Hugh Jackman in The Music Man — Page 13

GeorgeandDot said: "How does any self-respecting theatre fan not know who Sutton Foster is? I'm not even a huge fan, but damn girlfriend. Where have you been?"

I started theater going 3 years ago. She's not been on stage in the last 3 years. I don't waste my time with tvland.

Also Sutton has been onstage in the last three years - SWEET CHARITY. It just wasn't on Broadway.

Why argue with someone who doesn't know Sutton Foster? That seems like a waste.

I think people who know Broadway know who Sutton is. I think this will be a wonderful new challenge for her voice, and I expect to be very happily surprised. And I do think it takes someone special to stand up to Hugh's lead and I think the two of them will play off one another delightfully.

I've had to take a couple years off my annual Broadway trips to New York because of two kids in daycare, but let me tell you I will be snatching up tickets to this and figuring out the rest of the trip logistics and cost later. Can't wait!!!

a) Ms. Foster is not as famous as Mr. Jackman - really.

b) she's terrific and folks should just wait and see her before being all doom and gloom

c) For those who are saying she's hugely famous because of Younger - no. It's been on TV Land, not CBS, NBC, or ABC or even any of the major cable channels or streaming services. TV Land.

d) Famous to theatergoers? Since "star" and "famous" seem to have lost all real meaning, yes, she's well-known to the theater community, but, to bring it back to "a" - not even in the same ballpark as Mr. Jackman.

Hopefully, Mr. Zaks and Mr. Carlyle will be as respectful of The Music Man as they were with Dolly. It's one of my favorite shows.

Count me as someone who’s pretty underwhelmed by the casting of Sutton Foster! I acknowledge how super talented she is, but I’ve personally never particularly enjoyed her voice. But it’s more that I wish they’d gone for someone who on the face of it is as talented but better suited for the role .... like Meghan Hilty or even Kristin Chenoweth. I’m sure she’ll do a stellar job though because she’s an absolute pro!

If someone is said to be not right for a role, or miscast, as one is likely to feel about Sutton if you only experienced her in Anything Goes where she was bold and brassy and dominated the stage, can a good actress adapt herself or learn to play another role where the character is of a very different temperament?

I'm curious to see what the artwork will look like. The fonts they've chosen so far have leaned more toward the same color scheme and stylistic approach as Carousel rather than following the Hello, Dolly! formula and using something that closely approximates the original artwork.

I think we all should have been 'in the room' when Ms Sutton auditioned for the part of Marian in The Music Man.

Maybe then we might have agreed that the production team and Mr Jackman made the right choice.

qolbinau said: "This is David Hyde P all over again. I have to say Rudin usually knows what he is doing."

David Hyde Pierce?

I'm most interested in this quote, mentioned above, about Sutton Foster's casting and the show in general: "When this show works brilliantly it's when the Marian is a genuine obstacle to [Harold]". TBH, I do find that the original film version drags a bit because Harold manipulates things to his advantage so easily at first, apparently without having to break a sweat. There's a bit of a lack of dramatic tension there for a stretch, IMO. I have wondered, sacrilegiously I know, if a slightly less slick Harold Hill would have made it work a little better for me. A very strong Marian could be another way.

I wondered how Lauren Ambrose would do in MFL- and was a bit skeptical- but she was great in the role- and her voice was up to that challenging score. Foster, of course. is not as big a star as Jackman- but few are. She was selected, I have to guess, because reading opposite Jackman, there was chemistry and vocal harmony. I will see this- though I have to admit- like Dolly- it is pretty lightweight. But, like Dolly for Bette- it is a perfect vehicle for Hugh Jackman and it will be a smash hit, of course. That first day online will be a zoo- would not be surprised if the Telecharge site crashes that day. And tickets for the good seats will be comparable - or more expensive than Moulin Rouge- which is charging-per ticket- 399 for most nights and 349- plus fees of course- for matinees- for the really great seats- which is where I like to sit. That really is an expensive night or day.