#26
Posted: 9/13/16 at 8:20pm
Alice Ripley, Heather Headley, Sara Ramirez, or Carmen Cusack would elevate the whole production to a new level.
Grizabella Replacements? — Page 2
#27
Posted: 9/13/16 at 8:31pm
I'm not sure why this is being misreported as an announcement. Leona Lewis was only set for a three-month run from the start. The only news here is that she isn't extending.
Lewis took the role after Nicole Scherzinger pulled out at short notice ... Lloyd Webber called Lewis to ask whether she was interested, but insisted that she audition. Being a seasoned trouper, she flew to New York and within a few days the part was hers. She will play Grizabella until October, not a long stint by theatre standards. “I’d just come off a tour, I was having some time off and it just seemed like the perfect role because it’s not a long commitment.”
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jul/29/leona-lewis-interview-cats-broadway-x-factor 
"Tracy... Hold Mama's waffles."
Updated On: 9/13/16 at 08:31 PM
#29
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
Posted: 9/13/16 at 8:48pm
If you think there's any chance they'll go for an actress over 40, you're nuts. (That said, I'd love but can't imagine Heather Headley would do it. I mean, it's one song. She's too big for that, especially coming off the raves for Color Purple.)
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
#30
Posted: 9/13/16 at 9:34pm
everythingtaboo said: "If you think there's any chance they'll go for an actress over 40, you're nuts. (That said, I'd love but can't imagine Heather Headley would do it. I mean, it's one song. She's too big for that, especially coming off the raves for Color Purple.)
"
please tell me what you are basing this claim off of?
#31
Posted: 9/13/16 at 9:40pm
I know that she's in "The Front Page", but I think that Sherie Renee Scott would be an amazing Grizabella. Also Lena Hall if she weren't doing Hedwig on tour. I'm hoping they bring Beverley Knight over from London
#32
Posted: 9/13/16 at 10:03pm
I wouldn't be surprised if the production is just planning for this part to be a revolving door for D-List popstars.
#33
Posted: 9/13/16 at 10:13pm
I agree with everythingtaboo. This role pretty much only comes on stage just to do one song, with no other real acting or dancing, right? That sounds like it would be a huge waste of talent for a lot of the bigger names like Headley. It should be someone with a good voice since it's considered the "signature song" of the show and a highlight to many, but I do feel like it would be a waste to spend too big of a name/talent on a role where they only have like 15 minutes of stage-time and only sing one song, and that's it.
#34
Posted: 9/13/16 at 10:17pm
Heather Headley would tempt me to see a show I would never see otherwise
#35
Posted: 9/13/16 at 10:41pm
BroadwayMan5 said: "Heather Headley would tempt me to see a show I would never see otherwise
Ditto
#36
Posted: 9/13/16 at 11:16pm
ClapYo'Hands said: "Montego Glover?
"
no.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
#37
Posted: 9/13/16 at 11:17pm
BroadwayMan5 said: "Heather Headley would tempt me to see a show I would never see otherwise"
Thirded!
#38
Posted: 9/13/16 at 11:17pm
Cupid Boy2 said: "I wouldn't be surprised if the production is just planning for this part to be a revolving door for D-List popstars. "
^ Couldn't agree more...
I expect Debbie Gibson next...Excuse me, Deborah Gibson...
#39
Posted: 9/13/16 at 11:38pm
Oak2 said: "I agree with everythingtaboo. This role pretty much only comes on stage just to do one song, with no other real acting or dancing, right? That sounds like it would be a huge waste of talent for a lot of the bigger names like Headley. It should be someone with a good voice since it's considered the "signature song" of the show and a highlight to many, but I do feel like it would be a waste to spend too big of a name/talent on a role where they only have like 15 minutes of stage-time and only sing one song, and that's it"
Betty Buckley. Elaine Page. Lea Salonga, Laurie Beechman. Lillias White. Liz Callaway. Ruthie Henshall. Kerry Ellis. Beverly Knight.
#40
Posted: 9/14/16 at 12:17am
@ggerstein - Fair enough! I didn't realize so many big names had been in the role before. I guess they really don't mind it then. Strike my initial fear then, and I apologize for not having researched the issue well enough beforehand. I just didn't think Heather Headley would move from her big role in Purple to a one-song role - but I agree it would be fantastic to hear her do Memory!
#41
Posted: 9/14/16 at 12:33am
I'm definitely put Carolee Carmello's name in the ring.
And I guess this confirms no Cast Recording? How does one mount a revival of the former longest running show in history with a for profit production and not record? Especially considering Money Bags Webber could bank roll it in minute.
#42
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
Posted: 9/14/16 at 12:46am
ggersten, while a number of names did the role, it's a question of when in their career did they do it. Laurie, Betty and Elaine were both in their early to mid-thirties; Ruthie made her West End debut in the role at 20. Liz did it for five years,but again, her her mid to late 30s. Kerry and Lea did it in her late 30s, and Beverly is stretching it a bit at just over 40 but she's on a roll in the West End at the moment. Again it's not about quality of actor, it's what age range they want to cast.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
#43
Posted: 9/14/16 at 12:52am
I mean they didn't realize advertise her as being in the show, right? So why not just go with some Broadway person? I'd more of the names mentioned wouldn't take a replacement gig and def. not in this kind of a show. I'd guess some Wicked alumni? Maybe Eden? Shoshana?
#44
Posted: 9/14/16 at 4:12am
everythingtaboo said: "If you think there's any chance they'll go for an actress over 40, you're nuts. (That said, I'd love but can't imagine Heather Headley would do it. I mean, it's one song. She's too big for that, especially coming off the raves for Color Purple.)"
The average age for Grizabella's in the London Revival (Nicole Sherzinger/Berverley Knight/Kerry Ellis/Jane McDonald (Blackpool)) was 43, so I have no idea what you're talking about or basing this on...
#45
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
Posted: 9/14/16 at 7:51am
ClapYo'Hands said: "everythingtaboo said: "If you think there's any chance they'll go for an actress over 40, you're nuts. (That said, I'd love but can't imagine Heather Headley would do it. I mean, it's one song. She's too big for that, especially coming off the raves for Color Purple.)"
The average age for Grizabella's in the London Revival (Nicole Sherzinger/Berverley Knight/Kerry Ellis/Jane McDonald (Blackpool)) was 43, so I have no idea what you're talking about or basing this on...
"
I just posted the two above the ages of the other actresses when they did the role, I don't know who Jane McDonald is, but I guess she brings the average up to 43, because except for Beverly the other actresses you mention are still below 40.
And again, I'm not saying I don't want an actress significantly over 40 playing the role. It's a great opportunity. I'm saying I just don't see that happening for the Broadway production. I hope I'm wrong.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
Updated On: 9/14/16 at 07:51 AM
#46
Posted: 9/14/16 at 7:59am
I'm definitely assuming no cast album. But what's going to happen to Leona's recorded version of Memory? Is ALW going to release it before she leaves or just scrapping it?
#47
Posted: 9/14/16 at 8:17am
Dancingthrulife2 said: "Seriously, I would go back just for Heather Headley or Carman Cusack
"
Yes to this. (except that it wouldn't be BACK, it could be enough to convince me to go!
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.
Updated On: 9/14/16 at 08:17 AM
#48
Posted: 9/14/16 at 8:46am
This is such a no-brainer.... Cast ORFEH KARL!!! It would be such an incredible comeback story.... Her winning a tony alongside ANDY KARL ... OMG! Plus we know she can belt out MEMORY better than anyone else ... She's such a talent and deserves the role ... Are you listening, Broadway producers?? CAST ORFEH KARL!
"See that poster on the wall? Rocky Marciano." - Andy Karl as Rocky in 'ROCKY'
#49
Posted: 9/14/16 at 8:49am
So the producers could go a few different non-offensive routes with this opportunity...
Aging Broadway Star: Bernadette Peters, Patti Lupone, Alice Ripley (though I fear she would be flat the whole song), Judy Kuhn, LaChanz, Betty Buckley
Current Broadway name that would sound amazing so nothing else would matter: Keala Settle, Heather Headley, Caroline Bowman, Leslie Margarita, Shoshana Bean
Aging Pop Star with Vocal Chops: Pat Benetar, Jennifer Nettles, Taylor Dayne, Bjork (?!)
Through this thought process, I have decided that Bjork should play Griz...<drops the mic>
#50
Posted: 9/14/16 at 8:55am
Skimbleshanks2 said: "This is such a no-brainer.... Cast ORFEH KARL!!! It would be such an incredible comeback story.... Her winning a tony alongside ANDY KARL ... OMG! Plus we know she can belt out MEMORY better than anyone else ... She's such a talent and deserves the role ... Are you listening, Broadway producers?? CAST ORFEH KARL!
Orfeh didn't perform on opening night and thus would not be eligible for the Tony.
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