Jake Gyllenhaal, Taran Killam, and Chuck Cooper for LITTLE SHOP concert- Page 2

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 2:14pm

"What's more distracting is that Jake Gyllenhaal is playing a nebbishy, meek schlemiel."

He can do it. All one needs to do is glance at his CV to see that he's played a wide, disparate range of characters, and succeeded most of the time.

[Littleshopofcarrie]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 2:16pm

Anybody think that this can start interest of a Broadway transfer?

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 2:16pm

""What's more distracting is that Jake Gyllenhaal is playing a nebbishy, meek schlemiel."
He can do it. All one needs to do is glance at his CV to see that he's played a wide, disparate range of characters, and succeeded most of the time."

 I don't think Kad was doubting him, especially considering he followed his statement with calling Gylenhaal the "beefiest, hottest Seymour ever."

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 2:16pm

"Sweet understanding ... Seymour's my grandson!"

 

* Yes, I realize in a concert setting this makes no difference. But I mean ... still ...

[Kad]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 2:27pm

"""What's more distracting is that Jake Gyllenhaal is playing a nebbishy, meek schlemiel."
He can do it. All one needs to do is glance at his CV to see that he's played a wide, disparate range of characters, and succeeded most of the time."
 I don't think Kad was doubting him, especially considering he followed his statement with calling Gylenhaal the "beefiest, hottest Seymour ever.""

 I'm not doubting his ability- but, I think this gonna be a case of Hollywood nerdy at its finest.  

Updated On: 4/14/15 at 02:27 PM

[JBroadway]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 2:31pm

I'm sorry but...what? I'm open to the idea of giving Gyllenhaal a shot at Seymour. I have no idea if he can sing or play a part like this, but hell, he may surprise us. But like, what? What an odd direction to go in.

Also, Ellen Greene? Seriously? Her Audrey has always been like nails on a chalkboard to me. I never listen to the cast album with her on it anymore, and I could hardly sit through the movie listening to that voice of hers. The fact that she's doing it again at the age of 64 is ludicrous, even in a concert. Maybe if it were a kind of reunion concert, with Lee Wilkof or Rick Moranis as Seymour, it would be less weird. I don't know. I'm just still trying to wrap my head around this.

Whatever though, if others want to buy tickets to this, they are welcome. I'm sure it will be a hot ticket. As many people have pointed out on this board before, if something sounds bad to you, you just don't buy a ticket. I wish them the cast and creatives nothing but the best. 

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 2:34pm

I know this is a heresy, but I would much prefer seeing a fresh take on Audrey.  Perhaps even someone of color, like Anika Noni Rose.

[Kad]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 2:36pm

"I know this is a heresy, but I would much prefer seeing a fresh take on Audrey.  Perhaps even someone of color, like Anika Noni Rose."

 Tonya Pinkins has been very open about Audrey being a dream role of hers. Have you ever seen her do "Somewhere That's Green"? 

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 2:38pm

 

BUT GUYS CHUCK COOPER

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 2:40pm

I haven't, Kad!  Imma hunt that down now. 

And yes...Chuck Cooper is marvelous news!  As the offstage person of color.

I don't know why I find Little Shop cast with all white people in the principal parts disagreeable, but I do.  

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 2:43pm

 

I don’t object too hard because the show’s traditional roles of color, the trio and Audrey II, are so good.  But of course I wouldn’t object to un-whitifying the principals, either.

[Kad]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 2:43pm

I don't think there's a good video of it, Robbie! I saw her do it once at Joe's Pub.

To be fair, the show is only typically a cast of 8, 4 of which are usually people of color (one, of course, being offstage). For a musical, that's... actually a good percentage. Granted, the trio aren't really characters, and play into the "three black girls singing" stereotype.

If you want really disagreeable, try sitting through a community theatre production with 3 white girls looking like the Pink Ladies as Crystal, Ronnette, and Chiffon.  

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 2:44pm

"I'm not doubting his ability- but, I think this gonna be a case of Hollywood nerdy at its finest."

Perhaps, but there's plenty of film evidence that Gyllenhaal can also be made to look other than traditionally attractive (Nightcrawler, Donnie Darko, Prisoners, Bubble Boy etc).

[MBFan]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 2:51pm

Fine but can he SING?!

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 2:51pm

Hrm. I already had my ticket. I hadn't really expected them to hire name talent. I thought Ellen Greene was enough. It's difficult to really process this. Can Gyllenhaal and Taran sing? I agree, that the May/December... with both characters will be a little distracting. I don't know how much they'll stage it. I didn't get the impression it would just be a concert. Well... hrm.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 3:00pm

To be fair, the show is only typically a cast of 8, 4 of which are usually people of color (one, of course, being offstage). For a musical, that's... actually a good percentage.

Oh...I know that it's my own weird thing.  I always thought the easiest way to break out of the Ellen Greene mode was to hire an actress of color.  Cause if I see one more goddamned Ellen Greene impression, I'm gonna dickkick myself.  

[decast]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 3:01pm

He can certainly hold a tune. Let's not forget he was cast in Into the Woods before he had to drop out to do Nightcrawler. I think he'll be fine. Such a brilliant, random piece of casting, didn't expect it at all

Updated On: 4/14/15 at 03:01 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 3:09pm

[mamaleh]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 3:09pm

A couple of years ago SNL guest host Gyllenhaal opened the show in a dress, with a Jennifer Holliday-type wig, and belted out "And I Am Telling You..."--and he was pretty darned good.  So I'm sure he'll be fine.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/videoplay.php?colid=976902#.VS1sFJNpLHY

 

Updated On: 4/14/15 at 03:09 PM

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 3:10pm

I loved him and his hilarious falsetto when he sang And I am Telling You from Dreamgirls a few years ago. It was quite funny, but I was also kinda surprised by how oddly good it was.

[SweetLips]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 3:12pm

Jake-drag-Dreamgirls [Hedwig]---WOW!---Those arms [DOUBLE WOW--slurp !]

 

It's called MIMING

Updated On: 4/14/15 at 03:12 PM

[TonyaFanatic]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 3:17pm

Can we talk about the pure, unadulterated, holy-**** singing that Tracy Nicole Chapman, Ramona Keller, and Marva Hicks will be doing on that stage? Like...I'm not ready. 

[gstrus2]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 3:19pm

Could he play Hedwig? Maybe post this he can take over for Darren Criss. 

[Kad]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 3:30pm

"To be fair, the show is only typically a cast of 8, 4 of which are usually people of color (one, of course, being offstage). For a musical, that's... actually a good percentage.
Oh...I know that it's my own weird thing.  I always thought the easiest way to break out of the Ellen Greene mode was to hire an actress of color.  Cause if I see one more goddamned Ellen Greene impression, I'm gonna dickkick myself.  "

 Oh, I agree. Every actress to tackle Audrey has been doing an Ellen Greene impression. 

Except Kerry Butler, who was doing... something. 

[Starship]

Posted: 4/14/15 at 3:52pm

Jake Gyllenhaal!!! This casting is surprising and fantastic.

As for Ellen Greene...her voice truly terrifies me.