Jordan Catalano said: "There is another possibility, i suppose. A way to really stand out from the crowd and ramp up what I’m sure would be lackluster sales for a while - Idina. She did the workshops and is familiar with the material and a short stint with a ton of publicity is the kind of thing i could see her doing right now. "
Idina’s salary would eat up any box office gusto. She’s not going to do it for scale. If the producers just want publicity, then great. If they want to make a little money casting a name isn’t going to help them. Even a Sherie Rene Scott will be expensive. She’s not desperate for work. Alanis might be the only person to do it on the cheap because it’s her show and she’d want to help them out.
Im guessing they throw in the understudy to keep the show cheap until Stanley comes back.
I would like to see Laurel Harris play MJ. She only got to go on for Stanley once before the shutdown (about a week before), and although it was a last-minute "shove with love," from what I heard she absolutely killed it.
Kelsey Orem can swing on for Harris's chorus tracks (most notably, the teacher in the "Ironic" sequence) and everything will be fine.
Broadway Star Joined: 3/27/19
Spanger is an inspired idea. Would love to see her get a meaty role like this.
But the attraction here is the soundtrack, I can see them plugging in her understudy and the show doing fine.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/19
Where has Spanger been?! I saw her first preview of The Wedding Singer and thought she was fantastic!
Since we’re taking Wedding Singer cast, I’m gonna throw Felicia Finley into the mix because she has one of the best voices EVER.
Broadway Star Joined: 3/27/19
SouthernCakes said: "Where has Spanger been?! I saw her first preview of The Wedding Singer and thought she was fantastic!"
I think she's been busy, or was for a while? Matilda, Elf, Chicago a bunch. There was that debacle with Rock of Ages that I've never really understood. But yeah, would love to see her back in something that shows her range (which is considerable).
It looks like Laurel Harris is having a baby in October! Happy for her! I wonder who will be A. playing MJ and B. covering MJ!
I assume we'll hear soon?
Jane Bruce also covers MJ. Probably won't know cast details and replacements until September sometime.
Stand-by Joined: 11/25/18
steven22 said: "It looks like Laurel Harris is having a baby in October! Happy for her! I wonder who will be A. playing MJ and B. covering MJ!
I assume we'll hear soon?"
They're on the younger side to cover MJ but I'd love to see Tracy McDowell or Haven Burton in this track.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/12/14
Is it presumed the rest of the cast will be back and/or has anyone else made announcements?
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/25/20
Would Alanis herself consider stepping into the role for a limited engagement? I'd see that.
Broadway Star Joined: 3/27/19
alex814 said: "steven22 said: "It looks like Laurel Harris is having a baby in October! Happy for her! I wonder who will be A. playing MJ and B. covering MJ!
I assume we'll hear soon?"
They're on the younger side to cover MJbut I'd love to see Tracy McDowell or Haven Burton in this track."
Id pay $ to see Haven Burton do almost anything, and I'd love for her to get a big lead role she deserves but one of the problems with this show is that its devoid of all humor and Haven's charm/wit oozes out whatever she does. Can't see this being right for her (though shed sing the hell out of it)
Stand-by Joined: 11/25/18
BCfitasafiddle said: "Would Alanis herself consider stepping into the role for a limited engagement? I'd see that."
I could definitely see that happening. Post-Tony's and after the show's initial popularity has waned.
JDonaghy4 said: "Id pay $ to see Haven Burton do almost anything, and I'd love for her to get a big lead role she deserves but one of the problems with this show is that its devoid of all humor and Haven's charm/wit oozes out whatever she does. Can't see this being right for her (though shed sing the hell out of it)"
I disagree. While Haven is known for her comedic chops, I don't doubt that she'd be able to handle the show's heavier material. MJ has comedic moments sprinkled throughout the show and Haven would nail them. I also tend to think about all of the different riffs she'd discover in the score. I'd pay top dollar to see her in anything.
I also hear Jagged may be getting a new music director soon as well, like its Mickey Mouse Tony competitor Moulin Rouge!. Emily Marshall - of Be More Chill fame - will be replacing Bryan Perri on one of those movable platforms, as he goes to workshop Almost Famous before (I would imagine) it hits Broadway in the spring, as well as work on the productions at his regional theatre he has this season.
Marshall was learning the show when COVID hit - I hear she had to learn harmonica on the spot for this one!
Alanis is going on tour now so if she ever does step in, it won’t be when the show reopens.
I would love to see Idina do this, especially because she was the one in the original workshop reading. I always wondered why she didn't end up playing the role, but possible timing with Frozen 2 or something?
Anyhow, I don't see her doing it, not because of salary, but because at this point, she'd be a replacement, and it would need to be something they make a HUGE deal out of, and I just don't see that happening, given the weird history with this role.
Broadway Star Joined: 4/2/10
BroadwayGirl107 said: "I would love to see Idina do this, especially because she was the one in the original workshop reading. I always wondered why she didn't end up playing the role, but possible timing with Frozen 2 or something?
Anyhow, I don't see her doing it, not because of salary, but because at this point, she'd be a replacement, and it would need to be something they make a HUGE deal out of, and I just don't see that happening, given the weird history with this role."
Idina is not going to replace...she was offered to replace in a Tony-winning musical a few years ago and turned it down.
ElphabaGoodman said: "Idina is not going to replace...she was offered to replace in a Tony-winning musical a few years ago and turned it down."
What musical? If you don't mind me asking.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/25/20
mattmarkowski99 said: "ElphabaGoodman said: "Idina is not going to replace...she was offered to replace in a Tony-winning musical a few years ago and turned it down."
What musical? If you don't mind me asking."
I heard Heidi in Dear Evan Hansen. I could be wrong though.
Broadway Star Joined: 4/2/10
BCfitasafiddle said: "mattmarkowski99 said: "ElphabaGoodman said: "Idina is not going to replace...she was offered to replace in a Tony-winning musical a few years ago and turned it down."
What musical? If you don't mind me asking."
I heard Heidi in Dear Evan Hansen. I could bewrong though."
not Evan Hansen
Any recently rumblings on who may be replacing Stanley for the time being? I think Sheri Renee Scott would be perfect, but that may be a long shot. Heidi Blickenstaff follows their Instagram and has been doing a bunch of stuff with Tom Kitt lately. She could be an interesting choice.
Heidi Blickenstaff would make a lot of sense and she’d be fantastic. While we’re in that casting pool, has anyone called Julia Murney?
Murney was working on the Off-Broadway musical “Between the Lines” at the time of the shutdown… that was pushed back to spring 2021 shortly after the shutdown began, but I have not heard a peep regarding that project (closed or potentially reopening?) since then.
I’m still waiting for an apology from the JAGGED team for how they failed me, and perpetuated violence against a mentally ill black femme. I’m still waiting for my cast mates to speak openly & in opposition to the abuse that occurred. There’s still time to do the right thing.
— Nora Schell (@noritachiquita) September 7, 2021
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/30/15
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