Betsy Wolfe departs CAROUSEL- Page 9

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 9:24pm

I didn't call pregnancy as a concept creepy...it's more like the baseless speculation about something that's super personal and is nobody else's goddamn business.

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 9:26pm

VoteBenanti said: "GeorgeandDot said: "If she left for Frozen, I can't say that it's a good choice. In Carousel, she was a serious award contender and a Tony can do wonders for an already pretty healthy acting career."

I love how ya'll are going on and on about how she lost her big shot at winning a Tony award, while the rehearsals and possible developmental labs haven't even started yet and nobody (besides the people directly involved with the decision to cast her)has even seen her as Carrie and has no idea what she would've done with the role. Yes she is a very talented actor, but do we really have anything to base this "lost opportunity for a Tony" drama on? Don't get me wrong, I am upset that she has withdrawn from the revival, but stop making preconceived notions of what would or would not have been. :)"

Honey, there's no "drama."  Just saying that if I saw anyone taking home a Tony for featured actress next year, it was Betsy for Carrie.  The role has earned people this Tony before and is a favorite of many.  This role was a nearly guaranteed nomination if not a win.  What I'm saying is, she wouldn't leave that role to do Frozen which she would have been far less likely to gain critical acclaim and possible awards for.  It's probably a TV show.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 9:35pm

MichelleCraig said: "I’m just amazed that I read every single post in this (now) eight page thread...

I’ll have to check out this Betsy Wolfe."

Well she is in Waitress every night ...

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 9:47pm

Unless you absolutely slaughter the role, Carrie Pipperidge is a guaranteed Tony nomination. And given the (currently) slim competition for 2018's Featured Actress, Betsy was easily the favorite. By a long shot.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 10:03pm

I'm fairly certain that the majority of performers don't decide upon a project based on their odds of a Tony (or any other) Award.  THAT should never be the reason they do artistic work.  Most think of it as a dessert, not the main course.  

[Bell0708]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 10:14pm

Call_me_jorge said: "I was hoping she would get her tony award from this. Now I'm full on sobbing. I love Betsy sooo much. Someone tell me it's going to be alright and she's still going to have a healthy career."

It'll be all right Call_Me_Jorge, she will have a healthy career.  Feel better?

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 10:14pm

Any ideas as to what the tv show might be? Is it the Damian chazelle series? 

[Bell0708]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 10:18pm

fashionguru_23 said: "This is the one and only time I wish someone on this board would say "I know why but I can't say say what it is". Just to calm everything down a bit"

I know why but I can't say what it is.  Feel better?

[Bell0708]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 10:28pm

smidge said: "Hamilfan2 said: "Here I Am said: "So, Betsy Wolfedepartedoriginating the lead role in Frozen. Then she departed originating amajor principal role in ahigh profile Broadway revival. Both roles could have very easily earned her Tony nominations, or even wins for that matter!"

1) I dont think either departure was her choice

2) I think the fact that she ever had both of those parts is a testament to her great skill and an actress and proof that she will have more high profile roles coming down the pipeline.

3) I agree she definitely would've been nominated for Carousel, but I doubt the Tonys will give Frozen very many nominations or wins. They don't seem to like to reward the Disney shows (JMI being the exception to this of course)"

It took me forever to figure out JMI. At first I thought "That's a funny abbreviation for The Lion King "."

What is JMI?

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 10:30pm

Bell0708 said: "smidge said: "Hamilfan2 said: "Here I Am said: "So, Betsy Wolfedepartedoriginating the lead role in Frozen. Then she departed originating amajor principal role in ahigh profile Broadway revival. Both roles could have very easily earned her Tony nominations, or even wins for that matter!"

1) I dont think either departure was her choice

2) I think the fact that she ever had both of those parts is a testament to her great skill and an actress and proof that she will have more high profile roles coming down the pipeline.

3) I agree she definitely would've been nominated for Carousel, but I doubt the Tonys will give Frozen very many nominations or wins. They don't seem to like to reward the Disney shows (JMI being the exception to this of course)"

It took me forever to figure out JMI. At first I thought "That's a funny abbreviation for The Lion King "."

What is JMI?"

James Monroe Iglehart

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 10:30pm

James Monroe iglehart 

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 10:30pm

dramamama611 said: "I'm fairly certain that the majority of performers don't decide upon a project based on their odds of a Tony (or any other) Award. THAT should never be the reason they do artistic work. Most think of it as a dessert, not the main course. "

This is both true and not true.  It is true that most actors are just happy to be employed and the award is a bonus, but when you have to make a choice between roles it is important to choose which one will be the best for your career, and a Tony Award can make a huge difference to her career...... as would a TV show which is most likely what is going on here.

Updated On: 9/19/17 at 10:30 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 10:38pm

If she left for Frozen, I can't say that it's a good choice.  In Carousel, she was a serious award contender and a Tony can do wonders for an already pretty healthy acting career.  

No, she wasn't because there hasn't even been a workshop or rehearsals or previews or performances. She wasn't a contender, serious or otherwise.

The actual longevity of the show doesn't matter, so long as the show doesn't close until that actor decides to leave.  

Your stipulation means the longevity DOES matter.  Trophies are great, but don't guarantee work.

Frozen may be a smash, but what does it matter if she only plans on staying with the show for a year.

How long was she planning?  

Carousel will do well.  It might not be a massive Hamilton/Bette Midler level of success, but it's a beloved show that will do well at the box office and will probably do well at the awards too.  

Based on what?  Even the most heavily lauded and critically acclaimed production of the show since its original run ran less than a year.  The original run was two years.  That is the best this show has ever done on Broadway.  The most recent King & I ran a little over a year.  South Pacific a little over two years.  Oklahoma was under a year.  There is nothing that indicates this production will be a financial or critical success.  The director's credits are spotty with his most recent musical venture receiving straight-up pans (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) for being a massive directorial misfire, the choreographer shows potential given his 9 years choreographing ballets, but has no Broadway credits, scenic design looks to be pretty solid, but we've no idea of the conceptual design (he's not the designer for the Lyric Opera production, so that's something in his favor).  Rudin will throw a lot of money at it and he could have a Dolly or he could have a Shuffle Along.  One thing is for sure...you really only have wishful thinking on your side. That's all.

I can't say that Fozen will do too well with critics or awards.  Therefore, it probably wouldn't be a fantastic career move.

Also, Frozen sucks.  No disrespect to the performers, they're doing their best, but the show is garbage.  The film was garbage too.  

Honestly, your opinion will have zero effect on sales and not indicative of any of its Tony chances whatsoever.  Whether you believe its garbage is entirely irrelevant.  But you should definitely tell Caissie Levy that you think she made a bad career move.  I'm sure it would mean a lot to her.

The role has earned people this Tony before and is a favorite of many. 

Not "people".  Person.  One person.  That one person was Audra McDonald, in her second of six Tony wins. It was the actress who earned the Tony, not the role.

I loved Betsy in Falsettos.  I think she's great.  I also live in reality.  You want to believe she's a serious contender or easily the favorite, you should sit down and have a chat with Kelli O'Hara someday.  I would seriously hope she'd slap some sense into your heads cuz y'all sound crazy.

Updated On: 9/19/17 at 10:38 PM

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 10:49pm

Call_me_jorge said: "Any ideas as to what the tv show might be? Is itthe Damian chazelle series?"

I heard they're reviving The Love Boat and Betsy will be Julie, Your Cruise Director. I heard Keggan-Michael Key will be Isaac The Bartender. Who should play Gopher? 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 10:55pm

Whoever plays Gopher will be a serious contender for the Tony.  They've practically already won.  The role is a Tony magnet and based on everything I've heard thus far, it's a lock for whoever it may be.  Well, it depends how much I like the actor and the show, but other than that, nothing else really matters.  If the person who plays Gopher should really choose the role no matter the risk or the cost.  Other than my personal opinion, there are no other factors to consider.

Updated On: 9/19/17 at 10:55 PM

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 11:16pm

Matt, get a grip, babe.  You know what I mean.  The role is a strong award contender.  Some roles are just like that, so it must be something very special to drop out of it.

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 11:21pm

This thread really is something. 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 11:23pm

Janie Dee won the Olivier Award for playing Carrie in the same production at the RNT and she and Audra couldn't have been more different in the part. If you get a special and brilliant musical theatre talent in ths role- it's definitely a part like Rose, like Mrs. Anna, like Desiree that wins people awards. 

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 9/20/17 at 12:28am

Carrie is a good part, and actually more award-friendly than Julie the Doormat.

And it is very unlikely she was fired from Carousel since rehearsals haven't even started yet. If they had, then yes, "scheduling conflicts" would be obvious BS, but she is very clearly just dropping out.

Five dollars says she's pregnant but it's too early to make public.

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 9/20/17 at 12:34am

I know it's unrealistic but I'm just hoping that whatever scheduling conflict is making her leave could maybe possibly get resolved. I mean, it's just such a perfect role for her, disregarding any kind of award talk, and from her interview in The Interval, she really, really has a grasp on the character, and how she fits into the narrative of the show. That's why so many of us are upset - she really is the best choice right now to play Carrie. Such a shame. I'm so genuinely heartbroken that we won't get to see her Carrie. 

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 9/20/17 at 12:42am

Bell0708 said: "fashionguru_23 said: "This is the one and only time I wish someone on this board would say "I know why but I can't say say what it is". Just to calm everything down a bit"

I know why but I can't say what it is. Feel better?"

I was waiting for someone to do that.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 9/20/17 at 12:59am

Now I can't get Jesse Tyler Ferguson and his bow tie out of my brain.

[BobBenson]

Posted: 9/20/17 at 1:33am

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Heck Adam, Eve, Cain, and effin' Abel. I heard about it, but didn't believe it. Some gal leaves The Carousel and you folks go on for nine pages about it. Damn. You people really are fans. Nothing ceases to amaze me in this world.

[ChairinMain]

Posted: 9/20/17 at 1:47am

fingers crossed someone gives Denée Benton a call!

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 9/20/17 at 1:57am

I just hope she does her Carnegie Hall concert so I can see that Last 5 Years reunion. And if it's already been announced, can someone tell me when she's scheduled to leave Waitress so I know how long I have to see it?