| re: MACK AND MABEL Dreamcasting? | |
| Posted by: winters 09:34 am EDT 07/07/18 | |
| In reply to: MACK AND MABEL Dreamcasting? - StaunchKarakter 02:18 am EDT 07/07/18 | |
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| The dream casting was already done....the first time on Broadway. Up until then I only knew Mr. Preston from The Music Man and Ms. Peters....probably from The Carol Burnett Show. I was not aware of the complexities of their acting abilities. As my theater going was only in its fifth year I didn’t know that musical theater could be other than musical comedy. It existed before Mack and Mabel but I was still new to this world. The problems. The total was less than the sum of its parts. A book that had the potential for Greek tragedy. A lovely score that captured the madcap era of silent films. Likewise the choreography. All the performances were top notch. Add it all up and it just didn’t work. The pieces did not create a whole. I’m not even sure that a new book would work. Correct me if I’m wrong but....didn’t the Papermill Playhouse use a revised book with a ‘happy’ ending? Kind of like Oedipus ending with a family picnic. And....a little known original cast fact....the producers first approached Robert Preston and Debbie Reynolds to star in this. At the time, we Broadway ‘experts’ did not understand why the score was not nominated for a Tony award. In retrospect I’m guessing that the score was thought of as old fashioned. Not modern enough. Refer to Mr. Herman’s acceptance speech for La Cage (another controversial win.). Thinking about it today and...it’s a beautiful score...but it does not totally work in the context of the musical for which it was written. Should this award be for lovely music or for how it works in context? Casting. In concert I can hear Laura Benanti. Sutton Foster could certainly bring sparkle to the flashier numbers. I’d be willing to hear Brian Stokes Mitchell sing about not sending roses. Jane Krakowski could tap her troubles away. A stint at Encores would be awesome. They have the ability to highlight the bright parts of this musical and minimize the parts that do not work. A first class revival? I, for one, would definitely go. I suppose that few apart from ATC readers would actually purchase tickets. A revival would need a totally new book....and a mostly new score. One could keep some of the original score. In other words...a revival? No. It would have to be a brand new musical. IMO....the outline of the story is relevant to today’s times. I.e. be careful what you wish for....you might get it. Opioid addiction. Star crossed lovers. No happy ending though. I seem to be wandering with my M&M thoughts. I got to meet Ms. Peters whilst waiting at the Majestic stage door. In those days one could do that and have a conversation with the actor. There was no crazy crowd at the door. And...she is as lovely and down to earth a person as she appears to be. I have been in contact with her ever since. (No. We did not become BFF’s) She is genuine. And I’ve been a fan of hers forever. |
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