| re: Kiss Me Kate (1958) on Amazon Prime |
| Posted by: JereNYC (JereNYC@aol.com) 11:40 am EDT 04/16/20 |
| In reply to: re: Kiss Me Kate (1958) on Amazon Prime - PlayWiz 10:53 am EDT 04/16/20 |
|
After the fracas between Merman and Fernando Lamas during HAPPY HUNTING (right before GYPSY), I imagine that they were considering anyone and everyone who might be right for Herbie. They had to find someone right for the part, who would also do it, and also be able to work well with Merman. I doubt any of them wanted to risk another situation with all out war between the star and her leading man.
Even Klugman, as per some interview I read somewhere with him, had to be convinced. He knew he wasn't a singer and wasn't interested in taking the role, only to be blown off the stage every night by Merman. It was only when he went in and actually auditioned with Merman herself that he saw that she could do something other than blast a song to the last row of the balcony. I wonder if anyone asked Merman to be on her best behavior that day.
GYPSY is an interesting situation...it was the odd musical (for that time) where the two leads are women and the role for the man, though ostensibly a lead, really isn't. I can imagine that there were some actors who were not going to be interested in a role like that with almost no singing that can be sort of functionary in the story without having a great impact on it. You need an actor who can make an impact without much material (the last speech excepted) with which to make an impact. |
|
reply
|
|
| Previous: |
re: Kiss Me Kate (1958) on Amazon Prime - Michael_Portantiere 12:00 pm EDT 04/16/20 |
| Next: |
re: Kiss Me Kate (1958) on Amazon Prime - PlayWiz 11:49 am EDT 04/16/20 |
| Thread: |
|
