Brooke is really replacing Donna in Wonderful Town- Page 2

[MariantheLibrarian]

Posted: 8/20/04 at 10:04pm

Grr. I know this is inconceivable and just totally unrealistic, but I want Linda to replace her -- she's absolutely fabulous in the role and deserves it.

[alterego]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 12:57am

A week ago they were saying Reba Mc Entire...what happenned there?

[lanaenchanted]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 1:07am

thank you marianthelibrarian. you said what i was thinking. after all the energy she has put into this show covering for donna and doing her own part, she deserves this. sad that names are the only thing that draws ppl now these days..

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 1:10am

I say give the woman a chance. It's completely unfair to pre judge her performance, when no one has seen it yet. She might be suprisingly pleasant in the role. We can't expect her to live up to Donna, but she might do a good interpretation.

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 1:18am

They've said Reba, they've said Cyndi Lauper, but I haven't heard anthing about Brooke until it was officially announced. I didn't know she sang--and apparently from this thread she doesn't do it well. Oh well, I'm seeing it the 5th, so Donna'll still be thurrrrrrr.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 2:05am

I'd like to see Amy Sedaris in the role.

[chelvis]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 2:35am

I don't think it's nastiness. I think it is a reaction to the sorry state of the music theater. I have no problem with Brooke in Cabaret or Grease at least she is somewhat right for those parts. But Ruth Sherwood the older UNATTRACTIVE sister? Brooke was a model!! She is so miscast and on top of that she doesn't have the music comedy chops that Donna and Rosalind Russell have. The only reason she is playing this role is because of her name. And that is frustrating to anyone who loves music theater and loves Wonderful Town.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 2:55am

Brooke Shields is this role is reminiscent of when Antonio was the first choice to play the Phantom in the movie. They're both capable actors with the right material (admittedly Antonio is a much better actor than Brooke) but these are roles for which they are simply the wrong type, look, and voice quality.

[chelvis]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 3:19am

Maybe Brooke could replace Tonya Pinkins in "Caroline or Change"?

[shira467]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 3:32am

I believe that with Brooke replacing Donna, the show is officially shot to hell.

And yes, I've seen Brooke perform. If you can call it that. I'm glad I saw Cabaret, but it's just, painful. On TV, she's fine. But not everyone can have a stage presence.

Brooke playing Ruth Sherwood is almost insulting to Donna and Rosalind who did such great jobs. Why should they have done so much and such wonderful jobs when they can be replaced by an actress who, while great on television, has no stage performing ability?

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:18am

The "Fatal Attraction" analogy doesn't work in this instance. The Douglas character didn't choose to "leave" Anne Archer for Close -- just the opposite. All he wanted was a one-night stand and he didn't choose Close because he thought she was better-looking than Ann Archer -- he chose her because she just happened to be there and was available. As far as he was concerned, after the sex, that would be the end of it. He had no interest whatsoever in ever seeing her again, didn't for a second ever contemplate leaving his wife for her and couldn't wait to get back to Anne Archer after it was over. CLOSE was the one who wanted it to be more and wouldn't take no for an answer ("I won't be ignored!") and went crazy and boiled up the pet rabbit.......

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:32am

Margo - I absolutely understand your point - but the spark to my mind only had to do with the whole 'beauty' aspect of it all. I just don't think that because Brooke is considered a 'typical' beauty means she can't be considered for the role, that's all. Beauty, as we know, is in the eye of the beholder. And while it may seem an illogical choice based on stereotype, I'm not sure that should negate the option completely. Now, as for talent, that's a whole different topic - which I respectfully decline to discuss

[IssaMe]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 9:58am

Once again, Brooke has agreed to do the role through the holidays. The producers are in negotiations with Reba to take over after that.

Reba in the role - what an awesome prospect.

But it is not a done deal.

And yes, Cyndi was offered the role...she came to see the show last month to decide... and passed on the idea.

People jumped all over me last week for saying Brooke was coming in with Donna not being kept on. BTW, it was NOT meant as a criticism of Donna in any way. I ADORE Donna - as a person and in this role. I think she has generally gotten a bum deal in this show - but not from critics or the public who love her.

I was simply reporting the news, albeit perhaps a bit early since I guess we are all supposed to patiently wait for the official press release and its "official" wording (i.e. spin).

And nobody is reporting what is REALLY going on (look for the next exit). Frankly, sorry that I did. Guess that people prefer their fantasy world illusions of Broadway (it ain't always like that, folks).

Sending much love to Donna and her next great role. She is the BEST. A total doll.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 10:08am

I like the idea of Reba in the role, but there is one question in my mind. Can Reba ditch the southern accent? It worked for her in AGYG, but the accent will hinder the character in Wonderful Town.

[IssaMe]

Posted: 8/21/04 at 10:10am

She'll be from "South" Ohio?