Why did they not choose Megan Hilty? she would have been great for the role. I am shocked they choose a pop star. They might as well have chosen Will I Am its basically the same they are both not suitable for the role. Its the worst thing to happen in years.
One thing I will say is that this decision is certainly getting people to talk about the production. They talked about it on my local evening news, and they never mention anything Broadway or theater related.
as for her performance, maybe it'll be a Reba situation, rather than a Carrie Underwood one.
I've looked at two Wednesday Matinees and there is a notice that Carly Rae is not scheduled to perform. Will she have a reduced schedule?
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
"Carla Rae Jepsen will not be performing at the following performances: Wednesday - February 5 @ 1:30pm, Saturday - February 8 @ 8pm, Saturday - February 15 @ 8pm, Sunday - February 16 @ 2pm, Wednesday - February 19 @ 1:30pm, Saturday - February 22 @ 8pm, Wednesday - February 26 @ 1:30pm, Saturday - March 1 @ 8pm, Wednesday - March 5 @ 1:30pm, Saturday - March 8 @ 8pm, Wednesday - March 12 @ 1:30pm, Saturday - March 15 @ 8pm, Wednesday - March 19 @ 1:30pm, Saturday - March 22 @ 8pm, Wednesday - March 26 @ 1:30pm, Saturday - March 29 @ 8pm, Thursday - April 3 @ 7pm, Saturday - April 5 @ 8pm, Thursday - April 10 @ 7pm, Saturday - April 12 @ 8pm, Thursday - April 17 @ 7pm, Saturday - April 19 @ 8pm, Thursday - April 24 @ 7pm, Saturday - April 26 @ 8pm"
WOW. That seems like a lot of shows considering she is only in the show for 12 weeks. The performances also seem to be popular ones for tourists/families; Saturday nights and Wednesday matinees. Is this normal for stunt casting?
Wow. It seems like they don't want her in the public eye that much, making it a rotating performance schedule between the understudy and her. I'm guessing they want to see how she does in the role before letting her perform "full-time".
I don't know, I have a feeling this is going to end up like the situation with Craig Bierko in Matilda...
Well that's actual exciting that she won't be performing as much... Jessica Hershberg joins the cast next week as an ensemble member and Cinderella understudy! So hopefully she'll get to go on a lot. Even though Santino won't be there, of course :)
Yup!! It's on her website! I'm assuming it will be announced next week? She joins on Jan 7th. Taking over for Heidi Giberson who's going to Les Mis! Which is also exciting, because her and Santino will overlap for a couple weeks.. It would be kinda interesting if they went on as the leads together...
Carly is never doing more than 6 performances a week during her entire run. And only one 2 show day. Maybe she's worried about her vocals?
Telecharge also lists the final performance for Laura Osnes and Harriet Harris as January 26. Rebecca Luker leaves January 19. It's nice Laura will get one final week with Victoria Clark who returns January 21.
I love how they're already questioning her ability. I'll be going to the performances Carly Rae's not performing in. I wouldn't want to see her even if it was free.
"I love how they're already questioning her ability. I'll be going to the performances Carly Rae's not performing in. I wouldn't want to see her even if it was free."
I'm sure her performing a 6 show a week schedule was part of the discussion from the beginning stages so I really don't think it has anything to do with them questioning her ability. But thanks for your thorough assessment of her strengths and weaknesses in this role.
Wow, the days that Carly is gone are really ridiculous. I don't know if it's her or the producers. If it's because of music reasons, fine. But, this is BROADWAY. You don't take day offs at all except illness or emergencies. You auditioned and beat it over better women (I am giving her a chance because of her training), now work like they would work.
This whole Carly Rae thing seems to be working. I'm on vacation in Florida for the holiday's, a local radio station played "Call Me Maybe" and followed it with mentioning she's making her Broadway debut in Cinderella and adding "tickets can be found at cinderellaonbroadway.com". Free marketing? Check.
I love how everyone is throwing around names that probably weren't even considered available or not. Robyn Goodman and her team wanted a pop star, one that would sustain the show through the summer. They negotiated, they made the offer, offer accepted, and the rest is history.
Also, she'll be doing 6 performances a week. Probably a good idea for someone who hasn't performed a lead role on Broadway before. Insurance in case she gets sick she at least only has to get through one performance a day. Updated On: 12/31/13 at 11:25 PM
Her performance schedule is just odd. SIX performances, and the ones she is missing are all very high profile.....especially the notable absences from Saturday nights.
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.
Cinderella sells much better on Saturday matinees than evenings (not surprising, considering it's a family show). If she's only going to be doing one performance a day, it makes sense to have it be the matinee.
"Robyn Goodman and her team wanted a pop star, one that would sustain the show through the summer."
JohnnyBroadway, you are right though you probably meant to say sustain the show through the winter, not the summer. CRJ's contract is for 12 weeks. The show does fine on its own during the summer, and hey,maybe Laura will return after a 12 week break, who knows?
CZJ at opening night party for A Little Night Music, Dec 13, 2009.