Jane Krakowski and Christian Borle in Mrs. Sharp reading- Page 2

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 5:35pm

Thanks for all the interesting tidbits Songstress. I'm really excited about this show and truly truly hope that Jane Krakowski doesn't pull a XANADU and stays committed to this show all the way to a major production (Broadway, Off-Broadway, West End, wherever they are looking to open).

[B3TA07]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 5:48pm

In her defense did she know 30 Rock would be picked up when she was workshopping "Xanadu?"

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 5:50pm

Krakowski turned down XANADU for artistic reasons, not because of conflicts with 30 ROCK (she didn't think it would fair well.)

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 5:52pm

Yeah, I wasn't trying to be bitchy, I'm just a HUGE fan of Krakowski, and love her theater work, and wish that she and Donna Murphy basically did a show every season. I believe 30 ROCK got picked up for a second season right around the time XANADU was scheduled to open on Broadway with her, then she had to drop out, they switched to an Off-Broadway opening, and then they decided to go to Broadway after all. I believe Douglas Carter Beane said that her schedule didn't make it possible, but I think Riedel said she just didn't trust the material. I'm more inclined to believe the schedule factor since a friend from the board told me that it was also her schedule that made it impossible for her to do GUYS & DOLLS (when the London revival and not the American travesty, was set to open on Broadway).
I guess what I'm hoping for is that scheduling issues are worked out and she is able to be a part of this. It sounds like a really exciting project with Greif (whom I've come to really like) helming it, plus like I said before, she hasn't done a new musical since GRAND HOTEL! It's time.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 6:00pm

I didn't think you were being bitchy, I just wasn't sure. Thanks for clearing that up. I love her too, in what I've been able to see.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 6:19pm

Somethingwicked, you just killed my whole big post regarding Krakowski's schedule, lol. But I guess the good sign about that is that perhaps if she thinks this is something for her, she would commit to a full run. Like I said earlier, a workshop is a workshop, we have no idea what the production timeline for the project is. Didn't NEXT TO NORMAL take a number of years to get a full on production in NY? I remember when Sherie Rene Scott and when Amy Spanger were attached.

[Lefou]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:02pm

There is a brilliant girl in this reading, who was in it at NYU (who played Mackenzie, in the then called "Alive at Ten"), her name is Ali Stroker, a huge new talent. There's a video of her singing a song from the original production on that site, the song's called "Her Sweater", take a look at it! I found it a few days ago.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:32pm

Sounds great...however a lot people seem to criticize Jane for playing the same type of sexy vamp in everything she does so she is not going to be suprising them with this role if it is like the Nicole Kidman "To Die For" role.

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:46pm

i think this role, while a comedic sexy role, is nothing like Nine. I think she'll be wonderful, and it will be something different while still capitalizing on her sex appeal, fabulous voice, and great comic timing.

And I watched the video of Ali Stroker - she's fabulous. lets hope we see more of her in the future.

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:51pm

from the info we have and process of elimination and the little i know about this musical -

Kimberly Sharp - Jane Krakowski
Kevin - Christian Borle
Jake - Curt Hansen
Mackenzie - Ali Stroker
Charlie - Alex Wyse
Noah - Preston Sadleir
Ensemble, other parts throughout - Kyle Harris, Jeff Hiller, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Marla Mindelle, Amina Robinson, Sam Tedaldi

[kipknight]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 10:40pm

This gets better and better with every post! Any news on what is in store for the show after the workshop??

I looked all of these people up and they are awesome singers. The music on Ryan Scott Oliver's webpage is really catchy too. All of the elements are there to have a great new show. We neeeeed good, new material out there! Fingers crossed that it moves past a workshop and I get to see it.

What else do we know?

[BillFinn]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 10:49pm

SUCH a good show. I saw a staged workshop at NYU when it was called "Alive at Ten". Jane Krakowski is perfect for the role. That Alex Wyse though. What a dream-BOAT. I smell a future Boq...

Posted: 7/23/09 at 7:36pm

just announced on playbill - didn't see another thread for this. Steve Kazee has replaced Christian Borle in Mrs Sharp, after Christian withdrew because of a movie conflict. Here's the link

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/131382-Steve_Kazee_Will_Play_Opposite_Jane_Krakowski_in_Mrs._Sharp_Readings_in_NYC

[kipknight]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 2:48am

Not a shabby replacement at all! Steve Kazee is awesome. Any word yet on if they are opening any performances up to the public or if the show has any plans to do more than just this reading? Is Michael Greif working on any other new projects?

[Dad'sOldRecords]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 6:43pm

Is anyone attending the free SPF Lounge show with Ryan Scott Oliver tonight? I'm really curious to check this out but have been having trouble finding out if I needed to make contact someone or make a reservation to attend. In any case, it looks like it should be a good show.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 6:51pm

Anyone think Curt Hansen reads a little too old to play a 16-year-old convincingly?

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 7:20pm

Also, side note, is there anyway to download the songs off his website and like put them on my ipod?

Posted: 7/24/09 at 8:02pm

I think Curt will read convincingly.

Don't think there's a way to download songs off his website. If it were 1992, I'd recommend you tape record them on your boombox.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 8:03pm

If only I had a tape record and a boombox.

Is he short? I mean, he just looks way older to me, but then again, maybe I'm just projecting a 16 year old to look too young? I don't know. I like the music a lot though, and the storyline is really intriguing. I hope Playwrights picks this up.

Posted: 7/24/09 at 8:05pm

He's not too tall that it'd be distracting, i dont think. i think its always different for stage, though. a real sixteen year old wouldn't be able to handle the material, and would read as 13 in a theatre. so an early twenties (i assume) hansen will read young enough.

[yay_gerb]

Posted: 7/24/09 at 11:46pm

just got back from the RSO show. it was really great. i forgot the name of the song Morgan Karr sang but i loved it. he writes really great music. i really hope they do open some tickets up to the public i'd be there in a heartbeat.

[broadwayhoofer]

Posted: 7/25/09 at 4:21am

Saw the RSO show and thought it was damn brilliant. Jane Krakowski was there and looking hotter than ever.

[yay_gerb]

Posted: 7/25/09 at 10:40am

crap i didn't see her lol. i LOVED the new songs they did called Halfway. totally beautiful. it's about these 2 guys in a relationship and 1 lives in Cali and one lives in NYC and it's them basically giving mapquest directions on how to meet halfway in, i think it was Kansas.

[dramarama2]

Posted: 7/25/09 at 10:30pm

FYI, I know someone that emailed RSO and said they were a fan - and he just sent a ticket. So yeah.

I love this show. Just relating to a question above, was there no 2nd act at all? As in it was a 1 act show. Or had they not written it?

Is there even a 2nd act now? I can't think of there'd possibly be enough plot for a 2 act show.

Posted: 7/26/09 at 4:05pm

dramarama, i think it previously was not a one act show, but only had a first act written at its first reading. it was always intended to be a two act musical. similarly, when sunday in the park with george was first read, it only had act 1 written. i don't think it's uncommon for readings to happen part way through a writing process like that.

and there is definitely enough plot for a second act! its such juicy material! a teacher having an affair with her student, getting her student(s) to kill her husband, and becoming a media sensation? that is JUICY. that is hardcore, Welch's-quality JUICE.