All That Chat - Disagree on the look of GIGI

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

LOGIN REGISTER SEARCH THREADED MODE

not logged in

Threaded Order | Chronological Order

Disagree on the look of GIGI

Posted by:	jimvar1 03:18 am EDT 05/08/15
In reply to:	"Gigi" last night - solid, middling show with some charms - *MarloManners** 05:10 pm EDT 05/07/15

Of the 7 shows that I saw, I thought this GIGI was the most elegant of all. Costumes might not have been too authentic to Paris 1900; and as you said, Mamita was a little too well-dressed. But what would you have them do with Victoria Clark, when she is a somewhat svelte and well put-together woman? Mak her more frumpy? What role model would that be for Gigi? Besides, she was like her sister, Alicia, ex-courtesans...so she would age well, and still dress as elegantly as her sister. It was only Arthur Freed & Minnelli who made her into the more dowdy Hermione Gingold. But back to this GIGI. Visually, it was sumptuous and while I somewhat hankered for some projections (as the other big-budget musicals seem to be doing), but on second thought, probably didn't need them. Corey Cott is a little too gawky for Gaston but he renders a devastating GIGI! Wasn't too comfortable with Bergasse's choreography for the Maxim's crowd and especially for the lawyers' movements in THE CONTRACT. Why did he have them acting like buffoons in that number -- which I thought was a perfectly competent number showing how seriously they took the whole "mistress" arrangement back then -- with signed contracts no less. Anyway, I thought GIGI 2015 was a lot more elegant and sumptuous than the 1973 version which, while Agnes Moorehead was superb, looked a little dowdy compared to this outing. Finally, am so glad they used and restored the full score (original and new) and that all of Loewe's glorious music has finally come home and together at last.

reply to this message \|

re: Disagree on the look of GIGI

Posted by:	*MarloManners** 09:54 am EDT 05/08/15
In reply to:	Disagree on the look of GIGI - jimvar1 03:18 am EDT 05/08/15

Actually most of the songs in this 2015 "Gigi" were in the 1973 "Gigi" on Broadway. There is one 1973 new songs "The Earth and Other Minor Things" a solo for Gigi that the 2015 production dispensed with (it's a tuneless dog on the OBCR). "The Letter" and "Toujours" (Liane's operetta solo) seem to be new to the show. But all of these songs sound better sung live onstage than they do on the 1973 OBCR. Also Yvonne de Bray in the 1949 French film is the very quintessence of the matronly French landlady and is not as soigné as Victoria Clark is in the production. (Colette herself would have been consulted about every aspect of that film) Mamita was never on the same level as Alicia as a courtesan - either in looks or income and has long given up pretensions of glamour. Clark needs an apron in the last scene of Act I and some simple shirtwaist with long striped skirt get-ups. Marlo Manners (Lady Barrington)

reply to this 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.)