A little night music

[AdamSmith]

I actually have a number of the D'Oyly Carte recordings. but I have to get them transferred from my father's records to Digital. We have worn them out. You are correct, few get the timing and inflection of G&S the same and it looses a great deal.

 

I think the D'Oyly Carte performances are now available on CD. If memory serves, they are somewhere down in this slightly disorganized but comprehensive site:

 

http://gasdisc.oakapplepress.com/

 

Agree -- no other performers seem able to capture the delicious archness, and the marvelous sense of enjoying that archness as well as all the rest of the business.

[edjames]

Light Up the Night - Michael Reidel

 

I saw Kelsey do a concert version of "My Fair Lady" a couple of years ago at Lincoln Center and he was excellent in the role of Prof Higgins.

 

Michael Reidel reports in today's NY Post that all is well at "A Little Night Music." Sondheim has joined the creative team and is seeing the show on an daily basis offering his thoughts and ideas. The only problem seemed to be the lighting during the early previews when everyone complained they couln't see the cast on stage it was so dark. Apparently that has been worked out, but that is why they have previews. Angela Lansbury had a rocky first preview but Trevor Nunn reports she is now "spot on"!

 

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/light_up_the_night_tVMJYPLmogVBfv023ayeCJ

 

ED

[operalover21]

Not being the voice of doom, but as he is flying all the way from Florida just to see the show, an understudy would be a bummer.

 

That's true but, of course, there is no way to predict anything in advance. You just have to take a chance. In my 30 plus years of going to opera and theater I can't even recount how many cancelations I had to suffer through.

[operalover21]

Yeah, I got a bit scared when I read your first post. I made sure I'm going up on a day that she's scheduled to perform...but, I suppose emergency or illness could change things. Hopefully not.

 

Due to family emergency on his part, I missed seeing Lang Lang in concert a couple months ago.

 

You didn't miss anything. He's the most overrated classical music star of our time. All flash, no depth. He needs a good mentor before it's too late.

[operalover21]

Yeah, I got a bit scared when I read your first post. I made sure I'm going up on a day that she's scheduled to perform...but, I suppose emergency or illness could change things. Hopefully not.

 

When stars are billed above a show's title, as Lansbury and Zeta-Jones are for this show, you are entitled to a refund if they're not on.

 

That is absolutely incorrect. There are no, absolutely, no refunds if a star of a show on Broadway cancels. Read your ticket. You are buying a ticket to see a show, not the star billed in the show. That is long-standing Broadway theater practice. If they cancel, you are stuck with whomever goes on in their place. You are "entitled" to absolutely nothing. And that's what management will give you.

[operalover21]

I, too have a ticket for this production on Christmas night. I am looking forward to it.

 

If you are not a fan of the "stripped down versions" beware of the new revival of "La Cage Aux Folles" (Kelsey Grammer just signed on to play the role of Georges), it has a smaller cast and less glitz than previous productions. Douglas Hodge will reprise his West End award winning role in this version on Broadway.

 

By all means, bring your flowers to the stage door and they will see that they get to Ms. Landsbury's dressing room.

 

The biggest hit of the moment and an impossible ticket to get is Kate Blanchett's "A Streetcar Named Desire" at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)! Tickets are going for $2000 on EBay! It closes Dec 20 and given it's sold out status, one wonders if it won't transition to Broadway for a limited run in 2010. Fingers crossed.

 

So many shows in jeopardy right now. Ticket buyers and tourists are headed to the well-established hits like Wicked, Jersey Boys, Phantom and Billy Elliot. Shows like Ragtime, Fela, Superior Donuts and others have posted closing notices or will be making that decision after the holidays.

 

ED

 

While Kelsey Grammar is rumoured -- and almost everyone agrees he will likely do it -- he hasn't signed yet. The contracts are still at the attorney's. Just an FYI.

[operalover21]

Lord save us. When he played Macbeth in 2000, I caught an audio clip during an NPR review of the thing.

 

Imagine all the great lines -- intoned by Frasier.

 

Atrocious. And hilarious.

 

His Henry Higgins with the NYPhil a few years back was absolutely terrific. It made one want to see him do it on Broadway. I'm told they tried but just couldn't make it work.

[Guest zipperzone]

 

That is absolutely incorrect. There are no, absolutely, no refunds if a star of a show on Broadway cancels. Read your ticket. You are buying a ticket to see a show, not the star billed in the show. That is long-standing Broadway theater practice. If they cancel, you are stuck with whomever goes on in their place. You are "entitled" to absolutely nothing. And that's what management will give you.

 

I think that when he used the word "entitled" he meant "should be entitled" to a refund, not that you actually are entitled.

[Guest zipperzone]

If you are not a fan of the "stripped down versions" beware of the new revival of "La Cage Aux Folles" (Kelsey Grammer just signed on to play the role of Georges

 

Dear God - tell me you are joking! Niles would be believable in the part but not Fraiser.

[operalover21]

 

I think that when he used the word "entitled" he meant "should be entitled" to a refund, not that you actually are entitled.

 

Ah, I see. The wording implied that you could actually get a refund and just wanted to be sure that everyone knew that wasn't the case.

 

I think it's unfortunate when a star cancels but if management had to give out refunds everytime that happened they'd go out of business.

[justaguy]

This "Streetcar" came and went through DC before the word was out. Blanchett is supposed to be spectacular. I read somewhere that she is planning on doing another tour, but no details. If anyone gets the word, please post.

[operalover21]

This "Streetcar" came and went through DC before the word was out. Blanchett is supposed to be spectacular. I read somewhere that she is planning on doing another tour, but no details. If anyone gets the word, please post.

 

She was very good; not sexy but very good. The Stanley was HOT; spectacular upper body but he really couldn't match her and the chemistry was WAY off.

[Lankypeters]

 

Ah, I see. The wording implied that you could actually get a refund and just wanted to be sure that everyone knew that wasn't the case.

 

I think it's unfortunate when a star cancels but if management had to give out refunds everytime that happened they'd go out of business.

 

I could be wrong, but my understanding of Broadway box office policy is that if a star or stars are billed above the title, theatergoers are entitled to a refund if star or stars do not go on. It's a matter of making good on what's advertised. I recall one such occasion when I did obtain a refund when someone -- can't recall -- was out for a performance. A friend recently tried to get a refund when Cheyenne Jackson was out of "Finian's." Box office agent told him refunds are given only if performer were listed above the title.

[edjames]

Signed, sealed and delivered, including Kelsey's press release.

 

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/134913-Emmy-Winner-Kelsey-Grammer-Will-Star-in-La-Cage-Revival

[edjames]

Yes but you can exchange your ticket for another performance.

[Lankypeters]

 

That is absolutely incorrect. There are no, absolutely, no refunds if a star of a show on Broadway cancels. Read your ticket. You are buying a ticket to see a show, not the star billed in the show. That is long-standing Broadway theater practice. If they cancel, you are stuck with whomever goes on in their place. You are "entitled" to absolutely nothing. And that's what management will give you.

 

Are you Anderson Cooper's cousin?

[operalover21]

 

Are you Anderson Cooper's cousin?

 

No, but I'd love to DO Anderson Cooper!

[operalover21]

 

I could be wrong, but my understanding of Broadway box office policy is that if a star or stars are billed above the title, theatergoers are entitled to a refund if star or stars do not go on. It's a matter of making good on what's advertised. I recall one such occasion when I did obtain a refund when someone -- can't recall -- was out for a performance. A friend recently tried to get a refund when Cheyenne Jackson was out of "Finian's." Box office agent told him refunds are given only if performer were listed above the title.

 

Sorry, that's just incorrect. I'm a lawyer who has many classical and theatre clients and a refund is just never given when a star cancels. The only exceptions are one man or one person shows. It has nothing to do with whether or not a person is billed above the title. I'd love to know what box office person told someone that.

 

Now, it's possible that some theaters might loosen their policy but I've never heard of it being done.

 

If you look at the back of an opera or theater ticket you will see that is explicitly states that they don't give refunds for the reasons some have stated here.

[operalover21]

Signed, sealed and delivered, including Kelsey's press release.

 

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/134913-Emmy-Winner-Kelsey-Grammer-Will-Star-in-La-Cage-Revival

 

I know what Playbill.com is saying but the actual contract -- drawn up by my partner! -- has not yet been signed but everyone believes that they have a deal. Just making a technical point!

[Lankypeters]

 

Sorry, that's just incorrect. I'm a lawyer who has many classical and theatre clients and a refund is just never given when a star cancels. The only exceptions are one man or one person shows. It has nothing to do with whether or not a person is billed above the title. I'd love to know what box office person told someone that.

 

Now, it's possible that some theaters might loosen their policy but I've never heard of it being done.

 

If you look at the back of an opera or theater ticket you will see that is explicitly states that they don't give refunds for the reasons some have stated here.

 

Then we'll hope Angie is feelin' fit the night our friend sees the show.

[justaguy]

Ouch. I don't want to jack this thread, but could you elaborate on the WAY off? If they do another run, it'll be a hard ticket to get. Worth it?

[Guest alanm]

Lawyers & Lambert

 

I'm a lawyer who has many classical and theatre clients and a refund is just never given when a star cancels.

 

I have been reading and posting here for over nine year, I do not recall anyone ever posting six comments one after the other on any subject as you did on Adam Lambert last week. I got that you do not like Lambert after the first post.

 

Now I find out you are a lawyer with direct involve in show business. Lambert, love him or hate him, is pure show business.

[operalover21]

I have been reading and posting here for over nine year, I do not recall anyone ever posting six comments one after the other on any subject as you did on Adam Lambert last week. I got that you do not like Lambert after the first post.

 

Now I find out you are a lawyer with direct involve in show business. Lambert, love him or hate him, is pure show business.

 

Is there a point in there somewhere? Just asking.

[Guest DuchessIvanaKizznhugg]

Just sayin'....

 

No, but I'd love to DO Anderson Cooper!

 

Sorry sweat pea, but no butting in.

Get in line and wait your turn.

[Guest alanm]

Is there a point in there somewhere? Just asking.

 

Just a friendly comment. Based on my experience here, people who post so often in such a short period almost always burn out and move on after a few month.

 

Slow down and relax, Operalover.