Encores Bells Are Ringing Casting Ideas

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 1:33am

I read just a random comment on Facebook, made about the recording of Harry Connick Jr's show at the Neil Simon, that the poster read Harry is thinking about doing a production of "Bells Are Ringing" with Cheno.

With Encores doing the show in November, and Cheno being done "Promises Promises" in September, could this be the casting ideas?

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 1:40am

Cheno would be fantastic. A perfect role for her.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 7:03am

I would honestly be a lot less interested in the show if that was the cast. =/

[madbrian]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 9:19am

OK, I am shocked. Someone is suggesting Cheno for a role for which she would actually be appropriate.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 9:51am

I want to see Sherie Rene Scott play it. Cheno's had her turn with several Encores! shows already.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 10:17am

Sherie will be in VERGE. Though performers have taken time off from shows before to do an Encores! concert.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 10:21am

Exactly. It's also a dream role of hers, so if they approach her, I'd be damn shocked if she said no.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 10:56am

Cuddles should do the show. Cuddles needs a vehicle with her husband to rocket them into the superstars they're destined to become and I think this project is it!

[Contributor]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 11:49am

How about Anne Hathaway? She's already done a 'Bells Are Ringing' number in an Encores concert, and was great.

See 5th paragraph from this 2004 story:
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/City_Centers_Encores_Bash_20041125

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 11:50am

Cheno would be good if a bit of a predictable choice. I have no interest in Harry Connick Jr though.

[bryan2]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 11:51am

to me this is a show only Judy Holiday should own
I always though Faith Prince would be perfect and when she did it ..I thought it was HORRIBLE...she was a lousy imitation of Judy and butchered I Going Back..not her fault ..directors fault I feel ..she could not make the role her own..
I love the show as is...let it be...(i think cheno would be great also...but i though faith would be also...)

[jewishboy]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 1:58pm

Kristin is the only one I can see in that role. I feel that Harry Connick Jr. would be too stiff in a role that is already pretty stiff. I would love it if Marc Kudisch and her would play love interests...

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 2:03pm

Victoria Clark could also pull this off, I'm sure.

But for some reason, I'd give anything to see Liza do it.

[Jon]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 2:21pm

Victoria Clark? Liza?? Why not Carol Channing???

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 4:35pm

Carol Channing would be sensational as "Sue". Hey, why not?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 6:31pm

Because she's dead.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 7:32am

When did Sue die?

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 8:39am

I think Kristin is a terrible choice. Do you all know the show?

Ella isn't supposed to be "obviously" attractive, cute, sexy, charming, etc. Holliday was a bit matronly in the role which was perfect.

Unless Kristin "frumps" it up a bit (glasses and loose-fitting cardigans) which I still don't think would work, she's not right for this at all. She can't use any of her girly-girly "popular" tricks. And we all know Kristin doesn't play well outside of Kristin (see a certain current revival for proof). She does her expected "thing" extremely well, especially when it's appropriate, but she's not a versatile character actress, unfortunately.

I'm not necessarily looking for a cookie-cutter of Holliday. Faith Prince was pretty much exactly that (in theory), but turned in a so-so performance in the end.

Whoever plays the part shouldn't be an obvious choice for a romantic lead. That's why the audience roots for her. It's a Cinderella story of sorts, but "Cindy" shouldn't be cute and sassy to start with. She should look more like the least likely to succeed, which is exactly why we want her to.

Updated On: 8/1/10 at 08:39 AM

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 8:46am

Victoria Clark would be great if she were younger. While you're at it, throw Christine Ebersole in a time machine. She'd be great as well 15 years ago.

How about Emily Skinner? I could see her tone down the looks and play up the average working-girl matronly side of her really well. I also think she'd kill on the songs.

Yes, I know, Emily wouldn't sell tickets like Cheno. She's just better suited for the role. But that's not what counts, as we all know.

Updated On: 8/1/10 at 08:46 AM

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 9:08am

Amy Adams might work.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 1:46pm

Yes, Emily Skinner would be excellent. But, I think Kristin is more of a versatile character actress then you give her credit for. Did you see her in The Apple Tree? Or in the Encores! show Stairway to Paradise? In both those shows she played many different characters and at least made me realize that she is a comedienne first, singer second.

[matineeidol2013]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 2:36pm

Victoria Clark actually did do "Bells are Ringing"; nine years ago at Pittsburgh CLO.

Here are some pics from the Production:

http://www.pittsburghclo.org/setrentals/view/9

I agree, she's a perfect fit!

[dayao]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 4:46pm

I agree that Chenoweth is all wrong for Ella; vocally she would be fine but she is not a good character actress. You can see proof of that currently in Promises, Promises. But if we are going to consider actresses in their 40s how about Andrea McArdle? Or better yet, Toni Collette. A fantastic character actress and very good singer, Collette would make the role her own but still preserve the characteristics that make Ella a memorable musical theater character. Another good fit for this role is Tammy Blanchard, who is close to the same age Judy Holliday was when she created the role.

There should be a special division of the NYPD whose only assignment is to make sure that Harry Connick remains as far away from a Broadway stage as humanly possible.

Updated On: 8/1/10 at 04:46 PM

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 6:10pm

How 'bout Mary Testa?