Casting news for Encores! CALL ME MADAM?

As performances begin in about a month, how can it be that no casting has been announced for this? I am an Encores subscriber now living in CA, and would fly back IF the casting was interesting. Saw Tyne Daly when the show was done many years ago, and enjoyed it tremendously.

Any news about this?

Were I the producer, I can't imagine announcing CALL ME MADAM without having my Sally Adams chosen and under contract. It is very much a "vehicle" show.

If I had my choice, I would love Donna Murphy or Christine Ebersole—I think either would be wonderful. Donna would be my first choice though.

Michael19 said: "If I had my choice, I would love Donna Murphy or Christine Ebersole—I think either would be wonderful. Donna would be my first choice though."

Either one would be great at the "low comedy" the part requires, but it's really a mezzo-belter's role, as are all of Merman's signature roles.

Ethel Merman, Benay Venuta (Merman's perennial understudy), Elaine Stritch (Merman's standby two decades before smoking and drinking destroyed her voice (granted, in an interesting, "character" way)), Tyne Daly (no Merman vocally, but she sings in the same style), Karen Morrow (the last Sally Adams I saw). These are the sort of "belting broads" who have played the role and are right for it.

I believe Patti LuPone was probably the original choice. I really think this part would fit her like a glove and I do believe she would be able to send herself up - I’ve seen her do this very willingly in concert where she tells stories about her experiences. She’s committed to Company in London until March now though.

Updated On: 1/3/19 at 02:49 AM

Bernadette Peters, anyone? Sally Adams needs to have charm and BP could pull this off. She has also done a couple of Merman roles before. She’s very different to LuPone, but I think she could pull this off, especially for such a short run.

Updated On: 1/3/19 at 05:01 AM

Jordan Catalano said: "The delay is because the first choice who was going to be in it, was no longer able to do it."

And who was this? Just curious.

Look, who else? Bernadette Peters has done just about every show Merman has done so why not Madame?

I recall Kristin Chenoweth being mentioned in another thread and think she could be a blast in this role!

If Emily Skinner wasn't in the Cher Show I think she'd be good in the role.



I suppose there is no chance that Louise Pitre would be considered?

Updated On: 1/3/19 at 10:05 PM

Part of me thinks Bernadette might be a little bit too much 'work' for such a small string of performances that are already heavily sold - not in a diva or difficult way or anything like that, but she is of a certain age, has a couple of concerts that could interfere with rehearsals.....based on the early Hello, Dolly! performances I think she'd need it. It's not going to be a drama-free drop in where a much younger and cheaper performer might be able to just drop in and perform the role. If they do get her, at the very least I hope they release a week or so of extra performances to make it worth it.

Updated On: 1/4/19 at 03:52 AM