Swing Joined: 5/15/25
Does anyone have insight into who the producers might be considering to step into these roles once the original stars eventually decide to depart the production? These parts aren’t easy to fill and while it’s fun to speculate about dream casting, I’m curious who you think the team is actually pursuing behind the scenes.
I have a feeling that Sherie Rene Scott will be free again in January…
This is my formal petition for Lesli Margherita as Madeline and Leslie Kritzer as Helen.
Lesli Margherita as Madeline and Robyn Hurder as Helen.
The Distinctive Baritone said: "I have a feeling that Sherie Rene Scott will be free again in January…"
That said, the ladies’ contracts are likely up soon and so even if Sherie ends up free, she probably wouldn’t join until at least February or March. Short of the two ladies extending, who would fill the gap?
As I previously was informed, both ladies agreed to a six month extension at six performances a week and that Fee would become the full time Madeline alternate with an actress yet to be announced (but apparently booked) as the Helen alternate.
The Distinctive Baritone said: "I have a feeling that Sherie Rene Scott will be free again in January…"
As Madeline or Helen? Who would be Sherie’s ideal counterpart?
GiantsInTheSky2 said: "The Distinctive Baritone said: "I have a feeling that Sherie Rene Scott will be free again in January…"
As Madeline or Helen? Who would be Sherie’s ideal counterpart?"
Sherie screams Madeline to me.
Featured Actor Joined: 12/3/15
Many seem to overlook the physical demands of the 2 roles. Yes, the roles are juicy and a dream to play but doing that level of both vocally and physically demanding performances 8 (or 6) performances a week is a daunting task seasoned actresses are smart to stay away from. Even Laura Benanti has said so and why it’s a show she wouldn’t consider doing. Based on Sherie Rene Scott’s gap between Broadway gigs, it’s safe to assume she’s not interested in a full time Broadway performance schedule and likely why she agreed to standby for Chenoweth. She gets to have her cake and eat it too without that rigorous 8 performances a week torture. Many may indeed have the vocal prowess to handle the vocal demands but the physical demands are just daunting. Ana Gasteyer is 58 years old and not the 30 something she was when she did WICKED.
BrodyFosse123 said: "Based on Sherie Rene Scott’s gap between Broadway gigs, it’s safe to assume she’s not interested in a full time Broadway performance schedule and likely why she agreed to standby for Chenoweth. She gets to have her cake and eat it too without that rigorous 8 performances a week torture.”
Sherie just recently did a 4 month run of Little Shop of Horrors with Nick Christopher, and before that did back to back gigs in The Front Page and The Portuguese Kid in 2016/2017. I don’t think that’s as huge a gap as some performers.
With their recent extension, when are we guessing the two current leads are going to depart? I’ve seen it plenty of times, but wanted to see it one last time with them, but won’t be able to get there till mid January.
Featured Actor Joined: 12/3/15
Ana Gasteyer is about 3 years older than the current actress playing the part. It’s not like the two current leads are fresh out of college
BrodyFosse123 said: "Many seem to overlook the physical demands of the 2 roles. Yes, the roles are juicy and a dream to play but doing that level of both vocally and physically demanding performances 8 (or 6) performances a week is a daunting task seasoned actresses are smart to stay away from. Even Laura Benanti has said so and why it’s a show she wouldn’t consider doing. Based on Sherie Rene Scott’s gap between Broadway gigs, it’s safe to assume she’s not interested in a full time Broadway performance schedule and likely why she agreed to standby for Chenoweth. She gets to have her cake and eat it too without that rigorous 8 performances a week torture. Many may indeed have the vocal prowess to handle the vocaldemands but the physical demands are just daunting. Ana Gasteyer is 58 years old and not the 30 something she was when she did WICKED."
Understudy Joined: 10/1/23
I don't think Laura Benanti saying that, means it's the end all be all for all actresses Remember Laura Benanti also has a previous neck injury from her stint in into the woods.
Having seen some clips of the understudies for Madeline and Helen, I feel like Hilty and particularly Simard are irreplaceable. Their star quality took material that is merely “good” and made it great. They really need stars of similar quality to take over. I agree that Laura Benanti would be perfect as Madeline. However I don’t know who else could even come close to matching Jennifer Simard.
Helen Replacements: Ana Gasteyer, Cecily Strong, Kerry Butler, Leslie Kritzer
Madeline Replacements: Laura Benanti, Jane Krakowski, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Sherie Rene Scott
There are plenty of top tier performers who could replace and find similar magic/chemistry. Then use the Viola track to star cast pop divas and drag queens in slower months.
OrchardAndRivington said: "
There are plenty of top tier performers who could replace and find similar magic/chemistry. Then use the Viola track to star cast pop diva's and drag queens in slower months."
Im telling you... Sapphira Cristal as Viola...
Rachel York , Stephanie Block, Nobert, and Deborah Cox
Kritzer would be perfect for this but she’s been attached to Cyndi Lauper’s Working Girl musical that’ll be running at La Jolla in the last few months of the year and is likely Broadway-bound.
Chorus Member Joined: 3/26/24
That workshop was not good. She should take DBH!
Understudy Joined: 7/12/18
OrchardAndRivington said: "Helen Replacements: Ana Gasteyer, Cecily Strong, Kerry Butler, Leslie Kritzer
Madeline Replacements: Laura Benanti, Jane Krakowski, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Sherie Rene Scott
There are plenty of top tier performers who could replace and find similar magic/chemistry. Then use the Viola track to star cast pop divas and drag queens in slower months."
Y’all remember when Nicole Scherzinger played Viola in one of the first workshops? Maybe they get her to play it? Also I saw a video of Alex Newell singing “If You Want Perfection” and as soon as I saw it I was like, yup that’s a good choice to play Viola
Does anyone know who the Helen alternate is going to be? I remember hearing someone saying the contract was signed.
malcs98 said: "OrchardAndRivington said: "Helen Replacements: Ana Gasteyer, Cecily Strong, Kerry Butler, Leslie Kritzer
Madeline Replacements: Laura Benanti, Jane Krakowski, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Sherie Rene Scott
There are plenty of top tier performers who could replace and find similar magic/chemistry. Then use the Viola track to star cast pop divas and drag queens in slower months."
Y’allremember when Nicole Scherzinger played Viola in one of the first workshops? Maybe they get her to play it? Also I saw a video of Alex Newell singing “If You Want Perfection” and as soon as I saw it I was like, yup that’s a good choice to play Viola"
Alex Newell, seriously!? He will never be Viola on Broadway! So wrong for many reasons.
Leslie margherita for either of them
Robbie2 said: "malcs98 said: "OrchardAndRivington said: "Helen Replacements: Ana Gasteyer, Cecily Strong, Kerry Butler, Leslie Kritzer
Madeline Replacements: Laura Benanti, Jane Krakowski, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Sherie Rene Scott
There are plenty of top tier performers who could replace and find similar magic/chemistry. Then use the Viola track to star cast pop divas and drag queens in slower months."
Y’allremember when Nicole Scherzinger played Viola in one of the first workshops? Maybe they get her to play it? Also I saw a video of Alex Newell singing “If You Want Perfection” and as soon as I saw it I was like, yup that’s a good choice to play Viola"
Alex Newell, seriously!? He will never be Viola on Broadway! So wrong for many reasons."
Really? F*^#% you because I can think of many reasons they’d be an excellent Viola.
Y’all remember when Nicole Scherzinger played Viola in one of the first workshops? Maybe they get her to play it?
After the entire SUNSET BLVD explosion plus she’s now a Tony Award winner for Best ACTRESS in a Musical (not Best FEATURED Actress), she’s looking for originating leading roles at this stage. They know better than to offer her Viola and as a replacement.
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