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Victor/Victoria (1995 Broadway Production)
Average Customer Review : 4.0/5 based on 43 reviews
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List Price : $19.99
Price : $17.99
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Editorial Reviews
Fans of Julie Andrews will delight in this 1995 videotaping of the stage musical Victor/Victoria, based on the 1982 movie of the same name. The plot has been kept intact: an out-of-work British soprano (Julie Andrews) in Paris falls in with a down-on-his-luck gay man (Tony Roberts), who gets the idea to present Victoria as the world's greatest female impersonator, Victor. The plan is a phenomenal success until a Chicago mobster on vacation (Michael Nouri) sees Victor in a nightclub and falls in love--and refuses to believe that Victor is a man. Due to the needs of the stage, the musical doesn't have the snap, crackle, and propulsive drive of the movie, which is a sprightly romp; to make up for this, the story has been expanded (some might say padded) with extensive dance numbers and new songs by Henry Mancini and Leslie Bricusse, with additional musical material by Frank Wildhorn. While Roberts and Nouri don't quite have the charisma of Robert Preston and James Garner, who played their roles in the movie, they're seasoned stage performers and make the most of things--Nouri in particular has a strong singing voice, which may surprise people who only know him from his movie career. And Julie Andrews is Julie Andrews; at this point in her career, you either love her or you don't. Victor/Victoria isn't going to change anyone's mind, but Andrews knows her audience and knows how to give them what they want. --Bret Fetzer
Spotlight Reviews
Right on time (2008-10-02)
Customer Review : 5
I needed this DVD right away and it was at my door when they said it would be. very prompt
Julie Andrews is the best. (2008-09-18)
Customer Review : 5
I saw Julie Andrews live on stage in Victor/Victoria. When I saw it was on DVD I had to have it. Pefection at its best.
Standing Ovation! (2008-01-14)
Customer Review : 5
Julie Andrews delivers, as usual, but to actually see her deliver on the stage is incredible! Being a theater buff, to have a video of her in this stage version of the original Blake Edwards movie is the find of a life-time. And, of course, the supporting cast is great too! I miss "The Shady Dame of Seville" number, and I think its replacement is not quite so exciting. This DVD is a great addition to any broadway afficionado's collection!
Absolutely Fun Movie (2007-11-24)
Customer Review : 5
I remember this movie from my salad days. We bought it for the great lines and memories! The cockroach scene in the restaurant is the funnies. It's a fun movie with a lot of meaning. Julia is as always her best
The Best Musical Adaptation to the Stage... (2007-11-24)
Customer Review : 5
Victor Victoria, a movie from 1982 starting an excellent cast lead by July Andrews, became a masterpiece stage adaptation presented at the Marriot Marquis Theater in 1995. This show immediately became a hit and was nominated for several awards. Unfortunately and due to problems with Ms. Andrews's vocal chords, the show came to an end in one year. Nevertheless, here you have it recorded for those that were not able to enjoy it live and for all of us who love watching it over and over again.
Of all the adaptations from movies to the stage, I have to say that is the best one by far. Staging was excellent as exemplified by the scenes from Paris during the 1930s and the adjacent hotel suites for King Marchand and Victor (where most of the plot takes place). Lighting and dressing/costumes were masterfully adapted to the "stage standards". The dialogue from the movie was mostly preserved but the musical numbers were adapted (and even changed) for Broadway and they were/are superb. The plot is very similar to the movie but there is an unexpected surprise in the grand finale which turns out much better than in the movie version.
Of the original cast from the 1982 movie, only Ms. Andrews made it to Broadway. As much as I would have loved to have seen Robert Preston (Toddy) in the Big Apple, his role was performed by Michael Nouri which was good. The role of Norma Cassidy (played by Leslie Ann Warren in the movie) was played by Rachel York and her performance was perfect as Marchand's girlfriend who did not had much of a brain. I can not think of a better actress for that role.
THIS DVD IS A MUST HAVE FOR ALL BROADWAY FANS AND IS A MUCH BETTER CHOICE THAN THE MOVIE...
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