I do NOT need to see and hear cupie-doll Bernadette squeaking and mugging her way through a role that is the ultimate in high comedy and sophistication.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/04
Actually, Desiree was written specifically for an actress who cannot sing, or at least one with a very limited range. Annette Bening would be a lovely choice. Natasha Richardson would be an unusual choice, but a good one, especially if Lynn Redgrave played Mme Armfeldt.
Joan Plowright as Mme. Armfeldt. Or how about Angela?
Miranda Richardson as Desiree.
Ralph Fiennes as Fredrik.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/04
Angela was rumored for the Glenn Close revival. Joan Plowright would be wonderful as well.
Julianne Moore would make a lovely Desiree. As would Nicole Kidman.
I know Desiree does not necessarily need to "sing." I was referring to her speaking voice.
Marin Mazzie would be a brilliant Charlotte. I don't think the role is too small at all.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/04
Mazzie indeed would be a terrific Charlotte. So would Donna Murphy.
Donna Murphy would be better as Desiree.
Mazzie's "Everyday A Little Day" would be fantastic as well as her lines during "A Weekend in the Country."
Natasha Richardson as Desiree and Lynn Redgrave as Mme.Arnfeldt would be genius casting.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/19/06
The only good thing about Murphy as Desiree would be that her understudy would go on...a lot.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/29/03
husk_charmer...you ARE too drole for your own good.
Yes and yes on Miranda Richardson.
Skingdom out.
Love the idea of Marin Mazzie and/or Donna Murphy.
PS. Husk charmer,you bore me. Do you have any more preschool taunts that you care to share?
Brooke Shields as Desiree. It could work, and some of us have said it before.
She would just need some more training with expressing emotion through her singing. And would have to find a believable accent. But talk about a stunning Desiree!
I too love the idea of Mazzie or Murphy as Charlotte.
I also think Richardson would make a fine Desiree.
And may I suggest Greg Edelman for Frederick.
Updated On: 3/6/07 at 03:47 PM
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/05
Why does she need an accent?
Broadway Star Joined: 8/7/06
I agree with Gothampc on this one.
Desiree should be cast with someone with european sensibility. She needs to be elegant, warm, comfortable in her sexuality with the ability to funny with the lightest of comic touches. Very hard to cast.
It seems like the actors always have some sort of accent with ALNM. Maybe I'm just hearing things though, lol. Swedes have accents though, don't they?
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/05
Swedes have accents though, don't they?
Well, only if they're not speaking Swedish. :)
I guess I know what you mean, though. There's usually some sort of standardized transatlantic sort of dialect going on, but in actuality, no accents at all are needed, since the characters in theory are speaking Swedish that we're hearing as English.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/19/06
I stand by my comment about both Benanti and Murphy. Anyone who is given the opportunites they have both recieved, and then chooses to not show up, do not deserve my respect no matter how talented they may be.
Broadway Star Joined: 8/7/06
The accents tend to be mid-altantic or a genergic theaTUH accent to indicate refinement and class.
Stand-by Joined: 4/19/05
Broadway Star Joined: 8/7/06
God! can you IMAGINE Mirren as Desiree?
I excited before I saw Judi Dench do the role... but I think I might actually pass out, if I knew I was about to see Mirren.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/19/06
Oooh, Mirren would be fantastic.
Mirren would've been great years ago.
But a new revival should really stick with a Desiree in her mid 40's.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/04
Mirren would have been terrific -- how long has it been since she's done any stage work?
The recording with Dench is terrific. But a Desiree in her mid to late 40s would be ideal ... Frederick about 50.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/29/03
murphy and benanti both had legitimate reasons im sure.
No!
I'm sure!
Juliet Stevenson, who played Desiree in the NYCO production opposite Jeremy Irons, was perfect. I'd love to see her do the role on Broadway, but I don't think she's enough of a "name" to be seriously considered. Kate Burton would also be a good choice, as would Elaine Paige.
How about Vanessa Redgrave for Mme. Armfeldt?
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