Good cast! This is a fave play of mine (the film doesn't do it justice, IMHO) but has had some lackluster revivals, from Roundabout as well. I hope this is worthy of the play. (I wish some of Inge's other plays would be revisited--including his strange 60s flops, but his hit Dark at the Top of The Stairs seems forgotten--the film with Lansbury has never even been on video--and deserves to be seen).
Have any fans seen or read Inge's later revised version, Summer Brave? I've always wondered how it compared. (I've also always been curious about the flop musical version).
Saw the SUMMER BRAVE revival, done in the 70s. Wonderful cast, but it didn't quite coalesce, or feature memorable turns except Jill Eikenberry's Madge, who reminted the role and made a persuasive case for the early draft. The ending was powerful, without the satisfying romantic denouement. Biggest disappointment: Alexis Smith as Rosemary. You'd think she'd nail it in her sleep, but she couldn't find the pathos, couldn't get very Kansas. It was an intelligent, thoughtful take, but she remained Alexis Smith. Hal was played by Ernest Thompson, pre-GOLDEN POND. Strapping and effective, but almost too muscular and too obviously cast to exploit same. Peter Weller was quietly effective as the pal.
James Wolk *is* pretty (though so is Stan), but I can't see him playing Hal, a character with more edge. He could be Hal's college friend back in town (Alan, who Paul Newman originally played until he replaced Meeker as Hal mid-run) though, if we want more Political Animals cast members on stage...
I just hope Roundabout doesn't treat this as blandly as they sometimes do with their classics--the play is so great, and also quite powerful, but can fall victim to being played too safe (as I think--somewhat--Josh Logan's not bad but not great film does). William Inge in general has sorta grown a reputation as being a softer, even second rate Tennessee Williams, which I don't think is fair at all. A couple of years back Cromer did an acclaimed production in Chicago, that was meant to transfer to NY by Roundabout--I guess it fell through.
Auggie, thanks for the Summer Brave thoughts! I take it Madge doesn't go after Hal in the end? Inge himself said he doubted audiences would like it as much, but felt it was more honest, I think...
In the Roundabout's last production of PICNIC with Ashley Judd and Kyle Chandler, the late Anne Pitoniak stole the entire show as Helen Potts (one would not normally think of that as being a scene stealing role). It will be interesting to see what Ellen Burstyn does with part. Elizabeth Marvel should be a divine Rosemary.
Provided she doesn't jfall into schmacting, this will hopefully be the role that finally lifts Elizabeth Marvel to the same level of respect as Chery Jones.
"Yep, director Scott Ellis brought in his pal Stro to stage the big dance number with Ashley Judd and Kyle Chandler. "
LOL, and ugh. I remember the production not being that well received--but this is just so wrong. Just because it's a country picnic, doesn't mean you have to channel Oklahoma!
I really wanted Melissa Leo to do this, but this cast seems like a pretty good mix of people. I thought Stan overacted all of his scenes on POLITICAL ANIMALS, but it's hard to complain with a cast that includes both Ellen Burstyn and Elizabeth Marvel.
"Roundabout Theatre Company has a long history with William Inge having produced the last Broadway production of Picnic (1994), The Rainmaker (1999), Come Back, Little Sheba (1983), The Dark at the Top of the Stairs (1979)."
The Rainmaker was written by Richard Nash not Wil1iam Inge.
Drama Desk Award Winners - MATILDA, VANYA AND SONIA, PIPPIN, VIRGINIA WOOLF & More!
STAGE TUBE: MATILDA Cast Performs on The View!
John Bantay Talks to Richard Jay-Alexander About Musical Mondays Farewell
CHUCK Star Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez Set to Lead FIRST DATE
Paris SUNDAY IN THE PARK Now Available For Download
Kelly Clarkson Will Not Return to AMERICAN IDOL as Judge; Jennifer Hudson Still Under Consideration?
Evan Peters to Play 'Quicksilver' in X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST; Up for AVENGERS 2 Also?
Gwyneth Paltrow Returns as the Face of Hugo Boss' Latest Scent
BWW Reviews: THE GREAT GATSBY Soundtrack
Donkey Kong Country Returns is Back and Optimized for Portable Play
BWW Blog: Leah Edwards - Practice. Perform. Repeat
BWW Reviews: Millepied, Wheeldon and Martins - A Mixed Bag for City Ballet
Jay Leno Hosts Magical Evening to Celebrate Partnership for Cancer Care
joined:7/17/07
Posted: 10/18/12 at 01:33pm