Sweeney Todd - Page 3

strandinthewind · #31 01-06-2008, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RavenOfRhiannon

Of all time? Ethel Merman, but Lupone and Buckley are tied for second. The new crop of stars (Chenoweth, Menzel, Block) are showing a lot of promise as well.

That's mu very humble opinion...

For nonstraight plays - those rank up there in my book as well. I might put Julie Andrews up there as well.

RavenOfRhiannon · #32 01-06-2008, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

CLOSE - but no cigaaaaaarrrrrrrr

HYSTERICAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love all the FB's.

I don't know why you're frighTENEEEEENNNNDDD!!!

RavenOfRhiannon · #33 01-06-2008, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

For nonstraight plays - those rank up there in my book as well. I might put Julie Andrews up there as well.

Yes, Julie too.

And I almost forgot Christine Ebersole. I adore Grey Gardens. She was superb.

strandinthewind · #34 01-06-2008, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RavenOfRhiannon

I don't know why you're frighTENEEEEENNNNDDD!!!

YOU'RE JUST BITTER AND MEAN BECAUSE YOU USED YOUR VOICE TO SING!

(or something like that

)

strandinthewind · #35 01-06-2008, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RavenOfRhiannon

Yes, Julie too.

And I almost forgot Christine Ebersole. I adore Grey Gardens. She was superb.

I saw Grey Gardens almost on my 40th birthdy with my 80 year old mother, who I took to NYC -- she was in a wheelchair and we had a driver. I was like THIS IS MY LIFE

Superb performance to say the least! Actually, the whole cast was fantastic.

The book was okay (it mirrored the documentary) - but the execution was flawless and sublime! What did Elaine Stritch say "Have talent orget off the stage -- then she saw CE in GG and was like WOW POW that's what I am talking about

RavenOfRhiannon · #36 01-06-2008, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I saw Grey Gardens almost on my 40th birthdy with my 80 year old mother, who I took to NYC -- she was in a wheelchair and we had a driver. I was like THIS IS MY LIFE

Superb performance to say the least! Actually, the whole cast was fantastic.

The book was okay (it mirrored the documentary) - but the execution was flawless and sublime! What did Elaine Stritch say "Have talent orget off the stage -- then she saw CE in GG and was like WOW POW that's what I am talking about

I saw it the week before the Tony awards, so I was incredibly excited when both the ladies won. I think it should have won best musical too. Spring Awakening was ok, but I liked it better the first time I saw it...when it was called Rent.

strandinthewind · #37 01-06-2008, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RavenOfRhiannon

. . . Spring Awakening was ok, but I liked it better the first time I saw it...when it was called Rent.

I liked neither

David · #38 01-06-2008, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I love one Day More, On My Own, Stars, and I Dreamed a Dream. I like the whole show and think it is genius. I get that there are few original things these days and that they all sample. But, I think it worked in the case of Les Mis.

Did you ever read any of John Simon's books of criticism on theater -- "Singularities," "Uneasy Stages," & the latest "John Simon On Theatre: Criticism 1974-2000"?

If you didn't, want me to buy you them for your birthday or Chanukah or something?

Also, do you think that Simon looks like William Kristol?

strandinthewind · #39 01-06-2008, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Did you ever read any of John Simon's books of criticism on theater -- "Singularities," "Uneasy Stages," & the latest "John Simon On Theatre: Criticism 1974-2000"?

No, I do not think I have. I will check them out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Also, do you think that Simon looks like William Kristol?

I would not wish Kristol's lips and inate smirk on anyone

bucklind17 · #40 01-06-2008, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Spring Awakening was ok, but I liked it better the first time I saw it...when it was called Rent.

I never understand this statement. Aside from being about young people, including pop/rock music and speaking to young people, I don't really get why people think the shows are essentially the same. They both handle some heavy issues, but they aren't even the same issues.

I really wouldn't agree with Ebersole being on the list of current bests. She did an amazing job and deserves all of the awards and recognition she received, but her presence besides her work in Grey Gardens in recent years hasn't been huge.

RavenOfRhiannon · #41 01-06-2008, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucklind17

I never understand this statement. Aside from being about young people, including pop/rock music and speaking to young people, I don't really get why people think the shows are essentially the same. They both handle some heavy issues, but they aren't even the same issues.

I really wouldn't agree with Ebersole being on the list of current bests. She did an amazing job and deserves all of the awards and recognition she received, but her presence besides her work in Grey Gardens in recent years hasn't been huge.

1. For me, it really was those three things that made Spring Awakening similar to Rent. It made me feel like the producers went: 'Rent worked, so let's do another show that's kind of edgy, geared to youth, and uses rock music.'

2. Ebersole was also great in Camelot way back in the day. And I think that Grey Gardens is her coming out party for a long and successful career on the stage.

bucklind17 · #42 01-06-2008, 10:59 PM

Quote:

1. For me, it really was those three things that made Spring Awakening similar to Rent. It made me feel like the producers went: 'Rent worked, so let's do another show that's kind of edgy, geared to youth, and uses rock music.'

I can see that. I guess I just don't see it as anyone thinking "let's make a new Rent!" I mean, the play itself is over a hundred years old. It's an edgy work without the rock music, and edgier with. And young people flock to it and relate to it because of both of those things. Personally, I'm happy that shows like this are existing to get teenagers more into theatre. I saw Rent for the first time seven years ago and it opened my eyes to an entire world of theatre that I didn't even notice prior, and if Spring Awakening is doing that for a whole flock of kids, more power to it. Plus, the score (and emphasize on score) is amazing.

David · #43 01-06-2008, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucklind17

I can see that. I guess I just don't see it as anyone thinking "let's make a new Rent!" I mean, the play itself is over a hundred years old. It's an edgy work without the rock music, and edgier with.

The synopsis of "Rent" sounds like "La Boheme."

RavenOfRhiannon · #44 01-06-2008, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

The synopsis of "Rent" sounds like "La Boheme."

It is a retelling of La Boheme.

(And yeah, if either one of those is getting young people to the theatre, I am all for it.)

strandinthewind · #45 01-07-2008, 11:52 AM

^^^

I liked some of Rent.

In fact, onThanksgiving, we were all at a friend's house in Brooklyn and a friend who was in the cast of Rent was there -- we were all singing (they are all actors) way into the early hours of the morning. We sang some of the songs from Rent and he was incredible. Afterward, he was explaining to me how the structure of the music was similar to that of "La Boheme."

I am just torn on whether I like Rent. I certainly liked it when he was harmoinzing with me that that night. talk about having to pay attention despite the wine

I also like the fact that it literally breathed new life into musical theatre and helped show there was a different way than the jukebox musical. I mean I LOVED Mamma Mia and Jersey Boys, but they are not really fresh music. So, I like Rent for that. And, the music is good.