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| Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? | |
| Posted by: DistantDrumming 03:44 am EST 12/30/22 | |
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| I was two at the time and living abroad, so I'm afraid it wasn't in the cards for me. I adore the cast recording, with expert music direction by John Mauceri. That Rodgers & Hart score is a stunner. Any memories of seeing this production? I'm afraid I've lost my CD of the cast recording, but if memory serves right, the liner notes noted that it was a somewhat historic production for a variety of reasons from... - George Abbot returning to direct (at age 96!) - Hans Spialek being recruited by John Mauceri to help reconstruct the score and recreate his original orchestrations (it looks like this would have been his first Broadway credit since the 1950s!) - Being the first digital recording of a Broadway cast recording - Being the first full-scale revival of a 1930s musical on Broadway (I may have that one wrong?) I believe I've read that Mauceri's painstaking work to restore the show and the score (as well as his similar work on other musical works from the first half of the 20th century) were seen as influencing movements to restore, record and perform classic early musical theatre works as we've seen with record companies like Jay, recordings with the Orchestra of St Luke's and of course Encores! at NY City Center and Reprise in LA. |
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| Link | TV Commercial - 1983 On Your Toes |
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| re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 04:53 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? - DistantDrumming 03:44 am EST 12/30/22 | |
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| I wish I had seen it. But in the summer of '91, I was rehearsal/pit pianist for a local Boston-area production, which featured a few of the tour members as the ballet couple, and Lara Teeter reprising Junior. Playing those Spialek orchestrations was a huge kick, and in general it was a really wonderful experience. And for anyone who doesn't know the show and the way the 4th wall gets broken during "Slaughter On Tenth Avenue," it's a masterstroke that was thrilling to be a part of every night. (No, the Oklahoma dream ballet was NOT the first time dance became an integral part of the storytelling.) The "star," however, should be so lucky that this was not yet the era of "Me Too." Shameful and hurtful things going on. And I suspect it wasn't the only time he carried on like that. I'm sorry, but I feel it needs to be said. Not for nothing, this was the same company that did manage to nab an out-of-control Tom Wopat just a few years ago, and fire him from their production of 42nd Street (and file charges against him) just before opening night. Good riddance. |
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| re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? | |
| Posted by: reverb 01:16 am EST 12/31/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? - Chromolume 04:53 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
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| Hi, I’m curious - how did the 4th wall get broken? | |
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| re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? | |
| Last Edit: Shutterbug 02:12 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
| Posted by: Shutterbug 02:11 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? - DistantDrumming 03:44 am EST 12/30/22 | |
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| I was a 16-year-old, gay theater nerd when I saw this show. The lush score and brilliant choreography/dancing BLEW ME AWAY. Now, 39 years later I still remember the thrill of seeing Slaughter on Tenth Avenue. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that magical night. I went with my beloved aunt and uncle who took me to dinner afterwards at an Italian restaurant in the East Village called John’s (?) that featured a large candle with melting wax all around it. It was such a special night. Thank you for reminding me. | |
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| re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? | |
| Posted by: Billhaven 11:27 am EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? - DistantDrumming 03:44 am EST 12/30/22 | |
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| Every aspect was first rate. They didn’t play it with irony or a wink. It felt freshly minted. The most delightful surprise was how funny Makarova was. We expected gorgeous dancing but not this comedic performance from a ballet diva. Lara Teeter made a superb partner for her and it was a thrill to hear and see Slaughter on Tenth Avenue in all its electric glory. Christine Andreas sang like an angel. The orchestrations were sparkling and the wit of the lyrics was well displayed. To me it was the gold standard to what a revival could be! | |
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| It's true it was a Gold Standard Revival | |
| Posted by: FinalPerformance 12:03 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? - Billhaven 11:27 am EST 12/30/22 | |
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| I went twice during the run and both times it was musical heaven with Makarova and her brilliant dance numbers. | |
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| re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? | |
| Posted by: jhs7521 11:16 am EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? - DistantDrumming 03:44 am EST 12/30/22 | |
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| I remember the magnetic performance of Lara Teeter - his dancing looked effortless. In addition, at the performance I saw, there was a mishap that was comical yet dangerous. In one scene, Natalia Makarova threw her shoe. Accidentally, her shoe his a glass vase filled with marbles. The marbles rolled all over the stage and continued to pour out as the dancers performed. I remember thinking someone was going to get hurt. Fortunately, no one was injured. | |
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| re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? | |
| Posted by: young-walsingham 01:10 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? - jhs7521 11:16 am EST 12/30/22 | |
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| "a glass vase filled with marbles" What an odd prop to put on a Broadway stage! | |
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| re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? | |
| Posted by: waterfall 01:43 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? - young-walsingham 01:10 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
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| " 'a glass vase filled with marbles' What an odd prop to put on a Broadway stage!" Yes. After that little mishap, the vase stayed, but the marbles were essentially hot glued into place. That was some freak accident. |
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| re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? | |
| Posted by: OldTheaterGuy 10:43 am EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? - DistantDrumming 03:44 am EST 12/30/22 | |
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| I saw it twice. Wonderful production. But I have to correct you on one thing. Definitely not the first Broadway revival of a 30's musical. In fact, On Your Toes was revived in 1954 with Bobby Van, Vera Zorina and a young Elaine Stritch. | |
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| re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 04:42 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? - OldTheaterGuy 10:43 am EST 12/30/22 | |
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| Yes. But the '54 revival was very much its own thing, with added songs, etc. The '83 revival strove to remount the actual '36 show as much as possible (though I know there were still changes) and with the original orchestration. THAT kind of revival had not been done before. (For instance, there was the 1963 off-Broadway revival of The Boys From Syracuse, with a very re-invented score, and even some small but questionable changes to Hugh Martin's iconic vocal arrangement for "Sing For Your Supper." And of course, going back to the 20's, the 1971 No No Nanette, albeit banking on a nostalgia factor, had very little to do with the 1925 show.) | |
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| More 50's Revivals of 30's Musicals | |
| Last Edit: BroadwayTonyJ 09:58 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 09:56 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? - Chromolume 04:42 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
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| Two other 30's musicals that were revived in the 50's are Of Thee I Sing with a score by the Gershwins and Music in the Air with a Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein score. Neither revival ran very long, but the Gershwin revival did yield an enjoyable cast album with Jack Carson and Paul Hartman. | |
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| re: More 50's Revivals of 30's Musicals | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 10:09 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: More 50's Revivals of 30's Musicals - BroadwayTonyJ 09:56 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
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| but the Gershwin revival did yield an enjoyable cast album with Jack Carson and Paul Hartman. But, with a very altered version of the score, and updated lyrics. |
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| re: More 50's Revivals of 30's Musicals | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 10:21 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: re: More 50's Revivals of 30's Musicals - Chromolume 10:09 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
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| I know. The 1987 cast album is (I assume) more faithful and certainly more comprehensive, and it has the original orchestrations. Nevertheless, I prefer the performances on the 1951 revival. Still, I'm glad we have both recordings to listen to and enjoy. | |
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| re: More 50's Revivals of 30's Musicals | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 10:55 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: re: More 50's Revivals of 30's Musicals - BroadwayTonyJ 10:21 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
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| Yes - it's a wonderful score. I do think what the Gershwins wrote is better, though, lol. But yes, the more recordings the better. I'm rather surprised this show hasn't gotten some more high-profile productions recently. It's due for something...;-) |
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| re: More 50's Revivals of 30's Musicals | |
| Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 12:54 am EST 12/31/22 | |
| In reply to: re: More 50's Revivals of 30's Musicals - Chromolume 10:55 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
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| I loved the Encores production. I also caught the Papermill production. Locally, Drury Lane Oakbrook did a staging in 2004. For some reason I can't remember, I didn't see it but my partner did. Did you see the '72 TV production? |
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| re: More 50's Revivals of 30's Musicals/ .....who cares what banks fail in Yonkers | |
| Last Edit: bmc 12:48 am EST 12/31/22 | |
| Posted by: bmc 12:43 am EST 12/31/22 | |
| In reply to: re: More 50's Revivals of 30's Musicals - Chromolume 10:55 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
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| long as you've got a kiss that conquers. Ira dropped the 'Yonkers' couplet and was surprised and irritated when some critics complained about the it s absence. |
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| re: More 50's Revivals of 30's Musicals/ .....who cares what banks fail in Yonkers | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 12:49 am EST 12/31/22 | |
| In reply to: re: More 50's Revivals of 30's Musicals/ .....who cares what banks fail in Yonkers - bmc 12:43 am EST 12/31/22 | |
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| He didn't drop it in the show, he rethought it only for the standard sheet music copy (along with much of the intro verse), so that the song didn't have to rely on context so much. I tend to agree that he could have left it as is, while the verse, with its contextual reference to the show's "Miss Devereaux" did need to change. | |
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| re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? | |
| Last Edit: Fasslercom 10:26 am EST 12/30/22 | |
| Posted by: Fasslercom 10:22 am EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? - DistantDrumming 03:44 am EST 12/30/22 | |
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| Saw it in New York and again in London with Makarova recreating her performance (sensational in both productions). In London, an American actor named Tim Flavin, the bulk of whose career was in the West End, was absolutely superb as Junior. He even won an Olivier Award for Most Promising Newcomer (the first American to do so). |
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| re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? | |
| Posted by: Zelgo 11:27 am EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? - Fasslercom 10:22 am EST 12/30/22 | |
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| I saw it in London with Makarova and loved it! | |
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| re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? | |
| Posted by: marketingdude 10:16 am EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? - DistantDrumming 03:44 am EST 12/30/22 | |
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| I saw it twice early in its run, because a college classmate of mine was involved in the production. The title song "competition" between the ballet dancers and the tap dancers was fantastic, and the ballet "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" (which I'd seen at NYC Ballet) was great. I was impressed with Markarova George de la Pena, and Starr Danias. And the orchestrations were great, because they weren't overly amplified. | |
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| re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? | |
| Posted by: lanky 09:11 am EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? - DistantDrumming 03:44 am EST 12/30/22 | |
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| I saw it and thought it was delightful -- excellent cast, terrific choreography, great score, colorful scenic production -- what more could one ask for? It was as vital and fresh as any new show then playing on Broadway. My only regret is that I didn't return to see it when Kitty Carlisle Hart took over for Dina Merril. You carelessly think these people will be around forever and..... The Encores! version some years later was also terrific. The "On Your Toes" number was one of the best stagings I've ever seen. | |
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| re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? | |
| Last Edit: Chromolume 05:06 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 05:03 pm EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? - lanky 09:11 am EST 12/30/22 | |
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| The "On Your Toes" number was one of the best stagings I've ever seen. And just musically - what a thrilling arrangement. Especially if you consider that we hear the full refrain NINE times, but each one differently. (The intro, where Junior introduces the orchestra, as the dancers mimed the instruments, Frankie's refrain, then the verse, then the choral refrain, then SIX times for the dance - each time with a different inventive orchestration. And the excitement just keeps building.) And in the Boston production I mentioned above, for me, getting to be one of those "first, we hear the two pianos" pianists to start that number off was just so much fun. It's also wonderful the the cast recording captured practically the entire score (the first section, oddly enough, of "Princess Zenobia" was cut), including that entire arrangement of the title song. And including a section of "The Heart Is Quicker Than The Eye" that was cut in the stage production. (I think I remember Teeter telling me she just couldn't sell it, but I can't be sure.) A few changes in the choral work - it's missing the backups for the verse to "Quiet Night," and the choral refrain of "On Your Toes" is done differently - but otherwise, it's a pretty solid documenting of the score. |
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| re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? | |
| Posted by: FleetStreetBarber 09:44 am EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? - lanky 09:11 am EST 12/30/22 | |
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| It was wonderful in every respect. I think it was the first season in which Tonys were given to best revival of a musical and it won hands down. Makarova, who as I recall didn't sing a note, won for best actress in a musical and gave one of the more memorable acceptance speeches, in effect thanking her husband not so much for his help but for staying out of her way. Balanchine, who had choreographed the original, died shortly after the opening. His protege at City Ballet, Peter Martins, was credited with "additional ballet choreography." And oh those original Hans Spialak orchestrations were to die for. | |
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| re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? | |
| Posted by: waterfall 09:04 am EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? - DistantDrumming 03:44 am EST 12/30/22 | |
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| Many times - I was involved with the show. It was remarkable, if for no other reason that the people associated with it: Donald Saddler, George S Irving, Dina Merrill, Christine Andreas, Jerry Mitchell...and, of course George Abbott. Natalia Makarova was badly injured in previews when a pipe broke loose and struck her head and shoulder. |
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| Link | Natalia Makarova injured in previews |
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| re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? | |
| Posted by: bmc 11:13 am EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? - waterfall 09:04 am EST 12/30/22 | |
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| saw it twice on a trip to NYC. My memory also might be fuzzy, but i swear i saw miss markarova's understudy or standby ( a blonde?)(and someone once said the other star of the shoe was Hans Spialak} | |
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| An unhelpful answer | |
| Posted by: tmdonahue 08:22 am EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: Did any of you see the 1983 revival of 'On Your Toes'? - DistantDrumming 03:44 am EST 12/30/22 | |
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| I'm sure I did and had a good time. But don't remember anything about it. It's 39 years ago. | |
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| re: Rich Review | |
| Posted by: Musicals54 11:25 am EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: An unhelpful answer - tmdonahue 08:22 am EST 12/30/22 | |
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| I STILL don't understand why Frank Rich didn't like it. I would guess having made his bones by understanding Follies when a mere undergrad, he felt obliged to dislike anything from the cro-magnon era of musicals. By God, it is before Oklahoma!!!!!! Cut Slaughter... and the show stops making sense. On Your Toes was a most worthy herald of what was to come. It was an utter joy. | |
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| re: An unhelpful answer | |
| Posted by: wmorrow 10:01 am EST 12/30/22 | |
| In reply to: An unhelpful answer - tmdonahue 08:22 am EST 12/30/22 | |
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| Although the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive does not have a video of "Ain't No Mo'," (see below), the archive DOES have a video of the 1983 revival of "On Your Toes." So for those who missed it, or who did see it but have forgotten it, well . . . | |
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