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 know I will be crucified for saying this--and I love Audra as much as the next Broadway lovin gay here--but she is miscast here. Josie is supposed to be a bigger, tough gal, which Audra is not. Also, I'm pretty sure she's supposed to be way younger too.
In the script, it says Josie is 28 and Jamie is in his early 40s.
1957 Broadway premiere: Wendy Hiller (45) and Franchot Tone (52) 1973 revival: Colleen Dewhurst (49) and Jason Robards (51) 1983 London: Frances de la Tour (39) and Ian Bannen (55) 1984 revival: Kate Nelligan (34) and Ian Bannen (56) 2000 revival: Cherry Jones (43) and Gabriel Byrne (50) 2007 London/Broadway: Eve Best (35) and Kevin Spacey (forty-eight)
Audra is absolutely perfect. It should be thrilling. The wild card is of course the role of Tyrone, one of the more challenging in American drama. It need enormous depth, but also a kind of showmanship. Personal charisma. So I'll root for a man with mostly musical theater experience to pull off that aspect. He has his work cut out for him, but at least an incandescent co-star who tends to inspire wonderful work from everyone is in her company.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
Moon has Broadway written all over it. In the fall Audra opens in Moon, in the winter she opens in Night Mother and in the spring - Spiderwoman. Come Tony time she is nominated for both Moon and Night Mother as Best Actress AND she ties with herself and wins TWO TONYS!! Oh wait, make that three - another for Spiderwoman!
After Lady Day, I would see Audra in pretty much anything. A fair amount of people didn't think she was right for Billie, but her performance was nothing short of brilliant. I wish I were able to see this production.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
Like many here, I had my hesitations that Audra could pull of Billie (her distinctive voice in particular) and was so glad to be proven wrong! I ended up seeing the production three times...and I kick myself for not seeing it more!
Considering Audra's staggering success rate, I think she deserves the benefit of the doubt. Also, in response to imissthemountains, Audra has played "a bigger, tough gal" (to great success...) in "100 Degrees in the Shade." I have no doubt she will be a wonderful Josie. I have some reservations about Swenson in this production, but I am willing to hold those in abeyance.
I thought it was beautifully cast all around. I think the African-American angle is more resonant nowadays than the original Irish Catholic vs. English Protestant would be. No wonder she feels that Jamie wouldn't want to be pictured with her in the newspaper.