yell at the crowd?

To be fair, she was wearing this....................

The last Western on Broadway was "Legend" with Elizabeth Ashley and it ran for 2 performances. 1976. Yee-haw.

Urban Cowboy ran for 60 performances after opening.

They're still not bringing back "Tobacco Road" though, which is kind of like a hillbilly show.

Here’s my favorite Broadway western

Does Oklahoma count as a western?

I am midway through Paul Ford's memoir Lord Knows, At Least I Was There. He's a real asshole. I love dish as much as the next gay, but this isn't so much dish as it is someone kvetching for 250 pages. It's pretty much what I imagine living with Jackie Hoffman would be like.

Also, I thought he was a little more "important" as in he actually did something. Being a rehearsal pianist for auditions is nothing to hang a book of memoirs on, unless those memoirs are all about the famous people you played for and you have some interesting stories to tell based on that. I feel a little duped. I'm glad I got it on Kindle with a 50% coupon.

Urban Cowboy was NOT a Western. It was set in the present day and I don't recall stagecoaches, shoot-outs, or spittoons . And the only death was from cancer.

Urban Cowboy was “directed” by Lonny Price.

And UC was written by that hitmaker, JRB!

Didn't they wind up jettisoning a lot of JRB's music for jukebox country songs?

Jason Robert Brown remains one of the more talented songwriters of his generation. Sondheim thought so.

But he has a record of picking truly terrible projects to musicalize. I think he thinks they're "commercial." He recently acknowledged that he thought the novel "The Bridges of Madison County" was awful, but thought maybe a stage musical could succeed, based on the success of the movie with Meryl and Clint Eastwood. I guess this was his thinking behind "Mr. Saturday Night." (He also said he thought "Honeymoon in Vegas" was a lot of fun--but it never belonged on Bway.)

Most of these empty, cynical choices for musical projects don't succeed. When will people learn?

[quote]Jason Robert Brown remains one of the more talented songwriters of his generation. Sondheim thought so.

When did he say this? I knew Sondheim, and he didn't seem to like Jason's songs.

Jason Robert Brown never met a melody............ that's all.

Thank you, r159. And those oh-so-hetero-sensitive lyrics...double meh.

R158, Sondheim admired JRB's work from the start: his friend Hal Prince produced SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, which Hal's daughter and JRB's good friend Daisy directed. JRB became very close to Sondheim for a short while afterwards until they had a bit of a falling out, then (mostly) reconciled.

This isn't private talk: JRB has spoken/written publicly about his friendship/mentoring with SS. Sondheim was closer to JRB and Adam Guettel than to others from that cohort (Ricky Ian Gordon, Michael John LaChuisa).

Maybe you have some insights to share from your friendship with SS about the composers he admired.

There is NO passive aggressive bitch like a Datalounge passive aggressive bitch.

JRB, as I've said before, is a very good songwriter but a terrible musical dramatist. Out of context, the songs are fine, but he has a habit of writing the wrong song for the wrong moment. Case in point: The opening two songs from Parade. The opening, if it had been in The Civil War, would have been a rousing showstopper. Sung by all those creepy southerners, it's just...creepy. Then the first song for the lead is ..."I hate this place, I can't stand anything about it, or the people, get me out of here." Not the best way to meet your leading man. And there's MANY other examples.

Silver Spoons' Joel Higgins musicalized Johnny Guitar,

[quote]I am midway through Paul Ford's memoir Lord Knows, At Least I Was There. He's a real asshole.

He sure is!

Spending years of your life musicalizing a book you think is awful is a special kind of insanity.

See I liked the Paul Ford memoir. It was like Datalounge as a book!

Wish we had a Ruth Ford memoir...

I don't quite get the interest in adapting dramatic (or comedic) movies for the stage. "High Noon"? If I'm interested in seeing "High Noon" again, I can do so without leaving the house. Adapting "All About Eve" as a straight play seemed even more pointless. It's one of my favorite movies, and one I can watch anytime. I had zero interest in seeing a pallid re-creation of it on stage that was guaranteed to be a disappointment.

Van Hove's "All About Eve" was just awful. It was a shitty stage adaptation of the brilliant screenplay even without his absurd direction and Gillian's lifeless performance.

Roz...

PARADE was also an awful subject for a musical. An opera perhaps. But it is unrelievedly dark with absolutely no air to breathe besides racism, mental torture, and injustice.

[r171] I feel like Paul Ford would know what to say about this

[quote]JRB, as I've said before, is a very good songwriter but a terrible musical dramatist. Out of context, the songs are fine, but he has a habit of writing the wrong song for the wrong moment. Case in point: The opening two songs from Parade. The opening, if it had been in The Civil War, would have been a rousing showstopper. Sung by all those creepy southerners, it's just...creepy. Then the first song for the lead is ..."I hate this place, I can't stand anything about it, or the people, get me out of here." Not the best way to meet your leading man. And there's MANY other examples.

Your generalization is ridiculously broad, and incorrect. There are many, many cases in JRB's shows where he wrote the right song for the right moment. That's even true of the least successful shows, HONEYMOON IN VEGAS and THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY.

[quote]The opening, if it had been in The Civil War, would have been a rousing showstopper. Sung by all those creepy southerners, it's just...creepy.

What the hell is that supposed to mean? If the song were in THE CIVIL WAR, it would have been sung by "creepy southerners" there, as well. You seem very confused.

He’s a philanderer!

I watched that Ghostlight guy's Youtube breakdown of Steel Pier, r172. Of course he mentions how they wanted to get the rights to They Shoot Horses, Don't They? Talk about unrelenting depression in the Depression.

My issue with Paul Ford's memoir is that he was never very specific about his dislike for particular performers or performances. He seemed to think that just eye-rolling the person's name was enough before he moved onto the next eye roll, as if we already automatically agreed with him. I would have appreciated some detailed dish. The book is like one long list of names and titles and nothing more.

Speaking of Ruth Ford...

Mr. Ford badly needed an editor, a familiar problem with self-published books. There's a lot of repetition—we get that you hate Sweeney Todd!—and way too much about his mother.

[Quote] I am midway through Paul Ford's memoir Lord Knows, At Least I Was There. He's a real asshole.

Give us some anecdotes

JRB has a big dick and is box office poison

[quote]JRB has a big dick and is box office poison

So ... just like Joan Crawford.

RIP Mary Alice. I’ll never forget how a climactic moment in a scene she was performing opposite James Earl Jones in Fences was ruined by African-American audience members who thought they were at a studio taping of What’s Happening.

[quote] My issue with Paul Ford's memoir is that he was never very specific about his dislike for particular performers or performances. He seemed to think that just eye-rolling the person's name was enough before he moved onto the next eye roll, as if we already automatically agreed with him. I would have appreciated some detailed dish. The book is like one long list of names and titles and nothing more.

Exactly! If you're going to critique something, then tell us why it doesn't work. He just complained. Shit, I hate plenty of things, but when I have a conversation about it with someone, I can point to why almost all of the time. Yes, there are some times when I just irrationally dislike something, but I acknowledge it. Ford just says something is bad. And it gets boring really fast.

[quote] Give us some anecdotes

Honestly, I wish I could, but they're really just him saying- so and so was HORRIBLE doing x. And that's it. Nothing that would be juicy or fun.

Is it time for a new Broadway Big Dick List?

Jason Robert Brown

Howard McGillin

Roger Bart

David Cromer

Isaac Powell

What a waste of big dick. The only appealing guy on that list is Powell. Maybe McGillan

McGillin aged out and got too much plastic surgery. He looks like Davis Gaines these days

does someone have that Powell full length - so to speak - nude handy?

That RK recording sounds like a more honest recording of what her sis sounds like now. Same tricks, too.

I'm with the above poster about Ford's book. So unrelentingly bitchy and negative, not to mention poorly written and disorganized. I could barely get through it. I thought it might have some fun insights about the making of Sondheim shows, and it has a little of that, but it's more him bitching about the business and describing his alcoholism and obesity, which really makes for a fun read, let me tell you. (eye roll)

Beanies face is gone

"PARADE was also an awful subject for a musical. An opera perhaps. But it is unrelievedly dark with absolutely no air to breathe besides racism, mental torture, and injustice."

That’s the least of it. The show had not a clue of what it was about: the marriage, anti-Semitism, a procedural. And it showed. With forgettable songs (except All the Wasted Time).

"I don't quite get the interest in adapting dramatic (or comedic) movies for the stage. "High Noon"? If I'm interested in seeing "High Noon" again, I can do so without leaving the house. Adapting "All About Eve" as a straight play seemed even more pointless. It's one of my favorite movies, and one I can watch anytime."

It's a poverty of ideas and imagination.

R191 When's it coming off the marquee and advertisements for the show?

r188, here. Came up pretty easily in a Google search. A perfectly nice dick, but more average than big?

r193, presumably the moment the door hits her ass on the way out Sunday night. Though if they pull it while she's still in the theater, that's more proof that they hate her.

Tony winner Mary Alice has died:

[quote]McGillin aged out and got too much plastic surgery. He looks like Davis Gaines these days

That’s not true at all. There aren’t any pictures of Howard on his Facebook or IG where he looks like he’s had work done. He certainly doesn’t look like Davis Wildenstein.

McGillin has a lovely voice, except that his transition near the break has him sounding kind of like a hooty owl, which worked very well for the Phantom, but he uses it in every show. But he's extremely tall and thin and a good-looking guy.

Why can't we have a Broadway sex thread like this one?

Or this one: Battle of the Giant Broadway Cocks

Or this one: Broadway Sex Thread from 2019

Did they ever repost those Bobby Steggart pics? I never got to see them.

Or this one: Broadway Sex Thread, Pandemic Edition

I can’t believe Wesley Taylor broke up with Issac and willingly gave up that dick.

Some people are born lucky.

Broadway Sex Thread Part 2 (2007)

Broadway Sex Thread Part 3 (2008)

Broadway Sex Thread Part 4 (2008)

Broadway Sex Thread (2013).

I know, I know. Enough. Sorry.

But I'm also hoping maybe we can talk more cock and ass and less "the score was transcendent while the book left a bad taste in my mouth" for once.

Combining two topics ... Was Mary Alice good in bed?

Did Davis Gaines break up with Dorothy Hamill?

[quote] But I'm also hoping maybe we can talk more cock and ass and less "the score was transcendent while the book left a bad taste in my mouth" for once.

Then go fucking post on one of them instead of spamming on here, asshole.

I used to live in the same building as Mary Alice. She was an ornery one, but she sure was great in FENCES. R.I.P.

No, r211. I will not.

And because you were so salty and stupid, I am compelled to provide another sex thread link. This one is from 2019.

By the way, R211, you can be sure that everyone is poring over those all threads and not looking at your boring "contributions" here.

I do adore a good Broadway sex thread.

r214

me too

For r188

Now I just looked up Daniel Reichard and he's hot. THAT'S the magic of the Broadway sex thread. And I'd be happy to start one. BUT I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT BROADWAY WHORES BEYOND WHAT I READ HERE!

So someone give me some random piece of gossip, I'll use it to start a new thread, and we can spare poor, stupid, dumb R211.

And for r202

Here r213 you fuckhead.

Why does this topic make everyone so testy?

r199, you answered your own question at r201 and r203. The 2019 thread only had 93 replies. The 2020 one died at 12. We can't have sex threads because no one posts in them anymore.

Are the Jay Armstrong Johnson threesome videos still out there?

Thank you r218. Very hot.

I don't know who this Paul Ford is that you are all rhapsodizing about but the the real Paul Ford was a brilliant character actor whose work in The Phil Silvers Show, The Music Man, The Matchmaker and The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming is unparalleled. He may have had a limited range but within his niche he had no rivals, with the possible exception of David Burns.

r222, most likely not publicly. He was pretty diligent about reporting it and getting it taken down any time it popped up. One of the sex threads above is full of references of Dropbox and other links getting shut down. You might need to personally know someone who's willing to share it with you, or see if anyone here is willing to risk it.

Bernadette '65

Broadway betting is that Prada never gets out of Chicago. Word is its unfixable and Ms. Elton has lost interest.

At 4:20, the review starts.

[quote]Kiss of the Spider Woman needs a specific type of leading lady. Chita had that mysterious energy about her that was excellent for the show. Nobody comes close. Audra McDonald did a workshop a few years ago, trying to reconceive the show, but it never went anywhere.

Because the show is a DOG! It's really an awful show, they just do good productions to hide that fact.

Mere days left for our Beanie! What’s next for the little love?

Bittersweet hours, r231, unless she is indeed replacing in ITW as the cow.

She’s getting far away from Broadway as a girl can get

[quote]Because the show is a DOG!

I have fond memories of the show, r230. I listened to it...a lot. Only got to see Chita-lite, Miss Carol Lawrence, but she was suitable and capable. But ya know, looking at it now, it is a bit of a dog.

[quote]She’s getting far away from Broadway as a girl can get

She's going to learn to hoochie cooch and smoke a cigarette!

Ooh, that's some juicy info. about Prada. Has it even been selling well in Chicago?

Are all of those photos at R218 supposed to be Bobby Steggert? The first one, including all of his face, is obviously him, but to me the guy in most of the other body shots with no face looks a lot more muscular.

It happens without fail, doesn't it? Whenever someone's nudes are posted, someone always immediately questions if it's them. We've been through this with Reichard, then Todd, and here we are again.

The first one is old; the rest are more recent. He's like 40 now. His face is also in the fifth one r218 provided and the body in the others matches that one.

r224 see r165

Saw Titanique. It was dumb fun, but mostly on the right side of that balance so a good time. On completely shallow notes, Rousouli's ass looked as good (and big) in his pants as it did out of them on that Netflix show that got him so much attention a few years back, and John Riddle is a dreamboat.

It certainly is a nice big [italic]tuchas[/italic]!

Thought I'd repost this from the "Distinct Voices" thread:

Tammy Grimes was the runner up for Desiree in A Little Night Music. When Glynis Johns repeatedly called in sick late in previews and then had herself hospitalized right before the New York opening night for exhaustion, she made a miraculous recovery and showed up at the theater again when she found out Hal Prince had Grimes back to watch the show.

Tammy Grimes apparently bettered her performance in "The Unsinakable Molly Brown" quite a bit when word got back to her it that the producer had Barbara Cook in the audience to view several performances of it during previews.

Cook had gotten great reviews for Ado Annie in revivals of "Oklahoma!" so she could play that kind of role, too.

Oooh, sounds like the songs AND the clothes in DEVIL WORE PRADA are lackluster/bad.

The show is sunk.

Finally noticed this thread title is crossed out like most of them and went back to see if the last few were too. It looks like they all were except for the second #479, so congrats to that OP for winning the site's approval. (Now watch a bunch of people go and downvote it.)

Not sure Barbara Cook could pull off unsinkable

Cook pulled off Funny Girl, I have little doubt she could have handled Molly Brown. She got great reviews for her Ado Annie.

I have my settings slider set to Asbestos Eyeballs and OP's post isn't grayed out for me.

Interesting. Mine's set in the middle and this is what I see.

Which is why Asbestos Eyeballs is the best way to view the Datalounge.

Interesting R218, some of those are not the same Bobby Steggert pics that got posted a month or so ago (and were quickly scrubbed from the internet). And there was no video with the earlier posting. I guess Steggert has been keeping busy making sexy selfies and vids instead of acting.

R218. Actually, he’s been busy getting an MSW in order to become a licensed counselor, you asshole.

why is r218 an asshole???

and the cock at r218 is aesthetically superb

You know, people often say Barbara Cook got great reviews in Funny Girl on the road, but where are these reviews (and what 3rd stringer wrote them)? I love Cook but find it inconceivable that she could even approach the Jewish meeskitishness of Fanny. I'm sure she could sing the songs but that's just not enough. Where are the reviews??

Barbara Cook played THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1964.

Where you were mere girl of 22?

[quote] Where are the reviews??

r256 try this

Reading Karen Abbott’s bio of Gypsy Rose Lee, American Rose (which is terrific).

Around 1931 Gypsy is headlining at Minsky’s Burlesque and is appalled at how they treat her non-starring burlesque colleagues (who Minsky refused to let unionize)

Gypsy noted “Seven days a week four shows a day, forty-five hours of rehearsals a week for fifteen dollars. No contracts, no security bond, supply your own shoes and keep smiling….”

Why so nasty, R238? Since the body of the person in question looks SO much more muscular in some of the photos at that link than in others, I think it's only natural for me to question if they're all pix of Bobby Steggert. And since I'm assuming you don't know with absolute certainty that they are, I don't understand why you were so pissed off by my question.

Oh, and since Bobby Steggert is now a social worker and/or is still studying to be one, I think it's odd that he would have posted or allowed to be posted photos of himself naked and with an erection in recent years.

Asking why someone on DL is being nasty is like asking why someone in a restaurant is hungry.

Or why someone on DL is hungry.

Once Paul Rudnick was no longer attached to Prada I lost interest. And the casting is lackluster.

[Quote] Because the show is a DOG! It's really an awful show, they just do good productions to hide that fact.

I saw Kiss of the Spider Woman in London with Bebe Newirth. She was great, but I agree, the whole show was just stupid and full of cliches (“I know him like the back of my hand!” “He’s going to hell in a handbasket!”)

I was backpacking around Europe with my college buddies and we laughed about the show the entire 6 weeks

Kiss of the Spiderwoman worked when Chita was doing her musical numbers.

But the prisoner scenes were playing they were awful.

“Dear one, I don’t miss you inside me”

“I’d do anything for him, he must know. I’d do anything for him I want him so.”

r261, my post wasn't intended to be nasty, nor was it, IMO (especially by the standards of this site). It was simply stating facts. Every time nudes are posted in one of these threads someone immediately questions them and claims they don't think the pics really are the person in question. It's predictable and tedious. To be fair, you were less obnoxious about it than the Reichard and Todd deniers.

Yes, he looks more muscular in some than others. Yes, his face is visible in one of the muscular ones, clearly identifying him as the guy with the torso that matches all the others. If you want to question it, so be it, because, as I said, that's what always happens. (For what it's worth, I also don't doubt it's him because I've seen him on Grindr recently, where his main pic is a shirtless one with his face clearly visible. So I know what he looks like today, how muscular he is now, and can understand how his nudes would be out there.)

Beanie Feldstein is BACK on Broadway this Fall! Starring in a groundbreaking one-human staging of Martin Sherman's "Bent", directed by Ivo van Hove.

Get your tickets now!

Um, I don't think any kind of "bending" comes naturally to Beanie.

In repertory with Bent, Beanie will be appearing on alternate days in her one woman version of Rent.

Beanie:

How’m I gonna pay, this year’s rent, next year’s rent?

Forget regret, or life is yours to miss. No way but my way.

Happy Friday, from the mean girl cheerleader in THIRTEEN. Song by JRB.

There is nothing like our Bean

Nothing in the world

Though her face looks like a spleen

We pay mucho bucks to see our Bean!

r252 Nah, they're all fairly old, I guess it's just whoever posted the first batch didn't have the full collection

[quote]Oh, and since Bobby Steggert is now a social worker and/or is still studying to be one, I think it's odd that he would have posted or allowed to be posted photos of himself naked and with an erection in recent years.

Because upon becoming a social worker you immediately stop being horny? What a stupid comment.

Can't believe someone who has Steggert's assets is single.

His relationship status on the app is "Partnered."

[Quote] I was backpacking around Europe with my college buddies and we laughed about the show the entire 6 weeks

Butch.

Per the other thread, NPH is claiming he has no experience dating a bunch of random people. Surely some who know gossip from back in his theater days can tell us otherwise...

A poster above marveled at the beauty of John Riddle and I concur. He’s gorgeous!

Ne's no Nelson Riddle.

R274-Bobby has a very hot partner, and his mother approves of him. They travel everywhere together.

R267, I did not "claim" the pictures were not of Bobby Steggert, I QUESTIONED whether all of them were of Bobby Steggert. What I wrote verbatim was, "Are all of those photos at [R218] supposed to be Bobby Steggert?" His full face is not visible in that photo with the more muscular body, and I thought that photo could possibly be of someone else. Also, as I noted, I do think it's very odd that someone who is now going for a career in social work would post, or allow to be posted, photos of himself naked and with an erection. All of that said, I AM NOT DISPUTING THAT THOSE ARE PHOTOS OF BOBBY STEGGERT, I was just asking if we are sure they are, and expressing my surprise if they are. Sorry to annoy you, but you seem very easily annoyed.

As are the rest of us, by both of you

I don't want to be a hall monitor or priss, beg your pardons, but if we mention someone's beauty in a post even a basic photo would be appreciated!

Bye, bye Beeeeee-anie/We're gonna miss you so….

Roger Friedman is an asshole and ignoramus but this is provocative

[Quote] Rudin is still hovering over his shows despite being physically absent. I’m not surprised. All that talk about Rudin being gone didn’t make sense considering his office is still open and his main staff is still in place.

No one ever thought Rudin was fully gone from anything, including Music Man.

[quote]I do think it's very odd that someone who is now going for a career in social work would post, or allow to be posted, photos of himself naked and with an erection

Why is that odd?

NYT on Mockingbird closing

[quote]The play’s writer, Aaron Sorkin, and director, Bartlett Sher, emailed the play’s cast and crew late Thursday to inform them of the decision, and they blamed the original lead producer, Scott Rudin, who had stepped away from an active role in the show after being accused of mistreating collaborators. According to Sorkin and Sher, “At the last moment, Scott reinserted himself as producer and for reasons which are, frankly, incomprehensible to us both, he stopped the play from reopening.”

[quote]Rudin, who continued to control the rights to the stage adaptation of the Harper Lee novel, sent his own email to Sorkin and Sher on Friday, attributing the decision to the economic situation on Broadway, where overall ticket sales have lagged behind prepandemic levels. Both emails were obtained by The Times. “The reason I opted not to bring back TKAM has to do with my lack of confidence in the climate for plays next winter,” Rudin wrote, using an acronym for “To Kill a Mockingbird.” He added, “I do not believe that a remount of Mockingbird would have been competitive in the marketplace.”

...

[quote]Sher and Sorkin described themselves in the email as “heartbroken” and said they “mourn the loss of all the jobs — onstage, backstage, and front of house — that just disappeared.” Rudin, in his email to them, said, “It’s too risky and the downside is too great. I’m sorry you’re disappointed. It’s the right decision for the long life of the show.”

Petulance hardly describes it

So Greg Kinnear only played the role a handful of times before it shuttered. That sucks.

You shoulda seen the check though r289!

I was very skeptical of MOCKINGBIRD and passed on it on Broadway because decent seats were so hard to find without paying huge amounts. Also felt I just didn't need to see the story theatricalized when the film remains so memorable. And Jeff Daniels seemed like rather predictable boring casting as Atticus.

But I was in London last March with a free Thursday afternoon and the production was at the 1/2 price booth for the matinee so we bought cheap tickets for great seats (in a smallish theater) and was frankly overwhelmed by how good it was. Rafe Spall, who I didn't really know, played Atticus and was just wonderful, very much a non-Gregory Peck styled everyman performance that was perfection. The whole cast was so good, so moving, all Brits. Have to hand it to director Bart Sher, who I think can be uneven. It was by far the best play I saw there, including Straight Line Crazy, Cock and The Collaboration.

Too bad it's not returning to Broadway.

So is Rudin doing this out of sheer nastiness and spite?

And in London, were the kids played by adults?

Rudin is right in his assessment. However I thought other producers had taken it over.

In London the kids were once again played by adults but I found that concept very successful. Kids have to carry too much of the play to count on young children to give consistent and disciplined performances. Wise choice IMHO.

Besides Music Man and Book of Mormon, are there any other current Broadway shows that Rudin has any involvement in?

Anyone who believed Rudin had actually stepped away from any of his Broadway productions is a fool, including those who accepted his "stepping away" as suitable "punishment" for him.

Which one of you bitches is going to live stream Beanie’s final curtain call and her dejected departure from the theater for the very last time?

Will she make a speech?

The producers plan on ejecting her after her final curtain call no matter what her mental state is.

What are ticket sales like for Benko?

No one cares about Benko. Funny Girl will likely be on TKTS all summer

Every performance for next week is on TDF.

“I was backpacking around Europe with my college buddies and we laughed about the [London production of Kiss of the Spider Woman] the entire 6 weeks”

What the hell kind of backpacking trip was this?

Larry Fuller directed Carol Lawrence in FUNNY GIRL

[quote] Besides Music Man and Book of Mormon, are there any other current Broadway shows that Rudin has any involvement in?

He’s not involved with Mormon anymore.

'What the hell kind of backpacking trip was this?'

It must have been the Baroness Schraeder's backbacking tour of Austria and Germany visiting the best couturiers and going to the wittiest parties.

I think he meant “backside-packing”

The Whispers are growing into mutters: PRADA is dead in Chicago. All you flop lovers, book your flights!

I’m not surprised Prada is done.

Firstly the movie works because of Meryl Streep. Doing a musical is okay, but Beth Leavel is NOT Meryl, or even close. Theatre queens need a diva to be excited to see this…and she’s not it.

Secondly, Rudnick jumping ship was a sign things were going south.

Third, the costumes were atrocious! For a show set in a fashion world, the costumes have to be dazzling.

Three strikes and you’re out!

Well, let's give Beth her due... she was much much better in PROM then Streep.

I’m actually sad Prada sucks so badly. It was the only current movie-to-stage project that had potential to be interesting.

The Prada workshop cast was much more interesting.

The timing on the PRADA musical adaptation doesn't help either.

Fashion has become a bit, well... unfashionable in these times, at least to a lot of younger people. The industry is seen as sexist and exploitative of workers; it's not eco-friendly or sustainable; "fast fashion" is a disaster in all these respects. Anna Wintour and VOGUE have become a joke (along with the Met Gala): they are no longer a driving influence for those who do follow style at all.

The movie is 16 years old but it may as well be 40 or 50 years ago. Had they gotten a stage musical version out of the gate even 5 or 6 years ago, it might have stood a better chance.

For anyone who was following this online phenomenon....

Ruh-roh.

[quote]According to Netflix's complaint, the streamer is alleging that Barlow and Bear "have taken valuable intellectual property from the Netflix original series Bridgerton to build an international brand for themselves." The filing goes on to state that the team's "conduct began on social media, but stretches 'fan fiction' well past its breaking point."

The streamer is seeking an unspecified amount of damages along with attorneys' fees.

In happier news: this actually sounds like a good idea. I like Bway On Demand but I find their current platform really difficult to use.

Any other "Submissions Only" fans out there?

r315 The women behind this are absolute idiots. Netflix actually reached out to them and offered them a license and they refused. Their main defence is that Netflix filed too late. They're going to be taken to the cleaners and then try and portray themselves as victims

Art can be uncomfortable and push against norms.

We should support them and not Netflix.

Thank you, Singapore/Fling @ r319.

"His signature style and enormous talent"

Well, we've all heard about his enormous........talent.

[quote] Art can be uncomfortable and push against norms.

Netflix isn’t suing them because they’re too edgy. It’s a copyright issue.

I've known Abigail Barlow since she was in high school. Not the sharpest knife in the drawer. (And likely hasn't turned to the best legal advice).

[Quote] Art can be uncomfortable and push against norms. We should support them and not Netflix.

Oh, come on. Copyright and public domain. Each exists for a reason, and this is in the prior category. Real people created it. And they deserve what’s coming to them. there is a parody, but this is going way past that. It’s theft. I know it feels cool to be against the ‘bogeyman’ Netflix and all corporations no matter what, but you’re way out of line.

Isn't the original cast of Jersey Boys in their 70s by now? Maybe they should call it Jersey Grandpas.

I have a feeling the two of them will have a documentary made about this and call it:

“The Fuck Up”

CAA deserves the fall for this. This was very bad management.

Debbie's Grass...

Other Rialto gossip...COMPANY will close at a total loss for its investors.

^ That is sad news, but not really surprising.

But with those numbers, has ITW recouped? They just moved it across town...

Even with SVOG?

Of course it’s a loss. It’s Company.

[quote]Firstly the movie works because of Meryl Streep.

I beg your pardon!

Sounds like PRADA is nada.

Sad, really.

Because COMPANY was a British legal entity, they didn't qualify for SVOG.

I wonder if Patti ever got her summer-weight fur coat and how much that set them back?

All those COMPANY producers are fine. They all got their Tony.

Rudin may be right. Not much selling for the Fall. Could be really rough if there's another wave. All the SVOG is long gone.

I doubt it, R337. I think she even tried to return her Joanne wig to Party City... but they refused to refund her money.

[quote]CAA deserves the fall for this. This was very bad management.

What are you referring to?

I imagine that Bridgerton musical would be covered by parody laws. Any reason why it wouldn't be? That asshole who wrote that Seuss parody got away with it, and there have been other examples, like that Three's Company parody play.

Perhaps the fact that it is not a parody might have something to do with it gentle r342?

Wasn’t there also a Downton Abbey musical?

[quote]Perhaps the fact that it is not a parody might have something to do with it gentle [R342]?

In what way is it not a parody? I haven't seen it, but the title certainly makes it sound like parody is the intent.

[quote]In what way is it not a parody?

This way:

[quote]The stage show reportedly featured more than a dozen songs that involved exactly copied dialogue, character traits, expression and other elements from “Bridgerton.”

Agreed. It's not a parody: it's a fan-fiction musical, based in large part on Shonda Rimes' intellectual property for Netflix. Served pretty much straight up. And it was one thing when it was just a little fangurl online thing, but now it's a for-profit commercial project (like the concert at the Kennedy Center at link).

This might be a little embarrassing to Kelli O'Hara and others who participated (before the lawsuit). Not that I blame the performers.

The question is: are Barlow and Bear incredibly arrogant? Poorly advised? Or just really, really stupid?

Of all the stupid movie to stage musicals lately, I would have thought PRADA had the most promise.

But, the entire story is a cliche from start to finish. Without Meryl, or someone of that stature, who cares?

It saddens me immeasurably that PRADA and BRIDGERTON are what now inspire people to "create" new musicals.

[quote]Because COMPANY was a British legal entity, they didn't qualify for SVOG.

Except it did get a SVOG. It also got a big insurance pay-out, as their policy was one of the few that covered pandemics.

So given you got something that basic and easy to check wrong, why should we believe your claims of a total loss for investors?

r348 Why not all three?

It's pretty surprising just how far Netflix went to give these idiots a chance to do things properly. Disney would've sued right off, but Netflix turned a blind eye to the charity performance, with the two agreeing not to do any further performances. Which they then reneged on, and even then Netflix gave them a chance to properly licence the show, which they ignored.

There'll be a certain number of people who will automatically jump to their defence because corporations must be bad, but in this case they really do have no-one to blame but themselves

Thanks, R346. It's amazing that these people used actual dialogue from the TV series without permission and thought they could get away with it.. It's incredibly stupid of them to present a straight-up musical with dialogue from the show, without any permission or rights clearances. That's why I assumed this must be a parody, so thanks for clarifying that it is not.

What’s Bebe Neuwirth up to these days? She would have saved Prada I think

I think a Prada musical could work best if everyone sings EXCEPT Miranda.

[quote]What’s Bebe Neuwirth up to these days? She would have saved Prada I think

Thanks to Bebe, Addams Family is still going strong!

That people even think The Devil Wears Prada is material that "sings", crying out for a musical adaptation is completely lunacy.

There's no real artistry left in the musical theatre anymore.

It's upsetting that Biden has Covid again. But not as upsetting as the idea that Beanie might play Broadway again.

There *must* be another Bergman or Fellini film out there begging to be musicalized!

Scenes from a Marriage - The Musical

A painting! What painting would make a good musical?

Julie Benko will start posting pics of herself in the star dressing room around 6pm tomorrow when Beanie vacates.

R361, PLEASE don’t give them any ideas!

Never mind, I forgot...it's been done.

Beanie will follow Patti-Norma's lead and trash the dressing room, leaving poor Julie out in the cold.

Have any Broadway boys been out for ten days lately that is actually Monkeypox and not Covid-19?

[quote] I think a Prada musical could work best if everyone sings EXCEPT Miranda.

Maybe give her a tiny song for the breakdown scene in the car. Let her sing just a little at that rare moment of humanity, then she shuts it down again.

R348-I don't think either one of them is stupid. well, maybe Barlow because he's remained with Porky The Bear for so long.

Must be for the money.

[Quote] Of all the stupid movie to stage musicals lately, I would have thought PRADA had the most promise. But, the entire story is a cliche from start to finish. Without Meryl, or someone of that stature, who cares?

R349 are you bipolar?

It might be fun to play a little game on Datalounge where you post 5 shows you’ve seen. They can be hits or flops or both.

I’ll go first. I’m 34 years old and don’t live in NY.

1) Follies at the Kennedy Center with Bernadette. I loved it and loved her.

2) Company with Patti LuPone Broadway. Loved it and even liked Katrina Lenk.

3) Les Miserables on Broadway 2006. I had read the gossip about Daphne Rubin Vega being awful, but I found her moving.

4) The Anarchist on Broadway. My parents HATED this. I didn’t love it, but I love LuPone and Debra Winger. Wish it had been a stronger play for them.

5) Hello Dolly with Bette, Bernadette (Broadway) Betty (tour) I personally liked Bernadette best out of the three, but all 3 were strong. I even liked Betty, who I know gets dragged on here for this role.

I just saw "Butcher Boy," the new musical at Irish Rep. Holy moley. In a season of disappointing new musicals off-Bway (and I've seen 'em all), this the most WTF? project of them all. It gets points for audacity, at least.

Here are some other new off-Bway musicals I've seen in 2022, and no, none of them was very good:

Love Quirks

Between the Lines

Romeo and Bernadette

Penelope

R371 You are clearly one of those people who loves practically everything they see, have no critical discernment and are to be avoided like the plague.

Marge and Gower

I turned off that YouTube review of PRADA the second that review admitted that he hadn't seen the movie.

WTF.

Do your homework. Why should I give a flying fuck about someone's opinion of a project like PRADA when that person has not done the most basic of preparations? How hard is it to watch a beloved two-hour film?

Damn, too many of these Gen Z kids are exhausting AND lazy.

Viewers' opinions.

Someone must have info about Rudnick’s departure

Beanie will probably smear faeces on her dressing room mirror to welcome Benko.

r371 you sound nice. Did you wander in here by mistake?

Saw five shows.

HATED them.

From the Prada audience reviews: Tries to be relevant and politically correct and fails. Maybe Rudnick quit when they went in a PC direction. The movie has bitchy humor which is dead today. Curious if the line ‘hire the smart fat girl’ from the movie is included in the show. Audiences would boo and be offended.

[quote]I turned off that YouTube review of PRADA the second that review admitted that he hadn't seen the movie. WTF. Do your homework. Why should I give a flying fuck about someone's opinion of a project like PRADA when that person has not done the most basic of preparations? How hard is it to watch a beloved two-hour film?

In fairness, some people would argue that the musical should be judged on its own merits and as to whether or not it works in its own right, with no need to compare it to the movie.

As for Rudnick's departure, of course I have no idea, but it seems to me that, although he's one of the funniest writers ever, he has always had difficulty when it comes to properly structuring a play or movie. So that may have been the issue here, though I'm only speculating.

Just watched a fab Jane Pauley interview with Liza on CBS Morning. Liza was totally coherent and energetic and smart, if a bit fragile (but not nearly as fragile as she appeared on the Oscars). But watching her talk for 15 minutes convinces one that she's not done!

I'm sure someone will link it on DL when it's available.

Has Rudnick written theater lyrics before? It's not an easy task, so maybe he couldn't cut it.

I pass him a couple of times a week in Hudson River Park. Might chat him up, but he seems quite dour.

The thing that makes The Devil Wears Prada work as a film is its tone. It’s incredibly well made, and works because it is well crafted; its precise, taut, dramatic tension is maintained by the performances - lead and supporting.

It’s really hard to emulate the tone and scale of the drama of this specific film within the idiom of musical theatre, especially when the composer is known to have little interest in writing coherent dramatic works (Elton John writes songs, often unmoored from dramatic context. He does not write scores).

It’s not surprising that it’s apparently turned out to be a pile of shit.

[Quote] Someone must have info about Rudnick’s departure

Everyone realized the show sucked and was unredeemable—so he left

Since when does being a pile of shit guarantee a show failure?

[quote]Since when does being a pile of shit guarantee a show failure?

Right. " Slave Play" made it to Broadway.

I don't think Rudnick was ever writing lyrics for PRADA, only the libretto. I imagine he left of his own accord when he fully understood that Sir Elton would not be truly collaborating and participating, only leaving the songs. Also, perhaps Anna Shapiro turned him off. She's no fun.

[quote] when Beanie vacates.

Is she having a bowel movement?

That would be when Beanie evacuates.

r383...

Who is Anna Shapiro, R389?

A reddit Prada reviewer:

I have a ton of thoughts. This show is for the girls and the gays and them exclusively.

R376-"Gladiator is like that, too"?

[Quote] It’s incredibly well made

The Prada movie? [Italic] Incredibly [/italic] well made? Then I’m [italic] incredibly [/italic] well hung.

[quote] I’m incredibly well hung.

Pics please.

yikes

Stoned Liza during Vv. Tony Roberts looks like he wants to slap her

Did the Beanster show up for her final performance in "Funny Girl" today?

Her opening night seems like only yesterday.

August is going to be a slow month. No hearings and...Julie Benko. What's to discuss?

I thought Beanie's last show was today. Her Insta post about leaving had today's date.

[quote]I thought Beanie's last show was today. Her Insta post about leaving had today's date.

Hence my question at R400.

What if somebody showed up for their last show...and nobody came?

r393, Anna Shapiro "directed" PRADA. Please try to keep up.

Everyone at Finny Girl raves about Beanie and says goodbye.

Didn’t see Jane Lynch among those tearful goodbyes.

Nor "director" Michael Mayer.

‘We don’t hate Beanie and it’s been a lovely experience and the rumors [italic] aren’t [/italic] true and we’re one big happy loving family and we’re proud of our turkey of a show and our maligned leading lady even if she never showed up and couldn’t sing’

Jane Lynch was out today. Speaks volumes.

R40;8 why do you keep putting “directed” in quotes for Anna and Lonny and Michael? Are you “trying” to make a “point”?

R408 that is

Awwwww

The IG goodbye video makes me feel I've greatly under-appreciated my untheatrical co-workers.

I thought Jane Lynch got along extremely well with Beanie. Did she come down with covid?

Dorothy navigated manic to depressive so effectively.

Don't let the stage door whack you on your fat ass on the way out.

Why not put Reba in Follies? She’s probably seen enough bullshit to credibly belt “I’m Still Here”.

RIP Pat Carroll

That was Taboo’s Liz McCartney looking much more appropriate as Fanny’s mother.

It sure does look like real affection for Beanie throughout the FG company. Maybe everyone was wrong about her.

Striking that she didn’t speak.

Maybe they're just overjoyed to finally be rid of her, r420.

Is Kevin “I Can’t Shut Up” McCullum still the Prada producer?

That goodbye from the cast onstage is WAY overdone. I don’t care for Beanie at all, BUT she opened that show in the middle of a PR storm, and then had to face a negative reaction and scandal. It’s a lot to go through

R415, pay attention. By all accounts Jane Lynch was done with Beanie’s shit by the second week of rehearsals.

It was the first show Jane has missed.

[quote]Everyone at Finny Girl

Is this a reboot of "The Little Mermaid?"

r398 That Joe Gillis is hot to death.

I know Taboo was almost 20 years ago (wow!) but I feel like Liz McCartney overnight went from playing a club girl to everyone's mother. Exactly how old IS she?

Ageless.

[quote]Is this a reboot of "The Little Mermaid?"

Yes, and it killed poor Pat Carroll.

R427 you ain't kiddin' sister!

Danny Mac as Joe Gillis

He looks so...gigolo.

[quote]It was the first show Jane has missed.

She went to a wedding. Who would do something like that?

I hope it was Rosie and Aimee's wedding!

R432, that photo cuts him off so you don’t see his gorgeous feets.

He’s apparently very happily married to an actress he was with in the soap Hollyoaks.

At least Beanie didn’t shit in anyone’s wig

No, she just shit on the stage nightly.

This thread could use some Kay Thompson...

[quote]r256 People often say Barbara Cook got great reviews in Funny Girl on the road, but where are these reviews?

Where is her Phaedra? Her Lady Macbeth?

Her...And I am Telling You?

I hope Beanie was handed a cardboard box of her possessions in the wings upon her final exit.

Got it!

Katrina Lenk is the opposite of Beanie. Led the cast with grace and professionalism despite negative reviews for her performance and the only performances she missed were due to Covid. Bravo.

I don’t get all the love and affection for Beanie from that company. If she was so great she would’ve just stuck with it, got on with it and did her job.

I think if she were that great it wouid’ve been noted. The idea that there was some conspiracy against her or that critics and the Tony nominated just didn’t “get” it is ludicrous. If those producers and that company believed in her, she could’ve performed on the Tonys and wowed the crowd - just like Joaquína Kalukango did. But she didn’t.

Beanie completes her stint as Fanny Brice.

Maybe they were thrilled that she's making room for a performer who will add several months to the run?

[Quote] I don’t get all the love and affection for Beanie from that company.

You weren’t there r445 so you don’t know, do you?

[Quote] If those producers and that company believed in her, she could’ve performed on the Tonys and wowed the crowd - just like Joaquína Kalukango did. But she didn’t.

She wasn’t nominated so she couldn’t perform on the Tonys.

Dear R448: I believe R445 was saying they don't understand WHY the cast of FUNNY GIRL has all that love and affection for Beanie, considering that she basically lost interest in the show and began missing lots of performances after receiving largely negative reviews. Not to mention the fact that, BEFORE the reviews came out, she had scheduled be absent for two performances A WEEK AFTER THE OPENING so she could.....attend a friend's wedding. R445 is entitled to not understand why the cast would still have affection and lover for her after all that, and it has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not R445 was present for the final performance.

Also, at least in recent years, it has been the case that non-nominated shows and performers have sometimes been featured on the Tony telecast, as long as the show's producers pay for it.

Exactly R444 👏🏻👏🏻.

[quote] [R445] is entitled to not understand why the cast would still have affection and lover for her after all that, and it has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not [R445] was present for the final performance.

Maybe she's nice.

Yes, maybe Beanie is nice. Also, there were reports that she had several emotional melt-downs during rehearsals and during the run of the show, due to the pressure of the role and then the bad reviews and no Tony nomination. If that's true, maybe the cast's affection for her is partly based on the fact that they feel sorry for her.

The issue was more that Beanie missed so many performances. Many professionals carry on with each performance despite bad reviews, but Beanie acted like this was a side, inconvenient job.

Plus, she's fat

Maybe the cast was joyous because she's gone. Will they have the same reaction when Lea leaves or will they have all quite by then?

And R444 Lenk is someone who has shown talent in other shows. She just was perhaps miscast, or not landing on the right mix of character, for THIS show.

Beanie never sang a song from Funny Girl on ANY tv show.

That alone speaks volumes.

Calm down. Here's what happened. They tried it. She sucked. She's leaving. They'll now try someone else. That's showbiz baby!

Photo/video tribute to COMPANY. It does look like that company really liked one another.

I did think it was very weird that the Bean never promoted the show by singing... like others have said, that spoke volumes.

Other than her "tonsillitis", I was shocked she showed up as much as she did

[quote] there were reports that she had several emotional melt-downs during rehearsals and during the run of the show

Reports or conjecture?

[quote] Beanie acted like this was a side, inconvenient job.

Do you know that?

I'm no Beanie apologist. I'm just keeping an open mind that though she was ill-suited and ill-prepared, maybe, based on those videos and other social media from the company, she wasn't the petulant terror as a colleague we eagerly presumed.

The stage was filled with actors, R460. They could fake being thrilled meeting a naked Donald Trump.

R460, I don't know that anyone presumed that Beanie was a "petulant terror." But apparently, many people got the impression that she wasn't committed to the show, as evidenced by her many absences and, in particular, the fact that she had it in her contract to miss two performances a week after the show opened to attend a friend's wedding.

As for accounts of meltdowns, I really don't know if it would be more accurate to describe those as reports or conjecture.

Beanie @ r460 you were a cunt. Ta ta fatso.

[quote] Calm down.

Calm down??!! We won't be happy until she's tarred, feathered, and run out of town

Kids, it's theatre gossip on a gay gossip board.

If you're looking for sworn depositions and court transcripts about Beanie fucking up, you won't find them.

[quote]R452 maybe the cast's affection for her is partly based on the fact that they feel sorry for her.

Feldstein’s family could have been paying the cast to be nice to her, too.

R462. She actually took an entire weekend off less than a week after the show opened. She missed 4 shows not 2.

Thanks for the correction, R467. I was just going from memory, which I shouldn't have done.

CAN YOU IMAGINE Ethel Merman or Mary Martin or Angela Lansbury going to the producers of their new Broadway shows and saying, "Guys, I gotta take off the weekend after the show opens because a friend of mine is getting married and I want to go to the wedding." Which is NOT meant to compare Beanie to those women in ANY way other than this particular, ridiculous request, which was in fact granted.

Beanie probably had her Dad tell them she'd be taking off that weekend.

The cast’s “affection” for Beanie? Lol. It’s called ACTING, dears. And they were all doing a lot of it during her farewell bow.

A highly Botoxed Company.

Beanie had several contract stipulations.

1) Unlimited PTO

2) KFC at the ready.

3) No mention of Julie Benko, Lea Michele, Idina Menzel, Adele Dazeem, Barbra Streisand, Lainie Kazan, Leslie Kritzer, Gilda Radner, or Jenny Slate.

4) More PTO

[quote]R468 CAN YOU IMAGINE Ethel Merman or Mary Martin or Angela Lansbury going to the producers of their new Broadway shows and saying, "Guys, I gotta take off the weekend after the show opens because a friend of mine is getting married and I want to go to the wedding."

Lauren Bacall had to go through some elaborate contortions and negotiations with David Merrick to rush to her son’s college graduation well into a Broadway run.

It’s in her second book, where she’s run out of major things to bitch about and starts in on the expense and inconvenience of her country house, etc.

Sarah Paulson is really dripping wet for Beanie on Instagram. Jesus.

lesbians stick together. Sometimes literally. LIke Velcro.

Merman talks about missing a performance of Gypsy to attend one of her kids graduation. She told producers there was no way she was going to miss it and that was that. 100% understandable and good for her.

Bacall was quite a cunt. I know first-hand.

I’ve shared this a million times but apparently no one cares (sob)

I know the author of PIECE OF WORK and the demanding, psycho character of Mary Ford is based on the nightmare experience of working with Bacall.

—————

[italic] Julia Einstein knew that being a stay-at-home mom had a lot in common with her former job as a celebrity publicist - endless, irrational demands, little to no appreciation, and constant hustle. But it isn't until her husband is laid off from his job and she's forced to go back to work and resurrect screen legend Mary Ford's career that Julia realizes how very much she prefers an actual child to a formerly famous client. "For example, her child doesn't steal ten-thousand-dollar leather coats from photo shoots. Nor does he require a constant, fresh supply of a soda that is no longer in production. He doesn't curse at Julia, pronounce her name ‘Einstein’ with a thick layer of disdainful irony, or incessantly poke at her with his index finger while reciting odd variations on childlike rhymes like a psych patient on day pass. With a mortgage looming and three years out of the business, however, Julia knows she has no choice but to make Mary's comeback a success. Even if it kills her." Which, at this pace, is a possibility. But if there is one thing Julia has learned from her time off from the office, it's that sheer determination can solve almost everything. After all, if she can get through suburban living with its uncontrolled clutter and playground politics, how hard can it be to resuscitate the career of an aging, desperate has-been?

If you could name a larger-than-life fictional character any name you fancied, why choose something pedestrian as "Mary Ford"?

Jeez.

I know, r479!

[quote]r479 … why choose something pedestrian as "Mary Ford"?

Because that character’s from the era of stars with generic names like Robert Taylor.

The studio gave the character a plain, waspy name to disguise her Jewish heritage.

I wish COMPANY would’ve had a big star in the lead who could also sing the score. I heard Anne Hathaway’s name was considered. I thought the production was pretty special and would’ve liked to have seen a longer run, which might have been possible with a movie star to sell tickets.

I still want to see Renee Elise Goldsberry as Bobbie. With Jean Smart as Joanne.

r483

OOOH, I like that idea

Renee Elise Goldsberry is 51. Her days of passing for 35 are pretty much done.

She was 38 when she played 19 year old Mimi in Rent

So? Is the fact that she was 38 playing 19 in Rent supposed to mean in her 50s, she can play 35? There *are* limits.

No, it means she’s been miscast before

Rosie Craig has a terrific voice—and should have been brought over to star.

If it were 1979, Patti would have made a great Bobbi

Catherine Zeta-Jones IS Bobbi!

I saw Rosie Craig in Company and she was utterly generic and forgettable, even if she could sing the score. I actually preferred Katrina Lenk. She was wonderful the night I saw her, well into the run.

We didn’t need to bring over a Brit.

Renee Elise could play 35. Black don't crack, honey.

[Quote] If it were 1979, Patti would have made a great Bobbi

If it were 1902, Patti would have made a great Fanny Brice

Patti LuPone *IS* Sarah in Ragtime!

On Ed Sullivan right now...

Who’s gonna tell r497 that Ed is dead?

Who's gonna tell all of DL that Bea Arthur is dead? And Estelle Getty. And Rue McClanahan. And Betty White.

Tell that to Decades, r498.

[quote]r491 Catherine Zeta-Jones IS Bobbi!

What?? Bobbi’s unborn fetus, MAYBE!

r492

Craig was infinitely better cast than the exotic Lenk. I never believed she was friends with any of those plebs.

Oh, I found it to be just the opposite, r50! I never believed Rosalie was friends with anyone but Jonny Bailey, though it wasn't her fault. That London ensemble was a sorry dreary lot, I couldn't believe they were the best actors London had to offer for a major Sondheim revival. None of them were convincing as Manhattanites (except Jonny).

Did you really see the show in both London and New York??

It doesn't matter who is cast in Company, it will ALWAYS be a fucking flop on Bway

What surprises me a bit--in the midst of the latest COMPANY revival in NYC and London--is how utterly forgotten the John Doyle-directed revival starring Raoul Esparza is/was. I saw it and disliked much about it (except Raoul, who I thought was outstanding). Played for 246 performances (+ 34 previews) back in 2006-2007, vs 257 (+32 previews) with Patti & Katrina et al.

But it got a lot of press at the time (it felt like the Times was endlessly writing about it) and was even recorded for TV.

R505, what exactly makes you say that production is "forgotten?" Do you mean because people aren't talking about it anywhere near as much as the very recent production? Of course, that's only natural, isn't it?

Papi for matinee Fanny.

I vastly preferred the Esparza COMPANY to the one that just closed. It wasn't perfect by any means (the lack of a choreographer was a real problem, among other things), but it was a serious, sustained effort to engage the material with emotional depth, and Esparza was never better. (His over-the-top rendition of "Being Alive" at that year's Tonys ranks with Tonya Pinkins' and Catherine Zeta-Jones' respective overblown Tony performances that tar the memory of their outstanding work in the theater.)

The latest revival was certainly entertaining -- taken as a high-level sketch comedy performance, it won a lot of big laughs -- but moving or meaningful or even tonally consistent it wasn't. And Marianne Elliott once again demonstrated her gift for stage wizardry divorced from emotional content -- along with her total disinterest in (or lack of aptitude for) guiding actors to detailed scene/character work.

And don't start me on Patti LuPone's audience-fucking honk-through of a performance. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked her in the New York Philharmonic COMPANY, but here she was, for me, at her absolute worst.

R156- I believe it was the other way around. It started out as a jukebox musical but then they brought JRB in to help flesh out an actual score. Anyone know?

R356- The Addams Family IS going strong. It’s one of the most produced musicals in high schools around the country. In 2020, it was THE #1 most produced musical in high schools in the U.S.

R445- Beanie didn’t perform on the Tonys because they weren’t nominated. Not the show or Beanie herself. Kalukango was nominated and of course won. Also- it appeared to be their marketing strategy to not let Beanie sing on talk shows. You better believe Lea will be singing on the Today show soon.

R470- the expression of love for Beanie on the IG video seemed genuine to me.

R491- MAYBE in 10 years from now

I love you C List Actor. You are neat.

But, I love Billy Boy more. He is Legend.

The arrogance of people like r503 still astounds me. Can't accept someone might have a different opinion from him, so it must be that they didn't actually see the show

Esparza in " Company."

He's okay, if a bit overwrought r512. Coulda used a tuba.

He looked like he was hiding a tuba in his shirt.

[quote]The Addams Family IS going strong. It’s one of the most produced musicals in high schools around the country. In 2020, it was THE #1 most produced musical in high schools in the U.S.

Which only goes to prove that a show can be shit in terms of the writing and still be very popular if it has a big hook for performers and audiences in the form of already familiar characters and/or story.

Shonda Rhimes weighs in on BRIDGERTON musical mess.

What's DL Fave Andrew Keenan-Bolger been up to lately, you ask?

Something FIERCE!

I really enjoyed Barbara Walsh as Joanne.

A friend attended the final performance of Company on Sunday and said it was thrilling. Thrilling because the audience laughed and clapped and each joke and every musical number got a rapturous standing ovation. Frankly, I would find that annoying as both an audience member or a cast member. Remember when an audience would applaud politely or enthusiastically with the occasional BRAVO shout out. But that’s just not good enough anymore. Everything has to be an event and have an over the top reaction. This is why I rarely go to the theatre. Humbug.

To every song, a participation trophy!

Does Papi still have those floppy moobs?

R519, that's because closing performances are not for the general public, but for family and friends of the cast, crew, and orchestra. They would react like this to show support.

r517 That sounds awful

I was 9 in 1964 when we went to the NY World's Fair and also saw during our week in NYC, the original productions of "Funny Girl" and "Hello Dolly". It solidified my being gay.

As wonderful as the shows were and both were filled to capacity, there were no standing ovations and overly enthused audiences. Everyone loved both shows and the stars and responded with enthusiasm after each number. However, even at the curtain calls, there was only steady applause ("Dolly" had the most curtain calls - 9), and scattered cries of "Bravo" but there was a genuine politeness and refinement in the audience. That seemed to only make the entire experience seem all the more special.

I witnessed the same experiences when I was a young teen, r524. But those days of gentility are long gone on Broadway.

[quote] The arrogance of people like [R503] still astounds me. Can't accept someone might have a different opinion from him, so it must be that they didn't actually see the show

I'm not R503, but I didn't take it that way. I read it as- Did you really sit through that show twice??

Oh c'mon, r519. That's hardly unheard of for a final performance.

I question r519's use of the word "friend"

The original production of Company was one of Sondheim's very very few Broadway financial successes considering how prolific he was. And as wonderful as it was there were no standing ovations, wolf whistles and endless hollering. Just enthusiastic applause at the end of numbers and the show. Anybody who would have acted like they do now would have been considered an asshole out to ruin the entire experience for everyone else.

Never look back, r529.

I would have to say the most enthusiastic audience I saw at the time was for No, No Nanette. Everyone was told how great the show was, tickets were going for high prices and everyone went in expecting they were going to have a terrific time. It was a July Wednesday matinee and everyone in that large cast was in. No subs. Today I think that's amazing.

The audience was incredibly enthusiastic and the applause was very loud and very sustained. Still nothing like today. It was as if everyone were at a celebration(and to be honest they were. A final hurrah. Though being a kid at the time I barely knew who Ruby Keeler was. I didn't know anybody else.) It was like a party and enormous fun. Follies was an open casket wake.

[quote]It was like a party and enormous fun. Follies was an open casket wake.

You're comparing Nanette to FOLLIES, r531? FOLLIES was touted as the anti-nostalgia show. They exist together as bookends.

I'm simply talking about the audience response. Follies was in its first week and the Broadway matinee audience sure wasn't expecting THAT. And you needn't be defensive. Follies is the 2nd greatest show I ever saw on Broadway. The first being the glorious Pacific Overtures. And the sparse audience at that responded with polite applause.

The original Pacific Overtures was the first Broadway show I saw. It was indeed glorious.

I'm the guy who bitched about Paul Ford's book. I'm still reading it and I will say that his chapters on Into the Woods and Passion are somewhat amusing and breezy and had enough tidbits to keep you reading. So it's not a total loss.

If you all are done shouting Get off my lawn to other theatergoers, here's some casting news. What do we think of jessie Mueller's potential as an Adelaide? I expect she'll be very very solid but not unique. Is that unfair? Pasquale seems like typical/classic/boring? Sky material. I guess Miss Soo is leaving the woods soon. I never saw Iglehart in anything so I have no opinion on his casting as Nathan.

Jessie Mueller is a LOT of things…but she’s not Miss Adelaide.

They never revive Molly.

Or Sophie.

DL fave Linda Lavin is back in town baby!

Well, isn't Linda just the little Jessica Tandy?

That Roundabout announcement piques (peaks?) my interest and curiosity! Linda Lavin and a cast of mostly young Asian actors....what could it possibly be about?

.............go!

[quote]R540 Linda Lavin, Daniel K. Isaac & More to Star in the World Premiere of Roundabout's [bold]YOU WILL GET SICK[/bold]

Is it about monkey pox?

It's a deconstruction of Anna Leonowens, r542.

[quote]Linda Lavin, Daniel K. Isaac & More to Star in the World Premiere of Roundabout's YOU WILL GET SICK

Because Linda is in the cast? Is this a "meta" title?

YOU WILL GET SICK is a riveting new play about the last Chinese restaurant in NYC that still uses MSG. Linda plays a loyal customer who buys the restaurant when the owner dies and inherits all of the wacky Asian employees. Chaos ensues!

I love Lavin, but she looked so feeble the last time she was on Broadway and that was 5 years ago or so....Can she really do 8 performances a week?

I'd go, r546, if she was playing Alice waitressing in that Chinese restaurant.

I get sick every time I see Linda Lavin, so the title is appropriate.

Why is ultra-mediocre choreographer Sam Pinkerton directing this play?

Is this Amazon review from one of you bitches?

“I read this book years ago, after seeing the production on Broadway. I enjoyed it, and out of curiosity, thought I'd re-read. Less than enthralling years later. Overstuffed with long, tedious chapters on the careers of Keeler and Berkeley and others - as if anyone reading the book would know nothing about them. The relevant portions of the book, about the actual production of the show remain hair-raising, especially the behavior of the nominal producer, Cyma Rubin. Speaking as a survivor, show biz is truly an ecstatically spectacular and yet sadly vicious world, and a shame that it will always be ruled by moneyed monsters like Mrs. Rubin.“

Lavin's opener: "There's a New Girl in Chinatown!"

What's taking The Music Box?

r553, Mary Tyler Moore and Lynn Redgrave in SWEET SUE!

Is anyone going to see Julie Benko tonight? It would be hard taking over for Beanie with Lea sucking the air out of the room. Is Ramin rehearsing with Lea by day and performing with Benko at night? I know - dumb question!!

I wonder what will be next on Julie's resume.

Singing waitress at Ellen's Stardust Diner, R556?

[quote]I wonder what will be next on Julie's resume.

" Merrily We Roll Along" after Beanie decides it just too tough.

[quote]Is anyone going to see Julie Benko tonight? It would be hard taking over for Beanie with Lea sucking the air out of the room.

You are aware that Julie has already gone on for Beanie multiple times, aren't you? Just checking.

Benko/MAME!

Yes I ‘m aware she has gone on several times - but as her standby. It is a pretty exciting and unusual event to have a standby get a full month of performances like this. This will be the first night that is really “hers” - she has been (for better or worse) so active on social media - I think that more people are aware she is there than usual. I would be curious how her relationship with Lea winds up. …. I take care of my 87 year old mother with dementia. This “Funny Girl” gossip has vicariously livened up my summer!

I wonder if Beanie’s next move is to snag a high profile billionaire. What’s next on her bucket list of childhood dreams?

Actually, Mary in MERRILY would be a perfect fit for Julie (she can be padded for Act1) and I do hope the role is offered to her. There seems to be so much good will towards her in the industry now , her casting could even be a sort of PR coup for the production.

We will never hear from J Benko again after this month.

[quote] Can she really do 8 performances a week?

Eight? Who does eight shows a week!

((((((GASP))))))

[quote] What's taking The Music Box?

We call it The Box.

They released production photos with Benko. She wears Beanie’s costumes.....but in a smaller size

[quote]I wonder if Beanie’s next move is to snag a high profile billionaire.

It seems to me that her next move should be toward television.

[quote]They released production photos with Benko. She wears Beanie’s costumes.....but in a smaller size.

But think of all the laffs she could have gotten if she had worn them in Beanie's size.

I bet they'll be redesigned for Lea - but Julie's are the Beanie-matching versions she used as understory.

Understory: the Tree Musical

With the hit song 'Someone In A Tree'

[quote]Yes I ‘m aware she has gone on several times - but as her standby. It is a pretty exciting and unusual event to have a standby get a full month of performances like this. This will be the first night that is really “hers”

To my mind, it makes little difference that this is the first night that's officially "hers." Seems to me she got a lot more publicity and created a lot more buzz for going on as the standby quite a few times (I believe the total count as 23 or 24 performances?) than she will for taking over the role full-time for a month, but we shall see.

I'm sure Lea has instructed Hilferty to watch this vid, r570...

Next thread #484

Just a little too soon

Timing was never my forte, doll.

[quote] It seems to me that her next move should be toward television.

As Chrissy Metz's younger sister?

You always come too soon?

Has Prada been put out of its misery yet?

I loved Raul Esparza in Company. I loved the version with NPH and the NY Philharmonic (and Patti!).

I felt no need to see this one

Did the Doyle • Esparza one have a single laugh?

R582, there were actually lots of laughs in that production, and if you don't believe me, you can watch the whole thing on YouTube.

Yes, the laugh was that the Cincinnati members of the Pepperpot Playhouse thought they were good enough to be brought to Broadway.

Sorry, here's the link to the COMPANY video with Esparza et al.

Ramin will be out next week so understudy double header at FG.

May as well throw in a dash of Caterina Valente.

R585, was this filmed for PBS?

Yes, r588.

Papi is glorious.

Who's the dope who started the new thread five years in advance?

It’s wrong. Shockingly wrong.

Did anyone watch the Hulu miniseries Candy from earlier this year? Papi Raul had a small role in it and was shirtless twice, gut spilling out all over.

Ghastly, simply ghastly!

R593 ....Don't. Mess. With. Papi. He is dreamy.

[quote]Who's the dope who started the new thread five years in advance?

R591, as much smarter people than you have pointed out, it makes perfect sense to start a new thread a little earlier than usual. That helps avoid people panicking at the last moment and winding up starting two or more new threads at once. And, of course, if a new thread is started earlier than usual, people don't need to start using it until the previous thread is closed.

P.S. Shut your twat.

For those who missed it, the new thread:

I don’t like this.

Remember, the next thread is here

And....done!

Bajour!