The theatre that Andrea McArdle is playing the role at now is the North Carolina Theatre in Raleigh, NC (an AMAZING company which produces some of the best musical theatre in the country. I saw Norm Lewis lead RAGTIME there -- an evening I'll never forget!).
McArdle, from what I'm told, is very good in the role. Casting a Hollywood name as Hannigan would be insurance which the show, if done well, won't need. Casting a theatre name in the role, such as McArdle or Beth Leavel or Mary Testa, would probably be cheaper and a nice compromise.
What's great about a show like ANNIE is that it already has name recognition. Plus, it has a wide target audience (everyone!). So if you do a good production and get positive reviews and do the typical press (Thanksgiving parade), the show should be a hit.
And when you have a show which should by name alone should be a hit, it's always great to give unknowns a shot!
I'd like to see Harriet Harris as Hannigan
"The only reason to cast O'Donnell in this is because of marquis value, and frankly, I don't think thats at all what it used to be."
Thank you! Exactly what I'm thinking. The biggest thing O'Donnell can claim to have done in the last few years is get into a fight with Donald Trump.
Does Annie really need a name? It's Annie. It's a name in and of itself.
My thoughts, as well. Rosie's draw is not what it used to be. To many she's just the loud mouth lesbian who fights with Trump.
LIZA
While I like the idea of people like Allison Janney and Jan Maxwell as Miss Hannigan, I'd really love to see Katie Finneran take a crack at it.
She's a little younger than how the role is traditionally cast, but she does that time of broad comedy like nobody else.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/28/05
Alright alright alright...if it MUST be a name, then let it be
ANGELA LANSBURY!
WHOEVER SAID JAN MAXWELL...I **** LOVE YOU!
Broadway Star Joined: 12/19/06
That brings the question if Miss Hannigan is a supporting role which it obviously is hot did she win a Tony for best actress
the Andrea won every award that year except the Tony
smells like a fix was in ..
Andrea looks great as Hannigan but I would love her in Mamma Mia
the Andrea won every award that year except the Tony
According to IBDB, Andrea wasn't even nominated for the Drama Desk award.
I love the idea of Katie Finneran as Mrs.Hannigan.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/08
Harriet Harris is a cool choice. Loved, loved, LOVED her as Mrs. Lovett at Barrington Stage.
I think Emily Skinner could be a very good Miss Hannigan.
Martha Plimpton is my choice.
Newsflash Rosie, your heyday is over. She has burned too many bridges and turned fans off. I used to like her, but now she's just some crass, vulgar, opinionated......
And no to Harriett Harris. The woman can't sing and would be even more painful to listen to than Rosie.
I love Rosie and always will. I'd see her in this role in a heartbeat. Has nothing to do with talent. Just that she is a great personality and a great theatre advocate.
Does this mean I think she is the most talented for the role? Nope! Is that the right way to think? Nope! But I'd love to see her.
ALICE RIPLEY!!
"ALICE RIPLEY!!"
Oh lord...Please no! Let's have a compromise between Rosie and Alice please.
I was purely joking about Alice Ripley. I had the idea of a bipolar depressive Hannigan with hallucinogenic tendencies.
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