I know there are many Charlotte fans out there, but here is my take on the matter. Fran and Barry are succesful because they bring names into their revivals. Bebe Newirth, Rosie O, Bernadette, Reba, etc. Christina is a major sell for the show with her name alone. Honestly, when a tourist comes to NYC, especially the midwesterners, and they see Sweet Charity starring Charlotte D'Amboise, they are going to question what show and who, not knowing that the famed song "Big Spender" is in it. (Believe me folks, just because you know a B'way song and what show it's from doesn't mean the rest of America does.) Now, if Chrisyina is in it, they will recognize her from MWC, and see it, because she is a household name.
We're way past the Shirley McClaine days. Hardly anyone outside of NYC had even heard of Audra McDonald or Lea Salonga, or even Patti LuPone.
I guarentee that if Charlotte is headlining, the show will not sell, and it will be another Wonderful Town scenerio (Donna Murphy - Broadway actress replaced by Brooke - movie/tv star).
The show won't last.
"Do you know what pledge time is, Andrew"? said the PBS Executive.
"Yes", Lloyd Webber replied. "My 50th birthday special must be one program that gets done a lot."
"No", mused the man from PBS heedlessy. "Not so much. Our Stephen Sondheim Carnegie Hall concert. That's a big one."
Spoons, forks and knives seemed suddenly to suspend their motion in horror, all around the table.
