Diane Paulus is only the latest casualty, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!
The current Bitch Of The Week suffers even more from this illness that seems to affect those primarily in the arts, where egos run rampant. Though, I suppose, had I been a lawyer, I could come up with plenty of examples therein!!!!!!
That said--the winner of this week's Raving Queen Bitch Of The Week Award is Bartlett Sher.
Which is sad, because, having seen his production of "The Light In The Piazza" and upon all the attention given to "South Pacific," he was indeed a shining star on the theatrical horizon. But now he has taken on something that only exposes his tremendous hubris and arrogance.
Mr. Sher is set to stage the proposed 2012 revival of the iconic musical "Funny Girl." This would be a tough feat for anyone, considering the status of the show, and its irrevocable association with the originator of its title role.
As the Raving Queen, the first thing I have to say, loves, is that this show is beloved by Gay Theater Queens, many of whom grow up wanting to play this role themselves. Which makes me wonder--what does a straight man know about directing "Funny Girl?"
OK, William Wyler did the film. But that was film. Stage is a different medium. The original was directed, as billed, by Garson Kanin, who was married to Ruth Gordon, and then Marian Seldes, making him so far embedded in the closet it goes way beyond being a walk in!!!!!! And everyone knows the show was doctored out of town by an uncredited Jerome Robbins, so 'nuff said.
Right off the bat, Sher puts himself and the show in jeopardy by going for something so different from Babs it is completely unsuitable--namely, Lauren Ambrose.
Now, you have heard about Lauren already on here, so I will not belabor the point. Except to say she cannot be blamed. She was chosen, she is taking on an assignment.
The one who gets the blame is Sher. He made the decision!!!!!!!!!!
His ego knows no bounds, because he has been quoted as saying he realizes that no matter what he does with this show, he knows he will be crucified. This may be true enough, but how about doing some things right, so you get a little less crucified???? But no, his ego feels entitled to do what he damn well pleases, and he is not going to care what he does, or what anyone else says.
Hey, Bart, go talk to Julie Taymor, because you are walking into the same quagmire she did. At least, with her avant garde background, she can go back to BAM or La Mama, but if you flop on Broadway with "Funny Girl," you are through!!!!!!!!!
Back to community theater for you, babe!!!!!!!!!! Maybe musical revues at nursing homes!!!!!!!!!!!
Clearly, you will ignore wise sages such as myself or others. Which is why, Bart, you are SO perfect for Bitch Of The Week!!!!!! Congratulations, darling, because, if you DO fail with "Funny Girl," this may be the last honor and distinction you EVER receive.
And doesn't he look so smarmy, girls???????????????
Remember, Bart, in the theater, a season is a lifetime, and a lifetime is a season!!!!!!!
Happy lifetimes to all my girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The only reason I think he should be bitch of the week, is for directing last season's Women On the Verge......truly one of the WORST pieces of garbage I have EVER seen in more than 40 years of theatre going. It was abysmal. Even more abysmal than Catch Me If You Can, and that's saying something!
ReplyDeleteAmen to that! "Women On The Verge" was awful!!!! Poor Patti LuPone!!!!
ReplyDeleteGranted, "Gypsy" is an impossible act to follow, but she should have been more selective. When the show ended, I literally ran out of the theater. The last time I did that was "A Doll's Life!"