Happy Birthday, Dannyboy!


He's filming in Ontario now.

Cheers,
Oxana

quote:

Originally posted by jo:
I didn't realize that "Joey" is practically as old as "Denny"

Happy Birthday, Daniel!

Jo

DC is older than HJ, so "Denny" is practically as old as "Joey" (but maybe that's what you meant)

Nancy

I should have known they were about the same age, as they went to "kinnygarten" together

Jo

I know it took some time ( as I had gotten the book a few weeks ago) - but I have just completed reading the play.

The introductory words by Keith Huff made the staging much clearer to me...and so did reading the play in its entirety helped further clarify the nuances in the relationship between Denny and Joey. Just my impression -- I think the book served to enhance further my initial thinking that the Joey character was actually more passive as he served as more an observer and narrator of events, rather than an active participant. There is more focus on the character of Denny, maybe because he was the more colorful and more powerfully-etched character in the play. I have a feeling that this portrait of Denny and his eventual physical, mental and emotional decline as he reacts to the escalating negative events would even be more enhanced by a cinematic treatment. I hope Hugh has a chance to revisit the role on screen!

Jo

Yet the Joey character has more of an arc; I think that's why when given first choice, DC picked Joey. I had a little chat with director John Crowley before one performance. He said that absolutely Joey was the main character; he drives the action through his reactions. His body language and mode of expression subtly change as the play progresses and he grows more resolute--at least in Crowley's staging. Hugh's Denny didn't have that advantage, not even a rumpled suit and silly mustache (remember the plaudits for uglied up Charlize theron in MONSTER and Nicole K. with a prosthetic nose in THE HOURS?).

That's why, although Crowley is an able director, his view would likely be repeated in a film version, so I hope another director eventually helms it.

Ellen

That's an interesting comment from Crowley, re Joey being the main character. I don't agree with that perception. True, he is the narrator and the observer of events, but he reacted mainly to how things were turning out for Denny. It was Denny who transformed from a self-important, in full-control, cocky character to one who went through a physical, mental, and emotional abyss -- enough for him to take his own life -- as a way out or as a noble act?

And it is interesting that if you look at the production notes in Keith Huff's book -- there were 3 staged productions before the play came to Broadway. In each of the listings, the name of "Denny" and the actor who played him preceeded the name of "Joey" and the actor who played him. And in the listing for the Broadway production, it is the name of "Denny" and Hugh as the performing actor which precedes the name of " Joey" and DC. I thought it was because Keith Huff thought the character of Denny was the larger role.

But reading the book itself serves to reinforce my own perception that Denny was the outstanding character in the story and that Joey was simply the one who partly painted that portrait of Denny!

Jo

I looked at Denny and Joey as being equal. They both had a notable arch, though Joey's could be seen as more subtle since he was the more subdued character. Denny was "out there" and obvious, including his decline. If Denny came before Joey, I figure it was alphabetical.

Jennifer

a cute video from 5-6 of December 2009, stage door.. I was there that's why I remeber those moments )) well, I was lucky to see Hugh, but was unlucky to be catched by this camera lol (it begins from 3:48)... also I saw Ellen, Annette, Sue and Deb there ))
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE1Ec9oBnEs
so great memories!

but I must note, that the person who made that video is an expert in NYC's confectioner's shops. I think I ate even more cakes during the 8 days I spent in NYC than for all my life before *my trainer was shocked and I was punished then of course lol*
Oxana

Wow, what a perfect love letter to New York City -- it would be a great addition to NYC & Company's web site to promote tourism!

A great find Oxana, thanks for sharing it!

Margie

I must have been really tired at that point. I look like I swallowed a lemon, LOL. I need a perky intervention.

Ellen

Ellen, I promice to bring some candies for you next time!
Margie,

Hugs,
Oxana

That was a great video! Which one are you, Oxana? I spotted Ellen right away.

Nancy

Nancy, I stood there in front Ellen and the other Ozalots, so unfortunately you can't see me there in this video and hear as well..in spite of my yells LOL

Oxana

Oxana the video was wonderful!!!Christmas in NYC fabulous!!

Someone posted on allthatchat today that he'd like to see another revival of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES with more "imaginative casting" such as Hugh Jackman as Georges (the more manly of the two) and Daniel Craig as Albin (the drag queen) in four or five years!

That would indeed be a theatrical event.

Ellen

Just a wonderful video Oxana-I am in there or I pretend to be just behind Ellen-cant see me though!

Thanks, Carol )) I miss you all

me

quote:

another revival of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES with more "imaginative casting" such as Hugh Jackman as Georges (the more manly of the two) and Daniel Craig as Albin (the drag queen) in four or five years!

I gotta start saving

Although I would love to hear Hugh sing Albin's song " I AM WHAT I AM"


Jo

Oh, but at least he would sing the beautiful "Song on the Sand." When I heard Daniel Davis do it in the previous revival of LA CAGE, I thought it a nice song. Later in the run, I went back when Robert Goulet played Georges. Thanks to Goulet's still estimable pipes, the song was absolutely gorgeous.

Ellen

I was also lucky to have seen the late Robert Goulet in his last Broadway outing. Voice was still gorgeous!

Jo