I would love to see Joan Plowright or Judi Dench as Armfeldt, even though I know Judi Dench wouldn't do it. I'd be absolutely delighted to see Eileen Atkins do it. Stritch would be great also. No, I don't think she always plays drunk.
I don't think Shields has what it takes for Desiree. She's just not glamorous enough. She's too woman-next-door. The same could have been said about Glynis Johns, but Shields is not the actress that Glynis Johns is.
I think Juliette Binoche is certainly looks and age-appropriate. A pipe dream.
2010
Feb. 28 - Looped, Feb. 28 - Next to Normal, March 4 - Hair, March 11 - A Little Night Music, March 24 - Time Stands Still, April 6 - La Cage Aux Folles, April 10 - Anyone Can Whistle (City Center), April 10 - Looped, May 9 - Enron, May 15 - A Little Night Music, May 15 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Little Night Music, June 20 - A Little Night Music, June 23 - Red, June 23 - Sondheim on Sondheim, July 13 - A Little Night Music, July 18 - The Grand Manner (Lincoln Center)