Theatre

[garyd]

Is that the RAISIN IN THE SUN rip-off?

It is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a "rip off". It IS, to some degree, a sequel.
It is not a great play but it examines ideas, questions, and themes which have, indeed, been examined before.
It does so, however, in a new and refreshing manner.
It can stand on its own but when viewed within the the context of "A Raisin in the Sun" it achieves a bit more depth and
relevancy. 

[Lyle (Mooska)]

I saw the new production of FOLLIES with the same cast as Broadway,
except for Bernadette Peters. Follies has always had terrific parts, but
has never lived up to a satisfying whole.  In fact, if the show didn't have
some splendid songs in it like Beautiful Girls, Broadway Baby, Could I Leave You
and Losing My Mind among others, it probably would never be revived.  It's
more like watching a variety show with disconnected segments--some good
to great and some a bore.  I wasn't particularly fond of the way it was staged
and the characters all think I should be enamored of their ennui and I was not.
But some segments are terrific.

[garyd]

  In fact, if the show didn't have
some splendid songs in it like Beautiful Girls, Broadway Baby, Could I Leave You
and Losing My Mind among others, it probably would never be revived. 

A major reason it is seldom revived, at least commercially, is the overwhelming cost.  Beyond the capitalization, the weekly nut is prohibitive.  The current revival utilizes a cast of over 40 and there are 28 musicians in the orchestra. (who are exquisitely re-creating Jonathan Tunick's original orchestrations.)
With the possible exception of the 1995 LA revival, (with the incomparable Karen Morrow as Carlotta), this is the best production since the original back in 1971. 

Here is a youtube of Karen singing "I'm Still Here".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoJP_bV5Lso

[Ennis Del Mark]

It is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a "rip off". It IS, to some degree, a sequel.
It is not a great play but it examines ideas, questions, and themes which have, indeed, been examined before.
It does so, however, in a new and refreshing manner.
It can stand on its own but when viewed within the the context of "A Raisin in the Sun" it achieves a bit more depth and
relevancy. 

Whatever.  Sorry to get your hackles up, man.

[garyd]

Whatever.  Sorry to get your hackles up, man.

I guess you did get my hackles up and I do think I slept on it our at least counted to ten before responding.
Either way, your "whatever' implies you really don't give a shit one way or another anyway so, well, "whatever".

I actually think the idea of using "A Raisin in the Sun" as a jumping off point for a re-examination of race relations, racism, and bigotry is a truly clever idea.  And, at least in Act I, the author seems to be on the right track.  In the Act II ,however, he really goes off the rails as the play disintegrates into Archie Bunker land with a cliche around every corner.  As Dave said, "haven't we heard this before"?  And the answer is yes, we have and hearing it again provides few, if any, new insights.

But, as you say, whatever.

[Ennis Del Mark]

Aw c'mon, Gary, let's bury the hatchet. I like your posts and opinions.  I just said "Whatever" because you were kind of mean to me in that first RITS post.  (Which reminds me, did you ever see the musical version, RAISIN?)

It's fun to discuss movies and theater.  Are you in the New York area and see plays often?

[Lyle (Mooska)]

I got to see Billy Elliot last night at the Pantages and it was worth the wait.
Loved it!

[canmark]

I saw the new production of FOLLIES with the same cast as Broadway,
except for Bernadette Peters. Follies has always had terrific parts, but
has never lived up to a satisfying whole.  In fact, if the show didn't have
some splendid songs in it like Beautiful Girls, Broadway Baby, Could I Leave You
and Losing My Mind among others, it probably would never be revived.  It's
more like watching a variety show with disconnected segments--some good
to great and some a bore.  I wasn't particularly fond of the way it was staged
and the characters all think I should be enamored of their ennui and I was not.
But some segments are terrific.

Some clips (and some fluff interviews... although interesting how many actors who have never seen Follies) from the LA production of Follies: http://losangeles.broadwayworld.com/videoplay.php?colid=376043

[Dave Cullen]

I saw Peter & The Starcatcher tonight. Amazing.

I can't imagine how long it too to come up with all the stagecraft.

[Dave Cullen]

...

I am not sure what u r talking about here. (the actor comment.)

well, that makes two of us. i don't know what's unclear about what i said, so i have no idea how to respond.

[Dave Cullen]

i actually got choked up at the end of Starcatcher, too. i had always idolized peter pan, but the take here was so sad--both the abuse that led him to hate adults and want to stay a boy, and the sort of prison of eternal boyhood. (maybe all that is there in the original book, but i only got the story as a child, and never got those bits, or accepted them.) 

it's part of a long line of art that i hold onto, dearly, that helps me hold onto the idea of keeping the boy alive inside me. kate bush's "The Man with the Child in His Eyes" always rings in my head, and did again through the last minutes of the show.

it was kind of crushing, in a way, to see the downside of peter's story last night; of remaining a boy--especially from this age. i related a lot more to molly than i was prepared for. but i was grateful that she embraced wendy going with him, looking forward to wendy's girl doing the same, and on and on. there's a connection there, to the boy inside, that i find reassuring. a little.

[garyd]

well, that makes two of us. i don't know what's unclear about what i said, so i have no idea how to respond.

I’ll attempt to be more specific but I will have to make some assumptions.  I assume you are referring to the following as film and television actors.  In fact they are all theatre and Broadway veterans many of whom have received Tony awards (some multiple) for their work.  Historically, the Tony nominating committee has been quite harsh on film and television "stars" who have appeared on Broadway.   Here is a list of those to whom you must be referring along with an incomplete, off the top of my head, list of their theatre credits. 
Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Jack Goes Boating
Long Day’s Journey Into Night
The Seagull
True West

James Earl Jones
Driving Miss Daisy
Cat on A Hot Tin Roof
On Golden Pond
Fences
Master Harold and the Boys
Othello
The Iceman Cometh
King Lear
The Great White Hope

Frank Langella
A Man for All Seasons
Frost/Nixon
Match
Present Laughter
Hurlyburly
Design for Living
Amadeus
Dracula
Seascape

John Lithgow
The Changing Room
My Fat Friend
Trelawny of the Wells
Comedians
Anna Christie
Requiem for a Heavyweight
The Front Page
M. Butterfly
Sweet Smell of Success
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
All My Sons




Stockard Channing
Pal Joey
The Lion in Winter
The Little Foxes
Six Degrees of Separation
The House of Blue Leaves
Joe Egg
Two Gentlemen of Verona

Linda Lavin
Follies
Collected Stories
Hollywood Arms
The Tale of the Allergists’ Wife
Gypsy
Broadway Bound
It’s A Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman
On A Clear Day You Can See Forever


Cynthia Nixon
Rabbit Hole
The Women
The Vagina Monologues
The Last Night of Ballyhoo
The Heidi Chronicles
Angels in America
Hurlyburly
The Real Thing

Ron Raines
South Pacific
Show Boat
Chicago

Audra McDonald
110 In the Shade
Passion
Dream Girls
Marie Christine
Ragtime
Master Class
Carousel

Judith Light
Lombardi
Company
Witt
A Doll’s House

[bubba]

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118054552?refCatId=13



 


Actress Janet Carroll dies at 71

[garyd]

I know a few of us here have seen "Clybourne Park"  . (Canmark and Dave)
Here is an op-ed piece by Frank Rich, former head drama critic for the NYT now and op-ed contributor. 
It is an op-ed piece, not necessarily a "review of the play.
Thought you might find it interesting and would be interested in your thoughts.

http://nymag.com/news/frank-rich/racism-2012-5/

[Lyle (Mooska)]

A Christmas Story, The Musical! Will Play Holiday Engagement on Broadway
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/166382-A-Christmas-Story-The-Musical-Will-Play-Holiday-Engagement-on-Broadway