Fran Drescher: "Unnamed popstar" eyed for THE NANNY musical — Page 2

Welcome Guest. Please Login or Register.

#26

Fran Drescher:

Posted: 4/8/21 at 5:43pm

Kat McPhee also has a new show on Netflix which is basically a southern/country version twist on The Nanny. One of The Nanny's producers created the show, also.

#27

Oh god, Kat McPhee? Any interest I had is gone. I find her insufferable. The voice is decent, but no sense of humor. After she had “no regrets” for an affair with a married man while married herself and then proceeded to gold dig with David Foster, she became completely uninteresting. She acts like the queen of England now. She’s about the caliber of performer I’d expect to attach to this. While she makes pop music, I wouldn’t refer to her as a pop star. I think she makes more money as an actress and shilling products.

"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal "I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello

#28

Fran Drescher:

Posted: 4/11/21 at 4:32pm

#29

Fran Drescher:

Posted: 4/11/21 at 7:55pm

Bettyboy72 said: "Oh god, Kat McPhee? Any interest I had is gone. I find her insufferable. The voice is decent, but no sense of humor. After she had “no regrets” for an affair with a married man while married herself and then proceeded to gold dig with David Foster, she became completely uninteresting. She acts like the queen of England now. She’s about the caliber of performer I’d expect to attach to this. While she makes pop music, I wouldn’t refer to her as a pop star. I think she makes more money as an actress and shilling products."

Not that I'm a perfect barometer for pop culture, but I literally didn't know she sang until she did Waitress (I've never watched/paid attention to American Idol) so I only knew her through television...

EDIT: I also struggle to see her connecting with some of the humor that made The Nanny so entertaining, but...

Updated On: 4/11/21 at 07:55 PM

#30

Fran Drescher:

Posted: 4/11/21 at 8:31pm

^Really? She got her start on American Idol and starred in the musical show Smash.

#31

Fran Drescher:

Posted: 4/11/21 at 9:18pm

Anyone who read my posts earlier in this thread can probably guess how I feel about this revelation (if it is, in fact, accurate).

Fran Drescher:

#32

Fran Drescher:

Posted: 4/12/21 at 6:47am

Tag said: "^Really? She got her start on American Idol and starred in the musical show Smash."

Yeah, I know that now lol. But at the time I really only knew her from Scorpion (I'm a terrible theatre fan for missing Smash, I know, I know lol!). And like I said, I've never watched American Idol, except maybe a clip here or there when it circulated on social media.

#33

Fran Drescher:

Posted: 4/12/21 at 7:29am

Fran Drescher’s natural persona is so over the top that any attempt to imitate her will come off as offensive. I can’t imagine this being a prudent career choice for any actress, especially those with sufficient name recognition to be considered for the role. This just seems like a really really bad idea.

#34

Fran Drescher:

Posted: 4/12/21 at 7:50am

TRULY asking: regardless of who is cast (for sake of my question, you love whoever IS cast) how many people actually WANT to see this?

I adore watching The Nanny - although I seldom watched it during it's original run - but I just don't see how this is a musical. I feel this way about any of the TV shows they've tried to musicalize - it's not a single story, so what's the appeal? And yes, I'm even more "anti - tv - musical" than my dislike of blockbuster movies turned musical. Well, until they finally get The Princess Bride as the best musical evah.

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

#35

Fran Drescher:

Posted: 4/12/21 at 9:19am

I mean, Fran Drescher’s original pitch for the show was “The Sound of Music— but instead of Julie Andrews, I show up.” So to me, adapting “The Nanny” for the stage doesn’t seem all that crazy. It’s probably still going to be very similar to “The Sound of Music.”

#36

Fran Drescher:

Posted: 4/12/21 at 9:53am

JBroadway said: "Why can't Rachel Bloom herself just do it? Or literally any of the brilliant comicactors who would shine in a role like this?Kathryn Hahn also comes to mind, after her recent resurgence in popularity. Rachel Brosnahan might be a bit too on the nose of a choice, but man I'd still love to see that. Maya Rudolph maybe? So many great options, and that's not even taking into the account the non-celebrities who would also kill it as Fran.

Not saying a pop star can't pull it off, especially since we don't even know who it is. But it's weird that they wouldn't choose to mine the immense talent already available in these fields (comedy / musical comedy).

Do we have any reason to believe that Gaga has comedic chops? Again, maybe she does, and we just haven't seen that side of her. But I'm very skeptical that she would be better for this role than all these established, trained, beloved comic actors."

Funny,. I find Brosnahan completely wrong for this, and certainly not "too on the nose." Ditto Kathryn Hahn.

My guess is Pink, who might be amazing.

Updated On: 4/12/21 at 09:53 AM

#37

Fran Drescher:

Posted: 4/12/21 at 9:59am

Gorlois said: "I mean, Fran Drescher’s original pitch for the show was “The Sound of Music— but instead of Julie Andrews, I show up.” So to me, adapting “The Nanny” for the stage doesn’t seem all that crazy. It’s probably still going to be very similar to “The Sound of Music.”
"
Without nuns and Nazis.

Updated On: 4/12/21 at 09:59 AM

#38

Fran Drescher:

Posted: 4/12/21 at 12:07pm

This seems like something that could have an amazing run at New World and lots of regional productions. But why Broadway? This obsession with reviving old, creaky (but delightful) properties seems so done. Don’t producers see the trend of how these type of shows tend to be forgettable, bleed money and tank? (Tootsie, 9 to 5, Beetlejuice, Spongebob, Addams Family). Most TV shows make cute parody musicals that can become profitable cash cows if they don’t take themselves too seriously.

Also I have a feeling that Fran will want this to be very big and look very expensive. I’m thinking along the lines of Legally Blonde.

It’s a tall order to ask an actress to follow Fran especially when she is so closely attached to the project and it’s her baby. Good luck to whoever assumes that part.

Also the Fran character runs the risk of being overshadowed by a stellar CC, Niles, Sylvia or Yetta who get one great song and steal the show.

#39

Fran Drescher:

Posted: 4/12/21 at 6:53pm

Rumpelstiltskin said: "Fran Drescher’s natural personais so over the top that any attempt to imitate her will come off as offensive. I can’t imagine this being a prudent career choice for any actress, especially those withsufficient name recognition to be considered for the role. This just seems like a really really bad idea."

I'm not sure there is anything to be offended by? Except a non-Jew playing up the Jewishness...which could be alleviated by casting a Jew. Also you could point to someone like SJB playing Cher as over the top, or as a caricature, but it worked, and she won a Tony.

dramamama611 said: "I adore watching The Nanny - although I seldom watched it during it's original run - but I just don't see how this is a musical. I feel this way about any of the TV shows they've tried to musicalize - it's not a single story, so what's the appeal? And yes, I'm even more "anti - tv - musical" than my dislike of blockbuster movies turned musical. Well, until they finally get The Princess Bride as the best musical evah."

I imagine this will have a big "show within a show" component, with Maxwell being a Bway producer and all. Lots of diva and backstage shenanigans - which always works well onstage (see Kiss Me Kate, 42nd Street, Crazy for You, etc.)

Bettyboy72 said: "Also the Fran character runs the risk of being overshadowed by a stellar CC, Niles, Sylvia or Yetta who get one great song and steal the show."

The same issue was the case on the sitcom. It was cast so well that they all held their own, and it worked. (save for the children who were often the weakest link). You just have to balance the cast and the book/score. But Fran needs to be the stand out.

#40

Fran Drescher:

Posted: 4/12/21 at 7:24pm

Katharine McPhee is as goy as the day is long, I seriously hope it's not her. There are so many incredibly talented Jewish women out there that it would be a huge mistake not to cast one of them, especially in a role originated by Fran f#$kin Dresher. Also, I lost a lot of respect for her when I found out she donated a lot of money to the republican party. She should be embarrassed. There are plenty of closet Republicans in the industry, she should've at least had the hindsight not to out herself.

#41

Fran Drescher:

Posted: 4/12/21 at 8:00pm

Tag said: "Also you could point to someone like SJB playing Cher as over the top, or as a caricature, but it worked, and she won a Tony.

I recently listened to The Cher Show cast album and the voice does lean into caricature at times but SJB also gave such a truthful, emotive performance that (to my complete shock) I found myself crying in the theater. So I hope they go for an actress and not just "personality."

I imagine this will have a big "show within a show" component, with Maxwell being a Bway producer and all. Lots of diva and backstage shenanigans - which always works well onstage (see Kiss Me Kate, 42nd Street, Crazy for You, etc.)

That would actually be great. Plus lots of jabs at ALW. I do think it's difficult to find a stand out story in adapting a TV show. Is there a way to sum everything up in one story with high stakes like Annie vs. The Addams Family which was like a bunch of sitcom episodes stitched together? (I can't actually think of good TV to musical adaptations so I went with comics.)

Even the biggest fan of Hysteria would be hard-pressed to call Kat McPhee a pop star.

#42

Fran Drescher:

Posted: 4/12/21 at 8:28pm

SJB was great as Cher but that show was a mess in tone. All over the place. SJB elevated the material with her grounded performance but the show was a massive failure. Honestly, I thought it was better in Chicago

I think whoever plays Fran has to have that ease, confidence and comedy in their bones. I feel in order for it work the performer has to be larger than life when they walk onstage and maintain that the whole show. Not an easy feat. SJB believably maintained Cher through the whole show-that’s why she was rewarded for the work.

I still think Lesli Margarita stands out bc she is “on” most of the time. Normally I don’t love that about her but I think it would make her an authentic Fran. They both love attention. I feel Lesli could maintain the character without straining.

McPhee showed up at The Fosters on the Housewives when she was still married. Makes me like her even less seeing her kiss Yolandas butt when you know the wheels are turning in her head. She wanted someone more connected than her husband. She tried for a married director and then went for a married composer. Yolanda has been Frank that it was very clear that something was going on. It’s all really gross. I wait to see when she gets tired of his elderly backside and walks with her kid, child support and prenup payout. I’m sure she is counting the years.

#43

Fran Drescher:

Posted: 10/21/21 at 7:15pm

Fran Drescher is rumored to play Sylvia, I've heard.

Kat Foster as Fran Fine? Whatttttttttt

I feel like Vanessa Hudgens would make an awesome Fran Fine.

#44

Fran Drescher:

Posted: 10/21/21 at 8:24pm

Give me Lesli or give me death. If there was ever a show she was perfect for, this is it.

Throw bigger names in the supporting roles but let Lesli play Fran.

#45

Fran Drescher:

Posted: 10/21/21 at 8:41pm

I would rather die than see a non-Jewish person struggle through the very Jewish comedy of The Nanny.

I think a Jewish comedian with vocal chops would be a very fun choice. Catherine Cohen comes to mind.

She may be a young choice, but Michaela Diamond also comes to mind.

Lesli would not under any circumstances understand the subtle nuances of what makes Fran Fine grating while still being extremely likable. Let her play C.C. if she has to be involved.

They/them. "Get up the nerve to be all you deserve to be."

← Back to Message Board

View all Videos

Tickets From $59

Tickets From $71

Tickets From $95