Ashanti to Star in NY City Center Encores! THE WIZ- Page 3

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/30/09 at 4:28pm

That's the thing, Ashanti is just a disappointing choice, not the worst pick but when you consider all the other actresses who could have been cast, it is just sad that they went with this person. And I'm with WannaBeFoster, I only know who she is because of the press release saying that she's a music star, she's not a star to me.
Maybe they'll get a decent cast for the other roles, I hope, for the sake of THE WIZ fans that this doesn't turn out the same way DAMN YANKEES did and from this piece of casting...well, it's not looking good.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 4/30/09 at 6:39pm

I emailed the people I was planning on going to see this with telling them about Ashanti being Dorothy with a link to the article and got a reply from one of them saying, "we should def go i can't wait" haha, oh boy how I love my [non-theater-going, bad-taste-in-shows, only-sees-shows-with-celebs] friends, yay. (That's why I go to shows alone most of the time).

I'm probably not going to go see this now unless the rest of the cast is AMAZING.

[jarred03]

Posted: 4/30/09 at 6:51pm

to Everybody Trying to Defend Ashanti and bashing us for being upset:

All I have to say is that I know for a fact that Tamyra Gray and Anika Noni Rose both auditioned for this role. It should've been between the two of them. Although Ashanti might not be horrible or the worst choice, she definitly 100% CAN NOT sing as well as them. That is why most of us are so upset because it is completely unfair to see 2 more talented broadway girls get over looked just because Ashanti is a "star".

I'm hoping that 1) Tamyra, Anika or Lachanze get parts as Glinda and/or Eviline to make up for the travesty.
or
2) If this show moves to a broadway run after this limited engagement that Tamyra or Anika are Dorothy, then I will be ready to buy tickets.

[Brick]

Posted: 4/30/09 at 8:59pm

This series was announced as a series for stars to play roles they were born to play. (Well, it was created for Patti to play Rose, but that's the reason they gave.)

And it's been obvious since she broke out onto the scene in CAROLINE, OR CHANGE that Anika was born to play Dorothy. She has shown she has significant chops and can play against that type, as she so brilliantly did in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, but Dorothy is a role she is born to play.

Now, who on earth has ever said, thought, or even cared to think Ashanti was born to play Dorothy.

That's why this choice is discouraging.

[JasonM12480]

Posted: 4/30/09 at 11:04pm

It should have been a completely unknown 13 - 16 year old girl with an amazing voice.

Oops.

[musicalfandukie]

Posted: 4/30/09 at 11:44pm

At first i was really disappointed when hearing this news. After listening to her sing Defying Gravity tho her voice is alot stronger then i thought it was. Maybe she will be able to pull this off. Will have to see i guess.

[henrybutler]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 11:23pm

It doesn't sound good.... did anyone else watch this?

http://www.broadway.com/Broadway-com-VIDEO-ON-DEMAND-On-The-Scene/broadway_information_html/5015927


hmmm..... it starts off ok.

[Broadwayboy2631]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 11:48pm

She's just screaming at the end.

[bwayguy22089]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 12:06am

I have to say, screaming or not, she is on pitch, which is what I was most concerned about. I think her career as a singer is pretty much over, so I'm not too concerned with the well being of her voice. I know that sounds awful :-/ sorry lol. As long as she makes it through this run, I'm good.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 1:14am

Is it just me or is Thomas Kail incredibly attractive?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 1:18am

I think she sounds absolutely awful.

I'll still go see the show though...I hope she pulls through and impresses.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 2:03am

Is it just me or is Thomas Kail incredibly attractive?

Thomas Kail is adorable. He did a great job with In the Heights and I look forward to seeing more of his work.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 6:48am

She sounds awful.
And Thomas Kail is CUTE!

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 6:50am

She doesn't sound that bad...

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 7:11am

That was painful, my speaker felt like they were going to break.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 9:44am

She started out just ok...then the middle was very pitchy...then the end was just horrible and the screaming was painful to listen to.

Now I'm really not going to see this.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 9:51am

You're all taking the mission of Encores! Summer Stars too seriously.

[PastorErnst]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 11:44am

What's the likelihood of this one extending by a few weeks? I can't make it to NYC during the planned run, but am there a two weeks later.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 11:57am

Very doubtful. Apparently, ticket sales aren't going so well as is.

[jarred03]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 12:09pm

First off, what's with Kail and Lacamore's gery curls? Do think they need to show off their black side because the cast is black? LAME!!!

Secondly, Ashanti isn't completely horrible but she is not great. She is no Tamyra or Anika. Whoever casted this made a horrible decision and this stain alot of peoples careers. Ashanti and Orlando as the leads are gonna be so overshadowed by LaChanze, Tichina Arnold, and Dawn Lewis, not to mention the tinman, scarecrow, and cowardly lion, that I think this show will end up looking very bad for the Encores series.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 3:59pm

Once again.. there are THREE whopping reasons to see this and three ONLY.

1.) Christian Dante White as the Scarecrow
2.) Scenic Design by David Korins
3.) Nigel as Toto, trained by William Berloni

That's it.

[DavidPatrickS82]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 4:03pm

Anika Noni Rose was like jumping up and down waving her arms in the air saying pick me pick me. She WANTS to do it, she's WONDERFUL, and they chose.................................................. yeah

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 7:34pm

i don't know if it was discusse in this thread... but i really like the logo

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 8:11pm

First off, what's with Kail and Lacamore's gery curls? Do think they need to show off their black side because the cast is black? LAME!!!

First off, it's Jheri curls.

Second off, you're an idiot.

Third off, Kail and Lacamore are both such cuties!

[IAMmyownMUSICAL]

Posted: 5/21/09 at 5:18am

anika should get any role she wants
she's brilliant