GHOST coming to Broadway in the spring?
#2
Posted: 8/5/11 at 12:44am
I hope Richard Fleeshman transfers with the production. His abs give a Tony worthy performance.
#3
Posted: 8/5/11 at 12:54am
With THE ADDAMS FAMILY looking likely to shudder at the end of the year, when it would lose both Brooke Shields and Roger Reese, the Lunt-Fontanne would be a perfect fit for GHOST.
I'm curious to see the extent to which the producers are interested in "re-casting." While it makes sense that they'd want a name actor for Sam (Richard Fleeshman would never get approved by Equity anyway,) Caissie Levy was not well received by the London critics at all. Most of them found her to have a stunning voice but no charisma, so I wonder if she'd be replaced for a New York transfer too.
Although he isn't really a name, Cheyenne Jackson would be a killer Sam. I tend to find him sort of self-indulgent, but he'd sing the crap out of the score, and he has both the intensity and the likability that's required. Put him opposite someone like Elizabeth Stanley and a lot of those problematic book scenes would come to life.
I'm curious to see the extent to which the producers are interested in "re-casting." While it makes sense that they'd want a name actor for Sam (Richard Fleeshman would never get approved by Equity anyway,) Caissie Levy was not well received by the London critics at all. Most of them found her to have a stunning voice but no charisma, so I wonder if she'd be replaced for a New York transfer too.
Although he isn't really a name, Cheyenne Jackson would be a killer Sam. I tend to find him sort of self-indulgent, but he'd sing the crap out of the score, and he has both the intensity and the likability that's required. Put him opposite someone like Elizabeth Stanley and a lot of those problematic book scenes would come to life.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Updated On: 8/5/11 at 12:54 AM
#4
Posted: 8/5/11 at 1:41am
GHOST will go to Toronto before it goes to NY. I work in Toronto theatre and the running rumour is that it will play the Royal Alex for a minimum of 6 months.
Caissie Levy is a shoe-in because of her Broadway experience, she absolutely got RAVE reviews in Manchester and London, and she's AEA. Based on the latter alone, if the producers want her - and they love her - she'll transfer no problem.
Cheyenne Jackson? Don't get me wrong, I'm a CheyGuy fan, but he's too old and not a good fit for the part.
Lunt-Fontanne is too large. A house the size of the Booth or a little larger would be perfect. The sets and illusions require a smaller house.
Caissie Levy is a shoe-in because of her Broadway experience, she absolutely got RAVE reviews in Manchester and London, and she's AEA. Based on the latter alone, if the producers want her - and they love her - she'll transfer no problem.
Cheyenne Jackson? Don't get me wrong, I'm a CheyGuy fan, but he's too old and not a good fit for the part.
Lunt-Fontanne is too large. A house the size of the Booth or a little larger would be perfect. The sets and illusions require a smaller house.
#5
Posted: 8/5/11 at 1:50am
KylePJKP, what are you talking about? Levy's reviews were the polar opposite of raves.
"As the lovers separated by death, Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy need to ignite a touch more stage chemistry, and could usefully turn down the volume during the strident ballads." -The Telegraph
"Caissie Levy's Molly, although well sung, seems somewhat grumpy and Richard Fleeshman's colourless Sam apologetically sings, in proof of his unarticulated affection, 'I make you scrambled eggs.' The passion is upstaged by the projections." -The Guardian
"It is unfair to judge Miss Levy’s acting, so wooden are her lines, but she has a STRONG voice. Turn it down a bit, there’s a dear." -The Daily Mail
"Newlyweds Sam and Molly, played by ex-Coronation Street star Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy, are so soppy that when a mugger attacks them you pray he kills them both." -The Mirror
"Caissie Levy sings these songs with power but she cannot disguise the banality of their lyrics nor the sub-rock sameyness of the music." -The Independent
"Caissie Levy shows a seemingly effortless vocal potency as his devoted partner Molly. Yet we never get a strong sense of their passion; it's a dynamic they articulate but don't really inhabit, and there's little trace of the erotic." -London Evening Standard
"As the lovers separated by death, Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy need to ignite a touch more stage chemistry, and could usefully turn down the volume during the strident ballads." -The Telegraph
"Caissie Levy's Molly, although well sung, seems somewhat grumpy and Richard Fleeshman's colourless Sam apologetically sings, in proof of his unarticulated affection, 'I make you scrambled eggs.' The passion is upstaged by the projections." -The Guardian
"It is unfair to judge Miss Levy’s acting, so wooden are her lines, but she has a STRONG voice. Turn it down a bit, there’s a dear." -The Daily Mail
"Newlyweds Sam and Molly, played by ex-Coronation Street star Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy, are so soppy that when a mugger attacks them you pray he kills them both." -The Mirror
"Caissie Levy sings these songs with power but she cannot disguise the banality of their lyrics nor the sub-rock sameyness of the music." -The Independent
"Caissie Levy shows a seemingly effortless vocal potency as his devoted partner Molly. Yet we never get a strong sense of their passion; it's a dynamic they articulate but don't really inhabit, and there's little trace of the erotic." -London Evening Standard
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Updated On: 8/5/11 at 01:50 AM
#6
Posted: 8/5/11 at 1:51am
Wasn't Laura Michelle Kelly part of the workshops? She seems like she could be good. She's been in the states now for quite a while I wonder if she has a green card...
#7
Posted: 8/5/11 at 1:56am
TheatreFan4, Laura Michelle Kelly did indeed play Molly for several of the developmental incarnations of the show. At one point, Darren Ritchie played opposite her as Sam.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#8
Posted: 8/5/11 at 1:56am
I really enjoyed the show and think that both Levy and Fleishman should transfer with the production should it transfer - both are giving star making turns.
#9
Posted: 8/5/11 at 1:56am
Wasn't Laura Michelle Kelly part of the workshops? She seems like she could be good. She's been in the states now for quite a while I wonder if she has a green card...
I'm pretty sure she was actually announced to star in it at one point, but dropped out.
I'm pretty sure she was actually announced to star in it at one point, but dropped out.
Updated On: 8/5/11 at 01:56 AM
#10
Posted: 8/5/11 at 2:00am
Kelly was never officially announced to be part of the full production of the show. Because of how long she'd been associated with it, the London press made the forgone conclusion that she'd remain on board when it finally came to fruition, but she chose to come to New York and do MARY POPPINS on Broadway instead.
Her initial contract with MARY POPPINS required that she commit to a run beyond when she'd have to be available for GHOST, so she wasn't able to do both as she'd originally hoped. It would be quite the twist of fate if she ended up being the one to play Molly in the transfer.
Her initial contract with MARY POPPINS required that she commit to a run beyond when she'd have to be available for GHOST, so she wasn't able to do both as she'd originally hoped. It would be quite the twist of fate if she ended up being the one to play Molly in the transfer.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Updated On: 8/5/11 at 02:00 AM
#11
Posted: 8/5/11 at 2:07am
GHOST will go to Toronto before it goes to NY. I work in Toronto theatre and the running rumour is that it will play the Royal Alex for a minimum of 6 months.
Umm this is not true. Dancap Productions is an investor in Ghost and that is a rival theatre.
Umm this is not true. Dancap Productions is an investor in Ghost and that is a rival theatre.
#12
Posted: 8/5/11 at 2:10am
SomethingWicked: I was talking primarily of praise for Caissie's voice, not of the banal dialogue she has to work with. So in that case, I'm pretty sure I know what I'm talking about. :)
"It is unfair to judge Miss Levy’s acting, so wooden are her lines, but she has a STRONG voice. - DAILY MAIL
"Sam (played by the strong and stoic Richard Fleeshman) is murdered and whilst his girlfriend Molly (the ridiculously talented Caissie Levy) cries for her lost love..." - WHAT'S ON STAGE
"Molly is played by Canadian Caissie Levy, whose haunting voice gives you goose bumps." - THE SUN
Sooooo, pretty much the same as you were quoting... and none of the reviews are the "polar opposite" reviews as you claim, implying her performance was $hit. I've saw it myself three weeks ago and she is DAMN good!
Even if you were right - which you`re not - Sarah Brightman got terrible reviews for Phantom in London and she still made the transfer to Bway and STILL has one hell of a career.
I think Caissie will do just fine when she crosses the pond.
"It is unfair to judge Miss Levy’s acting, so wooden are her lines, but she has a STRONG voice. - DAILY MAIL
"Sam (played by the strong and stoic Richard Fleeshman) is murdered and whilst his girlfriend Molly (the ridiculously talented Caissie Levy) cries for her lost love..." - WHAT'S ON STAGE
"Molly is played by Canadian Caissie Levy, whose haunting voice gives you goose bumps." - THE SUN
Sooooo, pretty much the same as you were quoting... and none of the reviews are the "polar opposite" reviews as you claim, implying her performance was $hit. I've saw it myself three weeks ago and she is DAMN good!
Even if you were right - which you`re not - Sarah Brightman got terrible reviews for Phantom in London and she still made the transfer to Bway and STILL has one hell of a career.
I think Caissie will do just fine when she crosses the pond.
#13
Posted: 8/5/11 at 2:14am
And just one more to punctuate my point:
"On the plus side Levy is in great voice and can be tender one minute and as angry as Alanis Morrisette the next, however many of her songs fade into one as they are incredibly samey. "Suspend My Disbelief" and "Here Right Now" stand out though in her very capable hands." - THEATREMANIA, Review RoundUp
I like that line, "very capable hands", even if the dialogue she has to work with is crap. She can't be blamed for that.
"On the plus side Levy is in great voice and can be tender one minute and as angry as Alanis Morrisette the next, however many of her songs fade into one as they are incredibly samey. "Suspend My Disbelief" and "Here Right Now" stand out though in her very capable hands." - THEATREMANIA, Review RoundUp
I like that line, "very capable hands", even if the dialogue she has to work with is crap. She can't be blamed for that.
#14
Posted: 8/5/11 at 2:21am
Furthermore, somethingwicked, it appears you are quite selective with the reviews you chose to post.
This Is Lancashire
Review: Ghost- The Musical @ Opera House, Manchester
"The show is even better than the film, it's the emotional equivalent of being hit by a heavyweight boxer and even the most incurable cynics will be deeply moved by what they see and hear."
[Fleeshman] has a stunning vocal range and there's a natural chemistry between him and the lovely Caissie Levy, who plays Wheat's partner, Molly."
Not everyone will agree on a show, but you don't have to deliberately bash a performer based on a few reviews for show YOU haven't even seen.
This Is Lancashire
Review: Ghost- The Musical @ Opera House, Manchester
"The show is even better than the film, it's the emotional equivalent of being hit by a heavyweight boxer and even the most incurable cynics will be deeply moved by what they see and hear."
[Fleeshman] has a stunning vocal range and there's a natural chemistry between him and the lovely Caissie Levy, who plays Wheat's partner, Molly."
Not everyone will agree on a show, but you don't have to deliberately bash a performer based on a few reviews for show YOU haven't even seen.
#15
Posted: 8/5/11 at 2:27am
Sarah Brightman got terrible reviews for Phantom in London and she still made the transfer to Bway
She was f*cking ALW. Phantom was made around her. Ghost is not built around Caissie.
She was f*cking ALW. Phantom was made around her. Ghost is not built around Caissie.
#16
Posted: 8/5/11 at 3:22am
"She was f*cking ALW. Phantom was made around her. Ghost is not built around Caissie. "
That's an image I'd rather not have running through my head at this time, thank you.
That's an image I'd rather not have running through my head at this time, thank you.
#17
Posted: 8/5/11 at 4:41am
How would Richard not be approved by equity? Caissie was approved by British equity, surely Richard should be entitled to play this role on Broadway if the producers want him too. He gives a wonderful performance.
#18
Posted: 8/5/11 at 5:12am
This is Lancashire, that bastion of broadsheet media.
I saw the show last week - Caissie Levy is giving the best performance in it and deserves to make the move it if transfers.
I saw the show last week - Caissie Levy is giving the best performance in it and deserves to make the move it if transfers.
#19
Posted: 8/5/11 at 5:13am
Have to say, Caissie was amazing, thought I would be interested to see Laura Michelle Kelly sing the role too! There is something very special in Richard Fleeshman's voice that is quite unique, it's not very traditionally 'musical theatre', more pop rock and I think it suits the score a lot. I think they both should have a chance to play it on Broadway!!!
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#20
Posted: 8/5/11 at 5:23am
British Equity don't have anywhere near the same rules as American Equity do. US immigration rules are such (as I understand it) that you can only work in the country if there's no-one else in the States who can do the job better - and although Richard Fleeshman is good, this is not a career-defining "star is born" part for him like a Kim in Miss Saigon or somesuch. British Equity have no such issue - hence why we can have a relative "no name" like Sean Palmer leading Crazy For You at Regent's Park this summer.
KylePKJP, you are also selectively quoting reviews. The reason Quentin Letts (as vile as he is) capitalised STRONG in describing Caissie Levy's voice is because of his following sentence - "Turn it down a bit, dear." He thought she was strident.
Personally thinking I thought she was the best thing in the show, but it doesn't solve the fact that her part is terribly underwritten. The writing gives Molly no real personality, and all her songs are "I miss you", "I wish you were still here" or "I miss you and wish you were still here but now I have to keep living my life". Maybe an actress as quirky as Laura Michelle Kelly could make the role more interesting, I dunno, but I wouldn't place the blame at Caissie Levy's feet entirely.
KylePKJP, you are also selectively quoting reviews. The reason Quentin Letts (as vile as he is) capitalised STRONG in describing Caissie Levy's voice is because of his following sentence - "Turn it down a bit, dear." He thought she was strident.
Personally thinking I thought she was the best thing in the show, but it doesn't solve the fact that her part is terribly underwritten. The writing gives Molly no real personality, and all her songs are "I miss you", "I wish you were still here" or "I miss you and wish you were still here but now I have to keep living my life". Maybe an actress as quirky as Laura Michelle Kelly could make the role more interesting, I dunno, but I wouldn't place the blame at Caissie Levy's feet entirely.
#21
Posted: 8/5/11 at 7:08am
Seriously, ignore the reviews, Caissie is brilliant and I'm 90% sure she'll transfer with the show.
"Ghost is not built around Caissie."
Actually, I believe some of the stuff was written with her in mind.
"Ghost is not built around Caissie."
Actually, I believe some of the stuff was written with her in mind.
#22
Posted: 8/5/11 at 7:10am
Also to whoever mentioned the Booth. It is way too small. Somewhere like the Neil Simon, Lunt etc is much better suited.
#23
Posted: 8/5/11 at 7:12am
Bit of an issue with that article:
"His slick production of "Ghost" features cutting-edge videos and projections of New York in the '90s"
Make no mistake, this GHOST is not a product of the 90's, it's very much set now!
"His slick production of "Ghost" features cutting-edge videos and projections of New York in the '90s"
Make no mistake, this GHOST is not a product of the 90's, it's very much set now!
#24
Posted: 8/5/11 at 7:18am
Did I miss something? I only read rave reviews about Caissie in Ghost. I actually saw her 2 weeks ago in the show myself and I thought she was absolutely wonderfull. I knew her voice was amazing, but I always thought her acting in Hair wasn't that good. In Ghost her acting was actually great. I believed every word she sang and said.
#25
Posted: 8/5/11 at 8:12am
I heard a rumour that Queen Latifah was being lined up for Oda Mae Brown?
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