Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Royal Highness

Well, who wouldn't feel high at the recent announcement benefiting New York theatergoers! Manhattan Theatre Club's upcoming 2009-2010 theatrical season will include a revival of an award-winning play featuring the matchless (and also award-winning) Rosemary Harris.
MTC

Come September

Details can be found in broadwayworld's announcement:

[...] MTC's upcoming season will include a thrilling roster of artists bringing an exciting mixture of modern classics, acclaimed contemporary works, and exciting new plays to audiences.
MTC'S Samuel J. Friedman THEATRE
The Royal Family Written by George S. Kaufman & Edna Ferber
Directed by Doug Hughes

Previews begin: Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Opening Night: Thursday, October 8, 2009

It's half past one in the fabulously cluttered Cavendish duplex in the East Fifties, and anyone who's anyone is still asleep. So begins THE ROYAL FAMILY, the classic comedy of theatrical manners, written by two of the theatre's greatest writers, George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber, ... This devilishly funny play follows the Cavendishes, the famous family of stage stars, as they go about the drama of the day ... This delicious comedy will be directed by Tony Award winner Doug Hughes (Doubt). And the fantastic cast includes Tony winner John Glover as ‘Herbert Dean,' Tony Award winner and Oscar nominee Rosemary Harris as ‘Fanny Cavendish,' Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk Award winner Jan Maxwell as ‘Julie Cavendish, and Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk Award nominee Reg Rogers as ‘Tony Cavendish"

This will mark Harris' second time appearing in THE ROYAL FAMILY on Broadway. In the acclaimed 1976 production, she played the role of ‘Julie Cavendish,' the role that will be played by Jan Maxwell in the upcoming Broadway production. [...]

PATRICK HEALY, NY Times and Dan Bacalzo. theatermania also discuss the upcoming season.

Late summer/early autumn could be just the right time for a trip to the City for some Mom/Grandma support.

A Peek at the Past

As mentioned above, Ms Harris is no stranger to this play, for which she won a Drama Desk award for outstanding actress in a play, albeit in a different role from the upcoming production. Hmmm ... has anyone ever won the same award for the same play but later in a different role? History buffs want to know.



RH RF 75cast sm [source: googlebooks]


While waiting for the newest iteration you could enjoy Ms Harris in her former role on DVD.
"Theatre legends Rosemary Harris, Eva LeGallienne, Sam Levene and Ellis Rabb have great fun portraying characters they know all too well from their years on stage."

Teacher, Teacher

Recalling Rosemary Harris, Teacher (at The British American Drama Academy: BADA ), blogger Joan Ranquet has shared a lovely and endearing memory of One of the most amazing actresses ever.
[...]I was in a Shakespeare program – back in my acting days – a Yale School of drama program at Oxford. My Shakespeare teacher was Rosemary Harris. . . okay for those of you not so stage literate – she was Aunt May in the Spider-man films. One of the most amazing actresses ever – still is. Every morning she greeted us and told us that she learned so much from us – that it was her joy of teaching. Well I can honestly tip my hat off to her and know exactly what she is talking about.To be in her acting light and have her greet us that way was nothing more than a breath of fresh air. And she meant it. I never questioned her, but I have certainly questioned other teachers along the way when they have said that….or perhaps there wasn’t the innocence, the awe, the revelation that Rosemary Harris couldn’t conceal. I certainly learn a lot (okay a ton) when I’m teaching – but lately – I have been astonished. Rosemary Harris hadn’t taught much before so there was a genuine wonder at the experience. [...]


Made me Laugh
There have been scores of mentions/reviews related to Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead on dvd. I'm linking this one today only because Mad Movie Fanatic made me chuckle. The reference to Rosemary Harris could be taken in more than one way, I guess ... I hope it was intended as "under used".

Finally a Jennifer Ehle mention

Just when you thought it would be all RH today, here's some Jennifer Ehle..

Haylee Landford has a thoughtful and interesting comparison of the 1995 and 2005 versions of Pride and Prejudice, saying among other things: "Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, showed a perfect transition of emotions throughout their roles"

There have been many new reviews now that Pride and Prejudice has come out on Blu-ray. I found this one by Jeffrey Kauffman one of the best.
__________________________________________________________________

Footnote and possible non sequitur: since Edna Ferber was mentioned above, I must share my opinion that the name "Yancey Cravat" has to be one of the BEST ever character names in literature; and so Darcyish too, even though the word cravat is entirely missing from Austen's novel)


Also, heartfelt thanks to those who were encouraging about my first attempt at blogging last week.

No comments: