Post by jo on Aug 5, 2017 21:17:54 GMT -5
Maybe we can set up a thread on celebrated Broadway classics, for both musicals and straight plays!
MAN OF LA MANCHA would be a very good choice as first entry.
For musicals, one becomes a classic because of the appeal of the musical score, the strength of the book, and the extraordinary performances ( sometimes, also the other production values such as the sets and costumes, etc).
Thanks to someone on ATC, this clip was unearthed featuring scenes and part of the score from the musical. Unfortunately, it was not a filmed performance from the show, but only a re-staging at the Ed Sullivan show, presumably as promotional material for the musical.
I was very young then and it was my first time in America when friends took me to see the show at the Washington Square Theatre towards the end of its original run. It was so very simply staged ( beats even the CITS, where The River was staged) but so remarkable and memorable. It was a round stage which was supposed to represent the prison cell where political writer Miguel Lopez de Cervantes presented his views via the story of Don Quijote, the Knight Errant from La Mancha! Very emotionally-moving allegorical storytelling about such an enduring literary figure in Spain's culture!
Richard Kiley was so impressive -- portaying Don Quijote both with strong muscularity and authority ( including his voice) and with extreme poignancy, both acting-wise and musically-speaking! He commanded the stage completely! I saw the revival with Brian Stokes Mitchell -- but sorry to say that he left me unimpressed - his portrayal was too fragile, maybe in an effort to gain the audience sympathy for the character, but it left me almost unmoved. The voice was of course beautiful and moving ( This is Stokes after all!) but this is a story with strong drama and emotionality ... and that was why strong characterizations and portrayals were key!
Many have criticized the film adaptation with Peter O'Toole and Sophia Loren... but I thought it was a good memory piece of the remarkable musicalization of this drama! Also, while Joan Diener was beautiful with a fine singing voice I thought she was too refined in her portrayal. I much preferred the earthy appeal of Sophia Loren in portraying the dual personalities of the tavern wench Aldonza/Don Quijote's ideal Dulcinea.
In case you are not aware of the musical score, the above clip shows the original THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM which has become a standard and a great favorite with many! His musical ode to DULCINEA and the titular song MAN OF LA MANCHA were also outstanding. There is a comedic song between Don Quijote and Sancho (his serf) which I am always amused to listen to ( GOLDEN HAT OF MAMBRINO).
Btw, the musical score has been remastered in a CD.
It is not surprising that this musical has stood the test of time, in my list of favorites. Along with Les Miserables ( another dramatic musical dealing with oppression) and Camelot ( a dramatic musical that also includes idealism as a main theme), these trio are tops in my classic musicals gallery.
If I had a wish that can be fulfilled -- I would like Hugh Jackman to be in a revival of this eternal story of idealism and gallantry ( maybe with someone like Trevor Nunn, so a fresh insight without changing the original intent could be a possibility). Maybe an impossible dream now, but who knows
Jo
MAN OF LA MANCHA would be a very good choice as first entry.
For musicals, one becomes a classic because of the appeal of the musical score, the strength of the book, and the extraordinary performances ( sometimes, also the other production values such as the sets and costumes, etc).
Thanks to someone on ATC, this clip was unearthed featuring scenes and part of the score from the musical. Unfortunately, it was not a filmed performance from the show, but only a re-staging at the Ed Sullivan show, presumably as promotional material for the musical.
I was very young then and it was my first time in America when friends took me to see the show at the Washington Square Theatre towards the end of its original run. It was so very simply staged ( beats even the CITS, where The River was staged) but so remarkable and memorable. It was a round stage which was supposed to represent the prison cell where political writer Miguel Lopez de Cervantes presented his views via the story of Don Quijote, the Knight Errant from La Mancha! Very emotionally-moving allegorical storytelling about such an enduring literary figure in Spain's culture!
Richard Kiley was so impressive -- portaying Don Quijote both with strong muscularity and authority ( including his voice) and with extreme poignancy, both acting-wise and musically-speaking! He commanded the stage completely! I saw the revival with Brian Stokes Mitchell -- but sorry to say that he left me unimpressed - his portrayal was too fragile, maybe in an effort to gain the audience sympathy for the character, but it left me almost unmoved. The voice was of course beautiful and moving ( This is Stokes after all!) but this is a story with strong drama and emotionality ... and that was why strong characterizations and portrayals were key!
Many have criticized the film adaptation with Peter O'Toole and Sophia Loren... but I thought it was a good memory piece of the remarkable musicalization of this drama! Also, while Joan Diener was beautiful with a fine singing voice I thought she was too refined in her portrayal. I much preferred the earthy appeal of Sophia Loren in portraying the dual personalities of the tavern wench Aldonza/Don Quijote's ideal Dulcinea.
In case you are not aware of the musical score, the above clip shows the original THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM which has become a standard and a great favorite with many! His musical ode to DULCINEA and the titular song MAN OF LA MANCHA were also outstanding. There is a comedic song between Don Quijote and Sancho (his serf) which I am always amused to listen to ( GOLDEN HAT OF MAMBRINO).
Btw, the musical score has been remastered in a CD.
It is not surprising that this musical has stood the test of time, in my list of favorites. Along with Les Miserables ( another dramatic musical dealing with oppression) and Camelot ( a dramatic musical that also includes idealism as a main theme), these trio are tops in my classic musicals gallery.
If I had a wish that can be fulfilled -- I would like Hugh Jackman to be in a revival of this eternal story of idealism and gallantry ( maybe with someone like Trevor Nunn, so a fresh insight without changing the original intent could be a possibility). Maybe an impossible dream now, but who knows
Jo