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| re: Can SUTTON sing THE MUSIC MAN as written? | |
| Last Edit: JereNYC 12:49 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
| Posted by: JereNYC (JereNYC@aol.com) 12:42 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
| In reply to: re: Can SUTTON sing THE MUSIC MAN as written? - PlayWiz 12:26 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
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| There was a good deal of discussion about this here when Foster's casting was announced. Some made the point that, just because we haven't heard this kind of singing as yet from Foster doesn't mean that she can't do it. Others made the assumption that keys would be lowered for her because, if she had that kind of voice in her, surely we'd have heard it by now, given that Foster has been a Broadway star for nearly 20 years at this point. The point was made that, if keys are being lowered specifically for Foster, that's kind of a shame given that casting her was unnecessary since the production will likely sell out completely on Jackman's name alone. And, since we know that to be the case, why not cast a lesser known or unknown actress who can sing the role and make her a star. Also it was pointed out that Marian's music is unique in the show for a reason and lowering the keys works against that dramatically and harms the character and the storytelling. But here's the thing...nobody here knows anything for sure and those that do know, likely the producers, the music staff of the production, and Foster herself aren't talking. If the keys are lowered, I will be curious to see if that is addressed by anyone in any way or if it will just be ignored. I was reminded this week of the 2000 revival by Rebecca Luker's sad health news. Whatever faults that production had, and it had many, Luker was in glorious voice and it was worth seeing just to hear her do the big numbers with her soaring soprano. |
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| re: Can SUTTON sing THE MUSIC MAN as written? | |
| Last Edit: KingSpeed 04:59 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
| Posted by: KingSpeed 04:58 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
| In reply to: re: Can SUTTON sing THE MUSIC MAN as written? - JereNYC 12:42 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
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| Luker was awesome. Most thought Audra couldn’t sing like Billie Holiday. Power balance would be too far off with an unknown going up against Jackman. A star is necessary. | |
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| re: Can SUTTON sing THE MUSIC MAN as written? | |
| Posted by: JereNYC (JereNYC@aol.com) 12:06 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
| In reply to: re: Can SUTTON sing THE MUSIC MAN as written? - KingSpeed 04:58 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
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| You mean like Robert Preston and Barbara Cook? ;) I doubt anyone was complaining that that power balance was off. |
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| Barbara Cook was already a Broadway star | |
| Posted by: KingSpeed 06:06 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
| In reply to: re: Can SUTTON sing THE MUSIC MAN as written? - JereNYC 12:06 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
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| And Robert Preston wasn't a star on the level of Hugh Jackman. | |
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| re: Can SUTTON sing THE MUSIC MAN as written? | |
| Posted by: AlanScott 06:00 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
| In reply to: re: Can SUTTON sing THE MUSIC MAN as written? - JereNYC 12:06 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
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| From other shows, I'd offer Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews as a good example. Harrison was a much bigger star in 1956 than Preston was in 1957, and although Andrews had made a splash in The Boy Friend, she was not as established or known here as Barbara Cook, and she certainly didn't have Cook's level of experience acting in musicals. Of course, we know that Harrison was unhappy with Andrews early in rehearsals, but all worked out well. Another example would be Gertrude Lawrence and Yul Brynner. |
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| re: Can SUTTON sing THE MUSIC MAN as written? | |
| Posted by: KingSpeed 06:08 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
| In reply to: re: Can SUTTON sing THE MUSIC MAN as written? - AlanScott 06:00 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
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| I was actually considering My Fair Lady when I made my post but Rex Harrison wasn't a movie star on the level of Hugh Jackman. | |
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| re: Can SUTTON sing THE MUSIC MAN as written? | |
| Posted by: AlanScott 06:31 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
| In reply to: re: Can SUTTON sing THE MUSIC MAN as written? - KingSpeed 06:08 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
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| I agree that he was not a movie star on the level of Jackman, but he had starred in several Hollywood movies. That stopped (except for The Four Poster, a somewhat special case in a couple of ways) after the Carole Landis scandal. The scandal was certainly at least part of the reason why Unfaithfully Yours was a flop despite getting generally favorable reviews, with raves for Harrison. But Harrison continued as a theatre star and he was definitely a draw on Broadway and London in a way that Preston wasn't before The Music Man and never had been in Hollywood. Anyway, I think Osnes, say, is a big enough name and experienced enough performer to have been cast as Marian here, but I would think that part of the reason for the casting of Foster is that she's 10 years older than Osnes. |
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| re: Can SUTTON sing THE MUSIC MAN as written? | |
| Posted by: KingSpeed 08:32 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
| In reply to: re: Can SUTTON sing THE MUSIC MAN as written? - AlanScott 06:31 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
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| I think one of their selling points is that all the leads have won Tonys. | |
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| re: Can SUTTON sing THE MUSIC MAN as written? | |
| Posted by: AlanScott 08:39 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
| In reply to: re: Can SUTTON sing THE MUSIC MAN as written? - KingSpeed 08:32 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
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| Yes, I forgot about the selling point that six cast members have won Tonys. Although I doubt that the presence of any of those people is going to make a notable difference to ticket sales. | |
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| Luker | |
| Posted by: StaunchKarakter 12:54 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
| In reply to: re: Can SUTTON sing THE MUSIC MAN as written? - JereNYC 12:42 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
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| Thanks for recapping all this. Not sure why I missed the discussion when she was first announced. Re Rebecca Luker - oh yes! When I saw that production I had only seen the original film and didn't know "My White Knight" even existed. I'll never forget the thrilling feeling in my chest as she knocked that song outta the park in front of the set of her house. Chills when she sang that final "til I die!" |
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| re: Luker | |
| Posted by: Michael_Portantiere 02:31 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
| In reply to: Luker - StaunchKarakter 12:54 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
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| Interestingly, the first section of "My White Knight" was lowered considerably for that Broadway revival of THE MUSIC MAN with the great Rebecca Luker -- obviously NOT because she couldn't sing it in the original key, but apparently under the theory that the final section of the song, which I believe was sung in the original key (or if not, very close to it), would be more effective if it was built up to in that way. Indeed, Luker's "till I die" was thrilling. | |
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| i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion | |
| Last Edit: Chazwaza 12:49 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
| Posted by: Chazwaza 12:45 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
| In reply to: re: Can SUTTON sing THE MUSIC MAN as written? - JereNYC 12:42 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
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| For the exact point you made. Not to mention that not only do I think Sutton can't sing this role as written, I think she is miscast for it. But putting that aside, as it is not everyone's opinion, but the real point is that it's VERY rare for a broadway show to be a sure-fire hit on the name of one lead actor alone, and this was a chance to discover and/or enormously propel the career of someone who isn't a name and hasn't had a star career at all let alone for almost 20 years. And whether it meant casting an unknown or a stalwart broadway actress, either way I'd love to hear the role sung as written. |
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| re: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion | |
| Posted by: KingSpeed 05:02 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
| In reply to: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion - Chazwaza 12:45 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
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| Unknown actors rarely become stars going up against a star. There’s a power imbalance when that happens and the star sucks all the energy out of the pairing. | |
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| UH.....Kelly O'Hara anyone? nm | |
| Posted by: Genealley 02:04 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
| In reply to: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion - Chazwaza 12:45 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
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| nm | |
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| re: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion | |
| Posted by: broadwaybacker 01:39 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
| In reply to: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion - Chazwaza 12:45 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
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| Not than she's either an unknown (at least in our world) or a potential rising star, but I once asked Laura Osnes what role, of any in the history of Broadway musical theater, she'd most like to play. Her answer was "Marion". | |
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| re: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion | |
| Posted by: winters 06:56 am EST 02/13/20 | |
| In reply to: re: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion - broadwaybacker 01:39 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
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| Given that Foster is talented and could surprise my limited imagination of her in the role (Sorry. I am not the biggest fan. I find her ‘the same’ in most of the roles she plays, including television.)... I would much rather see Osnes as Marion. Jackman, also a good pick, will sell the tickets....Osnes will sing it...beautifully. | |
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| re: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 09:13 am EST 02/13/20 | |
| In reply to: re: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion - winters 06:56 am EST 02/13/20 | |
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| Is the character now a librarion? ;-) | |
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| re: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion | |
| Posted by: Ann 09:19 am EST 02/13/20 | |
| In reply to: re: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion - Chromolume 09:13 am EST 02/13/20 | |
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| The character is now based on John Wayne. Go. | |
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| re: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion | |
| Last Edit: Chromolume 04:11 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 04:04 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
| In reply to: re: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion - Ann 09:19 am EST 02/13/20 | |
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| I'm imagining something about a Wells Fargo stagecoach...but maybe someone else (Laura? GrumpyMorningBoy?) should take the reins from here...;-) However, I think if she's Marion, then he has to be Harald. ;-) |
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| re: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion | |
| Posted by: Michael_Portantiere 04:28 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
| In reply to: re: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion - Chromolume 04:04 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
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| I posted this earlier, but it didn't appear for some reason: I've always found it interesting that the screenplay for the film of THE MUSIC MAN was written by Marion Hargrove, whom I had always assumed was a woman until I found out otherwise quite recently. But I believe some women named Marion do spell it that way, rather than the more common Marian. |
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| re: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 05:56 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
| In reply to: re: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion - Michael_Portantiere 04:28 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
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| Marion Davies spelled it that away. She had a substantial career on Broadway over a hundred years ago. | |
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| re: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 04:36 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
| In reply to: re: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion - Michael_Portantiere 04:28 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
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| I do think it can be spelled both ways for women. But it's clear that Ms. Paroo uses the "a" version. :-) | |
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| re: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion | |
| Posted by: Ann 04:46 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
| In reply to: re: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion - Chromolume 04:36 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
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| Otherwise, she'd be a librarion. | |
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| re: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 05:22 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
| In reply to: re: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion - Ann 04:46 pm EST 02/13/20 | |
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| Didn't I already say that, lol? ;-) | |
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| Gender-flipped Music Man! | |
| Posted by: Ann 01:52 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
| In reply to: re: i do REALLY wish they'd have cast an unknown or barely broken rising star as Marion - broadwaybacker 01:39 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
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| It's the thing. | |
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| re: Gender-flipped Music Man! | |
| Posted by: Pokernight 05:11 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
| In reply to: Gender-flipped Music Man! - Ann 01:52 pm EST 02/12/20 | |
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| On an episode of WILL AND GRACE, Grace's mom, a star of her local community theater, was in rehearsal for "The Music Woman." God, I miss Debbie Reynolds. | |
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