Breaking News: MATILDA THE MUSICAL to Open on Broadway Early 2013

Fantastic! Can't wait to see this show.

I've heard good things about this musical. I also loved the book growing up, some people were not cray about the fim adaptation but I liked it. I wonder which Broadway theatre the show wants.

There was a rumour that said that Mamma Mia! was going to move to the Ambassadors to make way for Matilda at the Winter Garden with Chicago moving to the Booth but given that Mamma Mia! has been performing quite well in recent weeks, I'm not sure if it's true.

I kind of thought Sister Act might face the axe and Matilda would take the Broadway.

This thread is THREE HOURS old and no casting suggestions yet? I'm disappointed.

Miss Honey: Celia Keenan-Bolger
Trunchbull: Jayne Houdyshell

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Trunchbull is played by a man in London. If they continue that trend, I would guess Marc Kudish will be considered. Kelly O'Hara would make a great Miss Honey, although my guess is they'll bring Lauren Ward over from London since she is married to the director. She was great, just a little old.

I imagine they'll be bringing Bertie Carvel over from London to reprise his role on Broadway. The show has received raves, with almost all of them singling out his performance as the show-stealer.

Not knowing the vocal range of Miss Honey, I somehow picture either Kerry Butler or Patti Murin in that role.

People like Lauren Ward are never coming here with the show. Equity may make an exception for Bertie Carvel, since that's such a unique situation, but there's no way they'll allow anyone else to transfer.

Expect an American cast.

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For what it's worth, Trunchbull was played by a woman when the RSC workshopped the show. They never even thought of having a man play it until Carvel became involved, and they've said they're not opposed to a woman playing it in the future (I'd say the odds are pretty high it'll happen eventually, since Carvel is such a unique performer.) This certainly isn't like Edna in HAIRSPRAY, where a man playing the role was ingrained in the very conception of the part.

Jonwo, I always forget that Ward is American. In that case, given her relationship with Warchus, she very well could come over with the show, but I do I know their family (they have three children) is based out of London. Having her do the show there is relatively easy in terms of their home life, but moving the kids to New York for at least a year may be a bit of an upheaval for them.

Personally, I'd like to see them go a bit younger and brighter with Miss Honey on Broadway. Ward was terrific, but I found there to be something really magical about having a young woman discover a kindred spirit in Matilda in the film, and I missed that in the stage version. In terms of who's been suggested here, Jill Paice always comes across as totally cold and lifeless to me, but Celia Keenan-Bolger sounds like a terrific idea. She has a quirky sensibility that's perfect for this type of material, and she's also infinitely lovable, which is crucial for the part.

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Updated On: 2/28/12 at 10:47 PM

AEA, I believe the fact that Ward is married to a Brit in Warchus gives her the ability to perform both here and in England, meaning she wouldn't have needed an exchange to do the show for the RSC. She's worked almost exclusively in England since she and Warchus became an item over ten years ago (they met when he cast her as Young Sally in his revival of FOLLIES on Broadway in 2001.)

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Updated On: 2/28/12 at 10:58 PM

Follies was on Broadway in 2001? Where have I been, ha.