But can she sing?

First thing this morning, as with just about every morning, I went to Playbill's website to check out the day's news and was greated by a heart stopping headline announcing that Meryl Streep will star in the movie version of Mammia Mia!! One of my favorite actresses in one of my favorite musicals! It's a pairing I never thought of but it totally makes sense. Donna Sheridan is exactly the kind of character Meryl has made her career out of playing. The article mentions that she has sung before in two other movies, although I haven't had the desire to see either one of them, but for now I'll take their word and hope for the best. It certainly doesn't hurt that the original stage director is directing the film. I imagine she'd want what's best for the production as well. Now there's two movie musicals to look forward to, it's like the 60's all over again!

Next, it looks like South Pacific is finally heading back to Broadway for the first time since it's original run. I'm a little torn about this one. The score is certainly one of Roger & Hammerstein's best, up there with The Sound Of Music and Oklahoma. In the hands of the right singers, Some Enchanted Evening, Nothing Like A Dame, A Wonderful Guy, Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair, A Cockeyed Optimist, This Nearly Was Mine, and Bali'Hai are classics, a count greater than most musicals can muster. However, the plot leaves much to be desired. I saw a touring production in Chicago in 2001 and wasn't that impressed. Most of the important action in the second act occurs off-stage, and Nellie's hang up about the kids is so pre-Civil Rights era. The book will definitely have to be re-written in order to make this one fly again. With Peter Stone's death, the only possibility that immediately comes to mind is Richard Maltby, and we'll have to see how well he does with The Pirate Queen. At the very least, we can hope for a gorgeous new cast recording with true Broadway performers chosen for their talent and not their name value (I'm talking about you Reba).

On a sadder note, Yvonne De Carlo has passed away. She was part of the creation of a legend and will be missed.

Lastly, the reviews are in and Doubt in Chicago is a hit! Both the Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune raved about the production, with the Trib being a little more uniformly generous in its praise. Nine more days until I see it and I'll let you know if they were right. Happy Theatre!