CONFIRMED: Audra McDonald-led GYPSY to begin previews Nov 2024 — Page 39

corninthesky said: "Is it normal for a production to still be looking for leading roles mere days before their first rehearsal?"



People relax...the show is fully cast. There will be an announcement very shortly.

The Distinctive Baritone said: "Interesting. If several A-listers have indeed declined the role of Herbie, it will probably end up being Corey Stoll or someone like that."

Tom Kirdahy & Mara Isaacs would be lucky to get Corey Stoll (who arguably means more to the general public than Audra does and whose agents would undoubtably demand equal terms & billing). He also just declined 9 months of lucrative film & TV work for another Broadway run.

At this late stage in the game, someone on the level of Danny Burstein would be a best-case scenario –– and if he says no, then it's time to go after someone like Martin Moran or Adam Grupper.

This is a self-inflicted problem, of course, because if the producers didn't feel Audra could meaningfully sustain the box office to recoupment on her own (which I don't believe she can but I hope to be proven wrong), they shouldn't have cast her in the first place, or they shouldn't have scheduled the production without a Herbie & Louise contracted. But as I and others have said, I don't know what led them to think that Herbie could attract a star. It's a nice part but not the type of role that most legitimately-famous actors should want to do for 9 months, in a revival that is being billed as AUDRA GYPSY.



corninthesky said: "Is it normal for a production to still be looking for leading roles mere days before their first rehearsal?"

No. Sometimes it happens for replacements or out-of-towns, and these producers might have had luck with last-minute Hail Marys for Little Shop and Hadestown replacements.



(This all merely going by the rumor mill; for all we know they could be fully cast)

Updated On: 9/18/24 at 01:51 PM

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "“But as I and others have said, I don't know what led them to think that Herbie could attract a star.”

1) See Queen of Versailles / F. Murray Abraham

We're talking about actual stars here. FMA is bringing very very little to the box office of QoV –– and they also have the benefit of Kristin meaning more to the general public than Audra. FMA also developed the role and was contracted prior to it going on sale, as opposed to trying to make a deal weeks before rehearsal begins.


2) It’s not like you needto tap dance & belt a high F while suspended 50ft in the air. It’s a fairly simple paycheck for a star who has the availability and want/need to work."

yup, and anyone who actually means something at the box office probably has plenty of other Broadway offers, an agent who fights for them, and can earn more on film/TV instead of playing second-banana to Audra. It's also a commitment of 6-12 months.

The industry has changed drastically since the days when the Kenley Players could get Don Ameche to play Beau in MAME for a couple of weeks in the summer (a role that makes Herbie look like Hamlet) simply because he was desperate for work.

Updated On: 9/18/24 at 02:31 PM

Certainly seems like Burstein.

Kad said: "Certainly seems like Burstein."

It was the ears for me.


My only other guess (based on this visual) would be Patinkin, but he’s on tour through 11/16 and back out in February with scattered dates through the spring. It could be done, but I think Burstein is more likely.

Updated On: 9/18/24 at 06:00 PM

I think they used this photo

I was thinking it would be some who could get Butz into seats.

Wouldn’t NLB be kinda wasted on Herbie? Not much comedy to mine.

A hint with the "sweet" word choice?

Will Swenson. Sweet Caroline (not to mention as a couple....wherever I go, he goes)

OR

Brian d'Arcy James; Sweet Smell of Success

That photo looks nothing like Swenson or James.


For Burstein: “Among his many recordings is the musical Sweet Little Devil in which he introduced three George Gershwin, Buddy DeSylva songs. The score originally went unrecorded in 1924 and was finally recorded by PS Classics, with Burstein playing the role of Sam in 2012.”

BroadwayNYC2 said: "Right, what’s the “Sweet” connection to Danny Burnstein?"

I’m wondering if “sweet” and the candy emoji is just referring to Herbie being in the candy business. Still a random thing to emphasize, but I can’t think of who it could be hinting at if it’s a clue.

My only thought was Christian Borle since he played Willy Wonka, but he's tied up with Tammy Faye