Chad Kimball replacement in Memphis still TBD? Stunt Casting?

[ace33]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 10:43am

Let me start by saying this is not a Kimball bashing thread(there are enough of those already on board)... plus, i actually quite like him and his performance and hope he is able to rehab from his nerve injuries.

Bryan Fenkart was his main standby but he is starring in the Memphis tour so Kevin Massey is supposedly the new u/s now.

Anyone know who will offically replace Kimball as the lead when he bows out in october? I was thinking Will Chase is available and would give a good performance (if he isnt too old).

But also looking at the recent Memphis box office numbers, the show could use a good stunt (or star) casting to end its respectable run at the Shubert (and reach 1000 performances).

Justin Timberlake or Zac Efron? j/k but would love to hear some other ideas.


Updated On: 9/2/11 at 10:43 AM

[tazber]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 10:48am

Harvey Firestein would rock.

Updated On: 9/2/11 at 10:48 AM

[ahhrealmonsters]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 10:48am

I personally don't think they'll stunt cast some Hollywood star, but I wouldn't be surprised if they brought in a "big name" Broadway person- someone with the popularity of, say, Aaron Tveit, who's well known but not Hollywood.

[ace33]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 10:56am

@ahhrealmonsters your right, Aaron Tveit would actually make a good fit and draw in plenty of fangirls (and boys) - and he will be avail too.

[Johnnycantdecide]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 11:03am

I bet it will be someone sleazy like Taylor Hicks.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 11:06am

Assuming the show folds in January, which seems likely, I wouldn't be at all surprised if one of the understudies just does the last couple of months.

[c a show]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 11:24am

Rumor has it Clay Aiken was approached about the show when it originated but he didn't commit. Wonder if they would bring him in now?

[madbrian]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 11:38am

Norbert Leo Butz

[ace33]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 11:39am

@c a show: where did you hear that about Clay Aiken?! there is no way that he could handle the physical demands of the role.

are you refencing when Kimball joked about being replaced after out-of-town try outs with a "Clay Aiken type of stunt cast" at the dramadesk event?

[hyperbole_and_a_half]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 12:38pm

George W Bush

[hyperbole_and_a_half]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 12:38pm

George W Bush

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 12:47pm

Oh, please be Nick Jonas.

[Mikers]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 12:55pm

Of course Clay Aiken could handle the physical demands of the role. He even danced the bottle dance in Spamalot for godsakes. He talked about being offered the role in a group chat a long time ago and said he didn't like the songs so he said no thanks to the role.

Rumor is that he's coming back soon but nobody is saying in what yet.

[socarrat]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 8:46pm

Doing eight shows a week takes a great deal of stamina for sure. I also saw Clay Aiken in Spamalot and there's no question in my mind that he can take on the role successfully. He definitely has the chops and the accent. But I'm not sure they'll go with stunt casting at this point. I'm thinking they'll stay in-house, but if that's the case, why don't they just announce it?

I really liked the show. Hopefully they'll find someone worthy of the role.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 9:13pm

Brooke Shields is available!

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 9:20pm

I could see George Bush doing the role... But only if Condoleezza Rice is Felicia.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 10:50pm

My first thought when I saw this thread was George W. Bush. After all, people on here have been saying Kimball is basically playing him since the show opened...

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 10:58pm

^ that's all I could think of when I watched this on Netflix. Kimball looks and acts just like Bush.

[madbrian]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 11:24pm

Wait...I just watched Memphis on Netflix...you mean that WASN'T George W. Bush playing Huey???

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 9/2/11 at 11:43pm

Reba. Or Brooke Shields. or Christie Brinkley

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 9/3/11 at 12:07am

Nathan Lane & Wanda Sykes

[SnakeinFridge]

Posted: 9/3/11 at 1:00pm

It's Adam Pascal. Book it.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 9/3/11 at 1:23pm

Yup.

[socarrat]

Posted: 9/3/11 at 1:58pm

"It's Adam Pascal. Book it."

Well that would be great and sure to put butts in those seats.

Why is there no quote feature on this board?

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 9/4/11 at 10:03am

Ace33: I don't think Will Chase would be available because he's got a role on the new TV show 'Smash.' Justin Timberlake and Zac Efron both had come by 'Memphis' because they had some interest in turning it into a movie for themselves, but I don't know if they're still in the picture. However, I hear some word will soon be announced the movie version. ... I'm a big fan of Aaron Tveit's work, and just went back the other night to see 'Catch Me' again. But if his draw with the fangirls and -boys isn't enough to keep 'Catch Me' going ...

C a show: I never heard the story about Clay Aiken, so I asked one of the producers of 'Memphis' and I'm told that Aiken was 'never approached or considered.'

Adamgreer: While 'Memphis' was in previews in Sept. 2009, you questioned whether it would last '1-2 months.' And that spring, you predicted that neither Chad nor Montego would get Tony nominations. ... Now you're supposing that an understudy will take over for Chad. And you'll be wrong about that, too.

Hey, everyone's entitled to love or hate certain shows, but some of the 'Memphis' predictions have been so way off the mark.