Casting What Could Have Beens — Page 2

Valentina3 said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "Which reminds me of how Laura Bell Bundy was announced to replace Kristin as Glinda.

Well, Bundy was Chenoweth’s standby and did go on as Glinda so technically, she DID play the role. The assumption that she would be replacing Chenoweth when she left was fully justifiable."

Wasn't she eventually fired? I read in an article which profiled herthat she went out of town for an audition without permission on a night when Kristin called out, and producers were beyond mad. I think that was also why she wasn't offered the role after Kristin left."

I am certain she was announced to replace and then it ended up being JLT but I might be mis-remembering?

A reboot of a vampire musical that flopped on Broadway just over a decade ago (calling it a revisal when it was a return to an earlier version, more or less, seems wrong), with a score by a pop composer whose newest effort is winging into town this summer, was to have starred a space oddity who later raised a Lazarus of his own and a wizard who liked to play with horses and succeed in business before a planned reading in the spring of 2010 got scuttled.

(Not sure how many details I'm at liberty to share, so I planted enough breadcrumbs for people to find the path.)

Updated On: 7/29/19 at 11:35 PM

Obviously it's quite recent, but it would've really been something if Damon Daunno could've originated Orpheus in Hadestown and Curly in Oklahoma in consecutive Broadway seasons.

Faith Prince, Didi Conn, and Nathan Lane were originally up for the leads in Little Shop

Anne Hathaway and Antonio Banderas wanted Christine and Erik in the Phantom movie

magictodo123 said: "52889j said: "Obviously it's quite recent, but it would've really been something if Damon Daunno could've originated Orpheus in Hadestown and Curly in Oklahoma in consecutive Broadway seasons."

This would have been so interesting. It also makes me think of this story I read a while ago about an actress (I don't remember who, or if it was actually an actor) who was in two shows at once across the street from each other? So when they weren't on stage at one performance they'd run to the other show to perform there. Is this an urban legend? Did I make this up haha"

You're not making it up--Cynthia Nixon did The Real Thing and Hurlyburly at the same time in the mid-80s, running back and forth between theatres each show.

magictodo123 said: "Broadway61004 said: "magictodo123 said: "52889j said: "Obviously it's quite recent, but it would've really been something if Damon Daunno could've originated Orpheus in Hadestown and Curly in Oklahoma in consecutive Broadway seasons."

This would have been so interesting. It also makes me think of this story I read a while ago about an actress (I don't remember who, or if it was actually an actor) who was in two shows at once across the street from each other? So when they weren't on stage at one performance they'd run to the other show to perform there. Is this an urban legend? Did I make this up haha"

You're not making it up--Cynthia Nixon did The Real Thing and Hurlyburly at the same time in the mid-80s, running back and forth between theatres each show."

AH Thank you!! I wasn't sure. Wow. What commitment!"

I believe Equity made some changes after that to make sure this can't happen again (I know they were very upset at the time that one actress was taking two Broadway roles, one of which could have been played by another union member). So I doubt we'll see something like this again, but yes, incredibly impressive!

As for other what could have beens, in 2009, Roundabout was originally going to produce (with Menier) the transfer of A Little Night Music with Natasha Richardson and Vanessa Redgrave. Then, of course, tragedy struck, Roundabout bowed out and it was brought over with Catherine and Angela instead.

I can't for the life of me remember who it was. But there was a situation in the 90s involving Les Mis and BATB where someone was vacation-understudying in one show and then jumped back into their regular track in a different show the next night. So he played Gaston on Sunday, Javert on Tuesday, and he ran into people at the stage door who were like "we've seen your other 2 shows this week! What are you going to be in tomorrow?"

AEA AGMA SM said: "Very subtle, there's no way anybody could decipher these clues. It's like the BWW's own DaVinci Code "

I've told more or less the full story in other venues before, so while I'm not naming names per se, it was by no means my plan to be subtle. I've got a lot of stories about that project.

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "I can't for the life of me remember who it was. But there was a situation in the 90s involvingLes MisandBATBwhere someone was vacation-understudying in one show and then jumped back into their regular track in a differentshowthe next night.So he playedGastonon Sunday, Javert on Tuesday, and he ran into people at the stage door who were like "we've seen your other 2 shows this week! What are you going to be in tomorrow?""

I remember this too! I think it was from some Seth Chatterbox interview? I can't remember but my initial impulse was Chuck Wagner but I can't find any source

Hot Pants said: "I actually recently discovered that Weed had done the workshop as well. I’m glad she didn’t end up continuing though. I can definitely see her singing Zoey, but I don’t think she’s right for the part, and Laura Dreyfuss was absolutely wonderful when I saw her. I wouldn’t be surprised if Weed regrets not doing the show on Broadway. It likely would’ve brought her far more fame and prestige than Mean Girls. Especially since doing Dear Evan Hansen would’ve allowed her to sing a score that was actually competently made.

As for other “Casting What Could’ve Beens”, the one that springs to mind is Thoroughly Modern Millie. Kristin Chenoweth did it in the workshop, but she didn’t continue so she could film a pilot. Then Erin Dilly was set to take over, but she didn’t end up going through with it. Thus, Sutton Foster went from being an understudy to a Tony winning star. In fact, the only three principles who took part in the initial workshop to play it on Broadway were Marc Kudisch, Ken Leung, and Francis Jue. Bea Arthur was actually supposed to be Mrs. Meers before Harriet Harris played it. I’m not quite sure why she didn’t continue, but I’m guessing Harris was pretty happy she didn’t, considering the role won her a Tony."



Barrett has like 40K more followers on instagram than Laura Dreyfuss and originated a song, which she performed alone on late night TV, that is vastly more popular among teens than “Requiem” will ever be, even if the Mean Girls score is not as good as Evan Hansen’s. I think she’s fine. If she were going to have originated Evan, maybe, sure, but Janis was definitely the smarter pick over Zoe, imo. The Mean Girls fanbase is also rabid.

seriously13 said: "Would have loved to have seen Mandy Patinkin as Pierre in the Great Comet!"

Honestly, before realizing what it would lead to in the end, I was initially excited when that was announced, though I was concerned about his age and whether he’d learn piano and accordion in time

I'm not sure about Betsy with Carousel, but I know once Frozen changed directors she saw the writing on the wall as far as sticking with the project. It makes sense for the new director coming in to want to place some sort of stamp of his own on the casting.

Broadway61004 said: "magictodo123 said: "Broadway61004 said: "magictodo123 said: "52889j said: "Obviously it's quite recent, but it would've really been something if Damon Daunno could've originated Orpheus in Hadestown and Curly in Oklahoma in consecutive Broadway seasons."

This would have been so interesting. It also makes me think of this story I read a while ago about an actress (I don't remember who, or if it was actually an actor) who was in two shows at once across the street from each other? So when they weren't on stage at one performance they'd run to the other show to perform there. Is this an urban legend? Did I make this up haha"

You're not making it up--Cynthia Nixon did The Real Thing and Hurlyburly at the same time in the mid-80s, running back and forth between theatres each show."

AH Thank you!! I wasn't sure. Wow. What commitment!"

I believe Equity made some changes after that to make sure this can't happen again (I know they were very upset at the time that one actress was taking two Broadway roles, one of which could have been played by another union member). So I doubt we'll see something like this again, but yes, incredibly impressive!

Didn't one of the actors playing the father in "August: Osage County" do something similar? He didn't appear in the curtain call for "August" because he would leave the theater after his scene every night and go perform in another show? Perhaps I'm remembering it incorrectly.