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

LOGIN REGISTER SEARCH THREADED MODE

not logged in

Threaded Order | Chronological Order

Renne Fleming as Hanna in Merry Widow/HD live

Posted by: DRNY 11:48 am EST 01/18/15

She looked lovely in close up and elegant in her wardrobe but I kept looking for more chemistry between her and Nathan Gunn. I totally respect and appreciate their talents. As a Femme fatale in a love story she exuded very little passion either in her body language or facial expressions. It was all so lovely and safe. I couldn't find any sexual expectation in their Waltz. I think the music and the moment call for that. That's how I saw it and I wouldn't mind some dissenting opinions. I seldom see opera performances so I may need to be enlightened. Was it the costumes, the Stroman direction, or just me? That said I found lots to enjoy the and was grateful to have seen it.


reply to this message |
re: Renne Fleming as Hanna in Merry Widow/HD live

Posted by: ablessing786 05:22 pm EST 01/18/15
In reply to: Renne Fleming as Hanna in Merry Widow/HD live - DRNY 11:48 am EST 01/18/15

The whole production is just horrible.


reply to this message |
re: Renne Fleming as Hanna in Merry Widow/HD live

Posted by: pfeliks 12:22 pm EST 01/18/15
In reply to: Renne Fleming as Hanna in Merry Widow/HD live - DRNY 11:48 am EST 01/18/15

Fleming lacked the requisite sense of Viennese style to pull of Hanna Glawari. No innigkeit. There are just too many mannerisms that make the performance arch.
Taking on Merry Widow is a signal that "I'm getting to the end of my career". She'd be better off with Adriana Lecouvreuer, another role Sopranos take on at the end, except I don't think she would be a great verista either.


reply to this message | reply to first message
re: Renne Fleming as Hanna in Merry Widow/HD live

Posted by: LovestheShow 12:07 pm EST 01/18/15
In reply to: Renne Fleming as Hanna in Merry Widow/HD live - DRNY 11:48 am EST 01/18/15

As I wrote below, I thought the show was drastically underwaltzed. But I grew up with Beverly Sills and Alan Titus, who (I think) were very sexy together and built their chemistry while they waltzed. Have you seen that version?

I thought Fleming was stiff in the first act. I liked her so much more as Fleming, during her intermission interview, than as Hanna during the first act.


reply to this message | reply to first message
re: Renne Fleming as Hanna in Merry Widow/HD live

Posted by: DRNY 12:13 pm EST 01/18/15
In reply to: re: Renne Fleming as Hanna in Merry Widow/HD live - LovestheShow 12:07 pm EST 01/18/15

I also thought Fleming came alive during the interview. Sorry I didn't have the opportunity to see the Sills/Titus performance. Sounds more like what was missing yesterday


reply to this message | reply to first message
re: Renne Fleming as Hanna in Merry Widow/HD live

Posted by: Michael_Portantiere 01:30 pm EST 01/18/15
In reply to: re: Renne Fleming as Hanna in Merry Widow/HD live - DRNY 12:13 pm EST 01/18/15

I think the issue is that Fleming is miscast in terms of her natural temperament and persona, and helping an actor in a situation like that doesn't seem to be one of Susan Stroman's talents.


reply to this message | reply to first message
re: Renne Fleming as Hanna in Merry Widow/HD live

Posted by: SingersRMusicians2 12:23 pm EST 01/18/15
In reply to: re: Renne Fleming as Hanna in Merry Widow/HD live - DRNY 12:13 pm EST 01/18/15

Search YouTube for "merry widow sills". Of special interest, click the link below.

Link Sills Titus: The Love Unspoken duet

reply to this message | reply to first message
Read the NY Observer review of MERRY WIDOW!!!

Posted by: BillyG 07:12 pm EST 01/20/15
In reply to: re: Renne Fleming as Hanna in Merry Widow/HD live - SingersRMusicians2 12:23 pm EST 01/18/15

by James Jordan on 1/7/15.

He nails up the production's problems succinctly.

I wish I knew how to include the link here. Could someone help?

I totally agree with all the views expressed here. It was a sour MERRY WIDOW with no effervescence. Susan entirely missed the boat. I viewed the link above with Beverly Sills and see how naturally charming she is. AND FUNNY!! Renee was neither.

What a wasted opportunity!!

I wanted to walk out myself, especially with the way Njegus was portrayed. Homophobic minstrelsy is how Mr. Jordan described it and I totally agree.


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 - 2015 www.TalkinBroadway.com, Inc. ]

Time to render: 0.046110 seconds.