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

LOGIN REGISTER SEARCH THREADED MODE

not logged in

Threaded Order | Chronological Order

But why no musicals after she became famous... until recently?

Posted by: GrumpyMorningBoy 02:21 am EST 11/22/14
In reply to: re: Why did Meryl wait so long to do musicals??? - AlanScott 11:28 pm EST 11/21/14

That production of HAPPY END was news to me!

But my intent behind the question still stands... why didn't she do musicals (onstage or on screen) in a major production after she'd achieved major fame?

Does anyone know of any attempts to bring her back to Broadway in the 1980's or 1990's in a major starring role in a musical?

- GMB


reply to this message |
re: But why no musicals after she became famous... until recently?

Posted by: portenopete 05:41 am EST 11/22/14
In reply to: But why no musicals after she became famous... until recently? - GrumpyMorningBoy 02:21 am EST 11/22/14

Because she probably knew she'd be pigeonholed. Look at Patti LuPone. Juilliard graduate, terrific actress, but after EVITA she was a goner. A spectacular career, mind you, and legend status, but no one is going to remember LIFE GOES ON or DRIVING MISS DAISY or THE OLD NEIGHBORHOOD.


reply to this message |
re: But why no musicals after she became famous... until recently?

Posted by: AlanScott 02:34 am EST 11/22/14
In reply to: But why no musicals after she became famous... until recently? - GrumpyMorningBoy 02:21 am EST 11/22/14

I remember a rumor that they approached her to replace Peters in the original production of Into the Woods, hoping that she might be willing to jump in for a short run. But it was just a rumor, might not have been true. Actually, I'm not even positive it was a rumor. I think I may have simply thought at the time that it would have been a good idea, and later got confused and thought it was a rumor that I really heard.

But the simple fact is that once she became a movie star, she did very little stage work. And when she did do it, it was always for short runs. She was not willing to commit to a long run. So even if you wanted her to star in a musical you were writing or producing, and even if she was actually interested, it would have been a bad idea financially to cast her if she was only willing to do a very short run. And when she occasionally did venture back onstage, it was to the Delacorte for Chekhov (directed by Mr. Nichols) and Brecht.

And for most of the period during which she has been a star, there haven't exactly been a whole lot of movie musicals.


reply to this message | reply to first message


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 | Cabaret | Tony Awards | Book Reviews | Great White Wayback Machine ]
[ Broadway Reviews | Barbara and Scott: The Two of Clubs | Sound Advice | Sound Advice Upcoming Releases CDs/Books/DVDs, etc. | 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 - 2014 www.TalkinBroadway.com, Inc. ]

Time to render: 0.021923 seconds.