Craig Bierko and Kate Jennings Grant OFFICIAL for Guys and Dolls

[4thRowAsile]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 6:45pm

Sky and Sarah: Craig Bierko and Kate Jennings Grant

Bierko, a Best Actor Tony nominee for The Music Man, and Grant, of the Encores! concert of Bloomer Girl and Broadway's Proof, join previously announced Oliver Platt (as Nathan Detroit) and Lauren Graham (as Miss Adelaide) in the staging of Frank Loesser, Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling's classic Tony-winning 1950 musical comedy based on characters created by Damon Runyon.

Playbill Updated On: 12/2/08 at 06:45 PM

[BNN]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 7:29pm

From the lack of response, I'd say this is a bit underwhelming and not as exciting casting as was expected. However, I'm still very much looking forward to seeing this production.

Also, I've never heard of Craig Bierko and Katie Jennings Grant until just now.

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 7:32pm

BOR-RING! I'm not as excited for this production now. But I still hope it turns out great.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 7:44pm

I'm excited about the show, but none of the casting so far interests me at all. And the 1992 cast was so great, too... I think they won't be easy to top.

I wonder who they'll get as Nicely-Nicely and Benny? Fingers crossed they make some great casting choices.

Just throwing in one more thing-- everyone said Norm Lewis was wayyy too old for Sky, but he's only two years older than Craig Bierko, and he's miiiighty fine for his age. But yeah, that's just been a little fantasy of mine for awhile, Norm Lewis as Sky. I know most people think that's a terrible idea.

Updated On: 12/2/08 at 07:44 PM

[RoxieRose4]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 7:47pm

It's looking like Titus Burgess as Nicely.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 7:49pm

It is the worst-kept secret on Broadway right now that Titus Burgess (Sebastian from The Little Mermaid) will be Nicely. I don't know why it hasn't been officially announced yet.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 7:49pm

Not one of the four leads seems interesting to me.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 7:51pm

Yeah, I'd heard that about Tituss Burgess, but it always seemed such an odd choice for him. Now, I really like Tituss Burgess, but I just can't see him as Nicely. I can see him doing a fantastic "Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat," but I just can't picture him on the title song or "Fugue for Tinhorns" or "Oldest Established." They're just choppier and less... lyrical than suits his voice, and Nicely-Nicely isn't usually played by a singer-singer.

Updated On: 12/2/08 at 07:51 PM

[RoxieRose4]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 7:53pm

I wish they could get Ken Page to do it again.

[perfectliar]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 8:11pm

I've never heard of Kate Jennings and Craig Bierko is not an exciting choice.

What a boring cast...

Posted: 12/2/08 at 8:36pm

Boring!

Looks like I'll be skipping this production on my annual trip to the city.

[DrTheatre]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 9:48pm

"Guys and Dolls" more like OLD MEN And MIDDLE AGED GALS!

No it's a fine cast, if it was back in 1999...I was expecting more...

Updated On: 12/3/08 at 09:48 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 9:59pm

This is amazing.

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 10:15pm

I loved Peter Gallagher, Josie DeGuzman, Nathan Lane and Faith Prince in the 1992 revival.

Speak-singing as Prof. Hill in THE MUSIC MAN is one thing, but can Craig Bierko sing Sky Masterson's songs?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 10:21pm

::crickets::

[dayao]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 11:11pm

I am sure others will disagree, but to me Craig Bierko has the charisma of a door knob and "Boston Legal" has never recovered from his annoying presence for half a season on that show. He even made the already beyond terrible "Scary Movie 4" the equivalent of a severe national threat. Sky Masterson does not deserve the one note obnoxious portrayal awaiting this character with Bierko's casting.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 11:15pm

This sort of feels like the 3rd National Company of Guys and Dolls

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/2/08 at 11:55pm

I actually am most excited about Kate Jennings Grant. Didn't know she could sing, let alone a score like GUYS AND DOLLS.

That said, she was absolutely heartbreaking in BETTE & BOO (as Bette) this past summer, and I'm sure she's great as Diane Sawyer in FROST/NIXON the film.

Regarding Bierko, I didn't realize he could sing a score like G&D, either, considering he Robert Preston'ed his way through MUSIC MAN. But he certainly has the matinee idol looks.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 1:52am

I thought his singing in Thou Shalt Not was pretty solid. I've seen Bierko on several TV programs, most notably Sex and the City, and he's far more versatile than his Music Man impersonation would suggest. I have a feeling he was directed that way.

[Dancin Thru Life]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 10:02am

***YAWN***


...and Titus Burgess as Nicely????
This thing rhas eally hit the crapper now!

UGH!

[madbrian]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 10:56am

I had been excited about this revival, but now the only reason I'd go would be to see Lauren Graham.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 11:14am

WhoTF is Kate Jennings Grant?
Bierko is severely underwhelming, though I might be the only one excited to see Titus as Nicely.

[LadyDramaturg2]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 11:21am

Bierko is the only principle in the Playbill article cited with singing credits [and he "Robert Prestoned" his way through Music Man?...]

Why are we seeing "yeah, I sing a little bit" -type actors in one revival after another? It's painful to watch (listen).

I hear the sound of swirling water, and previews haven't even opened.

[Calvin]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 11:27am

Critically acclaimed role in "Thou Shalt Not"? I don't remember ANYTHING being critically acclaimed in "Thou Shalt Not."

That said, Kate Jennings Grant was fantastic in Bette & Boo.

[Ftworthguy]

Posted: 12/3/08 at 12:11pm

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?page=2&thread=984612&boardname=bway&boardid=1

Told yall :)