History Boys Cast Change

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 5:54pm

Saw it this afternoon....it's the show to beat come awards season.

Just wondering....

In the Playbill I got on the evening of the first preview, the cast list was different than the one I got today. In the 1st one, the original English FULL cast (including ensemble and TV producers) was listed. Today, the ensemble members and people play the TV producers were listed separately. They included American actors Bill Buell, LeRoy McClain, Pippa Pearthree, Alex Tonetta, and Jeffrey Withers.

Anyone know the deal?

[mabel]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 6:42pm

Hmmm...that's strange. So were the ensemble people booted out and shipped off? Very curious.

Is Samuel Anderson still listed in the Playbill? Eh, guess I'll find out tomorrow.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 6:49pm

haha. British ensemble BAAAD.

lol. i've no clue. I haven't seen it yet!

[mabel]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 7:14pm

Hmmm, I just peeked at the blurb on here about Alan Bennett's appearance on Theatre Talk last night, and it had the American actors listed:

The original National Theatre cast of THE HISTORY BOYS appear in the Broadway production. The boys are played by Samuel Anderson (Crowther), Samuel Barnett (Posner), Dominic Cooper (Dakin), James Corden (Timms), Sacha Dhawan (Akthar), Andrew Knott (Lockwood), Jamie Parker (Scripps) and Russell Tovey (Rudge). The teachers are played by Frances de la Tour (Mrs. Lintott), Richard Griffiths (Hector), Clive Merrison (Headmaster) and Stephen Campbell Moore (Irwin). Other roles are played by Bill Buell (TV Director), LeRoy McClain (Company), Pippa Pearthree (Make-up Lady), Alex Tonetta (Company) and Jeffrey Withers (Company).
____________________________

Though, my Playbill from (was it last week? Yeah, I think so) has Colin Haigh, Pamela Merrick, etc listed. Did they just have them come over through the opening??

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 7:27pm

Maybe since they're all ensemble and understudies, it was to give them the chance to be part of the official opening night cast, then ship them back to the UK?

Also, I think I read in the Times that Samuel Anderson is supposed to rejoin the cast shortly. Hopefully we'll be able to see him soon!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 9:21pm

Samuel Anderson was in today's performance.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 9:31pm

My brief review:

I really can't say anything new....it's an excellent play (this season's Pillowman). Act 2 seems to drag a bit, and the whole television subplot could be cut. Other than that, it's flawless. Richard Griffiths is a sure-shot for a Tony win. The sad part is that I kept watching him and thinking "wow, he could have a heart attack any minute." He's...quite large. Frances de la Tour was outstanding, as was Dominic Cooper. I think those 3 have the greatest shot at nominations. It's definately not to be missed.

Oh, and I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how much I loved the video projections. The first one seemed so much like a TV show theme song. It was great.
Updated On: 4/29/06 at 09:31 PM

[mabel]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 9:52pm

Hmmm...interesting that Samuel Anderson is back. I wonder if they played any shows with the entire original cast. It's a shame Anderson couldn't get his issues straightened out to join the cast for opening night last week.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 9:54pm

I honestly got very upset seeing the new cast members. I didn't pay $25 for a bunch of Americans, even if the parts were 2 seconds long. I paid to see the full English cast.

[bythesword84]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 10:12pm

Anderson is in? Now I have to go back and see it so I can see all of them (not to say I don't love Rudi, I just...you know...need reasons to go back)

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 10:14pm

"I honestly got very upset seeing the new cast members. I didn't pay $25 for a bunch of Americans, even if the parts were 2 seconds long. I paid to see the full English cast. "

This is a joke...right? VERY upset? You must have high blood pressure.


kmc

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 10:18pm

$25... wow...

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/29/06 at 10:20pm

KJisgroovy, they're advertising the original English cast. I paid to see all of them.

[katurian]

Posted: 5/7/06 at 12:55pm

The day after the review came out, there was an article in the Times that mentioned that Samuel Anderson would be joining the cast soon (which apparently he has now), but I seem to remember the article mentioning someone else was leaving soon. I can't remember exactly and can't find the article on the Times website. Does anyone remember or know who's leaving, or if my memory is just completely shot?

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/7/06 at 1:39pm

It was UK understudy Rudi Dharmalingam, who played Crowther until Sam Anderson joined the company.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 5/7/06 at 1:50pm

Has Sam made it to NYC yet?

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 5/7/06 at 2:04pm

I saw Sam go on, yes.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 5/7/06 at 2:05pm

how'd you like the play, Trash?

[C is for Company]

Posted: 5/7/06 at 2:07pm

I'll pay the measly $25 to sit so close to watching what I hear is an incredible play, I don't think I will die if I don't see that british ensemble member!

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/7/06 at 2:12pm

>I honestly got very upset seeing the new cast members. I didn't pay $25 for a bunch of Americans, even if the parts were 2 seconds long. I paid to see the full English cast.<

My vote for most self-righteous post of the year.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 5/7/06 at 2:23pm

i agree.

i was hoping that was a joke comment

C is For- you will LOVE LOVE LOVE the play. IT's simply amazing

Updated On: 5/7/06 at 02:23 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/7/06 at 3:15pm

Of course it was a joke. I'm not THAT shallow.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 5/7/06 at 3:16pm

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/7/06 at 3:30pm

Ah! Well, I take it back. My apologies.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 5/7/06 at 3:33pm

i'm hoping they will extend student rush... even if it's just 'day of'