I've seen a lot of theater since moving to NYC in January 1999 (wow. so long ago!) and four have stuck with me and become my informal holy trinity quadrilogy of modern showtunery: The Light in the Piazza (Adam Guettel), The Wild Party (John LaChiusa), Hedwig and the Angry Inch (John Cameron Mitchell & Stephen Trask) and the one I've listened to the most and feel the most proprietary about: The Last Five Years (Jason Robert Brown).
For reasons which mostly have to do with equal parts scheduling problems, lethargy, and a case of "what if the lightning is no longer in the bottle?" worry, I did not see the recent revival of the latter. But my trip to The Last Five Years's original run with Norbert Leo Butz (brilliant) and Sherie René Scott (always a treat) is one of the definining theatergoing moments of my life. I loved everything about the musical in which you watch a 20something couple's troubled relationship told backwards (Hers) and forwards (His) in time as they both monologue/sing to the audience. They only ever sing together once when the stories meet in the middle.
When news broke that it was going to become a movie I wondered how they'd possibly get around the two character theatrical conceit but they've announced that for the film version they'll be singing to each other and the songs will be adjusted to accomodate this major change. My greatest worry is the casting since total two-handers require both hands to work.
Two time Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz originated the role. Tony nominee Jeremy Jordan (pictured in Bonnie & Clyde on stage) will reinterpret it for the screen
Though noone is likely to replace Sherie René Scott in my heart Anna Kendrick is very talented, has good comic timing, and sings well, so I'm not worried about "Cathy". What worries me is "Jamie". Jeremy Jordan (from the late Smash) gets the tricky husband part. Jamie is super cocky, super talented, super charming, and secretive. All four of those traits ostensibly defined Jeremy's role on Smash but he was terrible at playing the "charming" part and just came across as a complete asshole whose career was handed to him on a silver platter but he just had to be all bratty about it anyway. In order for this musical dramedy to succeed he'll have to give the performance of his life and remember not to push the cocky assholism (it apparently comes naturally!) and work very hard on the charming part, the part that might draw a woman to him in an initially loving and supportive relationship.
I did not see Jeremy Jordan onstage in Newsies (did you?) so perhaps he was charming in that but when I saw him in Bonnie & Clyde The Musical he had the same problem... the "run away with me" charm necessary for any successful take on Clyde Barrow was mostly absent and he just seemed angry. Maybe it's an age problem (Jordan is 28) but he's so bratty for lack of a better word. I hope to be converted since I love this musical so much it's like a part of me, but I am, as of yet, not a fan. If you are please talk me into reconsidering in the comments!
While I wait I will just stare at this NSFW photo (after the jump) to try to generate warm feelings for Mr Jordan...
i dont normally drink wine coolers but...
Ahem.
Back on topic now for a stubby appendage addendum.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch, which I saw twice on stage RIGHT when I moved to New York, did already become a movie -- and a brilliant one. An essential part of its success was that its leading man and creative force John Cameron Mitchell came with it, headlining and helming. It's role in showbiz culture feels complete to me but I guess it's not for Mitchell. I'd prefer he dive wholeheartedly into constant moviemaking (all three of his films are keepers and beautifully diverse experiences, too) instead of return to well deserved past triumphs but I am not the boss of him.
Earlier this week they announced that Hedwig would be returning to the stage with everyone's favorite awards show host Neil Patrick Harris in the role. Hedwig starts life as Hansel, a slip of a girly boy who has a botched sex-change operation to please an American soldier who desserts him once they're in the States. Hedwig pursues rock n roll. Hedwig is an utterly sublime role and a gift to any actor (or actress -- Ally Sheedy has also played him!) and Harris is a natural entertainer so I'm sure the property will gain a whole new legion of fans (but why wait? RENT THAT MOVIE). But there's a tiny part of me that wonders if Harris can manage the messy electricity that Mitchell had. See, Harris is an A+ consummate entertainer but he's such a Professional and Hedwig is closer to DIY garage band than state of the art studio session in its temperament, if you know what I mean. I'm glad to see NPH push himself though. I've only seen him once on stage in Stephen Sondheim's Assassins and he was fan-tas-tic.
We shall see how he fares as Hedwig but I imagine tickets will dissappear faster than a bag of Gummi Baerchen near Hansel.
Are you excited for these two returning musicals for the big screen and stage?