COMPANY starring Katrina Lenk and Patti LuPone will open March 22 — Page 10

Mike Barrett said: "No, current rumor is Stephanie J Block got an offer. Id assume shed take it if true, but Patti Lupone seems to be confirmed. Seems as if no one else from London will be heading over."

But how are you sure that your rumor is true, and Williams hasn't accepted the role?

Yes, in this version Marta is PJ and Bobbie's other boyfriends are Andy and Theo.

I was drawn back to the show again and again in London so I'm interested to see how it's received in New York. In this production, Bobbie's a compelling character and her acting's possibly more important than her singing. She has lots of silent moments and reactions in between the scenes. Actually, the scene transitions are a big part of the staging because all the sets are like boxed-up memories in black spaces and you watch her walking in and out of them.

No, she says "I think you and Larry should make it." The first time, I wasn't sure if that moment worked, but it's grown on me. It's kind of insulting to Bobbie and it says something a bit more unusual about Joanne. I think in an interview somewhere Patti said she likes it because Joanne's no longer predatory.

I actually think the gender swap makes Joanne a more interesting character too. She's like a mentor to Bobbie and you can also see parallels between them, depending on which direction Bobbie goes in. And when she sings 'here's to the girls who just watch' she's aiming at Bobbie.

All I want is for Stephanie J. Block to be back on Broadway in a show that's actually good! I would be so down for her to be in this.

Id love to see Annaleigh Ashford as Bobbi... not that it will happen as she’s doing Sunday/George in London

Unless they are going to get a name, I think they will end up bringing Rosalie Craig over. Some of the 'inquiries' into American actresses could be a ploy so the producers can go to AEA and say they explored American options, no one 'suitable' was available and that they need to bring Craig over. I can't imagine producers thinking Kate Baldwin or even Stephanie Block would sell enough seats to satisfy a commercial run of this on Broadway. At least with Craig they can sell the lead of the original production and I bet, based on what she was paid in the west end, her salary demands would be less.

I say this as someone who thought Craig was disappointing, and would much prefer seeing an American actress play the role.

Updated On: 7/19/19 at 09:52 AM

QueenAlice said: "Unless they are going to get a name, I think they will end up bringing Rosalie Craig over. ... At least with Craig they can sell the lead of the original production and I bet, based on what she was paid in the west end, her salary demands would be less.

This is what I thought, too. Going for a movie star made sense. Hell, even a big Bway name like Audra (or the equivalent). But otherwise, it seems the usual pattern is bringing over the UK star and relying on Bway audience’s usual Anglophilia.

Valentina3 said: "QueenAlice said: "Unless they are going to get a name, I think they will end up bringing Rosalie Craig over. Some of the 'inquiries' into American actresses could be a ploy so the producers can go to AEA and say they explored American options, no one 'suitable' was available and thatthey need to bring Craig over. I can't imagine producers thinking Kate Baldwin or even Stephanie Block would sell enough seats to satisfy a commercial run of this on Broadway. At least with Craig they can sell the lead of the original production and I bet, based on what she was paid in the west end, her salary demands would be less.

I say this as someone who would much prefer seeing an American actress play the role."

I don't get this. SJB and Kate Baldwin would at least have some familiarity with American audiences. SJB literally just won a Tony and Baldwin was recently seen in a beloved musical (and Tony nominated). They might not be Anne Hathaway famous, but they have a larger base here than Rosalie Craig ever would. So why would they bring Craig over? To a producer, how is that any better than having SJB lead the cast?"

All of this is hypothetical -- but in the hypothetical scenario I'm depicting -- The producers would want to bring Craig over because the show was conceived with her in mind for the lead, she was nominated for the Olivier Award and Ben Brantley already gave her a glowing review. In London, Craig was also paid a fraction of what Stephanie Block was paid for THE CHER SHOW (and presumably Craig would do the part on Broadway for a lot less than Block would demand moving forward as a Tony winner). So in this hypothetical argument, which is better? Paying less for the prestige of original star or more for an American actress who doesn't really sell tickets?

Part of my hypothetical scenario is also the presumption that the producers might want Craig all along but have to prove to American AEA that they explored American options for the part. AEA might require that.

If they are going to go with someone as old as Block, they should just get Audra McDonald, who WOULD be a name for this that would incite ticket sales.

I think its safe to say that Audra McDonald starring in a musical would be a much bigger draw than Audra McDonald starring in a somber, two person Terrance McNally play.

And please don't get me wrong - I think Stephanie Block would probably be superior to Craig in the role, but I think the producers will feel a fidelity to Craig and want her to come over with it if a bigger name isn't available. But I think a lot of you in NYC will be disappointment by Craig if she transfers. There is a different standard for Broadway - I'm sorry to say it but its the truth. Rosalie Craig is not at the level of the top American musical theatre actresses.