If they're really trying to do a first-class, fresh revival, rather than a paint-by-numbers rehash with a "name" attached, then she doesn't need to be bankable alone.
None of the stars of the big '90s "Guys and Dolls" revival were bankable Broadway stars. Nathan Lane was barely known. So were Faith Prince and Josie de Guzman. And I wouldn't call Peter Gallagher a huge movie star.
Still, it was a smash hit.
So it can be done. The fact that Jean Smart seems to be such a great fit for it is a very good sign.
I was actually expecting a bigger name with lesser potential in the role.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
I remember Jean Smart when she played a saucy and sassy character in the 1995 series "High Society." from RC in Austin, Texas
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
Jean would be perfection, dont get me wrong. I adore her. But they are really hyping this revival and trying to position it as the next blockbuster revival. A press release with Jean Smart will take the wind out of the sails, unless they have names for Daddy and Grace.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
Oh...I love her and she's a fine choice, but she wont sell any more tickets than Katie Finneran, Beth Leavel, or any other non names. Still feels like stock casting.
You don't need a box office star for ANNIE to be a success. Very few people knew who Dorothy Loudon was in 1977 (very few people know who she was now).
The show's title will sell itself and the producers of the ANNIE revival are some of the best marketeers on Broadway.
I can already see preteens and their parents going to see a WICKED matinee and ANNIE in the evening.
Plus, this won't be the Martin Charnin (Mike Nichols uncredited) staging. The genius that is James Lapine probably has some clever tricks up his sleeve.
^ The show has been done to death. The most recent national tour hit the same cities about three times per major city. People have seen the show (most more than once), and they are not going to drop big bucks for the same old thing. A big name could maybe change this and/or new staging that is well received. The title itself may not be enough anymore.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
She was great as Margie McDougal in Promises Promises at Encores. Wish she replaced Katie Finneran instead of tMolly Shannon who while funny in Saturday Night LIve, seems to ruin any musical she is in.
What a great Mrs. Hannagin. Jean Smart would be. Great Casting
"I'm that one in a million chance when the director says 'you', the small town boy who makes it big, the one that little children and grown men and women will adore, I'm that shot in the dark everyone talks about, you may not know my name yet, but you will, everyone will, someday."- Me
Many here seem to be of the opinion that the success of Annie hinges on the casting (preferably STAR casting) of Hannigan. Really?? Sure, she'd better be great, but remember what show this is. A handful of theater obsessives like us are not the target audience for Annie.
My two suburban sisters don't care which gay icon B'way World posters want to play Hannigan. They want to take their little girls to see the show called ANNIE on Broadway, the original Broadway AND movie versions of which, they were smitten with as kids. This production is timed for the 30-something Annie lovers who now have kids of their own.
Remember, this is a beloved title folks, it's not Glory Days. An acclaimed production will sell tickets. (And I hope it's good. Having Martin Charnin far away from this one is a great start.)
As for the last revival, it was dreadful. It got awful reviews and lots of bad press. There was a story on Page Six trashing Nell Carter and the feuding stage mothers every other day. And having a star play Hannigan unbalanced that production. There was milked entrance and exit applause, drawn out scenes, and just too much focus on Carter. It didn't work.
The difference here is that we want someone to play the role wonderfully, the producers (understandably) want someone wonderful (as far as popularity) to play the role. A big difference, indeed. Let's hope that this is one case that the two ideas can exist in the same person.
(BTW...do we HAVE a thread speculating/dreaming of Daddy Warbucks?)
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
I'd love to see Brian d'Arcy James take on Warbucks. *sigh* Maybe one day...
Jean is so perfect, I love it. She was amazing in The Man Who Came to Dinner. But as stated, she's not the "name" that was pumped up. I'm sure they'll let Rosie O'Donnell take over when the show starts to run out of steam.