Victor/Victoria

Victor/Victoria seemed to be a cursed project from it's inception for Broadway. First of all Henry Mancini died before ever having seen his work go to the boards. Then during the run Billy Byers, it's orchestrater, died on his birthday in 1996 and for it's grand finale, this curse ended the vocal career of it's star, Julie Andrews.

One wonders why there was such problems.....Maybe it started back with the original Viktor und Viktoria, the original German version, when it's star Renate Muller hung herself in a Berlin sanitorium on Julie's 8th birthday, 1943.

It seems such a shame that such a dark shadow marrs such a lovely work. The show it's self is quite enjoyable considering all it's problems.

I generally agree with the commenter who left a comment titled "TRAVESTY", with the exception of their final few sentences.

The hotel spy-caper farce was idiotic and insulting, but the role of Toddy was cast well.

A filmed stage play or musical can be a wonderful thing. But this one failed before the cameras ever arrived, because it wasn't a good stage experience to begin with.

Similar to the 1933 film, nobody was ever going to mistake this Victoria for a man or boy. They should have found an actor who actually could pass for either sex. Breast-binding probably isn't possible if you're supposed to belt out songs, but that doesn't mean you give up and cast Dolly Parton.

I did like the plot tweaks of the stage version, compared to the 1982 film. Things seemed to be clearer, with a positive message that must have been thrilling for some in the audience. But at the same time, so much was wasted on pointless dance numbers, and songs about nothing. Then instead of acting a scene, too much exposition had to be sung as if reading from a book.

Don't waste you time. Watch the 1982 film.

What a great movie! I enjoyed the made for the movies version, but this one, a taped Broadway show, is even better. Julie is spectacular - she shows off that incredible voice, dances wonderfully, and becomes her character so you believe what she's feeling. The rest of the cast is wonderful as well, particularly the adorable Tony Roberts as Toddy. Tony is hilarious and owns that character to a tee. I loved Michael Nouri as King Marchand - he's a very handsome man with a very nice singing voice. Finally, Rachel York as Norma Cassidy is delightfully wicked and funny with her "bleached blonde road scholar" grammar mistakes ("Out of my way, pheasant!" "You think, you worry, worry, think... before you know it, you are impudent!")

The entire show is put together excellently with beautiful costumes and sets and a terrific display of talent. A must-see!

When I first heard that Victor/Victoria was going to be made into a B'way musical I was a bit skeptical. Nevertheless, I still had to see this production, and later purchased the DVD (the Play itself is videotaped). In Victor/Victoria Andrews looks and sounds great, this is a role that was made for her. Julie, ever lovely, if a bit long in the tooth, shines, but pretty Rachel York as Norma is AMAZING. I fell in love with her immediately (check her out in Kiss Me Kate) not only can she act, but sings beautifully. Nouri no stranger to the musical stage, himself, does quite well and cuts a dashing figure as King. Although, I was never a fan of Tony Roberts, I was very impressed by him--he was perfect as Toddy, I am now a fan. Although the plot line sticks to the movie, there are many differences, some surprises and updates which is logical given the 13 years since the film. 1982's Victor/Victoria is a nearly perfect film and I think Broadway's Victor/Victoria--the Musical is a great accompaniment. I don't think fans would want to miss this.

The story is of circumstances that make it possible for a singer (Julie Andrews) to pretend to be a man pretending to be a woman.

"~ Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive ~ "Sir Walter Scott

Right off, I must say I miss Robert Preston. Naturally, this is a play and not the movie so there must be some allowances. Unfortunately, the play mangles the story more than necessary. Also, the actors have no charisma or pizzaz. The vocal ranges including Julie's are pitiful. The characters and actors just do not mess. The original story was placed in Berlin Viktor und Viktoria (1933).

When Blake Edwards moved it to Paris, he added his signature slapstick distraction. They had an opportunity to remove it for the play. Instead, they just added more "Keystone Cop" type slapstick. The few new songs barely replace the classics from the movie.

There is now a Kino Classics Victor and Victoria (Blu-ray) (1933). Renate Müller (Actor), Hermann Thimig (Actor)