ONSTAGE & BACKSTAGE: The Setup
By Seth Rudetsky
04 Jun 2007
Regardless, he wrote her that sassy song "Queen Bee" and "Everything," which was a big high school girl audition song before "Out Here On my Own" stole its thunder. Rupert also conducted Barbra on her "Lazy Afternoon" record and for some songs that were never released. He actually conducted that fabulous youtube clip of her singing "Make Our Garden Grow" where she holds the last note for a crazy length of time. He said he remembered thinking that he was gonna run out of orchestral music, but he didn't want to be the one responsible for cutting off La Streisand, so he ritarded like crazy and it was thrilling! Watch it!
We talked about Drood and Betty Buckley's unbelievable high E at the end of "The Writing On the Wall." He said that the song was supposed to end on a B, but when they did the workshop performance, the adrenaline got to her and she went up to an E. Everyone was obsessed and it was immediately added to the show. Well, Graciela Danielle staged it so the whole cast would turn around to face Betty right before the note, and Betty could see everybody thinking "Is she gonna make it? Can she hit it?" It began to psych her out. If you don't know the note I'm talking about, I demand that you buy or download the album and listen to the song in its entirety. Betty gives one of the best Broadway performances ever. Rupert not only wrote the book music and lyrics to Drood, but he orchestrated the whole show as well! At that time the Imperial Theatre had a orchestra minimum of 27 musicians. Get back to that CD and listen to how fabulous the orchestra sounds! Drood also had a brava cast. Not only the fabulous leads, but dance captain Rob Marshall and chorus members Judy Kuhn and Donna Murphy. Holmes said that whenever Donna went on, she was voted the murderer. She was electrifying in any role she played. When Betty left, Rupert begged the producers not to give to the role to some TV personality, but to the person who would give the best performance. They asked who he meant, and Donna Murphy got her first Broadway leading role. And Joyce DeWitt was out of luck.
The Curtains CD has just come out, and I played the opening number for the audience just to hear Patty Goble playing the no-talent star and her hilarious off-keyness when she sings "It's Kansas forever."
Saturday night I guest starred in Don't Quit Your Night Job in the segment called Backstage Story. I told of some nachtmares that happened to me in the pit, and then we did a section where two audience members come up on stage to guess who the actors are imitating. I came out and said in a low voice, "I starred on Broadway in one role and years later came back in the other. I love to do this move (Chicago walk)." Silence from the guessers. "I starred on TV opposite Kelsey Grammer." Silence. "I dated George Stephanapolous." Silence. Finally, someone from the audience (not a contestant) mercifully called out "Bebe Neuwirth." I fled the stage as Malcolm Gets came out and sang "Mem'ries . . . light the corners of my mind." The lady onstage proudly guessed "Grizabella." That was it for me — I shut down emotionally.
FYI, per last week's column, I've received many letters from "Straight Talk" fans. Apparently, the movie is amazing. Hmm… I don't retract what I say (even though I love Dolly), but I appreciate your passion and think we may just have different taste. On that note, I suggest you rent Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen's "New York Minute." I think you'll love it.
*
(Seth Rudetsky is the host of "Seth's Big Fat Broadway" on SIRIUS Satellite Radio and the author of "The Q Guide to Broadway." He has played piano in the orchestras of 15 Broadway musicals, and he can be contacted by visiting www.sethsbroadwaychatterbox.com.)
