Broadway replacements landing the film version...

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 4:15pm

A post on the recent H2$ thread got me thinking...

How many "replacement" cast members from Broadway shows have landed the film role?

I can only think of two, off hand:

Michelle Lee as Rosemary in How To Succeed
John Cullum as Rutledge in 1776

They were not in the original cast, but played the parts during the Broadway run.

...And they got the part in the movie.

I'm sure there are others. Anyone know?

Updated On: 9/12/06 at 04:15 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 4:19pm

Some replacement Broadway actors made it into the film versions of A CHORUS LINE, CHICAGO, HAIR, WEST SIDE STORY and HELLO DOLLY.

HOW TO SUCCEED featured a number of Broadway replacements including Maureen Arthur as Hedy.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 4:22pm

Not Broadway, but Vivien Leigh landed the STREETCAR film after playing the role in the West End. Obviously being a movie star she was the preferred choice over Tandy, while the rest of the Broadway cast got to repeat their stage performances.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 4:25pm

Similar situation with Gwenyth Paltrow and PROOF, though her lauded performance on stage in London was probably a direct prelude to doing the film.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 4:27pm

Didn't Topol play Tevye somewhere (not Broadway) before the film?

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 4:27pm

I know there are other London (West End) folk...

Didn't Topol open Fiddler there?

Also Ron Moody in Oliver, I believe.

EDIT: Margo, we were thinking about the same thing!

I believe Topol is on the Original London Cast Recording of Fiddler.

Updated On: 9/12/06 at 04:27 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 4:28pm

He was the London Tevye. Ron Moody actually created Fagin in OLIVER! in London, Clive Revell opened the show in NYC but that was later, of course.

Aileen Quinn was a replacement cast member of ANNIE when she snagged the film version, though she, on Broadway was a cover for the orphans, not the title role.
Updated On: 9/12/06 at 04:28 PM

[StageManager2]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 4:30pm

The guy who played Jesus in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Ted Neely, I think. Wasn't he the understudy for the Broadway lead?

Updated On: 9/12/06 at 04:30 PM

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 4:32pm

Well, John Travolta wasn't the original Danny either (didn't he originally start out as Doodie, to boot?).

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 4:34pm

Yes, and the film Jan in GREASE was also a stage replacement.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 4:48pm

I know the Maggie in the Chorus Line movie played the role on Broadway.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 5:10pm

Hey, I just thought of another one... REALLY old one...

Irene Dunne was playing Magnolia in the touring company of "Show Boat" when she got the part in the film.

She was an uknown at the time. It launched her (amazing) film career.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 5:14pm

best12bars: Did you just "think" of it, or have you been busy this whole time Googling information and finally got a hit?

Updated On: 9/12/06 at 05:14 PM

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 5:14pm

One thing's for sure: no original cast or otherwise will be in the Sweeney Todd film.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 5:16pm

Well I think its always possible that Angela Lansbury will get a cameo in the SWEENEY FILM...

[Producer2]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 5:16pm

Pam Klinger was the broadway replacement for a chorus line and in the movie. she went on to play babette in broadway's beauty and the beast for years.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 5:17pm

bwaysinger: The same could be said about HAIRSPRAY... and DREAMGIRLS.

Updated On: 9/13/06 at 05:17 PM

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 5:18pm

StageManager2, on the same note wasn't Carl Anderson the understudy for Ben Vereen, or was he the alternate.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 5:22pm

Carl took over for Ben Vereen on Broadway and was later cast in the film. He was suqbsequently nominated for two Golden Globes as Best Actor (musical/comedy) and as Most Promising Newcomer (whatever happened to that award?).

Updated On: 9/13/06 at 05:22 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 5:32pm

SM2---They did away with the "newcomer" Golden Globe after Pia Zadora won for a film that nobody saw.

(sorry for my own thread-jack)

Thought of a couple more from FIDDLER:

Leonard Frey (chorus in the OBC, but a replacement Motel during the run) and Rosalind Harris (a replacement Tseitel) were both cast in the film.

[genius2]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 5:35pm

Richard Burton was maybe the third replacement in "Equus" and on to play Dysart in the film.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 5:36pm

SM2---I just saw your "Google" comment.

In all honesty, I didn't "Google" Irene Dunne. I knew the story about her being cast in the film from the touring company.

I DID however verify through the IBDb.com that both Leonard Frey and Rosalind Harris were replacements in Fiddler. I was pretty sure about him, but not so sure about her.

So, I fact-check! Whenever possible, at least.

I wish MORE people would.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 8:09pm

Yeah, yeah.

[alliez92092]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 8:48pm

Hayley Podschun toured as Shelly I think in Hairspray and now she's in the movie.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 9/12/06 at 9:16pm

Rosalind Harris went on the road with the Topol FIDDLER of the early 90s as Golde.

Updated On: 9/12/06 at 09:16 PM