All tag results for 'stephen sondheim'

We were SO excited when we heard that Barbra Streisand would be directing a remake of 1967 hit Gypsy, but it sounds like it won't be happening…

At least if lyricist Stephen Sondheim has anything to say about it!

An insider divulged:

Tags: barbra streisand, director, gypsy, lyrics, movie, music, reboot, remake, star, stephen sondheim

Pay attention, folks!

This is how you do Sondheim RIGHT!

For the last track we heard from Melanie C's upcoming album of Broadway covers, Stages, she had re-united with her fellow Spice Girl Emma Bunton to take on I Know Him So Well!

But this time around, our gurl is bringing the ferocity all on her own!

Ch-ch-check out her take on Another Hundred People, originally from the musical Company (above)!

AH-MAZING!

Obviously, this is NOT an easy song, but Melanie's frantic vocals MORE than do it justice!

We don't know about you, but his is quickly becoming one of our favorite albums…and we haven't even heard it in full yet!

More! More! More!

Tags: another hundred people, broadway, company, covers, hell yes, melanie c, new album, solo album, spice girls, stages, stephen sondheim

The Public Theater's production of Into The Woods has gotten some very mixed reviews, but we found it to be very enjoyable - for the most part.

We had never seen the Sondheim classic before and were pleased to get to experience it for the first time in such a unique setting as Central Park.

The show is the show. We probably would have liked it better had it ended at the end of Act 1. But, Sondheim is Sondheim and though he's a genius composer and lyricist, he sure loves to be contrarian!

Woods has some very memorable music. Songs that have transcended the show. And if this production were to move to Broadway, our biggest note and we disliked the most was the casting.

Denis O'Hare as the Baker and Sarah Stiles as Little Red Ridinghood were just awful and grating, respectively in that order. We do, though, think that is the way they were directed. Piss poor choices made with their characters.

Big movie star Amy Adams was more than good as the Baker's Wife. Joanna Gleason won the Tony for that role in the original Broadway production of Woods, while Bernadette Peters was glazed over for her portrayal of the Witch.

In this revival, Donna Murphy steals the show with her Witch. She is absolutely enthralling! Vocally dynamic and her acting is superb! She alone is reason enough to catch the show - now in its final performances - if you haven't already.

Gideon Glick as Jack is the other standout in the show!

And Ellen Harvey as Cinderella's Stepmother was also thoroughly enjoyable.

Recast or rethink the Baker and Ridinghood, and send this Woods to Broadway!

P.S. If the show does transfer, Leah Loukas deserves a Tony for her inspired wig designs. And Donna Murphy too, of course!

Tags: amy adams, broadway, donna murphy, into the woods, musicals, sondheim, stephen sondheim

And the world makes sense again.

First, it was happening. Then, things went awry. Then, people thought it might happen. Then … radio silence. For almost an ENTIRE YEAR, we have been waiting with bated breath to know if Barbra Streisand would indeed revive the role of Momma Rose in the acclaimed Stephen Sondheim musical Gypsy for the big screen. We prayed to the musical gods in the heavens above, pleading that Barbra would make this movie, which would be her first musical since Yentil almost 30 years ago.

Today, according to the fine people over at Universal Studios, our prayers have been answer. Gypsy IS happening … and all we can say is:

Tags: academy award, barbra streisand, casting, gypsy, musical, screenplay, stephen sondheim, universal pictures

OMG! Someone is hearing our prayers!

Though it was reported last week that the movie remake of Gypsy starring Barbra Streisand had been canned, new reports reveal that Universal Pictures is still very much interested in the pic AND that a deal is close to being made.

Furthermore, nothing has changed! Arthur Laurents is still on board! Stephen Sondheim is tickling the ivories to prepare as we speak! And most importantly…Streisand’s still in as Rose!!!

Everything's gonna be bright lights and lollipops!!! We're so thrilled!!!

Aren't u?

[Image via WENN.]

Tags: gypsy, remake, stephen sondheim, universal

NOOOO!!

The film adaptation of the Broadway musical Gypsy has been scrapped.

The film was to star Barbra Streisand in the role of Mama Rose.

Director Arthur Laurents was convinced that Barbra would be great, however, co-creator Stephen Sondheim had decided against the project.

Sad face.

Laurents said:

"'He said 'What is the point of it? You want a record because the theater is ephemeral. You don't need a record. The fact that it's ephemeral means you can have different productions, different Roses on to infinity.'

So I don't want it now. I don't want a definitive record, I want it to stay alive."

He added:

"I think [Barbra Streisand] is disappointed, she wanted very much to do it. That would have been a good exit for her career."

Barbra would have GREAT and we would have loved to have seen the film adaptation with her in it, but we definitely think she has many more years before her career is over!

With Barbra's magic touch, the movie would have been gold. Oh well.

[Image via WENN.]

Tags: arthur laurents, film adaptation, gypsy, scrapped, stephen sondheim

We SO wish we could be there for this! What an incredible cast!

Between April 7-9, Company will be playing for the New York Philharmonic with a wonderful cast including Neil Patrick Harris, Patti LuPone, Anika Noni Rose, Martha Plimpton, AND Stephen Colbert!

The musical concert is being directed/produced by Lonny Price, who directed last season's SONDHEIM: The Birthday Concert!, and it's being conducted by "Sondheim specialist" Paul Gemignani.

The musical's NY-based story "follows five married, once-married, and soon-to-be-married couples and their mutual friend, Robert (NPH), a bachelor who has been unable to connect in a long-term relationship."

The show has an award-winning history on Broadway, and was most recently revived at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in 2006.

Stephen Colbert and NPH sharing the stage??? We'd LOVE to see that!!!

[Images via WENN.]

Tags: anika noni rose, company, lonny price, martha plimpton, new york philharmonic, nph, nyc, patti lupone, paul gemignani, sondheim the birthday concert, stephen sondheim