Cattrall and Dossett out of KC FOLLIES — Page 5

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.

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.

"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

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

^That sounds like a plan to me!

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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).

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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.

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?

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.

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 .

Although Martin Short could make a pretty good Buddy.

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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!

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

Oh well.