J. Robert Spencer to Play Final Performance in NEXT TO NORMAL May 16- Page 2

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 4/20/10 at 4:33pm

This just figures! I ordered my tix for my May NY trip back in February. My ticket for this show is for MAY 17TH!!! OY!! I'm just REALLY hoping that the replacement goes on then and they don't wait til after their dark Wednesday. Especially if some of these rumors turn out true!!!

[Elke]

Posted: 4/20/10 at 4:33pm

Would be great if Brian d'Arcy James returned, but personally I would love to see what Will Chase can do with this role

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 4/20/10 at 5:21pm

Very sad news.

If what adamgreer said is true, here are the possibilities:

Norbert Leo Butz
Greg Naughton
Joe Cassidy
Anthony Rapp
Brian d'Arcy James
Asa Somers
Kevin Kern

[wickedfan11]

Posted: 4/20/10 at 5:25pm

Kevin is doing Hair in London, so it can't be him.

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 4/20/10 at 5:29pm

I know, I was just listing all the "adult" men who have been involved with the show. Norbert is out, Brian said he's not interested, and I think Asa is doing another show.

[steven22]

Posted: 4/20/10 at 5:36pm

adamgreer,
give us a hint...more of a hint..please
:)

[hannah_bway]

Posted: 4/20/10 at 5:37pm

If what adamgreer said is true, here are the possibilities:

If what everything that's been said on this board is true, then that narrows down the list:

Norbert Leo Butz (Enron)
Greg Naughton
Joe Cassidy
Anthony Rapp
Brian d'Arcy James (Will not return to the role)
Asa Somers (Another show)
Kevin Kern (London)

Frankly, none of the remaining possibilities are that exciting to me anyway. But wouldn't Michael Berry technically also be on that list?

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 4/20/10 at 5:40pm

J. Robert Spencer's Possible Replacements

[x]Norbert Leo Butz - Enron
[]Greg Naughton
[]Joe Cassidy
[]Anthony Rapp
[x]Brian d'Arcy James - Not Interested
[x]Asa Somers - Burnt Part Boys
[x]Kevin Kern - Hair In London
[] Michael Berry Updated On: 4/20/10 at 05:40 PM

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 4/20/10 at 5:40pm

How is Michael Berry in the role?

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 4/20/10 at 5:41pm

^Excellent

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 4/20/10 at 5:41pm

Yeah, and I guess Louis Hobson as well. That would be interested.

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/20/10 at 5:42pm

I still wouldn't count James out yet...

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 4/20/10 at 5:43pm

Isn't Louis a little young for Dan? Especially if Alice is still playing Diana.

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/20/10 at 5:44pm

Louis will be absolutely perfect with a younger Diana.

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 4/20/10 at 5:45pm

I'd say Michael is good, but not excellent. He is much improved though.

[wdwfreak]

Posted: 4/20/10 at 5:50pm

I would love to see Brian in the role of Dan. He is a fabulous actor. Hopefully the announcement will come soon.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 4/20/10 at 6:20pm

Row H is sold out for whoever asked.

[kidbroadway2]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 5:40pm

I talked to Brian at one of the last Time Stand Still shows and he didn't really say anything when I asked him about coming back to N2N. But he smiled, which isn't a firm no.

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 5:43pm

^ Seriosuly? He just smiled and left? Not talking. Well I guess this makes him a candidate for being J. Robert's replacement.

[kidbroadway2]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 5:52pm

Well he was in a rush and I told him, "loved you in N2N, hope you come back to it soon" and he said thank you and smiled.

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 5:57pm

That doesn't really tell us anything. Maybe he was just being polite. That said, I would be happy if he came back.

[steven22]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 6:15pm

I would be thrilled if Brian comes back!!

[kidbroadway2]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 6:21pm

I just think people shouldn't be Xing him out this early. He really would be the perfect replacement. I didn't see Berry live, but his youtube video sounds.... rather country and odd. Not my tastes at all.

[MeggilyWeggily08]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 6:28pm

This didn't really come as a surprise to me, I was thinking either him or Jenn would be leaving soon. Regardless I'm still so upset! If Louis ever left Anthony Rapp would be first on my replacement list for him. I agree that he's a little young looking to play Dan though. However, I'd like to see Adam Pascal try it.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 7:09pm

I didn't see Berry live, but his youtube video sounds.... rather country and odd. Not my tastes at all.

Michael Berry is actually outstanding in the role. His voice is very different than Bobby's, and in a lot of ways, a lot stronger. Berry has improved considerably as Dan, and having seen him a lot recently (since Spencer's attendance is pretty poor now), I really enjoy him and in some instances, prefer him to Bobby.

I just think people shouldn't be Xing him (D'Arcy James) out this early. He really would be the perfect replacement.

Thank you. The interview that people often refer to as being the reason he won't come back was done right around when the show opened, while he was in Shrek. What did people expect him to say? "Damn, I wish I wasn't in this mess of a show, having to wear prosthetics and a fat suit every night. I really should have stayed in next to normal. I made a terrible decision." Of course not. He said exactly what oyu would expect him to say at the time.

And then, of course, there's the fact that he isn't working right now and, well, money talks.
Updated On: 4/21/10 at 07:09 PM