I'm not very surprised that they chose to announce the expanded productions now (as everything has been in the works for a few months.) With Tony voters increasingly looking for "road appeal," this is just the type of bait the producers want when people sit down to cast their votes.
In regards to casting--- Ebersole is only going to do the London production. The West End run and the tour are currently planned to happen around the same time, so she won't be able to do both (though I think her possibly appearing in a major market like Los Angeles for one city isn't out of the question.)
Though the press release states they're casting for a Broadway replacement for October, I think the show will sadly have shuttered by then. They're in reality only seriously looking for someone for the tour (a "name" with recognizable value ideally,) and though Maureen Moore is wonderful in the role and deserves a shot at playing it full time, she's simply not marketable (even if they
did get Mary Louise Wilson fresh off a Tony win to accompany her, which is a very strong possibility at this point.) Finding someone able to perform this role who will be known by audiences around the country is nearly impossible, so who ends up getting cast should be pretty interesting to say the least.
If the show does make it past October (which I just don't see happening even if it pulled off the win for Best Musical,) Victoria Clark would be ideal casting (though her naturally refined and poised demeanor, perfect for Big Edie, doesn't lend itself to the second act nearly as ideally.) I don't see her being against going in as a replacement for a role of this caliber and notoriety, but if Ebersole can't sell tickets, how would Clark? It just isn't a realistic expectation.
Regardless, it is wonderful to see that people all over will get to experience this beautiful show.
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.
Updated On: 5/16/07 at 05:27 PM