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| re: Sunday at City Center in the rain! | |
| Posted by: jmill 10:47 am EST 02/12/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Sunday at City Center in the rain! - 37Rubydog 01:00 am EST 02/12/18 | |
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| While I agree with what you say about GREENWILLOW, I would disagree about MILK AND HONEY; I understand why it is highly unlikely to get a Broadway revival. But why do you think it should not even be revived for Encores? I saw it at the York as part of its Mufti series last year and thought it was wonderful. Any issue about some sentiments not being politically correct or appropriate today can be taken care of with a few minor cuts, as was done this weekend with the title number. The score is excellent and sophisticated, and, to me, and I know to a few other friends, it seems perfect for a full Encores production. In fact, of all the shows on display in HEY LOOK ME OVER, my personal thought is that MILK AND HONEY is one of the few that could still merit a full Encores production. While the MACK AND MABEL segment this weekend was terrific and a true gem, the book, no matter how often they attempt to improve it, has never worked. At the York last year, the MILK AND HONEY book, much to my surprise, held up well and played with dramatic strength and power. | |
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| re: Sunday at City Center in the rain! | |
| Posted by: 37Rubydog 05:51 pm EST 02/12/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Sunday at City Center in the rain! - jmill 10:47 am EST 02/12/18 | |
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| I performed in it many years ago -- still undergoing therapy...but maybe it's a Catholic thing. To me, it seems a cross between Do I hear a Waltz and Candide...although I like both of those shows. | |
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| re: Sunday at City Center in the rain! | |
| Posted by: CCentero 11:13 am EST 02/12/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Sunday at City Center in the rain! - jmill 10:47 am EST 02/12/18 | |
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| It's funny, I saw Milk and Honey at the York and had exactly the opposite reaction. I'm glad they did it, and while I particularly liked the younger people in the show, I thought the story of the two leads was completely flat and uninteresting. The leads seemed to be re-enacting a far less compelling and convincing version of South Pacific and Most Happy Fella. I found their songs repetitive and can't imagine that any dancing at Encores would be anything more than the happy villager variety. I say this as one of the biggest Jerry Herman fans out there and someone who is happy to see Chin Up, Ladies over and over again. Congratulations as always to Jim Morgan for getting these shows up on their feet and seen again. Mack and Mabel however has one of the most admired scores of any failed musical and at least three great lead parts that could certainly fill the stage at City Center. There would be huge interest in this show. It's something that fully justifies the sound of the big orchestra at Encores. |
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| re: Sunday at City Center in the rain! | |
| Posted by: jmill 11:45 am EST 02/12/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Sunday at City Center in the rain! - CCentero 11:13 am EST 02/12/18 | |
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| I understand your reaction to MILK AND HONEY; I had seen it at Musicals Tonight several years ago and reacted the same way you did to the York production. But, for whatever reason, MILK AND HONEY worked for me at the York; I even saw it twice, knowing it's not a show we get to see very often. I've always been fond of Herman's score, which is almost operatic at times, but quite beautiful. The adult romance was touching, as were the choices the younger characters were facing. And, I join you in congratulating Jim Morgan for giving theatergoers a chance to see shows that otherwise wouldn't be done any more. I very much agree with you about the MACK AND MABEL score - it is outstanding. But, and unfortunately it's a big but, the book just doesn't work. I've seen over the years three different M & M productions, all with revised books in one form or another. As a fan of the score and of Herman's work, I very much want the whole show to live up to the promise of its score, but it doesn't. The fifteen to twenty minutes we got this weekend in HEY LOOK ME OVER were magical; but the whole show just isn't (IMO) as good or worthy as that segment makes it appear. All that said, I'd welcome the chance to see it again via a full Encores mounting. |
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| re: Sunday at City Center in the rain! | |
| Last Edit: CCentero 12:03 pm EST 02/12/18 | |
| Posted by: CCentero 11:58 am EST 02/12/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Sunday at City Center in the rain! - jmill 11:45 am EST 02/12/18 | |
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| The whole show of Mack and Mabel isn't as good or worthy as just the score, but I think that's one of the reasons why Encores was established in the first place. My guess is that audiences are going to be enthused more by M&M warts and all, than something like Applause, which just sort of sat there despite Christine Ebersole. | |
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