New Fairy Godmother in Cinderella?

[DivosThoughts]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 9:03pm

Has anybody seen this, or even know if it is true or not? Apparently, NeNe Leakes, from The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Ex Co-Host of The View, Sherri Sheppard, have both auditioned for the role of Cinderella's Fairy Godmother in Cinderella on The Great White Way. Honestly, can either of them really sing? Or is this another stunt casting idea from the producers to help the show last longer?
NeNe Leakes Vs Sherri Sheppard?

[Zingingtobway]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 9:20pm

I think both of these ladies would be great in Community Theater but should leave the real acting for a Stage veteran not a wanna be from some reality TV Trash show.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 9:20pm

"Just say NO!."

[darreyl102]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 9:23pm

NO NO NO!!! I mean... JUST NO!!!
I can't see either of them handling Music in You. I mean- NO!!! This can't be legit.

[justincharacter]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 9:26pm

They couldn't get Mary J. Blige to play the part this time around either?(She was going to play her in a NBC broadcast, but scheduling didn't work out)

It says in this article (http://madamenoire.com/451628/sherri-shepherd-nene-leakes-vy-for-fairy-godmother-role/), that KeKe Palmer is in talks to be playing the role of Cinderella as well.




Updated On: 7/24/14 at 09:26 PM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 9:28pm

I'm gonna assume this is for the Stepmother, not the Godmother and Radar Online got it wrong.

[darreyl102]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 9:32pm

^ That seems possible. but still No! LOL. I just don't like the idea,

[DivosThoughts]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 9:36pm

WickedRocks,
I don't think it is a mistake, maybe if it was only one website. But, three websites are reporting that they have auditioned for the role. Is it possibly they all made this mistake? Yes, but I highly doubt that is the case.

What I don't understand is, if you are going to cast a celebrity in a role, can you at least cast someone who is fit for the role and has some shred of talent?

[Starship]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 9:39pm

Nene hosted Cirque du Soleil's Zumanity last month so it isn't surprising she'd want to further her stage experience. As the Fairy Godmother? No. As the Stepmother? Ok. And if we're talking about a replacement for Cinderella, Keke doesn't seem too far fetched either. And she definitely has the voice and acting background for it. Keke and Nene together I'm positive would boost the show's sales tremendously. I'd much rather have Janelle Monae than Keke, however....

Updated On: 7/24/14 at 09:39 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 9:46pm

I am also going to assume it's for the Stepmother. Nene will be filming Housewives until the winter. It would be nearly impossible for her to do both, unless she's taking a much smaller role on Housewives, or this is for a much later time.



Updated On: 7/24/14 at 09:46 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 10:11pm

NeNe Leakes cannot go away soon enough, aren't her 15 minutes up? Please someone make her go away, I love love love that she thinks she can act, and love love love that she so cannot.
Sherri Shepherd is a terrific comedian, she's dumb as a snail, bless her heart, but she knows how to deliver lines and create a character. I have no idea whether she has any stage chops or not, but I assume she does since she has a background in stand-up. And yes, I cannot imagine either one is being considered for the Godmother, it's likely the Stepmother.

[jv92]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 10:29pm

Close it. If you're going to stoop lower than Fran Drescher, just close it. Dick and Oscar are spinning in their graves already.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 10:58pm

I think Nene would be a hoot as the Stepmother, but I'd rather see Sherri Sheppard. Nene is a good comedic actress, as seen on Glee and The New Normal, but I think Sherri would be the stronger choice. Also, I think Janelle Monae, while being one of the most talented performs out there, is a little too old and out there for Cinderella. If she does a musical, she needs something more in the style of her music/aesthetic - she would have been fabulous in After Midnight or as Dorothy in The Wiz.

[darreyl102]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 11:05pm

^ She is the same age as Laura.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 11:29pm

Really? Janelle just seems so mature, though I know she's not. I wonder if she'd have interest in playing Cinderella. She'd probably rather do an original work.

[haterobics]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 11:36pm

"if you are going to cast a celebrity in a role, can you at least cast someone who is fit for the role and has some shred of talent?"

No celebrities have been mentioned yet in this thread.

[darreyl102]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 11:46pm

I think Janelle Monae could be considered a celebrity.

[DivosThoughts]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 11:46pm

Well, can any body think of celebrities who would be pretty good as these roles? I think Kelly Clarkson, could possibly pull off The Fairy Godmother. Anybody else think so? Or is she a tad to young? Also, Anna Kendrick, once again playing the named role of Cinderella? Just shooting out some names.

[Starship]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 11:50pm

Realistically, Anna Kendrick probably won't do anything musical related for a while. I'm sure she'd do a fantastic job in the role, but I don't see anything musical related in her future for a long long time. And as for Kelly, she reads very young on stage so that probably wouldn't work out at all. I also think the show can't really afford A+ list actors. Most of the names mentioned in this thread are actors with a big enough name to draw a crowd, but not quite an A+ lister. Updated On: 7/24/14 at 11:50 PM

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 11:57pm

I think Kelly Clarkson could read old enough, but does she have the legit range for the Fairy Godmother, or would they lower the keys? She has a terrific voice, but with the Fairy Godmother they need someone with a legit voice. I think, if they do stunt casting, they should cast big Broadway names for the godmother and have Cinderella, Topher, or the Stepmother with "stars." I would love Audra or Donna Murphy as the Godmother one day!

[darreyl102]

Posted: 7/25/14 at 12:20am

I like the ideas of those two!!

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 7/25/14 at 12:32am

KeKe is working on a talk show and BET has a strong grip on their talent so that I don't believe. As someone who has connections to R&H I haven't heard anything, however NeNe slung some words at Wendy Williams the other day about "stepping on her territory" and that she was "sure she heard". Maybe NeNe means that she's going to Broadway and that Wendy may have heard it since she apparently still talks to people from Chicago?

[justincharacter]

Posted: 7/25/14 at 12:45am

I remember when the original cast was announced and I noticed that there was rarely any diversity. The exception was that there was only two or three black ensemble members and of course, Ann Harada. So I am glad that they are reaching out to different races while finding replacements.

They should reach out to India Arie for the Fairy Godmother. She already has a "motherly" presence and spirit about her, so I think she would be perfect for this.

[Starship]

Posted: 7/25/14 at 1:15am

India Arie would be beyond incredible as the Fairy Godmother. Inspired idea justin.

[darreyl102]

Posted: 7/25/14 at 2:22am

You are forgetting Phumzile Sojola