COMPANY starring Katrina Lenk and Patti LuPone will open March 22 — Page 16

Every time I open this thread:

QueenAlice said: "broadwaybabywannabe2 said: "QueenAlice said: "Lenk would be an extraordinary choice. I hope it’s true."

WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!...Lenk is ABSOLUTELY THE WORST CHOICE for a role that is written for a very New York City man/woman!!...i know you all loved Katrina's work in The Bands Visit, but honestly is she right for this role?...NO NO NO...please stop these rumors and pure speculation...let's just wait and see who is REALLY going to play Bobbie...Lenk as Bobbie would not get me to fly to NYC to see this Spring arrival!!

"

I’m not sure I understand your response unless you are presuming Lenk is Middle Eastern like the character she played in THE BANDS VISIT. Lenk is in fact a midwestern Americanactress from Chicago (as is Jesse Mueller actually). I’m not sure what else wouldn’t make her qualified to play the role in your eyes."





Broadwaybabywannabe is clearly proving the point that Lenk will be extraordinary and is a brilliant actor as they so clearly believe that she is actually middle eastern... (of Eastern European decent, yes)....but she’s born and raised in Chicago. Unless they believe that the role should only go to a born and raised New Yorker? (It’s been a few years since I’ve directed a production; but I’m fairly positive that’s not mentioned in the libretto...). But even if she was Middle Eastern, should that disqualify her from the role?



Also, if Matt Doyle is Jamie (if that rumor is true, and it does fit with the hint given earlier)....that’s great casting— however, I can’t get Brandon out of my head for the role if not Bailey).



Goddammmmmit I just want to know this full cast. Casting announcements never pique my interest at the level this one is!

AlfieByrne said: "I totally believe that Katrina Lenk is a captivating actress, but I'm totally getting Daphne Rubin-Vega in Les Mis vibes here... Hopefully Katrina won't shout-sing her way through Being Alive."

According to this thread, Sondheim himself picked her, so why would he pick someone who struggles through the music of his own show? Besides, listening to "Omar Sharif" and her cover of "If I Were A Rich Man" (leaving below because damn), she doesn't seem to struggle at all. She might still struggle through "Being Alive", I have no idea, just I do not think Sondheim would pick her above all the other equally wonderful actors listed in this thread if she couldn't do it. He's not scraping the bottom of the barrel, so Lenk will do no less than fantastic.

Jordan Catalano said: "Lenk is a lot of things but she ain’t 35. "

Ehh..I think she could pass for 35

Jordan Catalano said: "Ok, yeah sure. But she isn’t going to sell tickets and this production would need a name who can sell the show and there’s a ton of people closer to 35 that could actually do that."

I think that’s a very valid point to be honest. While Ms Lenk maybe applauded as a choice within the theatre community almost all of those who would be excited by this choice would probably fall into the ‘likely audience’ category if any number of suitable ladies were chosen. It’s already been laboured to death on this forum how Tony accolades in acting mean next to nothing at the box office; And that’s for the shows they’ve ACTUALLY been awarded FOR (looking at you Tootsie).

Arguably there are other roles in Company that could be (stunt) cast from outside of the theatre community to broaden the show’s appeal to a television/cinema crowd. I think you’d have to agree Bakeoff’s huge UK following is how Mel Giedroyc secured her place in the West End production. Perhaps Colbert has grown tired of Trump monologues for a short season.... (Haven’t we all?)

this thread is a paradigm example of the nature of internet conversation today.

first, i jokingly said above that Lenk is so good at becoming her characters, that in my head she has an accent (TBV, Indecent, Maisel). But people here seem to actually think this? Is it really possible for someone to think a Chicago-born American can't play a New Yorker because in between Chicago and New York she pretended to be in Israel?

second, Neil Patrick Harris was born and raised in New Mexico/California. Raul Esparza was born in Delaware to Cuban parents and raised in Miami. I think Lenk the Chicagoan should manage to pull this off.

third, this thread is all about speculating as to company's transfer to broadway. if you dont like speculation and "rumors" you shouldnt open this thread and just wait until the cast is announced.

finally, while I think Lenk could pull off 35, i'm not sure its sexist to ask that question when its an explicit point in the script. its not like anyone is saying oh, shes too old to be attractive or sexually appealing. we're saying the role calls for X and she is objectively Y. How is that sexist? Esparza did the role at 36. He had he been 45, the same discussion would ensue. Grip needs to be got.

QueenAlice said:

It looks like the producers are going the “prestige” route/ casting respected stage actors in a Sondheim musical with a buzzy concept and hoping that will be enough to generate some interest and hopefully some Tony awards. But hey this is Sondheim and with the exception of Jake Gyllenhaal doing SUNDAY, this is kind of per the usual with how his shows are produced in NYC."

I completely agree with this. I would also add the Night Music revival which was successful and recouped.

Sondheim gets his way with casting, if he wants Lenk over a star he will get her. In the Night Music revival he personally offered it to CZJ over the phone. He also asked Bernadette to take over as a favor when discussing the Follies revival. He definitely has total control over casting. Whether this is financially successful or not, I’m not surprised he went with Lenk at all. I do agree that the prestige factor and likely rave reviews may help it become a must see event. Opening in the spring will also be a major advantage.

Updated On: 8/15/19 at 11:19 AM