Elliot Gould was not in the original, Sara. The men were Joe Bova as the prince and Jack Gilford as the king. I was there.
Lucky you.
Actually, Elliott Gould played the jester in the 1964 TV production starring Carol Burnett (Bova and Gilford were in that, too, along with Jane White as the queen), which isn't available on home video because...
Actually, Elliott Gould played the jester in the 1964 TV production starring Carol Burnett (Bova and Gilford were in that, too, along with Jane White as the queen), which isn't available on home video because...
Anne Hathaway would've done this right 5 years ago.
Please pardon my low-vision goof.
Pit could NOT hold all the players, but the egg creams available around the corner were da best.
Pit could NOT hold all the players, but the egg creams available around the corner were da best.
What comes around!
When it was discovered in early May of 1959 the pit of the Phoenix Theater on 11th Street and 2nd Avenue could hold all the musicians for which Mary Rodgers had originally scored "Mattress," she told us, ALL EXCEPT THE VIOLINS, to come back tomorrow. And so it was that I, principal viola of that show as written, became "top dog," i.e., violist/concertmaster for the Off-Broadway run. A palpable hit, it went uptown for 460 Broadway performances, the producers having replaced me with them screechy violins. As Lionel Tertis, famous violist of yesteryear wrote, "Cinderella No More."
When it was discovered in early May of 1959 the pit of the Phoenix Theater on 11th Street and 2nd Avenue could hold all the musicians for which Mary Rodgers had originally scored "Mattress," she told us, ALL EXCEPT THE VIOLINS, to come back tomorrow. And so it was that I, principal viola of that show as written, became "top dog," i.e., violist/concertmaster for the Off-Broadway run. A palpable hit, it went uptown for 460 Broadway performances, the producers having replaced me with them screechy violins. As Lionel Tertis, famous violist of yesteryear wrote, "Cinderella No More."
Bought tickets for next week in September and can't wait.
Replying to my own message. Saw it on Sunday and it exceeded my high expectations. The audience was delirious. Hauling home bags of goodies from Moishe's Bakery down the street didn't hurt.
1
Replying to my own message. Saw the show yesterday (12/20) and it exceeded my high expectations. The two stars are an extraordinary pairing. Hauling home bags of goodies from Moishes Bakery down the street was a sweet finale.
1
Carol Burnet & Elliot Gould brought so much to the original production...maybe an update requires hip-hopification a la Hamnilton ?
1
Jackie Hoffman sings the definitive "Shy" --- there needs to be a cast recording.
5
I feel Ben Brantley underrated this charming, lighter than air and throughly enjoyable production. Jackie Hoffman and John 'Lypsinka' Epperson are hilarious in their respected roles, with expert comic timing, but what Mr. Brantley fails to mention is musically this show is very strong. With an orchestra led by Matt Castle, consisting of just 13 pieces, the sound emanating from the pit is way more rich and fuller than expected and ditto with the 12 member chorus who all sing out clearly with every word understood and the harmonies beautifully melded. The acoustics at the Hester Street Settlement Theater are fantastic with none of the tinniness I often experience when attending a big Broadway show. I challenge anyone who attends this show not to smile and keep it there for the duration of the performance. It's pure entertainment. This production inspired me to get a ticket to another smaller musical, These Paper Bullets, and I gotta say it's refreshing not to have to go to the ever mobbed Times Square!
10
Amazing performance. So happy for Jackie Hoffman! She is long overdue for top billing. I can't wait to see this production grow to a larger space! Producers? Anyone?
2