The good news is, the bar is set SO low by people like Christie Brinkley and Lisa Rinna that I'm sure they'll be able to find someone who's at least passably good in the role. Enough women around this country have played Roxie in regional/stock theatres and at school. And it's probably only going to be a 2-4 week run at little more than minimum salary.
I hate these gimmicks, but remember we got Laura Osnes out of one of these gimmicks...so there's hope. And there are certainly worse shows/roles that could be doing this.
Anyone else see this? Thoughts? It reminds me of The Search For Elle Woods."
Totally. There's also the Grease one and all the shows from the UK. There are worse ideas for replacement casting Chicago. If they do the series right, it's a way to cast an unknown that people might still be motivated to go see.
I did think it was hilarious how the comments for the video announcement are full of 15 and 16 year olds complaining about the age requirement.
"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)
These gimmicks aren’t bad ideas. It’s fascinating to see an audition process and more often than not these shows discover stars we might necessarily have ever known about. The UK especially has managed to churn out at least one stand out from each of these types of shows. Jessie Buckley, who’s currently a rising star in Hollywood, was a finalist in the search to find Nancy in OLIVER!
Wick3 said: "Do you think they'll also have a search for Velma?"
Velma's the more technically-difficult role. Roxie might have slightly more material, but it's easier to pull off. The Weisslers have rarely stunt-cast Velma (and Velma's typically a little older than Roxie). I don't think they need the gimmick for two different roles –– this press stunt is not going to increase interest or box office in any significant way.
The UK especially has managed to churn out at least one stand out from each of these types of shows. Jessie Buckley, who’s currently a rising star in Hollywood, was a finalist in the search to find Nancy in OLIVER!
I much preferred the winner, Jodie Prenger, who I pegged to win from her initial audition in the first episode. I actually made a special trip to London just to see her in Oliver. I spotted her recently in the first episode of Years and Years.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
I would guess it's more of a way to get some attention inexpensively. I'm sure there is a minimum contract length that is being offered, with the possibility of extending should things work out well.
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 think the producers want to find an unknown person to fill the shoes of Roxie Hart. It's always a good idea to give former Roxies an opportunity at the role (Paige Davis and Amy Spanger come to mind). Plus, the publicity derived from the selection process is always a good thing for the show.
"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)
I love this and am curious to see what kind of talent shows up.
Especially in the tv/film world, but also in theatre (even though a little less bad) casting directors are so extremely arrogant and have tunnel vision and even preferred agents they only want to work with, that often the best talent is completely ignored.
This is a great chance for that talent (unless it's just a marketing stunt and the 3 finalists will be people they already know).
LovesBway! said: "Has Charlotte D'Amboise stopped dancing?"
Huh? She keeps returning to CHICAGO frequently. She's involved doing other projects, most notably with her husband Terrence McMann, but she still dances and performs.
LovesBway! said: "Has Charlotte D'Amboise stopped dancing?" Uh, guys, Charlotte is the current Roxie at the Ambassador. She started on Sept. 9th and continues her run until Jan. 5, 2020.
"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)
BrodyFosse123 said: "She's involved doing other projects, most notably with her husband Terrence McMann, but she still dances and performs. "
Who? Pretty sure you mean Terrence MANN. Perhaps a mash up brainfart with Terrence McNally?
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.
It seems that some people think this is because they can’t find anybody else to do the role, so they have to resort to a reality-TV program to cast it. To be clear, that is not the case. Personally, I don’t mind this. I’d much rather watch a talented unknown (who could become a big star?) than an untalented “celebrity.”
"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)
Dollypop said: "No one's considered Loretta Swit?"
I read recently in an article with the Weisslers that Loretta Swit is the only celebrity that has refused their offers. They’ve been asking her since the revival started in 1996 and she declines every year.
For a long time I have read here the running joke of Loretta Swit and finally decided to google to see who this 'joke' person is/was.
Now of course I know and had no idea how much theatre work[good or bad] she had actually done.
Is it because she had been cast in such a variety of roles[Agnes Gooch !!!] and was she that terrible? Those Mash reunion photos do not sing praise for all things plastic.
She was obviously hired and paid to perform over a long career so was she another Faye Dunaway who should have quit long before she DID become this 'joke'?