Is it time for a 'Sweet Charity' revival starring Ariana DeBose ?

Is it time for a 'Sweet Charity' revival starring Ariana DeBose ? DEADLINE seems to think it may be, and couldn't help notice a bit of an audition Sunday night when DeBose hosted the Tonys. (If it happens, I sure would buy a ticket to that ! ) Bold text was done by me for emphasis...



"The Lehman Trilogy, Company, A Strange Loop, MJ and Sweet Charity were among the big winners at tonight’s Tony Awards. And Sweet Charity wasn’t even staged this season.

Credit Ariana DeBose for the blink-and-miss-it shout-out to the Bob Fosse classic — and for much else that went right with tonight’s fast-moving ceremony broadcast on CBS. When DeBose, who has mentioned Sweet Charity as being on her Broadway wish list, pulled American Buffalo nominee Sam Rockwell from the audience to do a quick bit of “Rich Man’s Frug” from the great 1966 musical, she made a case both for a revival and for her stake as one of the Tonys’ great hosts."



https://deadline.com/2022/06/tony-awards-review-2022-1235043631/

quizking101 said: "I'll take Ariana in a revival of this for sure, although I would KILL for her in "Kiss Of The Spider Woman"."



Yes, yes, yes to KOTS ! However, I can see her taking some criticism for following in Chita Rivera's footsteps again after 'WSS'. (Allegedly, one of the reasons Lady Gaga wasn't interested in 'Funny Girl' on B'way after doing a remake of 'A Star Is Born', and early criticism she was tagging along Streisand vehicles).

But 'Sweet Charity' needs a revival - it's been nearly 20 years since the Christina Applegate one. Though I kind of could see DeBose in an EVITA revival, too. For now, she's on top of the Broadway world - so she can kind of pick whatever revival she chooses.

I think she’d be an amazing Charity!

Question is… will this be a completely new re-imagining of SWEET CHARITY like the last 2 revivals were (the 2005 Broadway and 2016 Off-Broadway)? As much as I love Bob Fosse and his SWEET CHARITY, it was so refreshing seeing those 2 non-Bob Fosse versions. I love re-imaginings of old classics - enough with these stale recreations of the original versions. Still pay homage to Bob Fosse’s original choreography but if I see his version of “Rich Man’s Frug” one more time, I’ll jump in front of a bus. We have the ultimate version of it featuring the glorious Suzanne Charny in his 1969 film adaptation and it’s performed on the 2001 PBS filmed version of FOSSE. We good.

I cam certainly see DeBose in Charity, though would be disappointed if she were cast in Spiderwoman. She doesn't really exude darkness or danger, which is why she seems more suited to the former than the latter. I'm excited to see how her performing adapts as she ages, because in general, which she's enormously talented, I often feel a sense of inauthenticity, like she's always "on". I find that a bit off-putting.

Valentina3 said: "nzagier said: "quizking101 said: "I'll take Ariana in a revival of this for sure, although I would KILL for her in "Kiss Of The Spider Woman"."

great idea - but Chita defined it with her smoke and grit - anyone who came after did not capture it - including the car crash that was Maria Conchita Alonso. So bad."

I really am rooting for a Kiss revival with Karen Olivo, Amber Heard, or even Katrina Lenk. I think DeBose would read very young for that role on stage, at least for another 10 years."

I'm going to assume/hope you meant Amber Gray? And would love that, assuming she can move. Lenk would be great also.

DeBose would be awesome, I agree not yet though. As Charity? Blockbuster stuff!

(Olivo I don't even consider anymore, I think she's done with the stage again, and she barely showed up to MR so I wouldn't expect her to do this one 8 times a week.)

No, it is not the time for a 'Sweet Charity' revival. It's a so-so show. It would be exciting to see Ariana DeBose in a new musical written for her.

Valentina3 said: "I really am rooting for a Kiss revival with Karen Olivo, Amber Heard, or even Katrina Lenk. I think DeBose would read very young for that role on stage, at least for another 10 years."

Well, IMO the actress playing Aurora/The Spiderwoman should probably be in her late twenties to early/mid thirties. Aurora is supposed to be a sexy movie star. Chita Rivera was waaaaay too old for the role when she did it but since The Spiderwoman can theoretically be any age, I imagine it worked since she won the Tony, etc. Ariana DeBose would be just fine age-wise I think.

I was so rooting for Sutton's version to transfer.

This would be amazing!

Ariana would be good as Charity, but it would all depend on the director to make the production work.

Would love to see her as Rosie in a big revival of BYE BYE BIRDIE alongside someone like NPH or Zachary Levi, but that role seems a little too "quaint" for her.

Agreed, sad we didn't get Sutton's version on Broadway.