Cattrall and Dossett out of KC FOLLIES- Page 5

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/11/10 at 10:28pm

Honestly, I cringed. I mean, they're all fine performers but Steve Martin as Ben? Really? I'm generally meh on Sigourney Weaver as it is.

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 10/11/10 at 10:33pm

Does anybody know if Peters & Martin ended their relationship as friends?

Also, I know we aren't at this stage yet as we don't have leads yet, but do you all think they will cast "names" as the younger versions of the leads or do you think they will go with people they found in the general auditions to save money. A.K.A. I'd love to see Kelli O'Hara as young Heidi but I'm anticipating unknowns as the young characters.

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/11/10 at 10:36pm

Kelli O'Hara would never play Young Heidi. She understudied that role in the 2001 revival, and was the replacement Young Phyllis.

Erin Mackey would be a good Young Sally.

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 10/11/10 at 10:38pm

^I know, you're right, I just have dreams of her singing "One More Kiss".

[moljul]

Posted: 10/11/10 at 11:19pm

"Does anybody know if Peters & Martin ended their relationship as friends?"

I have no personal knowledge but it does seem they have both remained respectfully silent on their relationship since it ended almost 30 years ago so I doubt anyone but them know the truth. I remember in a "biography-type" program his sister said something about how they were just on different paths in life and that she was sorry the relationship ended but that's all I've ever heard publicly. However, I can tell you that a friend of mine attended a performance of Gypsy with Bernadette and said she saw Martin there. According to her account, he started the standing ovation after Rose's Turn and then proceeded to go backstage (via the stage, not the stage door) immediately after the show was over. So we could probably assume they are on friendly terms.

However, I think the rumor of Martin being in Follies is completely ridiculous. I think someone just made it up. And yes, I believe Burstein was announced for Buddy.

Updated On: 10/11/10 at 11:19 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/11/10 at 11:22pm

Well Burstein was one of BWW's rumors. The only official cast member is Bernadette.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

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

I think in ten or fifteen years Kelli O'Hara would be great for Sally or Phyllis.

[backwoodsbarbie]

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

^That sounds like a plan to me!

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 10/11/10 at 11:38pm

^That sounds like a plan to me!

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 10/11/10 at 11:38pm

Updated On: 10/11/10 at 11:38 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 12:22am

Steve Martin as Ben is simply ridiculous in so many ways. Sigourney Weaver as Phyllis is almost too predictable at this point, Tim Curry as Buddy is way random.
Cattrall was an inspired choice, sucks it didn't work out (if she really was considered in any sort of serious way).

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 12:39am

I would rather see Steve Martin as a Buddy and Tim Curry as Ben.

[logan0215]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 1:40pm

Agreed, PalJoey

I thought that Ben is supposed to carry the same ethereal quality as Phyllis which Curry definitely possesses. He's supposed to be a smooth talking, charming politico, no?

Martin would also make a great "Average Joe" which he has played many times before.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 1:43pm

I want to throw in a suggestion of Martin Short as Buddy.

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 1:44pm

I really think Martin and Curry might look too old. I am on board with Weaver. I think she would nail it. Didn't I just read recently that she was the first choice for Phyllis in 2001?

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 1:54pm

Martin Short is two years younger than Bernadette Peters and Tim Curry is only two years older than her. Appearance-wise I don't think collectively they look that far apart from each other either. But that's just my opinion.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 2:03pm

I actually believe Jean Smart was the first person offered Phyllis in the 2001 revival, but Weaver was approached at some point. Blythe Danner was a relatively late announcement as I recall - certainly well after the other leads were announced.

Martin and Curry could be interesting, although the fact that both are so identified with the type of over-the top roles that, in themselves, almost seem like something out of burlesque could make Loveland sequence more 'inevitable' rather than convey the sort of unexpected magic and breakdown that happens when the characters (only married to former performers) are suddenly put into a sort of dream-land spotlight.

I don't believe the ages of any of them would be an issue; Despite how great Peters looks, I actually think it makes more sense to cast Phyllis, Ben and Buddy a little closer to Peters actual age than to have her surrounded by a cast ten to fifteen years younger than her.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 2:09pm

That's a really good point MB.

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 2:10pm

Martin Short is two years younger than Bernadette Peters and Tim Curry is only two years older than her.

I was referring to Steve Martin .

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 2:12pm

Gotcha!

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 10/12/10 at 2:24pm

Although Martin Short could make a pretty good Buddy.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/14/10 at 3:03pm

So Linda Lavin is officially Hattie. I think she's good casting - the joke of the song really is that its a tough old broad belting it -- Lavin should deliver...

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 10/14/10 at 3:12pm

And playbill quotes Lavin as saying "I've never worked with Danny [Burstein, who will play Buddy]. I'm thrilled about that."

And I am THRILLED about that!

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/14/10 at 4:03pm

So much for the Tim Curry rumor. I think Burstein will be great.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/14/10 at 4:32pm

Ehh, I was hoping they'd get Stritch for Hattie.

Oh well.