Casting "Ursula" in THE LITTLE MERMAID

[CapnHook]

Casting "Ursula" in THE LITTLE MERMAID#0

Posted: 1/22/06 at 11:27pm

I'd love either Patti LuPone or Betty Buckley.

Personally, after just seeing Buckley live in concert, I think she'd blow everyone out of the water (so to speak ).

"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

[Piazzaslight]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#1

Posted: 1/22/06 at 11:28pm

I would pay to see Rosemary Ashe in the role, if she can come over here.

MARGARET: "Clara, stop that. That's illegal." - The Light in the Piazza

"I'm not in Bambi and I'm not blonde!" - Idina Menzel

[BSoBW3]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#2

Posted: 1/22/06 at 11:29pm

Harvey Fierstein
Emily Skinner
Betty Buckley would be funny
Debra Monk

The smallest stream is a valent river. It will drown me if it can.

Updated On: 1/22/06 at 11:29 PM

[jonartdesigns]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#3

Posted: 1/22/06 at 11:30pm

emily skinner
harriet harris
harvey fierstein
sheryl lee ralph
lillias white

and remember folks vanessa and ursula would totally be played by different performers, since vanessa would be lip syncing ariel's voice anyway

"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel

[Piazzaslight]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#4

Posted: 1/22/06 at 11:30pm

BSo... You're back! :)

That IS you... isn't it..?

MARGARET: "Clara, stop that. That's illegal." - The Light in the Piazza

"I'm not in Bambi and I'm not blonde!" - Idina Menzel

[BSoBW3]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#5

Posted: 1/22/06 at 11:32pm

"That IS you... isn't it..?"

The one and only! With a slight upgrade!

The smallest stream is a valent river. It will drown me if it can.

[Piazzaslight]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#6

Posted: 1/22/06 at 11:33pm

Good.

Enough Threadjacking now!

I also want to see Betty Buckley in the role. Or Kathleen Turner.

MARGARET: "Clara, stop that. That's illegal." - The Light in the Piazza

"I'm not in Bambi and I'm not blonde!" - Idina Menzel

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#7

Posted: 1/22/06 at 11:34pm

I would LOVE to see Sara Ramirez in the role. I think she can pull off both the sexy human Ursula and the evil octopus Ursula.

If she shows up.

Akiva

[BSoBW3]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#8

Posted: 1/22/06 at 11:35pm

"If she shows up."

That's rough!

What about the purple makeup!

The smallest stream is a valent river. It will drown me if it can.

[chinkie azn jai]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#9

Posted: 1/22/06 at 11:35pm

lol I like the Harvey Fierstein idea.

"Chicago is it's own incredible theater town right there smack down in the middle of the heartland. What a great city! I can see why Oprah likes to live there!" - Dee Hoty :-D

[FoscasBohemianDream]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#10

Posted: 1/22/06 at 11:36pm

I hadn't thought of Sara Ramirez but actually she's probably the best casting option for this role I've heard.
If they're going for a comic, grotesque Ursula, no one could do it like Fierstein. But I don't know what choices they have made with this role.

[Piazzaslight]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#11

Posted: 1/22/06 at 11:39pm

"What about the purple makeup!"

Would she sing, "Defying Gravity" at the climax with her turning into a giant?

MARGARET: "Clara, stop that. That's illegal." - The Light in the Piazza

"I'm not in Bambi and I'm not blonde!" - Idina Menzel

[Tag]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#12

Posted: 1/22/06 at 11:40pm

They wouldn't necessarily HAVE to 'paint' Ursala purple. With the popluarity of Wicked, we have seen enough painted actresses lately. Maybe they could come up with another unique idea?

[timote316]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#13

Posted: 1/23/06 at 12:10am

After hearing the wonderful Kaitlin Hopkins on the On the Record cast recording singing "Poor Unfortunate Souls", I would love to see her in the role.

[ihearttheatre]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#14

Posted: 1/23/06 at 12:11am

I can't picture anyone other than Harvey Fierstein in the role. He just seems so perfect for it.

[BobbyBubby]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#15

Posted: 1/23/06 at 12:20am

Sad, but true, Emily Skinner will never be Ursula again.

[dididda]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#16

Posted: 1/23/06 at 12:22am

Harriet Harris. fin.

""the gays love their presents. just wave something shiny in front of their faces, you can get whatever you want. Thats how we got manhattan from the gay indians" -Karen (W&G)"

[Theatreboy49]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#17

Posted: 1/23/06 at 12:27am

I love the harvey fierstein idea but I would actually like to hear the song sang well. Harvey would sing it in charector but I want to hear it sung. He'd be great acting wise but I think I'd kill to see Sara Ramirez in the role. And on a differnt casting choice, Jenna Leigh Green for Ariel anyone?

<------ Me and my friends with patti Lupone at my friends afterparty for her concert with audra mcdonald during the summer of 2007.
"I am sorry but it is an unjust world and virtue is only triumphant in theatricle performances" The Mikado

[JerseyGirl2]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#18

Posted: 1/23/06 at 12:29am

Debra Monk!
Not sure why, but it's the first name that popped into my head.

Pretty pretty please don't you ever ever feel like you're less than f**ckin' perfect!

[Theatreboy49]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#19

Posted: 1/23/06 at 12:40am

Debra Monk would also be good, I love her Ladies Who Lunch from the Company Revival. She could definitly sing Poor Unfortunate Souls.

*"What about the purple makeup!"

Would she sing, "Defying Gravity" at the climax with her turning into a giant?*

Piazza, that was great

<------ Me and my friends with patti Lupone at my friends afterparty for her concert with audra mcdonald during the summer of 2007.
"I am sorry but it is an unjust world and virtue is only triumphant in theatricle performances" The Mikado

[BobbyBubby]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#20

Posted: 1/23/06 at 12:44am

Mary Testa

[theatreboi11]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#21

Posted: 1/23/06 at 12:49am

Megan Mullally

(Martha Graham from a letter to Agnes de Mille) "There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening That is translated through you into action, And because there is only one of you in all time, This expression is unique. If you block it, It will never exist through any other medium And be lost. The world will never have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, Nor how valuable it is, Nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, To keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware Directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, A blessed unrest that keeps us marching And makes us more alive than others."

[Michael Bennett]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#22

Posted: 1/23/06 at 1:06am

OMG - Not Betty Buckley - she would absolutely terrify young children. Humorous villains are NOT her thing...

I doubt Disney is going to cast in drag - they are way too PC, but I could easily see them going ethnic with someone like Lillias White.
Updated On: 1/23/06 at 01:06 AM

[rockfenris2005]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#23

Posted: 1/23/06 at 3:52am

"I would pay to see Rosemary Ashe in the role, if she can come over here."

Are ghosts actors?

Who can explain it, who can tell you why? Fools give you reasons, wise men never try -South Pacific

[melissa errico fan]

re: Casting 'Ursula' in THE LITTLE MERMAID#24

Posted: 1/23/06 at 6:31am

There is no one more perfect for Ursula than Emily Skinner. I've heard her demos, and she just tears through the material like there's no tomorrow. But, alas...

Another vote for Mary Testa here.