Steve On Broadway (SOB)

A Tree Grows In Manhattan: Apple Tree Revival Opens Tonight

A Tree Grows In Manhattan: Apple Tree Revival Opens Tonight

Thirty-nine years may be mighty long time, but The Apple Tree is finally setting down its roots again on Broadway. This evening marks the opening at Studio 54 for the revival of Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick's full-length follow-up to Fiddler On The Roof.

Certainly while most of the attention has been lavished on its diminutive star Kristin Chenoweth, one fun little factoid that harkens back to the original 1966 production is that Alan Alda -- one of Chenoweth's co-stars on "The West Wing" -- will be providing the "Voice of God" in the revival. Alda originated the roles of Adam, Captain Sanjar and Flip, the Prince, Charming during the musical's first incarnation for which he received a Tony nomination (Brian d'Arcy James will tackle these characters in the version opening tonight).

Chenoweth, of course, will be filling the enormous shoes left by Barbara Harris, who won a Tony for her portrayals of Eve, Princess Barbára, Ella and Passionella. What makes her turn in these roles all the more intriguing is that unlike Harris, Chenoweth can hit the high D in “Gorgeous” that nearly forty years ago was pre-recorded by someone else and played for effect.

While Marc Kudisch's Snake will try charming Chenoweth's Eve, the question remaining is whether the Gary Griffin-helmed tuner can similarly captivate the critics.

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

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Related Stories:
The Toast Of Tulsa (December 3, 2006)
Apple Tree In Good Company Among SOB Readers (November 6, 2006)
The Apple Tree's Casting Gets Juicier (October 12, 2006)
Young Frankenstein Workshop To Feature Monster Casting (October 11, 2006)
Eve of a New Broadway Role for Kristin Chenoweth (September 13, 2006)

Labels: Broadway, Kristin Chenoweth, Musical, Opening Night, Revival, The Apple Tree

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Thursday, December 14, 2006