Casting Idea: Kerry Ellis as Meg Giry in LOVE NEVER DIES

[ILOHTFAHA (Aida Man)]

Posted: 8/8/09 at 10:35pm

I came across this website and it was casting rumors for the show and as you know Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess are pretty much confirmed for roles of the Phantom and Christine. It said even though Summer Strallen sang the role of Meg on the concept album she has a another show that is possibly transering to the West End so, Kerry is also being considered for the role.

What do you think?

Here's the website link:
Phantom 2 Casting Rumors

[Pgenre]

Posted: 8/8/09 at 11:27pm

If you know her material you know she may be okay for the role, but FAR from ideal.

There is someone else I hope is chosen instead. At least for Bway.

P

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/8/09 at 11:31pm

Does Meg have a more significant role in the sequel?

[Pgenre]

Posted: 8/8/09 at 11:34pm

Yes.

P

[Eris0303]

Posted: 8/8/09 at 11:39pm

Is she the invalid that she is in the book Phantom of Manhattan?

And why would Kerry Butler leave what looks like a hit in Catch Me if You Can to join what already looks like a sinking ship?

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 8/8/09 at 11:41pm

...Kerry Butler and Kerry Ellis are two different people, Eris.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 8/8/09 at 11:42pm

Haha...oops. I do know the difference. I don't know where I'm at today.

[Pgenre]

Posted: 8/8/09 at 11:49pm

And Phantom of Manhatten and any Forsyth material has NOTHING to do with LOVE NEVER DIES. At all. Hasn't for years.

P

P.S. LND is the best thing ALW has written since EVITA. Updated On: 8/8/09 at 11:49 PM

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 8/9/09 at 12:13am

I am also wondering how present a character Meg is in LND. If she has a small role in the sequel like the original I think it is too small a part for Kerry Ellis or Scarlett Strallen. They can bring in an unknown for that. Also, I see Kerry Ellis as more of a power singer, and knowing Webber and the style of the music I believe a lyric soprano is in order. Scarlett Strallen might be great for this part and we know Webber loves the British actors.

[blaxx]

Posted: 8/9/09 at 12:17am

P.S. LND is the best thing ALW has written since EVITA.

Really? How do you know that? I'm actually curious.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/9/09 at 12:18am

I don't like judging a show before I've seen it, but I am wondering how successful this will be. The idea of a sequel to Phantom? I don't think it is necessary. Hopefully it will exceed my expectations.

[Pgenre]

Posted: 8/9/09 at 12:20am

Michael Riedel agrees with me. If that makes ANY difference, blaxx.

P

[GoodMorningBWW]

Posted: 8/9/09 at 12:23am

Pgenre, is this concept available anywhere or could your send it to me perhaps? Thanks!

[brandontwin2]

Posted: 8/9/09 at 12:38am

I'm also looking for the concept!

[blaxx]

Posted: 8/9/09 at 12:38am

Michael Riedel agrees with me. If that makes ANY difference, blaxx.

P

I don't doubt you, just curious about the score.

[spell7107]

Posted: 8/9/09 at 1:38am

P, if you've got the concept, could you PM it to me too?

[karatekid1]

Posted: 8/9/09 at 4:31am

me too please!!!!

[boyfromoz2]

Posted: 8/9/09 at 5:15am

Kerry Ellis has a beautiful lyric soprano range.

Yes she will always be linked with her Wicked power belt, but she was actually the alternate Eliza Doolittle, who ended up going on more times than the actual Eliza, in the 2001 National Theatre revival of My Fair Lady. Kerry's "Danced All Night" was incredible!

[HollyGolightly2]

Posted: 8/9/09 at 8:01am

Ramin and Sierra are 'pretty much confirmed'? I thought they were for sure? Without Ramin it can't be Phantom 2: Electric Karimloo.

Also, that article's a month old, so who knows how accurate it is. I'm pretty sure the thing about Ramin leaving Phantom 1 in November is wrong. (I heard he said September.) Who knows if the Kerry Ellis rumor is still relevant.
Updated On: 8/9/09 at 08:01 AM

[winston89]

Posted: 8/9/09 at 8:59am

Are there any clips that anyone knows of of Ellis from back in her My Fair Lady days? I would love to hear what her lyric soprano sounds like.

[ladybegood]

Posted: 8/9/09 at 10:33am

The most recent references about "Love Never Dies" (that I've seen) are from ALW being interviewed in Cardiff recently:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/2009/08/01/andrew-lloyd-webber-i-m-a-quality-control-freak-91466-24280490/

He's gone back to only hinting at Ramin and Sierra, but they surely have effectively been confirmed already. It was quoted from ALW's mouth, even if not officially announced. And I wouldn't be too surprised if Kerry Ellis gets Meg on stage in London either. Whether she would get to open on Broadway as well, along with Ramin and Sierra, is very much more doubtful.

Baz Bamigboye of the British press has certainly been given privileged access, and although he said that he didn't think ALW still had it in him, he thinks the score is amazing and the best thing ALW's done. There has to be consciousness of the need for a bit of a pinch of salt, though, when he has clearly been given given access to effect (It was Baz who confirmed Ramin and Sierra). But he still didn't "need" to be as complimentary as he has been. I haven't seen the Michael Riedel comments though. It sounds like he was given privileged access too. Is there a link anywhere?

[Pgenre]

Posted: 8/9/09 at 1:15pm

Riedel was at Sydmonton, or one of his minions was (and provided him with the material). That has been the only public showing/hearing of any material from the show, and that was almost a year ago now.

What I've heard of the score is the best music I've ever heard from ALW, the rockiness and edginess of EVITA and the romanticism of ASPECTS and the operetics of PHANTOM with a modern edge very slightly reminiscent of THE BEAUTIFUL GAME. There is a rock duet that I still wake up singing. Rumor is that ALW is toning down the rock element (just as he did with POTO between Syd. and the West End - "Notes" was a rock song, remember) and has said in the press his "reorchestration" is what is causing the hold-up, when really it has more to do with the technical elements devised for the Opening Sequence which, he and O'Brien hope, will put the chandelier to shame. The music is certainly more thrilling.

What I'm most interested in is to see if ALW incorporates the "Phantom" theme from the original show or any portions of music. I have a feeling he WON'T just as an F-you to naysayers sharpening their claws saying his shows are all recycled melodies, but it would be dramatically acceptible if he did.

A Good Nightmare Comes So Rarely,
P

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 8/9/09 at 2:30pm

Ramin was leaving in September, but has extended through November. David Shannon will take his place then.

[ladybegood]

Posted: 8/9/09 at 4:01pm

Pgenre....I hadn't realised you had actually heard the score (or at least some of it) yourself. And your description is tantalising. I am very envious! If it isn't inappropriate to ask, how did that come about?

But it is curious that your comments about waking up singing something from it rather matches something that was said about Ramin Karimloo as well. He was apparently to be heard habitually humming bits from it.

I don't think it would be inappropriate to reflect themes from the original show, either. But I am also leaning to think if he does, it won't be much more than a nod. There was an article somewhere that quoted him on the issue, and I seem to remember that he said something to the effect that there are reflections, but that they are not obvious. That was long ago, though, so much may have changed since.

But really looking forward to the album!