| The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM | |
| Posted by: | Ballerina56 11:53 pm EST 12/05/13 |
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| Audra McDonald; a true gift to the Musical Theatre. Director Beth McCarthy-Miller; for seamlessly calling the camera shots for an event like this. I can't even imagine that control room tonight. Bravo! | |
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| re: The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM | |
| Posted by: | Ronsdivas 12:08 am EST 12/06/13 |
| In reply to: | The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM - Ballerina56 11:53 pm EST 12/05/13 |
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| Sorry...but Ms Laura Benanti needs to added to that group for both acting AND singing. | |
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| re: The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM | |
| Posted by: | Ballerina56 12:16 am EST 12/06/13 |
| In reply to: | re: The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM - Ronsdivas 12:08 am EST 12/06/13 |
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| I don't disagree Ronsdivas, I was just selecting one performer and one artistic. But, both Benanti and Nielsen were also forces to be reckoned with! :-) | |
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| re: The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM | |
| Posted by: | BruceinIthaca 12:37 am EST 12/06/13 |
| In reply to: | re: The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM - Ballerina56 12:16 am EST 12/06/13 |
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| One of my teachers, who acted under the famous Alvina Krause, said at the end of one rehearsal Krause sat in silence and then said, "Oh, for just a moment of reality." I thought Nielsen provided that in what is almost always a pretty thankless role (other than the national exposure it gave her). I thought Benanti was the wrong choice for the Baroness (too young, not quite jaded enough, not really envious of Maria--why would she need to be--she could outsing and outact her, and didn't seem markedly older), but she sure as hell brought skill, intelligence, and professionalism to a production I really did find on a level with lesser community theatre in general. I can't say I was impressed with the directing as such--though I am sure those with a better knowledge of the complexities of directing live television could educate me. In terms of working with actors, there was nothing I saw there. I didn't expect Carrie Underwood to be as wooden an actress as she was (and, to be fair, she seemed sincere in her attempt) and I was underwhelmed by her singing--it was adequate but had neither the warmth of Maria Martin nor the brilliance of Julie Andrews. I expected Christian Borle to have more verve and playfulness, and Stephen Moyer just looked embarrassed most of the time. I thought McDonald sang the role well (though I didn't like some of her phrasing), but was surprised by how superficial her acting felt--and I have admired her and seen her in Carousel, Master Class, and 110 in the Shade, so I say this knowing what she can do. I think the production really revealed how shoddy the book is, how poorly written, really, and how much a successful production rests on a kind of charm the Maria must provide. Without that, there's no there there. It made me long for Charles Busch's heavenly "The Divine Sister"--now THAT would have been a holiday treat for the whole family! | |
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| the book is better than you think... | |
| Posted by: | Chazwaza 02:54 am EST 12/06/13 |
| In reply to: | re: The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM - BruceinIthaca 12:37 am EST 12/06/13 |
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| The book is actually very well written generally speaking… but it needs strong actors to keep out the possible saccharine line readings and a strong director to ground it and keep it flowing and funny and joyful in the right parts and tense and weighty in the right parts. It's almost like a child in its structure. I do think the movie is an improvement on the stage version is all ways, but I do not think the book is at fault in this production I think the acting and direction are. | |
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| re: the book is better than you think... | |
| Posted by: | Chromolume 11:13 am EST 12/06/13 |
| In reply to: | the book is better than you think... - Chazwaza 02:54 am EST 12/06/13 |
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| I've always felt that one of the main reasons the book is weak is because Hammerstein didn't write it, due to his declining health. I imagine the book would have been sharper and edgier had he written it. | |
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| re: The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM | |
| Posted by: | StageDoorJohnny 01:00 am EST 12/06/13 |
| In reply to: | re: The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM - BruceinIthaca 12:37 am EST 12/06/13 |
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| Benanti is 4 years older than the woman who originated the part (and who was 15 years younger than Mary Martin) Elsa in the play is not as bitchy as Elsa in the movie | |
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| re: The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM | |
| Posted by: | AlanScott 01:45 am EST 12/06/13 |
| In reply to: | re: The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM - StageDoorJohnny 01:00 am EST 12/06/13 |
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| Yes, and it was very nice to see Elsa played as a woman with some vulnerability and genuine charm. You could understand what would have attracted the Captain to this woman. Having said that, I thought that Benanti could have used better direction to help her shape her performance. | |
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| re: The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM | |
| Posted by: | StageDoorJohnny 02:23 am EST 12/06/13 |
| In reply to: | re: The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM - AlanScott 01:45 am EST 12/06/13 |
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| Alan--I thought she did some very nice work during and after "no way to stop it" | |
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| re: The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM | |
| Posted by: | AlanScott 02:57 am EST 12/06/13 |
| In reply to: | re: The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM - StageDoorJohnny 02:23 am EST 12/06/13 |
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| That whole section was where she was at her best. If this telecast did nothing else, it made the number seem not just important but essential. It's too bad that Stephen Moyer was . . . cast. Or either not helped or actively misled by Ashford. | |
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| re: The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM | |
| Posted by: | PlayWiz 12:40 am EST 12/06/13 |
| In reply to: | re: The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM - BruceinIthaca 12:37 am EST 12/06/13 |
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| Now does anyone know if Julie Halston can sing? What is it you cun't face? :) | |
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| re: The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM | |
| Posted by: | kieran 12:11 am EST 12/06/13 |
| In reply to: | re: The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM - Ronsdivas 12:08 am EST 12/06/13 |
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| I agree. Benanti was wonderful. | |
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| re: The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM | |
| Posted by: | AlanScott 12:13 am EST 12/06/13 |
| In reply to: | re: The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM - kieran 12:11 am EST 12/06/13 |
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| Benanti was a bit in and out, but often very good (though not helped by the sound issues). For me the star was Kristine Nielsen. | |
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| re: The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM | |
| Posted by: | Ronsdivas 12:18 am EST 12/06/13 |
| In reply to: | re: The two stars of tonight's telecast of SOM - AlanScott 12:13 am EST 12/06/13 |
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| ..but she handled the guy stepping on her gown very gracefully. | |
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