Epic Proportions

[RippedMan]

So I've got an audition coming up for this show, and I can't really find any information on the topic. There's no play to check out from the library, no movie, no real clips (besides some horrible high school production). Any information would be great? I know it's probably zany and over-the-top, but I'd love to know more about it.

[Wee Thomas2]

I hope you don't have the DeWitt part. Bad luck and all.


Edit: I should add that I saw this performed at the Lyric Stage about 10 years ago and it may well be the only thing I've ever seen there that I could do well with never seeing again.

[Gothampc]

I saw it on Broadway. My memory was that it was a dud.

The story is set in the desert during the filming of one of Cecil B. DeMille's epic movies (I think may be Cleopatra but I can't remember).

There was a lead woman played by Kristin Chenoweth who I think was in charge of the extras. There were also two brothers or cousins and one or both fell in love with KC.

I don't remember it being that funny of a show, even though it was supposed to be. Sorry I can't be more help, but it's all a blur.

[newintown]

It was a painful thing to sit through. I kept thinking, "I guess Alan Tudyk is only good for nude scenes" (which he did well in the also-painful Most Fabulous Story Ever Told). Chenoweth was marginally less shrill and annoying than she had been prior in Steel Pier and Charlie Brown. I wondered what had happened to Jerry Zaks' talent for comedy (but then remembered he was on a downward slide since Face Value). A total bomb.

[tazber]

I saw it on Broadway and thought it was really funny. It's about the making of a Cecil B. DeMille type of movie where everything goes wrong.

I don't recall all that much, but I remember it turns very farcical in the second act when the two brothers (who are both completely inexperienced in the world of Hollywood) and the female assistant (in charge of the thousands of extras) end up having to star in and direct this huge movie.

It was a flop, but I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the evening.







Here's a clip

[sowren1020]

Jerry Zaks directed the show and he had some direction that was passed around from Mike Nichols and attributed to Jack O'Brien. "You aren't funny, the material is funny". Meaning that pace was brisk and lots of embellishment was to be kept to a minimum. The play itself was like a TV sketch from the Carol Burnett show and couldn't sustain itself, but it's a light comic piece that can be fun, slight as it is.

Alan Tudyk was in the comic foil and he was larger than life and it was one of Kristin's roles after YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN. Here's the link to it on the IBDB: http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=9682

[Gothampc]

This was during Kristin's "I'm going to Hollywood" phase. I personally don't think she gave this her best effort because she had movies and tv on her mind.

[wexy]

I did see it but can't remember much about it so it wasn't memorable for me.
I do remember some strange woman approaching me on the way to the theater.

[WOSQ]

If the script exists, The Drama Book Shop will know where it is. I am sure it is in an acting edition.

[Gothampc]

"If the script exists, The Drama Book Shop will know where it is. I am sure it is in an acting edition."

Or just call Kristin and ask her to xerox a copy and FedEx it to you stat!