Topic: CLOSE HARMONY (Read 13309 times)

singdaw · « **Reply #150 on:** October 23, 2013, 08:08:16 PM »

Back from Merrily. I haven't seen it on stage since the original Broadway production in 1981. It has been reworked many times over the years. I still think it is an inherently problematic piece, but they did make a good case for it. And people keep trying because Sondheim's score is so good. I thought the three principle actors were excellent.

John G. · « **Reply #151 on:** October 23, 2013, 08:45:35 PM »

I loved it. I once saw it with Ann Morrison directing the original script. It didn't work.

The version used tonight was very bitter in a Chekovian way that did work for me. I choked up a couple of times in the first act and the tears came when Franklin started "Our Time" in the last scene.

I have more respect with what became of the script (whether Furth did the further work or Lapine, I don't know, but Lapine was not mentioned in the credits). And I still don't care for the added Sondheim songs. Except for Frank's big solo, they don't work as well as the originals.

John G. · « **Reply #152 on:** October 23, 2013, 08:47:07 PM »

I was surprised most by Jenna Russell as Mary. I loathe her artificial, pretentious and sloooooooow sound on the "Sunday in the Park ..." revival recording, but she really didn't hit a false note in "Merrily."

John G. · « **Reply #153 on:** October 23, 2013, 08:49:01 PM »

Quote from: Jane on October 23, 2013, 05:51:18 PM

Quote from: Jeanne on October 23, 2013, 05:05:24 PM
Quote from: John G. on October 23, 2013, 12:41:02 PM
Had a book signing at lunch today and we sold 19 copies. Quite amazing, if you ask me for a book that's more than a year old. But the people were wonderful.

I'm always impressed at your book sales. Do you think San Antonio is a particularly good area for it?

Or because the food photo on the cover is so very yummy looking.

I think that we're growing as a food town, and people are starting to appreciate that. Actually, the downtown area is beginning to attract a lot of millennials who are eating out more and more, and the more they spend money, the better things get. So, let them spend some of that on our book.

ArnoldMBrockman · « **Reply #154 on:** October 23, 2013, 08:50:32 PM »

Quote from: bk on October 23, 2013, 12:45:14 AM

And the word of the day is: FALDERAL!

And The Song Of The Day Is: MAIRZY DOATS

John G. · « **Reply #155 on:** October 23, 2013, 08:50:47 PM »

Quote from: singdaw on October 23, 2013, 08:05:40 PM

~ ~ ~ EXTRA-STRENGTH VIBES ~ ~ ~ for little Nicky!!

Ditto. (My friends used to have a cat named Ditto, so there's special feline meaning in that.)

John G. · « **Reply #156 on:** October 23, 2013, 08:59:02 PM »

A possible link to "Old Friends" from tonight's film:

http://gallery.mailchimp.com/06a3c6adbbbe4372fed42046b/files/Merrily_We_Roll_Along_Old_Friends.mp3?utm_source=Merrily+CinemaLive+Download+Sign+Ups&utm_campaign=b43fc3210c-MWRA_MP3_October_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_016af8938f-b43fc3210c-301954025

John G. · « **Reply #157 on:** October 23, 2013, 09:00:55 PM »

Good night, all.

Laura · « **Reply #158 on:** October 23, 2013, 09:14:00 PM »

Good evening. I was out before the sun was up this morning and got home after dark. I am tired. But I had a nice day.

http://www.andthisiswhatisaw.net/2013/10/oak-creek-maple-trees.html

Laura · « **Reply #159 on:** October 23, 2013, 09:15:23 PM »

Jane, it is not a pocket camera. It is rather large. I can't take a picture of it because, well, I would be using it to take the picture.

vixmom · « **Reply #160 on:** October 23, 2013, 09:15:56 PM »

sorry to have been E & T yesterday i had church council right after work and as it was a pre- budget meeting it ran very late

vixmom · « **Reply #161 on:** October 23, 2013, 09:22:08 PM »

tonight I went to see Merrily at the theatre. I have never seen a professional production of this, only college productions

Overall I enjoyed it but it is such a melanchony show...

this is the first times of seeing it that the reverse premise worked for me (but as I said the other performances were all amateurs)

Sam · « **Reply #162 on:** October 23, 2013, 09:28:47 PM »

Sam · « **Reply #163 on:** October 23, 2013, 09:29:00 PM »

Good evening.

Sam · « **Reply #164 on:** October 23, 2013, 09:29:32 PM »

It was cold enough when I got home. To turn on the heat.

Sam · « **Reply #165 on:** October 23, 2013, 09:29:57 PM »

Hi Laura (from yesterday)

TCB · « **Reply #166 on:** October 23, 2013, 09:30:47 PM »

Quote from: Cillaliz on October 23, 2013, 04:49:33 PM

I made a big pot of chili the other day and had that for lunch. It really hit the spot

Quote from: elmore3003 on October 23, 2013, 04:36:44 PM

I think.

With or without beans?

TCB · « **Reply #167 on:** October 23, 2013, 09:31:55 PM »

Quote from: Jeanne on October 23, 2013, 04:51:39 PM

Nice pics of Scrooge, TCB.

Thanks Jeanne.

Sam · « **Reply #168 on:** October 23, 2013, 09:32:07 PM »

I want to live with my boyfriend, AND HE WON'T LET ME.

I'm pouting. $:-\$

Sam · « **Reply #169 on:** October 23, 2013, 09:33:35 PM »

Mega vibes everyone.

And time to say goodnight.
Sweet dreams.

I'll go pout some more.

TCB · « **Reply #170 on:** October 23, 2013, 09:34:04 PM »

Quote from: MBarnum on October 23, 2013, 04:51:47 PM

DR Elmore, you were so focused on getting us to page 4 you didn't even get to see my side-splitting post.

Was that the one about you still being a virgin?

Laura · « **Reply #171 on:** October 23, 2013, 09:34:40 PM »

Beautiful photos from your hike, Jane.

TCB · « **Reply #172 on:** October 23, 2013, 09:53:36 PM »

I think I am going to shutdown my computer and read for an hour or two.

Good night one and all.....

G'night!

vixmom · « **Reply #173 on:** October 23, 2013, 10:06:58 PM »

Health Vibes for Nicky

vixmom · « **Reply #174 on:** October 23, 2013, 10:07:12 PM »

and good night all

bk · « **Reply #175 on:** October 23, 2013, 11:26:55 PM »

Back from rehearsal - I'm so ready to start staging and directing - I hate teaching rehearsals but have to be there for the arrangement and key choices. Lloyd wasn't with us and our sub really hadn't seen any of this music before, so it was slow going but we got through everything we needed to at least to set keys, and I did figure out four of the put-togethers and how they function, so that's good.

bk · « **Reply #176 on:** October 23, 2013, 11:27:27 PM »

I stopped and had another cup of soup before coming home. Tried a new route going there and learned the hard way that that route doesn't work.

George · « **Reply #177 on:** October 23, 2013, 11:40:45 PM »

Quote from: Cillaliz on October 23, 2013, 07:03:54 PM

Lovely photos DR Jane. Glad you had a nice hike

Agreed!!

George · « **Reply #178 on:** October 23, 2013, 11:55:14 PM »

Quote from: singdaw on October 23, 2013, 08:08:16 PM

Back from Merrily. I haven't seen it on stage since the original Broadway production in 1981. It has been reworked many times over the years. I still think it is an inherently problematic piece, but they did make a good case for it. And people keep trying because Sondheim's score is so good. I thought the three principle actors were excellent.

I've never seen any version. I really enjoyed this. I thought that Frank wasn't as much of an ass as I thought that he should be in the first scene (but probably just a little too attractive

). And the guy playing Charlie never opened his mouth very much. I don't know why, but that always bugs me. Otherwise, I thought that the acting and singing were all very good. I especially loved Gussie. The costumes for the chorus really reflected the time change. The leads, especially Frank, didn't seem to change too much. Frank wore a tux shirt and pants practically throughout the whole show.

George · « **Reply #179 on:** October 23, 2013, 11:56:38 PM »

The set was very small, so there wasn't a lot that could be done with the camera work. BK, you'd love that there were a lot of shots that lasted more than 4 seconds. You really got a chance to focus on the people and the (minimal) dances. The only time that they had quick shots back and forth between the actors was during "Opening Doors," when they each have solo lines right after each other.

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Author Topic: CLOSE HARMONY (Read 13309 times)