Casting of Helen Sinclair
Casting of Helen Sinclair
#1Casting of Helen Sinclair
Posted: 7/5/13 at 2:34pm
I know this was discussed a while ago when the first casting was ann0unced for Bullets over Broadway. Here is the casting notice for Helen Sinclair:
Female, ages 45-50, All Ethnicities
Role Description
Helen Sinclair: (Lead) a world-renowned theater actress, though possibly past her prime and maybe a bit of a drinker. She hasn’t had a hit in a very long time. Showy, grand and flamboyant, she has been recruited by David Shayne for the lead role in his play. At first she resists, but soon sees this ambitious young playwright as the potential savior of her career. Strong low, solid mix, and healthy Soprano (low E – high F).
I think that someone mentioned that Catherine Zeta -Jones was too young, but actuially she's exactly the right age and she'd be prefect. On the other hand, I've heard that they are not interesrted in casting a "movie star." I assume it's because the economics just wouldn't work.
Marin Mazzie, as discussed, would be a great choice, but I think someone also said that she did the reading but is no longer involved, which is too bad. She's be great.
Christine Ebersole has been mentioned, and I love her, but she's a bit old, as is Bernadette, though both could easily pass for late 40's, so...
I wish I knew more about Rebecca Luker's comic chops. If she has them, she'd be a great choice.
Perhaps numner one on my personal wish list would be Audra. Perfect, but again, would she be affordable? Interestingly, all the actors in Woody's movies work for minimum scale, but I doubt that would be the case for Broadway show.
How about Sherie Rene Scott, Emily Skinner or Alice Ripley?
Who else (none movie star type)?
CZJ at opening night party for A Little Night Music, Dec 13, 2009.
#2Casting of Helen Sinclair
Posted: 7/5/13 at 2:37pmIf they want someone with a healthy soprano and cast Bernadette Peters then I am over this show.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
#2Casting of Helen Sinclair
Posted: 7/5/13 at 2:37pmCarolee Carmello
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#3Casting of Helen Sinclair
Posted: 7/5/13 at 2:42pm
^ I like that line of thinking. I also honestly think that Rebecca Luker could be an inspired choice.
Based off of the casting breakdown, I kind of feel like Stephanie J. Block is an obvious choice for Eden (the tiny dog companion does tip the scales in her favor, too).
"EDEN BRENT
35 – 45. Eden Brent is an aggressively perky actress. Her tiny dog, Mister Woofles, is her constant companion. Strong alto – low G up to a comfortable F (belt/mix) – able to wail at top in a 20s style (not contemporary musical theater belt)"
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
Updated On: 7/5/13 at 02:42 PM
#4Casting of Helen Sinclair
Posted: 7/5/13 at 2:56pm
best12bars, Carolee goes right into the mix, for sure.
By the way, does anyone here have any information about who might actually have auditioned for the role? I do realize that's a touchy subject, as I'd think that if one auditions and is not cast, they'd rather not have that information circulated very widely.
CZJ at opening night party for A Little Night Music, Dec 13, 2009.
#5Casting of Helen Sinclair
Posted: 7/5/13 at 3:01pmWell, Patti LuPone said she auditioned (and obviously didn't get it). Honestly I'd be more interested in who DIDN'T audition, since this seems like it would be on the radar of basically every actress of a certain age.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
Wilmingtom
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/11
#7Casting of Helen Sinclair
Posted: 7/5/13 at 3:38pm
I like the Emily Skinner idea!
How about Faith Prince? And while I doubt it will happen, I'd like to see Jennifer Laura Thompson
#8Casting of Helen Sinclair
Posted: 7/5/13 at 3:48pm
In 2002, Marvin Hamlisch talked openly about how he and Craig Carnelia were working on a musical adaptation of BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, with Woody Allen still attached to write the book. Back then, it was rumored to be thought of as a vehicle for Christine Ebersole to play Helen Sinclair. That version never got off the ground because of complications from a lawsuit between Allen and Jean Doumanian over profits from the film (and several other movies of Allen's that Doumanian produced). Though this is obviously a new incarnation, I still think Ebersole would be the perfect choice for Helen.
That being said, I also suggested Julie White and Kristine Nielsen in the other thread, both of whom would also be terrific.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Updated On: 7/5/13 at 03:48 PM
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
BwayBaby18
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/19/05
#9Casting of Helen Sinclair
Posted: 7/5/13 at 3:57pm
I was told by a friend that I regard as a very good source, so sorry no links just word of mouth, that it was pretty much offered to Ebersole to the point of about to sign contracts and producers withdrew the offer with the hopes of going Hollywood name.
#11Casting of Helen Sinclair
Posted: 7/5/13 at 4:02pm
I find that highly unlikely, BwayBaby.
The legal intricacies that are involved with pulling an offer notwithstanding, everyone who participated in the most recent reading was intended to be in the cast that would do another reading in November and then the Broadway production next year, beginning rehearsal in January. Marin Mazzie (who obviously isn't a big name) was cast for that reading, so there was every intention that she would be Helen Sinclair going forward. After that reading, it was decided that Mazzie and the actress who played Eden Brent weren't the right fits for those roles, so it's only because of that development that they've gone back to the drawing board to find new replacements for those two parts.
There was never any last minute plan to try and lure a big name.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Updated On: 7/5/13 at 04:02 PM
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#12Casting of Helen Sinclair
Posted: 7/5/13 at 4:17pm
She's a little too young for it, but I would love to see what Audra McDonald would do with it. She never gets to be funny and grand but I think it would be an inspired change. I also like the idea of Sherie Rene Scott but I'm not sure she has a "healthy soprano". This is the kind of role with so many possibilities for great casting.
Updated On: 7/5/13 at 04:17 PM
#13Casting of Helen Sinclair
Posted: 7/5/13 at 4:17pmSomethingwicked, I think you're spot on. I've also been told by a good source that they are not going "Hollywood."
CZJ at opening night party for A Little Night Music, Dec 13, 2009.
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theeatah
Leading Actor Joined: 1/31/10
#15Casting of Helen Sinclair
Posted: 7/5/13 at 6:47pmA lot of the people being suggested in this thread don't really have what I would call a "healthy soprano." I think Rebecca Luker could be a great choice, she so rarely gets to be funny and I think she's capable. From that breakdown and based on the vocal demands, I also think Victoria Clark would be an inspired casting choice.
#16Casting of Helen Sinclair
Posted: 7/5/13 at 7:24pm
Anyone else think Christine Baranski would be a hoot? I will admit, in one of the earlier threads when Ebersole's name came up, and I read it late at night for a fleeting moment I assumed Baranski had been mentioned instead and loved the idea.
Any of these women would be really interesting, and hopefully the part is as delightful onstage as it was in the film.
Words don't deserve that kind of malarkey. They're innocent, neutral, precise, standing for this, describing that, meaning the other, so if you look after them you can build bridges across incomprehension and chaos. But when they get their corners knocked off, they're no good anymore…I don't think writers are sacred, but words are. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.
#17Casting of Helen Sinclair
Posted: 7/5/13 at 7:38pmThis is the part where I suggest Rachel York.
"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg."
-- Thomas Jefferson
NYC4Life
Broadway Star Joined: 1/23/06
imdreamingbig
Chorus Member Joined: 1/26/10
#20Casting of Helen Sinclair
Posted: 7/5/13 at 8:39pm
BwayTday, why do you think Audra's a little too young? She turned 43 yesterday, so she would be a bit short of 44 when the show opens. Seems just right, given the casting notice of 45-50. I mean, Christine Ebersole, many people's first choice, is 60. Martin Mazxie will be 53 in October.
So I really don't think age would be the issue for Audra.
CZJ at opening night party for A Little Night Music, Dec 13, 2009.
#21Casting of Helen Sinclair
Posted: 7/5/13 at 8:44pmThis would be a great role for Michelle Pfeiffer to make her Broadway debut.
"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg."
-- Thomas Jefferson
#23Casting of Helen Sinclair
Posted: 7/5/13 at 10:52pmRe Michelle Pheiffer: they're not going for the film star.
CZJ at opening night party for A Little Night Music, Dec 13, 2009.
#24Casting of Helen Sinclair
Posted: 7/5/13 at 11:12pmSarah Gettlefinger?
Well-well-well-what-do-you-think-of-that-I-have-nothing-here-to-pay-my-train-fare-with-only-large-bills-fives-and-sevens....
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