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[Lee Wilkof participated in the following chat just a few short weeks after returning from the Florida "pre-Broadway" production of Little Shop of Horrors. The Broadway move had been abruptly cancelled after only a few performances, but a subsequent production had been announced which would feature a different cast and director.] [RobertArmin] Good evening. Welcome to the Fynsworth Alley chat room. [RobertArmin] Tonight, my guest is Lee Wilkof, well known to New York theatregoers. He also has many film and TV credits to his name. [RobertArmin] Most recently, I flew down to Florida to see Lee play Mr. Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors. [RobertArmin] He is, of course, the man who created the role of Seymour in the original off-Broadway production. [RobertArmin] We will be talking about Little Shop a bit tonight, but first let me welcome Lee. [RobertArmin] Hi. [LeeWilkof] hi yourself [LeeWilkof] hi to everyone out there [RobertArmin] You earned a Tony nomination for your performance in Kiss Me, Kate a few years ago. One of your readers, Dante asks: lee have you seen the movie version of "kiss me kate" and what did you think of it???? [LeeWilkof] i did see it while i was doing the show. brian stokes mitchell and i went to see it and wore the 3d glasses [RobertArmin] Wow, the 3D version! [RobertArmin] I didn't get to see the 3D version, but even watching it in the regular version you can see all of the moments when people throw things at the audience for the effect. [LeeWilkof] i thought it was a little clumsy in parts, but i loved ann miller and i thought the gangsters, especially in brush up your shakespeare were hilarious [RobertArmin] What was the experience like doing Kiss Me, Kate on Broadway? [RobertArmin] I thought it was a superb production. [LeeWilkof] it was one of the thrills of my career. i am embarrassed to say that i was unfamiliar with it before i auditioned for it. and was never able to see anything but a few pages for the audition. i was cast in the role, and had really never read the script. [RobertArmin] I'm not sure if I have ever seen a stage production either. [RobertArmin] Of course, I knew the show from the movie and the TV version with Robert Goulet. [RobertArmin] Neither one did justice to the material, I think. [LeeWilkof] when i told people on the street that i was cast, they told me how lucky i was, and when i finally got the whole script, i realized what a great role i had. but frankly, EVERYTHING I did in the show [LeeWilkof] the director michael blakemore gave to me [LeeWilkof] all i had to do was what he said to do, and voila tony nomination [RobertArmin] It must be frustrating that the show was videotaped in England, long after you had left the production. [LeeWilkof] i must admit, i was sorry the bway version was not the one taped. [LeeWilkof] i thought it didn't truly represent the show micheal blakemore directed [RobertArmin] Trying to capture the magic of the stage on television is always hard to do. But I was glad I had the chance to see Brent Barrett's performance. [RobertArmin] Dante asks: lee did you stay with the show when burke moses was in it???? just saw him in the sound of music. what a talent [LeeWilkof] i did not. but last spring, i did a workshop of sondheim's the frogs with him and he was absolutely great. [RobertArmin] Oh, will you be involved in the Frogs when it comes to New York next year? [LeeWilkof] i saw susan stroman, who directed the workshop, the other day, and told her she better use me. i hope she does. [RobertArmin] For those who don't know, Nathan Lane has adapted the book of Stephen Sondheim's "long lost" Yale production. [RobertArmin] And it is planned for next year at Lincoln Center. [RobertArmin] Well, we're all looking forward to that one. The original had quite an illustrious group of people in the chorus! [RobertArmin] Sigourney Weaver, Christopher Durang, etc. [RobertArmin] Let's chat about your most famous role. I think that's fair to say that Little Shop of Horrors is up there among your great roles. [RobertArmin] You, of course, played Seymour Krelbourne in the original off-Broadway production. [RobertArmin] Were you in the show from the very beginning at WPA? [LeeWilkof] i was. i flew myself in from l.a. where i was living at the time [LeeWilkof] i was actually reading for the role of the dentist [RobertArmin] ! [LeeWilkof] but howard ashman said oh no, let's try seymour [RobertArmin] Did you have any idea at the time how successful the show would be? [RobertArmin] It was certainly an unusual idea for a musical. [LeeWilkof] i had a feeling it would do well. the score was very special. i grew up watching the original roger corman movie, so i thought [RobertArmin] It's one of my favorite cult films, too. [LeeWilkof] it was unique. but a five year run and a movie and a broadway revival. no i did not dream of that [RobertArmin] And a successful movie, to boot. That is very rare! [RobertArmin] It must have been frustrating losing out on the role for the movie. [LeeWilkof] it was. and i cried for a few minutes when i watched the film, but i got over it. not doing the london live production was actually more painful. but that's show biz [RobertArmin] You did get the unique chance to revisit the show two decades later -- in a different role! [LeeWilkof] mr mushnick. yes. that was strange for the first few days of rehearsal, i kept starting to sing certain seymour lyrics [LeeWilkof] and the director (my wife) kept calling me seymour [RobertArmin] Yes, you met Connie during the original production... [LeeWilkof] she was howard ashman's assistant. it was love at first sight for me. not quite so for her. [RobertArmin] IrisAmeliaDDS asks: You did a great job as Seymour in the Off-Bway show, I'm sure (I wasn't born yet). Was it easy for you to portray Seymour then, or were there hard aspects about the role? [RobertArmin] By the way, I will be giving away a few of Lee's Fynsworth Alley CDs this evening, so stick around. [LeeWilkof] thank you. it was my first musical in nyc, so that was intimidating. and all the puppet work was tricky, and certain personnel on the show were, well, tricky, but once performances started, it felt right [RobertArmin] It was a "magic" moment in the theatre for me. [RobertArmin] I was so glad at the time that the producers didn't try to move it to a big Broadway house. [RobertArmin] That was one of the reasons, I think, it was able to run for five years. [LeeWilkof] it will be interesting to see how it does this time in a big bway house. [RobertArmin] Moving the show to Broadway now may be a little easier because the show is well known, [RobertArmin] but I shudder to think how they will fill a house as big as the Virginia Theatre. [RobertArmin] I should go on record as stating that I saw the recent production in Florida and thought the cast was excellent. [LeeWilkof] the producers may be shuddering a bit themselves [RobertArmin] The production values were quite poor, unfortunately, but the producers were obviously saving their money for Broadway. [LeeWilkof] thanks, robert. florida was ultimately a nice production. we had a very short rehearsal and very difficult tech [RobertArmin] Marty Robinson, who created the original puppets off-Broadway, has designed some wonderful high-tech puppets for the revival. [RobertArmin] That is certainly something to look forward to. [RobertArmin] Marty is a great guy. [RobertArmin] I worked with him years ago on The Muppets Take Manhattan, so it was [RobertArmin] fun seeing him again. He gave me a backstage tour of "Audrey II" [LeeWilkof] marty is a puppet genius [LeeWilkof] or maybe a genius puppet [RobertArmin] The final version of Audrey II will be quite spectacular. Unfortunately, the stage in Florida wasn't able to accommodate all of the "effects." [LeeWilkof] florida was tricky, i agree [RobertArmin] Well, I think you will have the chance to play Mushnik several more times in the future, should you want to do so. [RobertArmin] You are certainly right for the role now. [LeeWilkof] i think i might be done with little shop in this lifetime [RobertArmin] The current situation -- with the new casting -- certainly makes your feelings understandable. [RobertArmin] But, hopefully, we will all move on. [RobertArmin] ! [RobertArmin] DanaEljolrasDDS asks: What did you think of the Little Shop of Horrors movie that came out in 1986? [LeeWilkof] honestly, i didn't like it too much. the ending was changed in a big way, and i thought lots of the performances were too too [LeeWilkof] if you know what i mean. but in all fairness, i have a very specific idea about little shop, so it is very hard for me [LeeWilkof] to be objective. i prefer the roger corman non-musical version [RobertArmin] I was lucky enough to get a copy of the quickly deleted DVD with the "original" ending -- albeit in black and white. It was an incredible sequence. [RobertArmin] Nearly 20 minutes long -- with Audrey II destroying New York City much like King Kong or Godzilla. [LeeWilkof] i would love to see that. that's the way it should have ended. [RobertArmin] Well, stick around and I'll show it to you! [RobertArmin] Let's take a moment to give away a CD! [RobertArmin] Lee appears on a wonderful recording of Drat! The Cat! which is one of my favorite "lost" scores. Jason Graae and Susan Egan also appear, along with Elaine Stritch! [RobertArmin] Here's the question. [RobertArmin] Name one of the two original Broadway stars of Drat! The Cat! [RobertArmin] Any guesses? [RobertArmin] Here's a clue -- MASH and Cinderella. [RobertArmin] Okay, we'll move on, but the first one who comes up with the answer will win. [RobertArmin] So, Lee, let's talk about Assassins. Talk about aborted Broadway revivals... [RobertArmin] Assassins never made the move to Broadway in the original production. And the 2001 revival at the Roundabout was cancelled because of 9-11. [RobertArmin] What was it like being in the original version? [LeeWilkof] actually we were all set to go to bway, but literally the day before the papers were to be signed one of the big $$ people pulled the plug [LeeWilkof] very very disappointing [LeeWilkof] my favorite theatrical experience, bar none. no question [RobertArmin] I remember that tickets were so hard to come by for that production that Stephen Sondheim told me that even HE couldn't get me tickets. [LeeWilkof] a tremendous cast, an incredible score, a great part for me, just bad timing with the gulf war starting the night of our first performance [RobertArmin] So it was one of the few Sondheim shows I never got to see -- the original Julie Andrews Putting It Together being the other. [LeeWilkof] ooh yeah, some lousy reviews (unwarranted i think) [RobertArmin] How was the show developed. Did Sondheim rewrite during rehearsals or was it together when you started? [LeeWilkof] there was very little rewriting. one song was cut, but if memory serves, very very few changes [LeeWilkof] after we closed he wrote a new song for subsequent productions called "something got broke" or something like that (forgive me, steve) [RobertArmin] You're not involved with the new production, I take it. [LeeWilkof] i am not. i called the director joe montello when i heard about the new production and said please let me do it again. he said no way, you stink [RobertArmin] He did not. [LeeWilkof] no really, he said no one from the original production. i was very sad. i will do that show again. someday somewhere. [RobertArmin] Well, you had better, because I didn't get to see you! [RobertArmin] Let's talk a bit about how you got into acting. [RobertArmin] You were in Ohio, I believe. Were you involved in school plays? [RobertArmin] That is to say, born in Ohio. [LeeWilkof] i didn't really start till college. late in my soph year. i wanted to meet girls. a cliche, but true. [RobertArmin] Did it work? [RobertArmin] I know it didn't for me, :( [LeeWilkof] yes it did. [LeeWilkof] i got very involved and by the time i graduated, i thought i would come to nyc and give it a shot. [RobertArmin] Your first big break came because of an improv group, didn't it? [LeeWilkof] i was totally unprepared, but made my way slowly but surely. [LeeWilkof] i did a little improv show in a little cabaret on 73 st. norman lear came one night and swooped me off to l.a. after the show closed. [LeeWilkof] i stayed there and tried to be a tv star. it didn’t happen the way i hoped, but i'm not complaining. [RobertArmin] It's a shame that you didn't get invited to make a cameo appearance in the recent movie about Chuck Barris. [RobertArmin] You got quite a gong on his show [RobertArmin] Tell me about your appearance. [LeeWilkof] i did do the gong show. i dressed up as a hasidic jew and played the banjo, and got gonged as fast as they could gong me. [RobertArmin] I've always wondered. Did the producers set you up with that or did people really come in with their own "bad" acts? [LeeWilkof] i got bleeped 2 times for saying tushie of all things [RobertArmin] ! [RobertArmin] tushie tushie tushie [RobertArmin] There, that's three times. [RobertArmin] See how enlightened we are here? [LeeWilkof] i came up with it. i have NEVER seen anything quite like the characters backstage that were waiting to go on. it was very very real [RobertArmin] So, were there people who thought they were actually good? [LeeWilkof] i think they did think they were good. like people on american idol who think they can sing, but sadly cannot [RobertArmin] When I watch shows like American Idol and Fame today, I think, where is Chuck Barris when you need him? [RobertArmin] There is such a fine line between "camp" and just bad. [LeeWilkof] this was just bad [LeeWilkof] including me [RobertArmin] You were, I think, "camp." [RobertArmin] Obviously, there was talent behind the humor. [RobertArmin] IrisAmeliaDDS asks: Do you stay in touch with any actors you've worked with in past or recent projects, whether TV, Film, or Theatrical (such as LSOH)? [LeeWilkof] i do. my closest friends are people i have done shows with. [LeeWilkof] and i married someone i worked with. i'm not sure we're close, but we keep in touch [LeeWilkof] (just kidding) [RobertArmin] LOL [RobertArmin] Connie was, of course, Howard Ashman's assistant on the original LSOH and Alan Menken specifically wanted her to direct the revival. [RobertArmin] The one thing I loved most about the Florida production was that the characters were not "camped" up at all. [RobertArmin] It was very faithful to Ashman's original vision. [LeeWilkof] thank you, robert, you are very astute. [RobertArmin] Alice Ripley was especially moving as Audrey. [RobertArmin] IrisAmeliaDDS asks: How do you feel about the recasting of the revival? [LeeWilkof] it is a difficult painful thing, but these things happen. [RobertArmin] DanaEnjolrasDDS asks: When the original Broadway run was cancelled, and practically the entire Coral Gables run cast was cut, myself and many others were quite upset. What was the full story behind it? And were you also upset at the recasting? [LeeWilkof] it is a very long story, and i don't have time to go into it here. i might write a book someday. [LeeWilkof] the producers wanted something that they did not see in the fla. production. perhaps jerry zaks will give them that. i am not so sure. that's about all i think i'll say about it. [RobertArmin] Lee is composing his thoughts... [RobertArmin] Dana asks: And what would be the title of the book? [LeeWilkof] good manners prevent me from telling you [RobertArmin] Alice Ripley's recent email for her concert at the Zipper Theatre called her recent experience -- Little Shop of Humiliations. [RobertArmin] But she may have been just talking about being eaten by a plant! [LeeWilkof] alice is a trouper, and will be repaid in full someday for her stoic behavior [RobertArmin] We've got a little time left. Let’s talk about some of your film work. What are you particularly proud of? [LeeWilkof] i am most proud of a small but intense role i played in a recent film called THE GREY ZONE [LeeWilkof] it is perhaps my proudest moment as an actor. [LeeWilkof] most of my film work has been brief, but i've had some wonderful experiences. a film called CHATAHOOCHIE, starring gary oldman, was a lot of fun, [LeeWilkof] unfortunately it was chopped up in the editing room. [RobertArmin] You've been busy in films and TV for many, many years. You've done shows as diverse as Night Court, Matlock, Remember WENN, Empty Nest and, of course, Law and Order. [RobertArmin] I also have a laser disk with a wonderful short film called Ray's Male Heterosexual Dance Hall. Didn't that win an Academy Award? [LeeWilkof] i have been lucky in that i can play nice guys, creeps, jerks, kooks and assorted others. though, i don't get the chance to play very large roles in films and tv, they are quite diverse [RobertArmin] I think your "big" movie role awaits. [LeeWilkof] ray's was a very very funny idea, quite well realized. it had a great cast and i am delighted i was in that. my character's name was "dead meat." [RobertArmin] LOL [RobertArmin] I'm going to have to pull that one out again. [LeeWilkof] i did get to dance with boyd gaines [LeeWilkof] but he dumped me for another [RobertArmin] You have played some wonderful roles on the stage -- maybe not always the leads, but very impressive nonetheless. [RobertArmin] I remember your Herman in Sweet Charity very well. [RobertArmin] And you were a very moving Sipos in She Loves Me -- one of my all time favorite shows [LeeWilkof] sweet charity is most significant because i got to work with the geniuses bob fosse and gwen verdon [RobertArmin] geniusi? [LeeWilkof] she loves me is a perfect musical and our production was a beautifully polished gem. [LeeWilkof] i still am close with boyd gaines and louis zorich from that show. [RobertArmin] Well you did get to dance and sing with Boyd [LeeWilkof] when boyd gaines won his third tony for contact (i lost to him) i said , "boyd you are good, but you are not 3 tony good" [RobertArmin] LOL [LeeWilkof] you’re no julie harris [RobertArmin] Well, you'll get yours -- in the nice sense of the word. [LeeWilkof] a nomination is thrill enough [RobertArmin] Boyd should have won for Best Actor, anyway! [RobertArmin] Then you and Michael Mulheren could have taken home half the prize each! [RobertArmin] It's hard to separate the two of you in that show -- you worked so well together! [LeeWilkof] thanks, but you can't give laurel an award and not hardy, if you know what i mean [RobertArmin] I do indeed. [RobertArmin] DoriaHudson writes: Lee, I must say that I have not had the opportunity to see you perform live, but I own (and love) the "Little Shop of Horrors" CD, and really admire your vocals... not only are you vocally amazing, you have such an "honest" voice. I really admire that about you and your voice. [LeeWilkof] thanks doria [LeeWilkof] you got taste kid [LeeWilkof] unlike most recent cast albums made in a day these days, we took 2 weeks. that is why it sounds so good. but thank you for saying that [RobertArmin] Well, we didn't get a winner in the earlier contest (my questions are SOOOO hard), so I'm going to ask another question. [RobertArmin] What role do Mary Martin, Sandy Duncan and Cathy Rigby have in common? [RobertArmin] Ah ha. Two people chimed in, but IrisAmelia got there first! [RobertArmin] The answer is, of course, Peter Pan. [LeeWilkof] way to go irisamelia [RobertArmin] So, if Iris will send her real name and address to Fysnworth@showmusic.com, we will send her a copy of both Drat! The Cat! and Peter Pan, both featuring Lee Wilkof. [RobertArmin] One more recent show you did which, unfortunately, did not work as well as it might have, was the Roundabout production of Boys From Syracuse. [RobertArmin] It was a very good cast but... [RobertArmin] The new book by Nicky Silver was not an improvement on the George Abbott original. [RobertArmin] What was with that? [LeeWilkof] i agree. that production was hampered by certain people not willing to collaborate. there were many talented actors, who were not listened to, who had good ideas. [LeeWilkof] it was a very frustrating experience and the director and writer were not open to ways to improve a troubled book etc [RobertArmin] The Encores! concert had demonstrated just how good the show was, I was baffled that they chose to throw out one of the few surviving musical books of the 1930s that still works. [LeeWilkof] i am in total agreement. sometimes you know very early on things are not going to go well. this was the case. i was very sad, but i did get to be the twin of my very good friend chip zien, and there were lovely people involved in the show in other capacities [RobertArmin] I sometimes think that these "revisals" are just a way of getting a financial share of future productions. Lincoln Center, for example, still makes money off of their version of Anything Goes. [LeeWilkof] no one is gonna make money on the boys revival [RobertArmin] Some shows, like Once Upon a Mattress, Annie Get Your Gun and Damn Yankees simply didn't need "improving." [LeeWilkof] here here [RobertArmin] I just hope that nothing drastic is done with Little Shop between now and the August opening! [RobertArmin] It is a perfect gem of a show. [LeeWilkof] there will be no rewriting. howard ashman's sister will see to that. [RobertArmin] Good to know. [RobertArmin] Well, I do hope, in spite of the recent problems, that the show has a very big success. Ashman deserves another Broadway hit! [LeeWilkof] i wish it well [RobertArmin] So, Lee, what's next for you? [RobertArmin] Anything coming up? [LeeWilkof] i am in a waiting mode. am waiting to hear if i'm doing the role of the miser in the miser in baltimore, there are a few things i cannot talk about, and if none of them work out, i have been offered a terrific play called 4 beers in an off bway venue that starts rehearsal in sept [RobertArmin] Well, keep me informed. I'll try to catch them. [LeeWilkof] i just did an episode of curb your enthusiasm that shot here in nyc last week and am in the new jack black movie [LeeWilkof] "school of rock" that comes out this fall. [RobertArmin] And, curiously enough, many actors have made surprising "comebacks" in the same season as a disappointment. I remember how Faith Prince was almost fired from Nick and Nora and the next season won a Tony for Guys and Dolls. [LeeWilkof] just keep moving forward. the turtle wins the race. that’s my motto. my wife calls me turtle butt [RobertArmin] So don't be surprised if you're competing for a Tony next year opposite Rob Bartlett! [LeeWilkof] he won't be nominated. [RobertArmin] Well, I was too polite to say it. ;-) [RobertArmin] But Doug Sills might well be. [RobertArmin] Now THAT is unusual casting! [LeeWilkof] anyhow, this has been lots of fun. you guys out there have been very sweet. thanks for hanging in, and all my best to you. thanks for having me here, robert [RobertArmin] IrisAmelia adds: I hope Lee wins, personally... [RobertArmin] Nice thought to end on, Iris. [RobertArmin] Thanks. [RobertArmin] And thanks to Lee Wilkof for joining me this evening. [RobertArmin] Judy Kaye has had to postpone her chat because of a family commitment, so tune in next week at this same time (actually 8:30, not 9:59) to see who my surprise guest will be. [LeeWilkof] my pleasure. i don't like to talk about myself that much, but i have enjoyed sharing my thoughts with all of you. take care and God bless [RobertArmin] Thanks, Lee. And Iris, be sure to send me your name and address! [RobertArmin] Good night everyone. |
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