Geoffrey Rush to star in A FUNNY THING HAPPENED..in Australia..Sondheim to attend..

[qolbinau]

In Melbourne. Directed by Simon Phillips, who directed PRISCILLA: Queen of the Dessert and LOVE NEVER DIES. Sondheim will be attending the opening


http://www.funnything.com.au/2012/06/stephen-sondheim-to-visit-australia/

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Although my eyes read "Geoffrey Rush" my mind showed me "Geoffrey Holder" so I was pretty speechless for a minute or two.

[Jordan Catalano]

Sondheim will attend the opening of an envelope so that's not news but I wish I could see Rush in this!!!!

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Believe it or not, I actually read Geoffrey Palmer.

But I'd love to see this.

[willep]

Darn Australia for Geoffrey Rush's home so he does so many shows there. Haha. But really...

[broadwayrob]

Honestly, I think we can apply my "Geoffrey Rush Rule" to this production. That rule states that 95 percent of everything that Geoffrey Rush does is going to be sheer brilliance. I'm sure that this will be no different. Very jealous of you Aussies.

[ClapYo'Hands]

"Sondheim will attend the opening of an envelope"

Haha!

[dreaming]

Who's to say Rush won't come over to the States and perform here? He did come over with "Exit the King". I have no doubt that if schedules can be arranged and there is a demand for a revival of Forum with Rush, that some producers will attempt to entice him over here.

Let's hope all that happens!

[wonkit]

Don't like FORUM but I adore Rush, ever since EXIT THE KING.

[TalkinLoud]

Would love to see this. It's about ripe for a revival, in Sondheim years it's way overdue.

[Jon]

I'd love to see Geoffrey Rush as Fagin in OLIVER.

[emida]

This is exciting!

Off-topic : I'd love to see Rush as Henry Higgins in a My Fair Lady revival.

[Vespertine1228]

Am I the only person who thinks that the announcement that Sondheim will attend being in the press release is a little ridiculous? I mean, why does that really matter at all?

[qolbinau]

It seems interesting that a US based composer would fly to Australia (it's a long flight) to see the show, and suggests it will be 'good'/'important'.

[sueb1863]

I love Geoffrey Rush, but - he's 61. Isn't that a little - um, mature - to be playing Psuedelos?

I thought maybe he'd be playing Senex, the lecherous father.

[alterego]

Good call Jon.

[rosscoe(au)]

Expect this to be filmed and shown as fathom event in the States, plans are underway and full DVD release as well.

Plus this will be a Melbourne only season, and late the following year we may see Mr Rush in drag once again!

[BwayGeek2]

This sounds awesome. I wish I could see this.

[qolbinau]

The show is wonderful (sparse review, indeed). It has a couple of Broadway producers (including Jerry Frankel) but everyone is publicly insisting the production won't be seen outside of Melbourne (live, at least). What a great way to experience a new (old) Sondheim show for the first time. I hope the production is mounted with Rush elsewhere.

[GavestonPS]

I love Geoffrey Rush, but - he's 61. Isn't that a little - um, mature - to be playing Psuedelos?

Does Pseudolus' age matter? Can't somebody of any age want to be free?

Milton Berle played the role in South Florida when he was 65. He wasn't the ideal casting for other reasons (though he was very funny to a certain audience and sold every ticket), but I don't remember his age being an issue.

Zero Mostel originated the part in his mid-40s; Phil Silvers was 61 when the show was first revived on Broadway in 1972. Is there something in the script I'm not remembering?

P.S. to wonkit: since you don't like FORUM, you probably haven't seen a good production. It's pretty irresistible, even to those of us who don't generally like low comedy.

[TalkinLoud]

Any further word on this being filmed?

[henrikegerman]

Just want to add my name to those who think this is "wow" casting.

[qolbinau]

For me Geoffrey being old added to the role. (I'd never seen it before, so I don't know if this is common but:) In this production he is depicted as being particularly decrepit, so it seems like it's his last chance at being 'free'. And the scenes with the Lycus girls are even funnier considering his age, for me.

[GavestonPS]

Doesn't a "decrepit" Pseudolus ruin the timing as Pseudolus has to run faster and faster to keep his schemes from being discovered?

I think Pseudous should be a credible "foster father" to Hero, but not compete with Erronius for Oldest Man in the World.

[qolbinau]

Sorry I should clarify by decrepit I mean kind of unkept and maybe a little bit mistreated/less favoured throughout the years (not by Hero of course, maybe his parents) - at least, compared to the head slave - his clothes were noticeably tackier, he had a bandage on his leg, he was dirty.

It felt as if he had been a slave for a long time, so to me it made sense he had enough and wanted to be 'free'. He didn't lack energy or seem physically impaired or anything (perhaps decrepit was the wrong word)

[GavestonPS]

Not at all, q. I think we were just using different meanings of the word and I was curious. I'm not really a fan of broad comedy but FORUM wins me over with the brilliant timing of its libretto. I'm glad to hear that was intact.