HOME ALL THAT CHAT ATC WEST COAST SHOPPIN' RUSH BOARD FAQS

LOGIN REGISTER SEARCH FLAT MODE E-OPINIONS

not logged in

re: SOM: Thank you Ernest Lehman!

Posted by: bicoastal 10:12 am EST 12/06/13
In reply to: SOM: Thank you Ernest Lehman! - LovestheShow 09:39 am EST 12/06/13
I am of the school of thought that the weakest R&H Broadway show was the best R&H movie. This is very much to Ernest Lehman's credit, as well as to Robert Wise's very smart direction (I also think his film version of WEST SIDE STORY is far better structured and compelling than the play, but I know that is blasphemy in certain circles).

The other reason the film is so good is because of the acting. Julie Andrews is funny and charming and charismatic and her Maria is thinking all the time. She is a nuanced character. As is Christopher Plummer's Georg. His timing is impeccable, he's not one-dimensional. I found Moyer played the surface and not much more. And the direction didn't help--why, when he sang with his kids for the first time in years, did he sing to the backyard and not to his family?

I understand that SOM is a great title which makes it seem obvious for this kind of stunt production, but it is only a great title because it's a great film, not because it's a great play. The revivals of CAROUSEL and SOUTH PACIFIC shined but the revival of SOM did not reach those heights for a reason.


reply |
Previous: re: SOM: Thank you Ernest Lehman! - WaymanWong 11:40 am EST 12/06/13
Next: re: SOM: Thank you Ernest Lehman! - Michael_Portantiere 10:46 am EST 12/06/13

Thread:


All That Chat is intended for the discussion of theatre news and opinion
subject to the terms and conditions of the Terms of Service. (Please take all off-topic discussion to private email.)

Please direct technical questions/comments to webmaster@talkinbroadway.com and policy questions to TBAdmin@talkinbroadway.com.

[ Home | On the Rialto | The Siegel Column | E-Opinions | Cabaret | Tony Awards | Book Reviews | Great White Wayback Machine ]
[ Broadway Reviews | Barbara and Scott: The Two of Clubs | Sound Advice | Restaurant Revue | Off Broadway | Funding Talkin' Broadway ]
[ Broadway 101 | Spotlight On | Talkin' Broadway | On the Boards | Regional | Talk to Us! | Search Talkin' Broadway ]

Terms of Service
[ © 1997 - 2013 www.TalkinBroadway.com, Inc. ]

Time to render: 0.165910 seconds.