Casting the Current Encores! Season

[gherbert]

Posted: 10/11/04 at 7:57pm

This message appeared today in Ken Mandelbaum's column on Broadway.com:

"Who should star in Encores' season opener A Tree Grows in Brooklyn? How about Brian d'Arcy James for Johnny and Faith Prince for Shirley Booth's role of Cissy?"

So that inspired me to start thinking about this season's Encores! musicals and who should be in their casts. Just if you need a reminder they are:

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (aforementioned)

Purlie

The Apple Tree

Kristin Chenoweth has already been announced to play the trio of leading ladies in The Apple Tree, namely Eve, Princess BarBARa, and Ella the Chimney Sweep/Passionella the Glamorous Movie Star, originated by Barbara Harris in the original 1966 production.

I think Anika Noni Rose HAS to play Lutiebelle in Purlie, a role for which Melba Moore, best known to theatre audiences and the original Dionne in Hair, won a Tony for. Norm Lewis would be an inspired choice for the title role.

I think that Ben Vereen might be a good choice for The Snake/Balladeer/Narrator in The Apple Tree (the roles were originally played by Larry Blyden). Not sure at the moment about who could play the leading men (Adam/Captain Sanjar/Flip, the Prince Charming). I would say Marc Kudisch, but he'll be busy with the just opened Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (yeah, I know he is Kristin's ex-fiancee, but they did a workshop AFTER the breakup, so apparently it ended well or they are just extremely professional, probably both).

I agree with Ken M. about A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. It would be a wonderful vehicle for Brian d'Arcy James and Faith Prince would rip up the theatre with "He Had Refinement."

What do you all think? Your turn!
Encores! Website

[gherbert]

Posted: 10/11/04 at 8:20pm

Anyone?? Anyone??

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 10/11/04 at 8:29pm

I mentioned Norm and Anika for PURLIE the second the Encores season was announced -- they're absolutely perfect. Put Mary Bond Davis in the Linda Hopkins role (or Jennifer Holliday).

For the Alan Alda roles in APPLE TREE, how about Hunter Foster? Or Roger Bart (for a CHARLIE BROWN reunion with Kristen)?

For the snake, I have SO many different thoughts -- the role could be played a lot of different ways..... Andre DeShields? Cleavant Derricks? Chuck Cooper? Raul Esparza? John Tartaglia? Mario Cantone (I know -- too much)? Dennis O'Hare?

Updated On: 10/11/04 at 08:29 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 10/11/04 at 8:35pm

I think Andrea Martin would be a good choice to play Cissy in A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN.

[timote316]

Posted: 10/11/04 at 8:37pm

Please forgive me, but will Anika be back from Caroline in LA for this? (I dont know the dates for either, I'm just curious)

[gherbert]

Posted: 10/11/04 at 8:59pm

I don't belive so, but Encores! only rehearses for a week and then has a weekend of performances. It is not unheard of for a performer to take a vacation from his/her show to do an Encores! show.

Last year Rob Bartlett was in Little Shop of Horrors when he did Pardon My English and Brent Barrett took a week off from playing Frd/Petruchio in Kiss Me, Kate in London to do The Pajama Game at Encores!

At any rate, I believe Caroline will be done in California by March. Updated On: 10/11/04 at 08:59 PM

[Jon]

Posted: 10/11/04 at 10:26pm

Christine Ebersole would be a great Aunt Cissy in TREE GROWS..., and I like the idea of Brian D'arcy James as Johnny. How about Sarah Uriarte Berry as Katie?

I'd rather see Roger Bart in the Snake/Balladeer/Narrator role in APPLE TREE.

[gherbert]

Posted: 10/12/04 at 12:01pm

I don't know. Both male roles in The Apple Tree are very difficult to cast, whereas I have always thought casting Kristin was a no-brainer.

Sarah Uriarte Berry sounds splendid. She's such a talented performer and I am so glad she got Cinderella at NYCO.

All in all, I really trust Encores! They have come up with some incredibly surprising yet brilliant casting in the past. I don't think anyone expected Heather Headley to play Tild Mullin in Do Re Mi, the part originally played by Nancy Dussault, but she did with gusto! And Ann Hathaway garnered raves for Carnival! in her NY theatre debut. And I did not think of Karen Ziemba or William Jenkins for Bye Bye Birdie until they were announced and suddenly it all made sense! So whoever they pick for these roles, I have confidence they will be perfect.

I have never heard of a lead in an Encores! show being seriously miscast save Peter Friedman in On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.