Dream replacement: JOSH GROBAN- Page 2

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 10:14am

I honestly think though without a name to replace Groban, the show won't survive. We see how the grosses dip when he misses a show or two.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 10:16am

Patti LuPone. For either Anatole or Pierre.

[willep]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 10:43am

ACL2006 said: "I honestly think though without a name to replace Groban, the show won't survive. We see how the grosses dip when he misses a show or two."

 

I agree, Groban is not a factor in my love of the show at all, but even I can admit it will be very hard for them to survive without him. Just look at the dip from him missing a couple shows this past weekend!

[bjh2114]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 11:13am

ACL2006 said: "I honestly think though without a name to replace Groban, the show won't survive. We see how the grosses dip when he misses a show or two."

I agree... they WILL stunt cast Pierre.  My point was that they wouldn't stunt cast Anatole...

[haterobics]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 11:21am

willep said: "Just look at the dip from him missing a couple shows this past weekend!"

Not sure we can draw conclusions as to how well a post-Groban show sells versus a show where Groban was scheduled to appear and didn't. They're very different things. If you're filling a theater with Grobanites, you don't really have to try to reach beyond that group until after July...

[BroadwayCritic1]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 11:48am

Mathew Morrison would be perfect

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 12:36pm

^ I'm not a huge fan of his but not a terrible idea.

[Theatricality]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 2:32pm

I really hope Scott doesn't replace him. I personally didn't think Scott was a great Pierre when I saw him. His vocals were actually kind of awful, especially during Dust and Ashes. 

Does the role of Pierre absolutely have to know accordion? If they want a celebrity who doesn't know how to play, I'm sure they can mime playing one and have someone in the orchestra actually play one. I can't picture them casting another celebrity after Josh departs, but if we're dream casting regardless of accordion skills, I would love to see Jake Gyllanhaal as Pierre (not just because he knows how to rock that beard and he's daddy af)

[sondmon]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 2:52pm

Theatricality said: "I really hope Scott doesn't replace him. I personally didn't think Scott was a great Pierre when I saw him. His vocals were actually kind of awful, especially during Dust and Ashes. 

Does the role of Pierre absolutely have to know accordion? If they want a celebrity who doesn't know how to play, I'm sure they can mime playing one and have someone in the orchestra actually play one. I can't picture them casting another celebrity after Josh departs, but if we're dream casting regardless of accordion skills, I would love to see Jake Gyllanhaal as Pierre (not just because he knows how to rock that beard and he's daddy af)

ha i hope jake does pierre and josh does Georges. Would be epic but not gonna happen.

 

"

 

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 3:31pm

Pierre doesn't have to play the accordion, no, though there's something about the image that works really well for how Malloy conceived the character. That said, miming it wouldn't make much sense- every musician is visible to at least part of the audience, so it would be really apparent that it was fake. But no reason that he has to play it at all.

Morrison wouldn't be a terrible choice, though he comes off as too pretty and virile for Pierre. 

[SweetLips]

Posted: 2/8/17 at 3:34pm

Observations. When Groban doesn't perform due to illness--aren't the tickets already sold? They must do an awful lot of refunds on the day to affect those takings.

I know nothing of the part, or the man or the voice but from reading here the voice seems the difficult part of the role. He is obviously a super star vocalist and I would assume the shows' success has been because the majority[guessing] have paid just to see him-regardless the show.

If Fred Blogg takes the part and sings it beautifully, the tourists won't buy. If the others mentioned here,  BWW might go. The publicity machine will have to be in overdrive to continue the shows' success.

To phan24---could you do a spell check for me please?--thank you.

Updated On: 2/8/17 at 03:34 PM

[kreichelt]

Posted: 2/9/17 at 6:51am

wonderfulwizard11 said: "Morrison wouldn't be a terrible choice, though he comes off as too pretty and virile for Pierre."

Ugh.  Please, no.  Not a good fit.

BTW, I think Scott Stangland is great in the role, and he deserves the part. It would suck if they couldn't sell the show without a star who doesn't fit it as well.  I bought tickets for while Dave Malloy subbing in, and can't wait to see him. 

 

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 2/9/17 at 7:23am

BroadwayConcierge said: "Patti LuPone. For either Anatole or Pierre."

On the real though, Patti LuPone singing Sonya Alone is something I want in this lifetime.

[Valentina3]

Posted: 2/9/17 at 10:23am

"On the real though, Patti LuPone singing Sonya Alone is something I want in this lifetime."

From the songs in the show, Patti should do Charming. I'd pay to watch that.

 

I don't think Matthew Morrison is a bad choice, he will definitely sell tickets. Michael C is an inspired choice too, I'd like to throw in Steven Pasquale's name too.

[MadonnaMusical]

Posted: 2/9/17 at 12:18pm

Ooooo Matthew Morrison WOULD be perfect... 

I'd love to see Hugh Jackman in it!!!! 

[haterobics]

Posted: 2/9/17 at 12:26pm

So far, everyone that would have been a good Hedwig is a good Pierre?! They are such similar roles... heh.

[willep]

Posted: 2/9/17 at 12:31pm

Matthew Morrison? Darren Criss?? Please, God, no.

 

[A Canadian in NYC]

Posted: 2/9/17 at 12:47pm

Darren Criss....????   agree with willep - please God no.

There has to be more talented and deserving actors... It would truly be stunt casting if he got the role, but I think his fan base is waning.

I never saw School of Rock, but how about Alex Brightman?  

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 2/9/17 at 2:30pm

Tony Yazbeck

 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 2/9/17 at 2:32pm

henrikegerman said: "Tony Yazbeck"

Ooh, yes, please.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 2/9/17 at 2:53pm

With a lot of these suggestions, I'm wondering how many here have actually seen the show. I know I said Morrison could maybe work earlier, but Pierre shouldn't really be played by some golden-voice dreamboat. Groban is sort of on the cusp of that, but the beard and padding help him out a fair amount. The character is a sad-sack loser, which is decidedly not how I'd describe people like Tony Yazbeck or Hugh Jackman. 

[Back Row]

Posted: 2/9/17 at 2:57pm

I never saw School of Rock, but how about Alex Brightman?  

 

Like some of the other Broadway names mentioned here, I think he could be a good choice. The problem is not one of finding Broadway talent for the show. There are plenty of great possibilities. The problem is finding someone with star power approaching that of Groban, someone who can sell tickets. Darren Criss could sell tickets, but he would be so horribly miscast it would be laughable. If the producers were going to go to extremes that ridiculous to sell tickets, they might as well abandon all their credibility and cast Ricky Martin. 

I honestly have no idea who has the kind of appeal they would need and can still play the role. It's a tough call. They need someone who looks and sounds like a forty year old Mandy Patinkin but has bona fide pop star status....and can play an accordion. I'm not sure anyone like that even exists. 

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 2/9/17 at 3:36pm

wonderfulwizard11 said: "With a lot of these suggestions, I'm wondering how many here have actually seen the show. I know I said Morrison could maybe work earlier, but Pierre shouldn't really be played by some golden-voice dreamboat. Groban is sort of on the cusp of that, but the beard and padding help him out a fair amount. The character is a sad-sack loser, which is decidedly not how I'd describe people like Tony Yazbeck or Hugh Jackman. 

I wouldn't describe them, or Groban (who is absolutely wonderful as Pierre), that way either.   You seem to be confusing "dream casting" with "type casting."

I have seen the show.  I've also read War and Peace.  Having done both, I would suggest that describing Pierre as a "sad-sack loser" is, to put it mildly, a vast oversimplification.   In any event, I have absolutely no problem imagining Yazbeck succeeding brilliantly in the role.  

 

 

"

 

Updated On: 2/9/17 at 03:36 PM

[pupscotch]

Posted: 2/9/17 at 3:43pm

Someone suggested this earlier in the thread, but they might have the most success stunt casting a Sonya, as opposed to a Pierre, Natasha, or Anatole, because while it's a tough role, the range isn't nearly as difficult and it might be easier to cast. I do like the idea of Norbert Leo Butz as Pierre, he would be excellent.

[DearNexttoSpring]

Posted: 2/9/17 at 4:09pm

I think they'll definitely stunt cast it just like they've already done with Groban. as someone who's seen the great comet in the tent, in boston, and on broadway. 'Ve got to say Groban does a pretty good job. BUT the role needs to be played by someone who looks and sound like all they do is read and drink. I think Andrew Kober or Alex Brightman would both do great in the role. Especially Alex becuase of his rough voice but overall kind demeanor. I think they would be much better off stunt casting Anatole with some teen heart throb even though letting Lucas Steele go would be a tragedy. Also on the matter of knowing the accordian, Groban didn't know how to play initially either.