JENNIFER HOPE WILLS for MARY POPPINS

[spellbee]

Posted: 4/18/06 at 11:03pm

i wish . . . .

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 4/18/06 at 11:03pm

Sadly, it will never happen.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 4/18/06 at 11:13pm

why not?

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/18/06 at 11:17pm

They will most likely go with more of a name.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 4/18/06 at 11:18pm

how do you know? who stated that?

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 4/18/06 at 11:18pm

Because Mackintosh clearly stated he's looking to cast "Broadway favorites" for the leads. Broadway names recognizable among theatregoers (ie: Laura Benanti).

[apdarcey]

Posted: 4/18/06 at 11:21pm

if only the kate winslet rumors amounted to more.

that would have been perfection.

[spellbee]

Posted: 4/18/06 at 11:40pm

she sorta IS a name now, with the new phantom casting, dontcha think? i think she has a shot.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/18/06 at 11:41pm

Jennifer would be great!
Who are these Broadway Favorites?
Benati is perfect but has a spotty record.
Sarah Uriate ???
Kelli o Hara??

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 4/18/06 at 11:44pm

Didn't someone saw recently that Anne Hathaway is in final callbacks or something for the role?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/18/06 at 11:46pm

Well according to that article with Matthew Bourne, the role won't go to a film name but a "Broadway favorite" so based on that I would assume Anne Hathaway isn't playing the role, but...who knows.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 4/18/06 at 11:46pm

She replaced Jennifer Westfeldt in WONDERFUL TOWN. She was cast as an understudy in THE WOMAN IN WHITE like a week before it announced its closing. And now she's a matinee Christine in PHANTOM.

I'm sorry but that HARDLY makes her a "Broadway favorite."

That title belongs to young Broadway actresses that have developed at least a moderate fan base among theatre goers. For instance: Laura Benanti, Kelli O'Hara or Kerry Butler. (Although I doubt Butler is cut out for this show, I'm just using her name as an example of the type of name actress they're looking for).

Updated On: 4/18/06 at 11:46 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/18/06 at 11:51pm

Good point FOANATIC

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/18/06 at 11:54pm

While I do like Jennifer Hope.

Foanatic is absolutely right.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 4/18/06 at 11:56pm

That WOULD be exciting for Kelli O'Hara.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 4/18/06 at 11:58pm

Well..she also, was the Belle understudy in Beauty and the Beast. And the fact she was the replacement of Westfeldt in Wonderful Town is a big deal! she also played opposite Brooke Shields, who is a big star. Kelli O'Hara is one of my favorite actresses along with JHW, and we can say Kelli is known for originating 3 roles on Broadway as far as i know, plus a Tony nomination. Still none Butler, Benanti or O'Hara have "star power" like Julia Roberts or Vanessa Williams.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 4/18/06 at 11:59pm

Still...Jennifer hasn't been nominated for Tonys, so i guess she is not as big as the other actresses...but i think none of them really is a big star yet. I wish them all the best though.

[spellbee]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 12:00am

All it takes for someone is being cast in a role like this (like JHW) and then she would be a big broadway name. i mean, come on, even with some broadway experience, how many people REALLY knew kelli o'hara's name before Piazza???? really???? cause i didn't and i adore her now.

[VonTussleGirl]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 12:00am

I'd LOVE to see Benanti in the role.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 12:02am

Still none Butler, Benanti or O'Hara have "star power" like Julia Roberts or Vanessa Williams.

Yes, but Macintosh is NOT looking for big name actresses. As I stated before, he's looking for young "Broadway favorites" and, no matter how you slice it, Wills isn't in that category.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 12:02am

I saw Kelli in Dracula, and i was in love with her before Piazza, hehe.

[VinnieTheIceman]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 2:03am

Benanti is in Wedding Singer. Cross her off the list.

Posted: 4/19/06 at 2:12am

jennifer is a little busy right now!

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 3:12am

Indeed, she will make her debut in Phantom, tomorrow.

Posted: 4/19/06 at 3:29am

tomorrow as in the 20th right?? not today as in the 19th..please tell me its not the 19th...