Jewishboy, I disagree, I think Donna Murphy can do all kinds of funny, from over-the-top (you must hear the cast recording of SHOWING OFF, an off-Broadway revue she did in the 80s with Veanne Cox where she does incredibly hilarious over the top comedy) to the more quiet comedic skills she showed in FOLLIES. Sad to read she turned down the chance to play Reno, I do know she is very very picky about the roles she plays (one of the reason her Broadway appearances are so far in between).
Debbie Gravitte is fabulous though. That clip of "Welcome to the Theater" is great. Easily the best rendition I have listened to (and I saw it at Encores! in February). Why didn't she do the show at City Center? Why isn't she getting cast in roles on Broadway left and right? Along with Sherie Rene Scott, she is my favorite Broadway belter right now.
Everyone says that they are trying to cast a big Hollywood name though (hence the Catherine Z. Jones rumors).
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
