Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
dyland
Stand-by Joined: 12/5/12
#1Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/17/12 at 5:04pmHow is going to replace her in Drood, since she just got cast in "The Last Five Years".
#2Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/17/12 at 5:08pm
Just guessing, but I imagine Janine DiVita will probably cover the role for the final week or so when Betsy is unavailable.
The only way I could see them casting a replacement is if Betsy leaves earlier than when previews begin for The Last 5 Years and they have a month+ to deal with, as I don't think they have enough swings to cover in case multiple people call out on the same night.
"Get mad, then get over it." - Colin Powell
#2Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/17/12 at 5:09pmof course, if Drood extends in June as rumored, they'll need to replace her.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
#3Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/17/12 at 5:10pmThe Last Five Years begins rehearsals February 5. Wolfe will almost certainly be leaving on or before the original closing date of February 10.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
#4Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/17/12 at 5:10pm
Again, this is just a rumor, but I have heard that her departure is the nail in the coffin on a further extension because of the process of recasting.
That is very thirdhand info though so take it with a grain of salt and I truly hope I'm wrong!
AC, I wouldn't say that's necessarily true. Andy Karl performed nightly in Jersey Boys while rehearsing for Drood. Actors do not always leave because of that.
"Get mad, then get over it." - Colin Powell
Updated On: 12/17/12 at 05:10 PM
#5Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/17/12 at 5:11pmSince DROOD was originally supposed to end on February 10th, I imagine that's when Wolfe will leave (THE LAST FIVE YEARS starts rehearsal on February 5th, so she'd have to do double duty her last week.)
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#6Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/17/12 at 5:13pm
Not to jump the gun or anything, but I think Abby Mueller (yes, sister of Jessie Mueller) would make a lovely Rosa. Possibly Katie Rose Clarke? Hmm. Savannah Wise?
"Get mad, then get over it." - Colin Powell
Updated On: 12/17/12 at 05:13 PM
#7Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/17/12 at 5:19pmI think someone like Erin Davie is much more likely.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#8Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/17/12 at 5:20pmIf they extend past March 10th, wouldn't they have to come off the substandard contract that Roundabout operates under for the initial runs of their productions? I don't see how that increased running cost is justifiable against the grosses that the show is currently pulling in now against lesser competition than it would be facing in March-June.
#9Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/17/12 at 5:36pm
Frogs, yes, if they extend past the 10th they have to move to a standard production contract which would substantially increase their running costs.
Erin Davie would be lovely, great idea.
"Get mad, then get over it." - Colin Powell
Updated On: 12/17/12 at 05:36 PM
#10Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/17/12 at 10:32pmI would LOVE to see Erin Davie as Rosa.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
#11Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/18/12 at 8:18amKelly- My knee jerk reaction when I saw this thread was also Katie Rose Clark! I also think Jennifer Laura Thompson would be good! But, she is committed to Nice Work currently, yes I realize she is older now, but she looks the part and was very funny in Urinetown! Also, an unorthodox choice- Eden Espinosa!
#12Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/18/12 at 8:19amOh, or even Kate Rockwell! She'll be done with Bring it On! by then.
#13Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/18/12 at 9:10amTo me, I don't buy Kate Rockwell as a woman of the 19th Century. To me, she's got a very modern look and way about her.
"Get mad, then get over it." - Colin Powell
#14Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/18/12 at 9:18amKate Rockwell is replacing Ashley Spencer as Sherrie in Rock Of Ages. Ashley's last day is January 20.
#15Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/18/12 at 9:24amMy goodness, Jennifer Laura Thompson would be a perfect Rosa Bud.
A little swash, a bit of buckle - you'll love it more than bread.
BwayBaby18
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/19/05
#16Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/18/12 at 9:28am
JLT would have been a good Rosa Bud like 90 years ago... She reads sooooo much older on stage...
Jill Paice is free again...
#17Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/18/12 at 9:41amJLT doesn't read that old on stage. Be nice now.
A little swash, a bit of buckle - you'll love it more than bread.
#18Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/18/12 at 9:50amHyperbole aside, Jennifer Laura Thompson is too old for Rosa. Having a Rosa who is the same age as Jasper completely erases the necessary sexual dynamic between them. JLT would have been a wonderful choice were a revival mounted ten years ago, but not today.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
#19Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/18/12 at 10:09am
Kelly- I see your point with Rockwell, as far as the newer talent on Broadway, I think she gives a nuanced performance, i.e. doesn't go over the top- and she is a perfect choice for Sherrie, excited to her that!
AC- Ok, JLT may be a little older now, but her talents are suited for the role, even if it would've been 10 yrs ago.
Here's two more- Leslie Kritzer, is she committed to anything coming up, I thought I heard she was? Or, Amy Spanger, don't know how long she is committed to Chicago though, she's always been a favorite of mine- love her in Reefer Madness! Def. has the chops for this!
#20Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/18/12 at 11:41am
Kritzer and Spanger are both old, no? Rosa is identified in the show many a time as being a child bride, barely a woman. That aside though, I believe Kritzer is working on the Honeymooners workshop anyway, and I believe Spanger is still going to be doing Chicago.
What about Becca Ayers, Jenn Gambatese, Patti Murin, Hayley Podschun, or Erin Mackey? Erin Mackey won't be busy after Chaplin closes...
"Get mad, then get over it." - Colin Powell
#21Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/18/12 at 11:46am
Kritzer and Spanger are both Helenas, not Rosas, though you also can't call them "old" and then turn around and suggest someone like Becca Ayers. Kritzer in particular reads practically the same age as Betsy Wolfe does.
I like the Erin Mackey suggestion, and she certainly has a relationship with Roundabout after having done ANYTHING GOES. Jill Paice is just so nauseatingly boring in everything she does that I would hope they'd get someone more interesting than her.
Is Laura Michelle Kelly still here in the states? She would be divine.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Updated On: 12/18/12 at 11:46 AM
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#22Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/18/12 at 11:47am
Somethingwicked, fair point re: Becca Ayers. :) I just like her.
I found some information on Twitter that would suggest that Janine DaVita will cover the role for a few days and then a replacement will step in after February 10th. Grain of salt, people.
LMK would be great. I could see them going with Jill Paice based on her look but I agree with you that she's not an interesting performer.
"Get mad, then get over it." - Colin Powell
#23Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/18/12 at 11:52am
I like her too, Kelly. I was actually very surprised she didn't end up in the ensemble covering Edwin Drood. There used to be an audio clip floating around of her doing "The Writing On The Wall" from when she did a regional production somewhere and she sounded absolutely fantastic.
If Janine DaVita is filling in, Betsy may be leaving on February 3rd so she doesn't have to do double duty once THE LAST FIVE YEARS starts rehearsal on February 5th. I imagine that would be hard to do with a two person show, both for the performer and for the team at Second Stage.
Elena Shaddow is another interesting ingenue who would be a stellar Rosa, and she also has a history with Roundabout from back when she covered Laura Benanti in NINE.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Updated On: 12/18/12 at 11:52 AM
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#24Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted: 12/18/12 at 11:57am
She would've made a fantastic Drood cover, for sure.
Some teaching organization Janine has worked with claims she will be going on for Rosa on February 8th, 9th, and 10th. As she is the only cover for Rosa listed in the Playbill, could Betsy be leaving on the 7th? That would be a Thursday but I guess odder things have happened.
Elena Shaddow is lovely, I would be interested to see her take on Rosa as well. I'm just glad signs would indicate they are going to find a proper replacement. With so few swings and only one true cover for Rosa, I'm not sure it's wise for them to use Janine for a month.
"Get mad, then get over it." - Colin Powell
Updated On: 12/18/12 at 11:57 AM
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