Other than Jonas I have no issues with that cast. Darlene Love was the best Motormouth I ever saw. Her "I Know Where I've Been" literally brought down the house. I think Carey could make for a endearing Wilbur and Stamos should be fine in the fairly limited role of Corny.
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
The casting was done to please no one but the people involved...it will be like old home week for some and then eye candy when they get bored talking about the old days of bumps at splash!
"There's no damn business like show business - you have to smile to keep from throwing up." - Billie Holiday
The casting of Seaweed and Link will appeal to teenage girls I suspect - but other than Diana DeGarmo, who is my favourite Penny Pingleton, there isn't much to get excited about with that cast.
For the most part the casting gets a huge yawn (with a few minor exceptions).
Marissa Jaret Winokur needs to move on already.
I agree with everything AnthVoice says about it being old home week. When it was originally announced, I was thinking of making the trip to LA to see this. Now, no thanks.
I think DeGarmo's Penny (the best one I ever saw on Broadway) and Corbin Bleu's Seaweed are going to be a standout pairing. I'm thrilled Diana was able to snag the role. Darlene Love is another one I can't wait to see again.
I'm trying to digest the Winokur-Jonas casting. They either needed to go older with Link (Matt Morrison) or younger with Tracy (Nikki Blonsky), but with this pairing there's going to be a substantial need to suspend disbelief. Too bad the Darren Criss talks didn't pan out.
While I would like nothing more than to see this cast, it shocks me that they went with Tara Macri as Amber. I'm not saying Haylie Duff or Aubrey O'Day are the best, because in my opinion, they are far from it, but I'm shocked they did not go with a bigger name such as the two of them, who have previously played the role on Broadway. It's odd that they chose Winokur up against Nick Jonas as others have said already, and I agree, Blonsky should have been given it with Nick and Matt Morrison should have been given it with Winokur, but not how it is paired now, it's strange. However, she is a wonderful Tracy. I'm excited about Diana and Darlene, my two favorite people to play those roles. Wish I was able to see this!
I know that Marissa hasn't had much going on since she left "The Talk," but still I think she's too old for the role and needs to move on. So much for Diana Degarmo moving on from the role. In an interview at americanidol.com she said that she loved being in the show, but it hurt her back after a while.
It's a 3 day gig, not a revival, and she hasn't played Penny for 5 years. Given what the rehearsal scheduled probably requires, I would think DeGarmo might miss the end of the 9 to 5 tour. It ends in August, right?
Really would've loved to see Criss as Link (making Winokur pairing slightly less creepy) and Morrison as Corny. Maybe even Allison Janney as Prudy/Matron/Gym Teacher. And I don't know if she can sing, but with her dancing, Chelsea Kane from Dancing with the Stars as Amber.
Allison Janney as Prudy/Matron/Gym Teacher would have been great in my opinion. Although I won't be seeing it, I'm actually excited for Corbin Bleu as Seaweed. He did quite well as Usnavi.