Before the "Hannigan" announcement.....

[DAME]

Posted: 5/24/12 at 9:20pm

Nice to take a moment to revisit the AMAZING original.
Easy Street

[morosco]

Posted: 5/24/12 at 11:08pm

I miss Dorothy. Sublime.

[timesboylive]

Posted: 5/25/12 at 2:47am

I love the original. But I TRULY think the best lady to play the part right now is Andrea McArdle. Though I know that isn't a positive one (just here on the boards).I've seen her do it twice, and by far one of the best vocally and comedically I have seen do the part. And she does it with justice..

But on a side not, I think Jenn Colella would be an amazing Hannagin. She has one of the most amazing voices I have ever heard, and is HYSTERICAL. For sure someone who doesn't get enough contracts who should.

[Patash]

Posted: 5/25/12 at 8:54am

I had forgotten how truly amazing that number is -- and the great Dorothy Loudon doing it! Thanks!

[Gothampc]

Posted: 5/25/12 at 10:11am

She was such an incredible talent. I'm surprised that her talents weren't "spotlighted" before Annie, but I guess the 60s and 70s didn't provide the material to make her shine.

On another note: is Grace Farrell the most thankless role in the musical theater canon?

[theaternut]

Posted: 5/25/12 at 12:19pm

I don't think anyone has ever come close to her Hannigan. Maybe Alice Ghostley. And these days all those run down tours just cast Hannigan as fat matronly messes.

Updated On: 5/25/12 at 12:19 PM

[DAME]

Posted: 5/25/12 at 12:27pm

Watching that clip again and all the deliciousness she brought to the role really makes me hope they cast someone like Katie Finerman, Molly Shannon. or Jean Smart in it. No frumps please!

Updated On: 5/25/12 at 12:27 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/25/12 at 12:39pm

On another note: is Grace Farrell the most thankless role in the musical theater canon?

More thankless than Lily St. Regis????

[tazber]

Posted: 5/25/12 at 12:50pm

Thanks for that clip DAME. That is my favorite song in the show.

It may be sappy and corny, but when it's done well it still thrills me.

[Wynbish]

Posted: 5/25/12 at 12:57pm

"Watching that clip again and all the deliciousness she brought to the role really makes me hope they cast someone like Katie Finerman..."

Hey DAME, what lottery numbers should I use?

[DAME]

Posted: 5/25/12 at 12:59pm

Ha! I was just going with the rumor mill.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 5/25/12 at 1:01pm

I think Dorothy Loudon knew and was able to use all the comedic tricks that vaudeville performers used. It's a talent that is missing in today's crop of performers. Not to say that she was just a comedienne because she could also break your heart like she did in Ballroom.

"More thankless than Lily St. Regis????"

Lily got on the Tony Awards along with Daddy, Annie, Sandy and the orphans. No Grace in sight.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 5/25/12 at 1:17pm

If any of you haven't ever seen this, its worth looking at: a strange novelty from the holidays of 1977: the ANNIE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL starring the original Broadway cast!
ANNIE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

[theaternut]

Posted: 5/25/12 at 1:29pm

I hope some of the young ones take this as a opportunity to re discover Dorothy Loudon. Her Mrs Lovett was pure comedic genius and my favorite. And all of it is out there to view. And her "Vodka " is gold.

[DAME]

Posted: 5/25/12 at 2:44pm

Vodka should be required viewing.

[someone.else's.story2]

Posted: 5/25/12 at 2:50pm

Lily St Regis is such a fun role!!!!

Hardly thankless, in my opinion.

[Wynbish]

Posted: 5/25/12 at 2:56pm

Isn't it true that almost any time Grace is on stage, so is Annie (with one or two exceptions)? Grace gets upstaged by the cuteness. Lily gets to be in the funnest song in the show.

[goldenboy]

Posted: 5/26/12 at 9:31am

If they cast Molly Shannon, I'm staying home.
She ruined Music Man and Promises Promises
Keep her on tv where she belongs

Jean Smart would/will be amazing. So would Katie Finemran.

[Wynbish]

Posted: 5/26/12 at 10:10am

They did cast Katie.