Posted: 2/26/16 at 12:18pm
I like Ariana Grande for Penny vocally, but none of her acting makes me think she'd be good in the role. Maybe her upcoming SNL hosting gig will change my mind, but I doubt it.
I do think Darren Criss is a good choice for Link, it's right in his wheelhouse. Tracy should definitely be a newcomer, at least to TV.
Posted: 2/26/16 at 5:22pm
I would like to see Jack Black as Edna. I wonder what he can do with this role.
Posted: 4/11/16 at 8:38pm
With Harvey now writing the television adaptation, could it be a possibility that he will do it? It's been suggested before, but I think Ariana Grande would be absolutely perfect for Amber.
I know this is a bit out there, but the idea just struck me -- what about Bob Saget as Wilbur? A fine actor with great comedic skills and a decent enough voice. I think he would be a fine choice.
Posted: 4/11/16 at 8:47pm
^Who I've been thinking for Wilbur are Tony Danza, Kevin Kline, & Martin Short.
Posted: 4/12/16 at 4:13am
Wouldn't Martin Short basically be dressing as Ed Grimley though if they emulated the Broadway designs?
Posted: 4/12/16 at 6:17am
Tracy Turnblad - An Unknown
Edna Turnblad - Alec Baldwin
Wilbur Turnblad - Barry Pearl
Link Larkin - Darren Criss
Motormouth Maybelle - Sheryl Lee Ralph
Velma von Tussle - Belinda Carlisle
Amber von Tussle - Julianne Hough
Penny Pingleton - Lea Michele
Seaweed J. Stubbs - Jordan Fisher
Corny Collins - Neil Patrick Harris
Prudy Pingleton/Gym Teacher/Matron - Cindy Williams
Updated On: 4/12/16 at 06:17 AM
Posted: 4/12/16 at 7:38am
My first choice for Edna is Harvey, but I love the idea of Alec Baldwin! ^^
Posted: 4/12/16 at 9:33pm
no hate, but:
Cynthia Erivo as Inez? I think she would be great
Posted: 4/12/16 at 9:55pm
Cynthia Erivo as Inez? I think she would be great
Yeah, in 2005
Posted: 4/12/16 at 10:04pm
But she's not a teenager. Danelle Eugenia Wilson is the same age as Erivo, and opened the show back in 2002 at appropriate age of 15. Miscast completely
Posted: 4/12/16 at 10:21pm
I know she's a little young, but what about Renee Elise Goldsberry for Maybelle? She'd be amazing!
Posted: 4/12/16 at 10:27pm
If we can't have Harvey as Edna, what about John C. Reilly or Will Ferrell? I also love the John Goodman idea.
Posted: 4/12/16 at 10:58pm
Kristen Chenoweth would be so so SO good as Velma. It's the best suggestion on this thread! I love Megan Mullally a LOT for the character, but she's never looked great in blonde to me. Jane K would be fantastic too.
I am personally hoping for JHudson to be tapped for Maybelle, because even though she's young, I think she'd look the right age next to KChen/Jane K. Queen Latifah's portrayal is kinda stuck in everyone's minds, so it's possible that they'll ask her again. I don't think Renee will be right for the role, sorry.
Posted: 4/12/16 at 11:35pm
I think Jonathan Groff would make a great Corny.
Posted: 4/13/16 at 5:17am
NOWaWarning said: "If we can't have Harvey as Edna, what about John C. Reilly or Will Ferrell? I also love the John Goodman idea."
John Goodman is gonna be on Broadway in The Front Page this fall, so he'll be unavailable.
Though I love the John C. Reilly Idea!
Posted: 4/15/16 at 4:58pm
My NEW Dreamcast
Tracy - Unknown
Edna - Harvey Fierstein or John C. Reilly or NPH
Wilbur - Christian Borle (even though he's doing Falsettos this would be a dream) or NPH
Penny - Ariana Grande or Anna Kendrick
Amber - Annaleigh Ashford or Brittany Snow
Velma - Kristin Chenoweth or Jane Krakowski, but I'd be down for Cher!
Link - Darren Criss or Zac Efron
Corny - Jonathan Groff or Jeremy Jordan or Matthew Morrison
Motormouth - Jennifer Hudson
Seaweed - Elijah Kelley or Jordan Fisher or Corbin Bleu
Little Inez - I LOVE the idea of Cynthia, if they could make her look younger. I think Quvenzhané Wallis could be a good option, or Zendaya if she was shorter and younger.
Updated On: 4/15/16 at 04:58 PM
Posted: 4/15/16 at 7:38pm
Even if you cast all the older kids with actors in their late 20s or early 30s there is no way Shanice Williams is going to read young enough for Lil' Inez (who I've always assumed was meant to be in the 11-13 age range).
Posted: 4/15/16 at 7:56pm
Yeah, the oldest I can imagine Inez being is fifteen, but even then, wouldn't she be in high school? Shanice is lovely and I'd love to see her in another Live! production, but she reads so much older than she is.
Posted: 4/15/16 at 9:32pm
After watching Parks and Recreation last night, it made me curious to see how Jim O'Heir would do as Edna. He has such great comedic timing, but unfortunately, doesn't have the same draw as some other candidates might.
Posted: 4/15/16 at 9:43pm
The young lady who plays Tamika in School of Rock (I believe her name is Bobbie?) has the vocals to kill as Inez, but at only 11 or 12, she may be younger then NBC wants to cast.
Posted: 4/17/16 at 4:19pm
I think 11 or 12 could actually work for the Inez.
Updated On: 4/17/16 at 04:19 PM
Posted: 4/17/16 at 5:17pm
Starship said: "After watching Parks and Recreation last night, it made me curious to see how Jim O'Heir would do as Edna. He has such great comedic timing, but unfortunately, doesn't have the same draw as some other candidates might. "
Now that's a really fun idea. Never thought of him, but I'd be interested to see his take.
Posted: 4/17/16 at 11:23pm
Tracy--has to be a newcomer in the tradition of Ricki Lake, Marissa Winokur (general newcomer, anyway), and Nikki Blonsky
Edna--Eric Stonestreet...the vocals shouldn't be an issue, as Harvey Fierstein is no Maria Callas, but was PERFECT for the role.
Wilbur--Bryan Cranston. He was quirky, strange, and funny on Malcolm in the Middle, and I think he could totally do the role justice. An overall versatile actor.
Link--Darren Criss seems like a pretty safe bet, he could pull it off adequately.
Velma--Chenoweth would be deliciously perfect, but Jane Krakowski would also be a fantastic match.
Motormouth Maybelle--can we bring back Darlene Love? Not only is she a music legend, but she did it on Broadway and had some recent exposure after the 20 Feet From Stardom doc. Patti LaBelle would blow the damn roof off the place, too.
Seaweed--NeYo? Maybe? I was pleasantly surprised by him in The Wiz, but I'm not sure how young he could read. Maybe an unknown would be a good idea for this role as well.
Penny--unknown. The younger kids should all be unknowns, now that I think about it. As per the movie, it seems to make sense to cast bigger names as the adults, and fill the younger roles with some fresh new energy.
Corny Collins--not sure how his acting is, but I can picture Michael Buble doing a fine job. He has a smooth, classic voice, and he's got the charm for it.
Inez--unknown, as previously stated.
Just because it would be cute, let's have cameos from past cast members...any of the 3 "original" Tracys, John Waters (maybe as Mr. Pinky?), etc.
