The funniest part is... those who are complaining that they want American actresses are the ones who want Kate Winslet and Kristin Scott Thomas.
I wanted an A-list actress OR a Broadway name/recurrent actress a la Rachel York. A pity Equity declined Toni Collette's chance to play Sally Bowles and now they are allowing Ms.Waddingham to play Desiree.
Brick, I'm completely with you, even if I do end up enjoying Waddingham's performance, there is no way I won't be wishing it was someone else.
Why does it matter if Desiree is an A-List actress? Frankly, while an A-Lister would be exciting, who cares if whoever is cast is excellent? And from all accounts, Waddingham certainly fits the bill. And besides, Angela Lansbury is enough to get me to the theatre, if she is indeed cast.
The latest rumor is that ANGELA LANSBURY already signed as Madame Armfeldt (an amazing choice which will make many people very happy and draw audiences). I'm also hearing that the producers decided to bring Waddingham from London to Broadway, now that Brantley has given her a favorable review in London.
LoveIsCompany, anything on Larkin?
Stand-by Joined: 5/11/08
I know Ragtime was waiting to hear her decision (should she have been officially offered it) before they went ahead with casting Evelynn... I'll look into it though...
Were I a female actress who could sing and had the choice of a character who gets a song and a half in two shows, and the songs are either Night Music's sublime "The Miller's Son" and "Weekend in the County" or Ragtime's less than stellar "Crime of the Century" and only slightly better "Atlantic City"... I think the choice is clear.
Stand-by Joined: 5/11/08
Oh, agreed, and I've had multiple conversations with people close to her about that. But you also have to take into account which would be a better career move, which has the longer running potential, etc.
Stand-by Joined: 7/7/09
For Ramona and/or her friends who jumped on my post, I understand it's not easy to take criticism, but my question wasn't answered.. Out of ALL the actresses in the USA or even the world it was decided that the best actress for this role JUST HAPPENS TO BE (oh what a coincidence) the daughter of two people now only who were in the first production but met in it and got married?? She better buy a lottery ticket TODAY! What incredible odds! oh and get this.. She was the first one signed to a contract! That's why she dropped out of Fantasticks, after only being in it a few months.. Wow, not only was she the best actress in the the world for this part (because she didn't get any favors remember) BUT they couldn't cast any of the other rolls except for hers!!! She must already be favored for the Tony! LOL
#1. I never said this fact would sell tickets, HOWEVER the faire tale story will get some nice press when the show opens.
#2. Her parents may not be known by the average theatergoer, but don't you think they have LOTS of connections, including Stephen Sondheim? Remember mommy was in a few Sondhiem shows.
I am not panning Mallory. She is a pretty girl and a good singer, however I think this roll is WAY out of her league and she would NEVER EVER have even gotten a call back if it wasn't for who she was.
Look, at the end of the day, I just adore Sondheim and this musical and I want only the BEST casting possible.. Not a favor for someone's kid
The Desiree in London was FABULOUS! The only person in that cast worth bringing over.
WOW, adamgreer, ALL THAT CHAT must really be a different universe after all, and I QUOTE:
"speaking strictly for myself, the thought of getting to see Angela Lansbury in a musical (something I never thought I'd get to see) is more than enough for me to overlook the ridiculousness of the idea that she and Waddingham are mother and daughter." - adamgreer 07/09/09 01:27 AM.
I'll neeed more than an exhaust fan for the smell of this RAT.
A Good Nightmare Comes So Rarely,
I'll Show You Yours If You Show Me Mine,
P
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/28/05
Guys, it's spelled ROLE!
The word "roll" has different meanings!
Pgenre, how in the hell does that contradict anything I've said here?
You use the exact same argument I used AGAINST you which you called me out on.
Adamgreer, your ignorance is showing. Again.
Make it easy and just be cool dude. I wanna celebrate this - Angie alone is enough, right? LoveisCompany and I and whoever else here are trying to give you the real deal so don't bite the hand that feeds you.
Honestly, chill and time will tell what the fates have determined.
P
I still have no idea what you're talking about, but I'm not worrying about and done arguing over it.
Truce?
You got it.
... And then all was well in BroadwayWorldLand until Janice Dickinson was announced as Madame Armfeldt and Audrina Partidge was announced as Desiree to compensate for the reality-tie-in making-of-show SEND IN THE F@&%ING CLOWNS: THE SEARCH FOR SONDHEIM'S SEXIEST SWEDES.
P
"However I think this roll is WAY out of her league and she would NEVER EVER have even gotten a call back if it wasn't for who she was. "
You are unstable. You sound psychotic. And you cannot spell.
Most of us are frankly not well acquainted with Ms. Mallory's work so we can't comment positively or negatively on it. I would love to see Laura Benanti as Anne. I saw her play the part in Los Angeles a few years ago and she's the best Anne I've ever heard.
bump
Feb. 28 - Looped, Feb. 28 - Next to Normal, March 4 - Hair, March 11 - A Little Night Music, March 24 - Time Stands Still, April 6 - La Cage Aux Folles, April 10 - Anyone Can Whistle (City Center), April 10 - Looped, May 9 - Enron, May 15 - A Little Night Music, May 15 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Little Night Music, June 20 - A Little Night Music, June 23 - Red, June 23 - Sondheim on Sondheim, July 13 - A Little Night Music, July 18 - The Grand Manner (Lincoln Center)
^ Oh my God that would be the cherry on top of a few truly amazing days for me. :) *fingers crossed for good things*
Feb. 28 - Looped, Feb. 28 - Next to Normal, March 4 - Hair, March 11 - A Little Night Music, March 24 - Time Stands Still, April 6 - La Cage Aux Folles, April 10 - Anyone Can Whistle (City Center), April 10 - Looped, May 9 - Enron, May 15 - A Little Night Music, May 15 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Little Night Music, June 20 - A Little Night Music, June 23 - Red, June 23 - Sondheim on Sondheim, July 13 - A Little Night Music, July 18 - The Grand Manner (Lincoln Center)
Broadway Star Joined: 7/24/07
i really think that people should just be happy we are at least getting the brilliant Lansbury. And for the people who say they have been waiting years for this revival with an A list actress or a American broadway star should really rethink that statement. If Waddingham is phenomenal in the role then lets see her. The thought that Nunn could go looking for a American Desiree when he has a brilliant Desiree already is quite distasteful.
The announcement on the homepage of BWW got me excited; I saw Winningham and thought it was Waddingham.
I would absolutely love to see Winslet as Desiree but if Waddingham is so excellent in the role, I'd be very excited to see her performance.
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who did that.
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