Let the bankable-name vs. Broadway-talent discussion begin!
I think that Nice Work should be losing a leading lady.
Updated On: 6/29/12 at 01:41 PM
Laura Benanti please.
(Go On tie in on NBC?)
Updated On: 6/29/12 at 01:44 PM
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
Neat.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/24/09
Let's cross our fingers that this is actually good. Also add another to the Kelli O'Hara votes.
Laura Osnes may get it-she did play the role at that Carnegie Hall benefit.
I hope it can be appreciated for what it is, because whatever it is will pale in comparison to the movie. I'd like to see them go younger than O'Hara; I don't think I'd buy her as a novice. Maybe Laura Osnes? Nathan Fillion as Captain von Trapp?
Also, since they say the singing will be live, any 'bankable name' will have to be able to deliver.
I like the Nathan Fillion idea…what about Gwenyth Paltrow? Just a random idea that came to my mind.
I was never a Laura Osnes fan until the Carnegie Hall benefit. Now I adore her and would be excited to see her in this TV production.
Maybe Katherine Jenkins (the operatic Brit singer from last DWTS season) as Maria?
PalJoey-I have a feeling she's going to get it. She she did the Carnegie Hall event and will be Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, I think she's really a good choice.
They can cast bigger names as the Captain and Elsa, since they are less vocally challenging. But, for Maria you need someone who can sing.
Updated On: 6/29/12 at 02:15 PM
That's true. I like the concept of the Captain is a star and Maria is "Introducing ______ as Maria".
This casting process and televised version would have made a way better premise for Smash.
I know she was just on Broadway as a nun, but I'd like to see Victoria Clark as Mother Abbess. And if they don't decide to use a name as Elsa, maybe Jan Maxwell?
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/23/08
This is exciting news!!
No offense, but Laura Benanti is kind of old (yea, I know that Mary Martin was pushing 50). Maria is supposed to be between 20 and 22. This is what I think:
Maria- Sierra Boggess, Laura Osnes, Connie Fisher, Ashley Brown
Captain- John Barrowman or James Marsden
Elsa- Laura Benanti or Kelli O'Hara
Max- Chris Sieber
Mother Abbess- Rebecca Luker
Just throwing out suggestions. I've never done one of these casting things. Haha.
Sound like a desperate attempt by a network in the toilet, but, man, I hope it work.
Understudy Joined: 8/12/06
Aren't these the guys who produce Smash? Could we see McPhee or Hilty as Maria?
Wow! I love the movie and love the story of SOM! There are so many uber talented women out there right now and I'm sure they will choose the right people for the leads. Kelli came to my head first but I would be happy with any of the afore mentioned names.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/24/09
Well then we'd be seeing McPhee AND Hilty as Maria, with them switching a few times in between and throwing off the show.
Let's keep in mind that the Captain has an oldest child who is 16, going on 17.
Aren't these the same idiots who cast Matthew Broderick in "The Music Man"?
Ashely Brown is only three years younger than Benanti.
Well if they were going to do an NBC tie in, did't Laura win Grease on NBC?
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/23/08
"Let's keep in mind that the Captain has an oldest child who is 16, going on 17."
Christopher Plummer was 34 when he played the role, even though the Captain is supposed to be 40-45. The real Captain and Maria were 47 and 22 respectively when they married.
I think they might tap Smash for some of these roles. How about Brian D'Arcy James as the Captain??? Debra Messing as Elsa? And Christian Borle as Max? Don't know who they want as the Mother Abbess (I know who I want, that's for sure. In a perfect world, Julie Andrews would still be able to sing and to do that role. How about Marni Nixon? Can she still sing that song???)
If they look at opera singers for Mother Abbess, I vote Renee Fleming.
Never can tell with them Hollywood folks. Someone cast Jessica Biel as Sarah Brown for the Hollywood Bowl.
Updated On: 6/29/12 at 02:36 PM
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