I agree. The whole thing is stylized in such beautiful way.
Jane Krakowski & Patina Miller.
Tatum is Sky, Levitt is Nathan, Ann (with an E) Hahtaway is Sarah, ScarJo is Adelaide, Jonah Hill is Nicely Nicely.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/04
This should have been made five years ago with Hugh Jackman as Sky and Jack Black as Nathan. Anne Hathaway would have been more likely to play Sarah, and Jane Krakowski would be a hoot as Adelaide. Let's build a time machine---it has to be good for something besides resurrecting Brian Griffth on FAMILY GUY.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
"This should have been made five years ago with Hugh Jackman as Sky and Jack Black as Nathan. Anne Hathaway would have been more likely to play Sarah, and Jane Krakowski would be a hoot as Adelaide."
I would agree with everyone except Jack Black.
Yeah, Jack Black would have ruined Nathan Detroit. I see Tatum as more of a Nathan than a Sky, he's best when he is sort of goofy and unruly (as in MAGIC MIKE and 21 JUMP STREET) rather than when he plays a leading man at face value. A million times yes to Jane Krakowski as Miss Adelaide, though of course she'd never be cast.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/18/07
When the movie version came out, Orson Wells told Abe Burrows, "Abe, they dropped a turd on your show."
Looks like, it will have again.
As far as casting, I really want actors who can sing the songs to play Sky and Sarah. "Carrying a tune" won't cut it.
Nathan was written for Sam Levine, who was tone deaf (by his own admission), so cast anybody who fits the part. As for Adelaide ... I hope she can sing, dance, AND act.
And I'm all for multiracial casting.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
"And I'm all for multiracial casting."
It won't happen, but Audra McDonald would make a wonderful Sarah.
I think Audra is too old for Sarah Brown, particularly in a movie. Although Sarah shouldn't be too young either. This isn't her first day on the job with the Salvation Army. She's jaded enough when the show starts. I would cast her around 25-30 (at most). Not younger than 25, though. It will show on the screen, too.
I don't know why, but I keep picturing Charlize Theron as Adelaide. I have no idea if she could pull it off or not.
And of course, I keep hearing Michael Buble singing Sky's songs.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
"I think Audra is too old for Sarah Brown, particularly in a movie."
You're probably right. One of the flaws in the story is that Sarah is a Sargent in the Salvation Army and you don't give that positon to a young girl. Technically Sarah should be in her 30s, but they always play her as ingenue.
Though older than the 25-30 range, Nicole Scherzinger could make an interesting, unexpected Sarah.
Besty, Charlize Theron would be an inspired choice for Miss Adelaide. She was perfection (and quite funny) in YOUNG ADULT recently, and she is a great actress. I actually don't think Nathan or Adelaide need to be great singers, Vivian Blaine's voice in the original cast recording is not pleasant at all, but she knows how to sell the song; for these two, I want people who are able to interpret the humor/pathos/longing/romance of the songs to their full potential. I definitely agree Sarah and Sky need to be good singers AND actors.
Nathan's songs were written so well that a tone-deaf squawking singer can sell them beautifully, and so can a gorgeous voice. Nathan Lane and Seth MacFarlane both performed the song, with Seth providing a polished vocal performance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mS7pgRzguw
While Nathan Lane, who is much more of an actor who sings than a singing actor, provided a much more standard character voice on the number.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z94bUB32Bv8
They both work.
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