I know that, but it's still the most produced Shakespeare play ever, hence my "do we really need this revival" comment. It's like OKLAHOMA. You can travel 10 minutes away from your home anytime of the year to find a production of it, so if you're going to mount it on Broadway and charge those prices for it, it had better be something truly impressive.
Yeah, I love the casting of Rashad, her performance in RUINED was unforgettable, but she was probably more appropriate for the role of Juliet at that age. I'd love to see the show cast with really young actors, though the problem is, how do you find younger actors who are able to handle all that Shakespeare? It's a nearly impossible task.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
I remember having to be dragged to see him in In Celebration in the West End when he was at the height of his fame. I don't know about now, or doing Shakespeare and I wouldn't say it clearly wasn't a career changing debut but he was certainly a different creature on stage and was really quite good.
Kad, what is the Elizabeth Olsen production? She'd be fantastic.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
I'm torn between being happy that Shakespeare is on Broadway and being pissed that it stars Orlando Bloom.
Also, Red Bull announced that Tom Cruise is going to star in their Hamlet with Steven Spielberg directing, so I'd wait until April 2nd to confirm this one.
I'd love to see Juliet played by an age appropriate actress. First name that came to mind was Ariel Winter (Modern Family). Maybe with Freddie Highmore as Romeo.
"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg."
-- Thomas Jefferson
I also find the "interracial" aspect has the potential of being a little gimmicky, of course if there's any Shakespearean play that lends itself to this kind of question is ROMEO & JULIET, but don't we have WEST SIDE STORY for that? I'd rather they cast it with a multiracial cast across the board.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
I've seen many inter-racial R&Js; universities do it all the time. Along with Midsummer, it's the easiest Shakespeare for young actors to do.
In fact, I almost always enjoy seeing young unknowns in this one; I can't say that these two inspire any interest from me.
Nor do I really much enjoy Shakespeare on Broadway - it generally goes wonky. Leave it to the Public, Lincoln Center, and Brit troupes. They always do it better.