"Don't you love farce? My fault, I fear. I thought that you'd want what I want. Sorry, my dear." Yes, "Send in the Clowns" is sung to death but my God is it exquisite character writing (esp. the way Sondheim sets that second line on the music)
Desiree is so sure her plan is going to work she is wholly unprepared for Fredrik to oh-so-delicately tell her no. Hers is the most elegant and poignant reaction to rejection I've seen in a musical. Here's Jean Simmons in the ALNM national tour: youtube.com/watch?v=OlBTQI…
@kevinddaly I had read somewhere (or my old senile is making this up) that “farce” was meant to be hit hard by the actress…anyone? Buehler? And why? I’m only on my first cup of coffee. Shin splints kept me up a long time last night. 💊🤬 Maybe the the “v” & “f” I don’t recall. Shutting up
@kevinddaly Seeing Dame Judi Dench perform SITC was one of the most moving and memorable things I’ve ever seen, period. She’s not a spectacular vocalist but the way she hit “Don’t bother… they’re here” - I can still hear play in my mind a quarter century later. youtu.be/-Lo_5fmLsyE
@kevinddaly I saw the tour twice in LA. Jean Simmons was superb (& stunning in the red gown). I still vividly remember her in this scene. ALNM is my favorite Sondheim. Seeing that Prince production is part of my holy trinity (Follies & Chicago are the others) of stunning originals I saw.