Crawford

The OFFICIAL word is that MC left because he had been laid low with acute flu which then developed into viral colitis. The announcement made by MC's fan club, which appears on that site and over on Really Useful about his not returning on May 2 as planned is due to the fact that he just isn't healthy enough to play Fosco the way he should be played. Given that he'd have to get back into the fat suit, I can understand that reasoning. I have seen rumors elsewhere about bad feelings, but these are from unnamed sources which really aren't reliable.

If, in fact, there are some issues between MC and the producers and cast, it's very unlikely they will be made public.

Will Crawford do the show in Chicago/NY? No one knows at this point. Some people seem to think that he still has a chance at it, given the excellent reviews he received. But Michael Ball has also gotten excellent reviews for his portrayal of Count Fosco.

We can only wait and see.

Updated On: 4/23/05 at 01:54 PM

"Will Crawford do the show in Chicago/NY? No one knows at this point."

Well some people seem to know and if what they're saying is correct, one of the Michaels will be doing the show in Chicago and NY but it won't be Crawford!

You can put up with Michael??? Are you sick??

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I went to London recently just to see Michael Ball perform in the role of Count Fosco - and it was well worth the long flying hours!

Michael's singing and acting were excellent and his interpretation gave the show such an uplift. I hope he gets invited to reprise the role in Chicago and on Broadway!

Yes, people are saying a lot of things, just like the message you're referring to.

Jo, glad you got to the show. It would be interesting to hear from someone who saw both Michaels in the role - I wonder what they would say the differences are, because it's these differences that will bring Michael Ball to the US instead of Michael Crawford. (No disrespect meant to Mr. Crawford - I just think Mr. Ball is better for this role.)

Too bad they won't be releasing a second cast recording with Michael in the role! Unless they decide to release an American cast recording!

"Michael Ball is not only the better singer but he also has the accent and the bombastic style required for the personality of Count Fosco down pat. "

On my last visit to London, I was on one of the London Walks tours, and got into a conversation with someone about WiW, which I had seen the day before. The tour guide heard me mention it and said that she, too, had seen the show. I asked if she had seen Michael Crawford or Michael Ball. She had seen the show in previews, so had seen MC. She thought he was good, but then said, "Michael Ball has a far superior voice."

I'm rather sorry I missed seeing MC in the role, as he does sound good on the OCR, although it sounded like he had trouble keeping the Italian accent. I was very glad that I got to see Michael Ball in the role though, especially after hearing so much about his interpretation. He was excellent when he was the jovial guest at Limmeridge, but when his evil side came out, he gave me chills, especially when he sang "old maid!" with such venom in his voice and echoed in his face.

Mr.Roxy That makes me angry Michael C is only 63 when he wants to retire he will, that doesnot make him ready for the coffin. Michael just had bad luck with this flu as you get older you have trouble fighting off these things Micheal C is a trooper.

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