MORE ON APPLAUSE
I've noticed lots of bloggers and critics commenting on this weekend's Encores! production of Applause. Just about everyone seems very pleased by Christine Ebersole's star turn and at least a little disappointed by other aspects of the show.
One of the common criticisms has to do with a medley grafted onto the title song. Drawn from many previous Encores! productions, it charmed me and my group (frequent Encores! attendees) but struck others as very inappropriate. Yet it's not so different in spirit from how it was originally done. Here's Bonnie Franklin and company, from the original 1970 production.
Source (8:34)
And here's Applause original Penny Fuller performing the schizoid "One Hallowe'en."
Source (2:53)
As for Lauren Bacall singing "But Alive," click here.
Oh—and here's the original New York Times review by Clive Barnes...in PDF form.
Showing posts with label Applause. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Applause. Show all posts
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Friday, February 08, 2008
APPLAUSE
The Encores! series extends its winning streak with this weekend's revival of the 1970 hit musical Applause—but only by the skin of its teeth. Based on the movie All About Eve (itself based on a story by Mary Orr) with a book by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and songs by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams, the production offers a strong storyline with an eclectic score that often came across as technically and interpretatively problematic at yesterday's performance.
Artistic director Jack Viertel introduced the show by explaining that star Christine Ebersole would perform despite an illness that had kept her out of rehearsals. Even though she wasn't in top form, Ebersole did justice to her role as Margo Channing, a theater diva famous for not missing a performance. The rest of the talented leads—Erin Davie, Tom Hewitt, Michael Park, and Kate Burton—were good but also seemed to be a little rough around the edges, with Mario Cantone and Megan Sikora bringing zest to their featured roles. Highlights came from the clever trio "Inner Thoughts"/"Good Friends" as well as such production numbers as the groundbreaking gay bar set piece "But Alive," the mocking "She's No Longer a Gypsy," and a doctored version of "Applause" that's like a surprise Valentine for Encores! regulars. However, other numbers (some of which seemed very difficult to negotiate) just didn't crystallize, and the staging of "Fasten Your Seatbelts" just didn't do much with the song and its musical allusions to car honking. But ultimately the strength of the storyline, the professionalism of the performers, and the numerous comic elements prevailed in making this another worthwhile revival.
NOTE Something that nearly ruined the experience for my party were serious problems we had with City Center's ticketing wing (both the box office and CityTix). Things improved only after I managed to reach an administrator. I hope that no one will go through what we went through, but if you do run into problems and happen to read this, feel free to testify here.
The Encores! series extends its winning streak with this weekend's revival of the 1970 hit musical Applause—but only by the skin of its teeth. Based on the movie All About Eve (itself based on a story by Mary Orr) with a book by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and songs by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams, the production offers a strong storyline with an eclectic score that often came across as technically and interpretatively problematic at yesterday's performance. Artistic director Jack Viertel introduced the show by explaining that star Christine Ebersole would perform despite an illness that had kept her out of rehearsals. Even though she wasn't in top form, Ebersole did justice to her role as Margo Channing, a theater diva famous for not missing a performance. The rest of the talented leads—Erin Davie, Tom Hewitt, Michael Park, and Kate Burton—were good but also seemed to be a little rough around the edges, with Mario Cantone and Megan Sikora bringing zest to their featured roles. Highlights came from the clever trio "Inner Thoughts"/"Good Friends" as well as such production numbers as the groundbreaking gay bar set piece "But Alive," the mocking "She's No Longer a Gypsy," and a doctored version of "Applause" that's like a surprise Valentine for Encores! regulars. However, other numbers (some of which seemed very difficult to negotiate) just didn't crystallize, and the staging of "Fasten Your Seatbelts" just didn't do much with the song and its musical allusions to car honking. But ultimately the strength of the storyline, the professionalism of the performers, and the numerous comic elements prevailed in making this another worthwhile revival.
NOTE Something that nearly ruined the experience for my party were serious problems we had with City Center's ticketing wing (both the box office and CityTix). Things improved only after I managed to reach an administrator. I hope that no one will go through what we went through, but if you do run into problems and happen to read this, feel free to testify here.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
REVIVAL WATCH: APPLAUSE...AND MOOSE MURDERS!
City Center's Encores! series recently announced its lineup for the concert version of the 1970 musical Applause, which is scheduled for February 7 through February 10, 2008. In addition to previously announced star Christine Ebersole, the cast includes BAT favorite (and Ebersole's Grey Gardens co-star) Erin Davie (pictured) as well as Kate Burton, Mario Cantone, and Tom Hewitt. Wanna do some research? The musical is based on the great movie All About Eve, itself based on the Mary Orr Cosmopolitan story "The Wisdom of Eve."
In other revival news, there's a revival (perhaps a resurrection) of the epochal Broadway flop Moose Murders coming up at Trinity Lutheran Church at 63-70 Dry Harbor Road, in Middle Village, Queens. On February 23, 1983, Frank Rich's famously derogatory review summed things up with the line "A visit to 'Moose Murders' is what will separate the connoisseurs of Broadway disaster from mere dilettantes for many moons to come." So here's a chance to see if you've got the right stuff. Performances are on January 19, 24, 25, and 26 at 8 pm and January 20 and 27 at 4 pm. Tickets are $14 for adults and $13 for seniors. For information and reservations, call 718-736-1263.
Yesterday I served up some rare Sweeney Todd; here's another rarity: Lauren Bacall in a very '70s, very risqué (emphasis on the second syllable) CBS TV adaptation of Applause. The number is very Burt Bacharach.
Source (5:42)
City Center's Encores! series recently announced its lineup for the concert version of the 1970 musical Applause, which is scheduled for February 7 through February 10, 2008. In addition to previously announced star Christine Ebersole, the cast includes BAT favorite (and Ebersole's Grey Gardens co-star) Erin Davie (pictured) as well as Kate Burton, Mario Cantone, and Tom Hewitt. Wanna do some research? The musical is based on the great movie All About Eve, itself based on the Mary Orr Cosmopolitan story "The Wisdom of Eve."In other revival news, there's a revival (perhaps a resurrection) of the epochal Broadway flop Moose Murders coming up at Trinity Lutheran Church at 63-70 Dry Harbor Road, in Middle Village, Queens. On February 23, 1983, Frank Rich's famously derogatory review summed things up with the line "A visit to 'Moose Murders' is what will separate the connoisseurs of Broadway disaster from mere dilettantes for many moons to come." So here's a chance to see if you've got the right stuff. Performances are on January 19, 24, 25, and 26 at 8 pm and January 20 and 27 at 4 pm. Tickets are $14 for adults and $13 for seniors. For information and reservations, call 718-736-1263.
Yesterday I served up some rare Sweeney Todd; here's another rarity: Lauren Bacall in a very '70s, very risqué (emphasis on the second syllable) CBS TV adaptation of Applause. The number is very Burt Bacharach.
Source (5:42)
Monday, August 20, 2007
ENCORES! 2008: PREVIEW
There's still no sign of High Spirits or All American, but the 2008 Encores! season still has a lot to offer:
Photo: David Marc Fischer
There's still no sign of High Spirits or All American, but the 2008 Encores! season still has a lot to offer:Christine Ebersole (pictured) in Applause (February 7-20)Single tickets go on sale October 1.
Marc Blitzstein's Juno (March 27-30)
Rosie O'Donnell and Beth (Drowsy Chaperone) Leavel in No, No, Nanette (May 8-12)
Photo: David Marc Fischer
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
