Reminder CAMELOT Live!
Steve Newport
robert armstrong
Bob A
"Aside from that, Mrs. Kennedy, how did you enjoy the motorcade?"
AndrewJ
> Tonight at 8 on PBS.
Thanks for the reminder, I think.
Robert Bouton
Gabriel Byrne hasn't a clue. He plays everything like a sick old man
who's just been punched in the stomach.
Why don't casting people understand that Arthur is written as a young
man with a young man's insecurities and discoveries? It's weird
watching these fossils traipse around the stage, purposeless and
pained.
Weirder still: refugee from Taboo offering candy to some old broad
from Long Island. What show were THEY supposed to be in?
Stacy Keach stole the show for me; I found him genuinely moving
Steve Newport
From: ajmi...@cavtel.net (AndrewJ)
Well...Stacy Keach was a good Merlin. BFS.
LT
> From: ajmil...@cavtel.net (AndrewJ)
> Thanks for the reminder, I think.
> --------------------------------------
> Well...Stacy Keach was a good Merlin. BFS.
Yes, and the other scene-stealers, for me, were Byrne, Gunn, Lloyd,
and Drescher! Mazzie, despite a tendency to 'flat' notes, and some
shrillness, became more 'agreeable' to me, as the show progressed.
Best,
LT
LT
> Tonight at 8 on PBS.
Great show - better even than I expected. Repeated on Sunday at 3:30
PM -same channel.
remys...@yahoo.com
> Great show - better even than I expected. Repeated on Sunday at 3:30
> PM -same channel.
PBS HD had 11pm tonight, as well as 9am Saturday.
Vince
> Tonight at 8 on PBS.
>
Will be rerun Sunday afternoon
--
LESS THAN 260 days left...........
-------------------------------------------------
chromolume
> Tonight at 8 on PBS.
Stunningly awful. Easily the most misguided of all the televised
concert musicals we've had in recent years (the "Candide" was uneven,
but better than this by miles; even the underrehearsed San Francisco
"Sweeney," complete with local amateur choristers who thought they
could "act" in bit parts was still perfection compared to this.
Byrne was miscast in every sense of the word. Couldn't sing. Couldn't
(or wouldn't) stay in time with the orchestra, even when speaking the
lyrics. basically shouted or whined his lines. No depth. No king to
root for. I generally like Marin Mazzie, but she seemed miscast here
as well. Gunn sang well, but didn't, IMO, get his real chance to shine
(more on that below). No real chemistry in the love triangle. Accents
were all over the place. Everyone seemed to be in a different
production of the show (i.e. there didn't seem to be one cohesive
acting style or approach to the piece). Christopher Lloyd was just
doing yet another eccentric old man - not that he was bad (in fact, he
added some life to the dull proceedings), but he was just so
predictable...
What the hell was up with Lady Mordred and her "Nanny" LeFey? The
former was just idiotic; the latter - well, can she do ANYTHING else,
or is being "The Nanny" her only schtick?
The staging, for such a "concert" version, was superfluous. There
wasn't enough *genuine* staging to warrant all the little gimmicks
that Price felt he had to put in. I might have preferred everyone in
fancy evening dress (i.e. concert attire) simply standing in front of
the orchestra and delivering. The stuff with the stagehands was
distracting and silly.
My god, even the orchestra didn't sound all that interested or full.
Some of the ballads ("If Ever I Would Leave You" for instance) were
rushed, and not lush enough.
Shouldn't a *concert* presentation like this one at least put some
value on the score, for god's sake? This was shoddy and sloppy -
certainly not worth a TV broadcast, and absolutely not worth the high
ticket prices to see it live. Shame.
chromolume
during the intermission. This seems to be becoming more and more the
norm (the Met intermission features are also being dummed way down,
along with "live on location" interviews with breathless singers as
they have just finished an act, and would probably prefer to get some
rest), but it's also really annoying.
Steve Newport
From: jongo...@msn.com (chromolume) the "Candide" was uneven, but
better than this by miles; I generally like Marin Mazzie, but she seemed
miscast here as well. Accents were all over the place. Christopher Lloyd
was just so predictable. There wasn't enough *genuine* staging to
warrant all the little gimmicks that Price felt he had to put in. I
might have preferred everyone in fancy evening dress (i.e. concert
attire) simply standing in front of the orchestra and delivering.
Me, too. (With "The Jousts" and "Fie on Goodness" included and the
Morgan and Mordred sequence cut.) I agree with the above, although I
thought Byrne had his moments as an actor and with less nervousness,
more rehearsal (and a decision to totally talk his songs) could make a
solid Arthur. (But where was Jeremy Irons?) Mazzie made me think of
Aldonza, Kate, Lily Garland, and Nancy Dussault at the same time. But
not Guenevere, alas. Mordred (is he Lonny Price's boyfriend?) could have
played this role with more traditional costuming. (The costuming, BTW,
was as messy as the staging.) I prefer Lancelot without an accent and
Guenevere with. On the plus side, I have to say that on the whole it had
more life than the Richard Harris cable version.
robert armstrong
>Hoo boy -- thanks.
>Bob A
Nope, it wasn't on in Chi. Even tried the Indiana PBS station we get on
satellite. Either Morgan le Fey worked her evil upon it or our local
stations are saving it for the next membership drive --
And I'm giving my money to Free Speech TV.
Eagle
> I prefer Lancelot without an accent and
> Guenevere with.
I don't know what was going on with those accents, but I have to say I
really liked Nathan Gunn, and wasn't aware of him before. I realize
now that he also played Papageno in new Met production of THE MAGIC
FLUTE that was broadcast a while back, and he was wonderful in that
too. He's got the voice, the looks, the body, the acting chops and
the presence! Reminds me somewhat of Russell Crowe lookswise. The
one thing I was disappointed about him -- and I think this might have
been the director's doing -- was that he faded out too much vocally at
the end of "If Ever I Would Leave You" and it didn't end strong enough
for my taste.
Anybody think "Hallmark Hall of Fame" when they took a long shot of
the stage and you saw that huge crown?
As an aside, I was going to make a special post of this the other week
but didn't get around to it -- but I just want to mention that I saw
the opening night of THE DAUGHTER OF THE REGIMENT the other week at
the Met, and when it's on TV, don't miss it. One of the most cleverly
staged operas I've ever seen. I don't remember laughing out loud
before like I did during this production (in a good way). I was
particularly impressed how some of the staging mirrored the music --
like when Natalie Dessay gets tickled at one point, and it matches her
musical vocal line. Many fine touches like that. Everyone in it was
wonderful. Dessay and Juan Diego Florez were spectacular. Dessay not
only has the vocal chops, but she was an excellent comedianne as
well. Forez has a gorgeous voice (if a bit small), he took an encore
on his "Ah, mes amis," and there was a standing ovation after the
encore, which I understand is a very unusual thing to happen during an
opera, You can see some of the production on YouTube. It's very
special.
Steve Newport
From: eaglene...@yahoo.com (Eagle) <<<I prefer Lancelot without an
accent>>>
------------------------------------
was disappointed about-- he faded out too much vocally at the end of "If
Ever I Would Leave You" and it didn't end strong enough
Yes. He has a great voice and was having a good time-- but much of his
comedy was too self-knowing. (A trap other Lancelots have fallen into.)
agrgurich
trouble putting it on, on Broadway.
I hope King Pellinore wasn.t too lonely last night without his big
dog!
AJG
Steve Newport
From: agrg...@gmail.com (agrgurich)
I hope King Pellinore wasn't too lonely last night without his big dog!
----------------------------------------
It works better with the dog. Take it from me. (Pellinore '97. Arthur
'82.)
agrgurich
> From: agrgur...@gmail.com (agrgurich)
I'm sure you're rjght, Your Majesty! AJG
LT
From: eaglenewsgr...@yahoo.com (Eagle) <<<I prefer Lancelot without
an
> accent>>>
> ------------------------------------
> I have to say I really liked Nathan Gunn, and wasn't aware of him
> before. Reminds me somewhat of Russell Crowe lookswise. The one thing I
> was disappointed about-- he faded out too much vocally at the end of "If
> Ever I Would Leave You" and it didn't end strong enough
>
----------------------------------
I thought Gunn has a particular resemblance to Hank Azaria in
appearance. His fine lyric-baritone sounded considerably more
resonant than in the radio-promo for this eagerly anticipated
presentation.
-He, assuming an authentic-sounding 'French accent', managed to make
the role his - even if not totally obliterating memories of Goulet and
Merlino/Nero (that'd be Gene Merlino, whose also outstandingly
beautiful high-baritone dubbed for Franco Nero's in the film)
Byrne, for a non-singer, carried-through satisfactorily in the songs,
but his acting is on a much higher level, having been utterly moving
in his scenes with 'Jenny', and the play's great conclusion.
Not sure why, exactly - but as I watched him, the memory of Danny
Kaye was evoked, with thoughts of how DK might've played Arthur, had
he taken the role.
Mazzie unexpectedly reminded me of Katharine Hepburn, with her broad
mouth-set and a certain toothiness. Her vocal technique seemed a bit
strained and regularly flatted on high notes, throughout the evening,
with a shrillness more expected from a 'Kate' than 'Guenevere' - yet,
as I noted in another post, she did 'grow' on me as the play continued
on to conclusion.
-Couldn't help wondering, though, how her between-acts interviewer,
Ms. Fleming, would have handled the role. -Very near to, or attaining,
perfection, I'd guess.
Oddly cast, was an obviously non-British youngster as 'Sir Tom of
Warwick', but the boy is not UN-talented, and played his brief role
well.
I found Christopher Lloyd's trademarked 'Rev. Jim Ignatowski'
persona a glovelike fit as 'Pelly', but agree with Steve Newport, that
having a dog-companion would have enhanced the portrayal.
The androgynous version of Mordred, here, with 20-21st Century razor-
cut 'designer hairdo', seemed odd enough, and 'clashing' with
predecessors' performances, to distract from the actor's otherwise
skilled and lively one.
The Rego Park, Qns.-accented 'Morgan le Fey' of Fran Drescher's was,
as I expected, a hoot! Her cuteness has, if anything, increased.
Best
LT
Steve Newport
From: Leonar...@gmail.com (LT)
glovelike fit as 'Pelly', but agree with Steve Newport, that having a
dog-companion would have enhanced the portrayal.
The androgynous version of Mordred, here, with 20-21st Century razor-cut
and lively (performance.) The Rego Park, Qns.-accented 'Morgan le Fey'
of Fran Drescher's was, as I expected, a hoot!
Chris and Fran were clearly hired to "do their thing" so can we blame
them? Or Mordred for his Rocky Horror look?
robert armstrong
Kissed Me? There was a song by that title, and it was the working title
of Camelot, so...
Muggins
Newport) wrote:
>Tonight at 8 on PBS.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In looking up scheduling for this, came across this:
"hosted by Beverly Sills" ??
(sigh) Maybe someone should tell them?
Larry
agrgurich
> On Thu, 8 May 2008 17:48:03 -0400, NewportsRe...@webtv.net (Steve
>
> Newport) wrote:
> >Tonight at 8 on PBS.
>
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> In looking up scheduling for this, came across this:
>
>
> "hosted by Beverly Sills" ??
>
> (sigh) Maybe someone should tell them?
>
> Larry
Never mind them. Someone should tell Beverly Sills!
AJG
robert armstrong
hosting -- she's not live either). Tried to watch some but Gabriel
Byrne's talk-singing does away with the one absolutely certain thing the
show had going for it: the songs. Keach and Lloyd don't quite disgrace
themselves.
Does the celebrity concert musical replace Three Tenors on PBS as the
New Mediocrity?
Should someone tell Luciano?
Steve Newport
From: ElB...@webtv.net (robert armstrong) Keach and Lloyd don't quite
disgrace themselves.
---------------------------------------
Keach may be the best Merlin I've seen. There have been better
Pellinores.
atsar...@hotmail.com
purpose, to get a laugh (which he didn't), or was he confused? Anyway,
since he has no songs and vanishes from the show in scene 2, it's not
exactly a stretch for anybody.
I hated Gabriel Byrne's voice. Hated it in Coast of Utopia too. Just
wanted him not to be there, singing, speaking, dancing, whatever.
Pronouncing the words of his songs on the proper beat might have
helped.
Marin Mazzie sang better than I'd expected. You don't want Reneigh
Fleming in this role (I don't want her in any role) because she'd jazz
it up in her new trademark style that no one else gets. I am delighted
Reneigh has found the perfect role, cultural talk-show host, and I
hope she keeps at it for years and stops singing.
Nathan Gunn was excellent in a part he can at last do justice to
without taking off his shirt to make people not notice his dull
singing. I think he should have been a Broadway baritone from the
first, but they no longer write the shows Pinza and Reardon could make
their own, so he had to go assault opera instead. The accent was cute,
and appropriate for the character (after all).
Chris Lloyd was surprisingly pleasant as Pellinore.
Mordred and Morgan were from some other show I've never seen and
annoyed hell out of me, but they had small parts, happily.
The show is not good. It got snowed out of the Tonys because it was
the year of Gypsy and Fiorello, and the Tonys were right -- Gypsy and
Fiorello beat it to a pulp on every call but glittery costumes and
sets. And in Gypsy and Fiorello, they're supposed to be frowsy. Some
of Lerner's lyrics are rather good, but too many of them are
intolerably pretentious or dim. (Lusty Month of May is unforgivable;
so is Camelot the song.)
I'm glad someone here made it to La Fille du Regiment, undoubtedly the
wittiest, freshest, most MUSICAL comedy in New York these days. Florez
is a national (of Peru) treasure. Dessay is annoying in serious roles
but delightful when tossing off coloratura and ironing long underwear
at the same time, or advancing on the enemy while sitting on the
parlor floor in long skirts. Felicity Palmer did a star comic turn.
And this is a wonderful, wonderful score.
Catch it on PBS on June 26 (I believe).
Jean Coeur de Lapin
Steve Newport
From: atsar...@hotmail.com
Nathan Gunn should have been a Broadway baritone from the first, but
they no longer write the shows Pinza and Reardon could make their own
SN: Perhaps he could do most of the Brian Mitchell roles.
------------------------------------
The show is not good. It got snowed out of the Tonys because it was the
year of Gypsy and Fiorello, and the Tonys were right
SN: No, GYPSY lost to a tie (SOUND OF MUSIC and FIORELLO!) in a
different season. CAMELOT was the season of MOLLY BROWN, IRMA LA DOUCE,
DO RE MI, TENDERLOIN, SHOW GIRL and the winning BYE BYE BIRDIE. I think
CAMELOT outran them all.
Steve Newport
From: atsar...@hotmail.com
Burton won. Andrews was nominated.
robert armstrong
>because it was the year of Gypsy and Fiorello, and
>the Tonys were right -- Gypsy and Fiorello beat
>it to a pulp on every call but glittery costumes and
>sets. And in Gypsy and Fiorello, they're supposed
>to be frowsy.
Reminds me of that quote "[Camelot is] the kind of show where people
come out of the theatre whistling the sets."
I'd love to get all the funny quotes from critics about Camelot in one
place. "Gotterdammerung without laughs" was one. Another went something
like "Longer than Parsifal [and not as funny]."
I will say the old Broadway on Showtime production with Richard Harris
[who redeemed himself from the movie version by being actually good]
made the show digestible enough and reigned it in for a reasonable
running time.
Speaking of Fiorello! it's only running for two more weeks at Chicago's
TimeLine, so hurry. Sorry about the participle.
Steve Newport
From: ElB...@webtv.net (robert armstrong) I will say the old Broadway
on Showtime production with Richard Harris [who redeemed himself from
the movie version by being actually good] made the show digestible
enough
On stage and on video, that production is the worst CAMELOT I ever saw.
Vince
Steve Newport
From: ani...@aol.com (anicca7)
The recent Lincoln telecast was the first time I saw the play as a
potentially viable evening in the theater. I could relate to to the
characters as three interesting people worth caring about and spending
time with.
----------------------------------------
It's inarguably an almost indestructable classic!
atsar...@hotmail.com
> From: anic...@aol.com (anicca7)
I would argue that.
I think it's almost unsalvageable and not a classic at all.
Jean Coeur de Lapin
Steve Newport
From: atsar...@hotmail.com
Having done it twice-- the first time for 32 weeks-- I can assure you
that most audiences and critics would disagree. It's constantly revived.
Is that recent tour with Lou Diamond Phillips (replacing Michael York)
still out?