Jean Smart - I guess it is not Annie. — Page 2

She breathed somd serious life into the dying Harry's Law. She'd be fabulous.

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If they're really trying to do a first-class, fresh revival, rather than a paint-by-numbers rehash with a "name" attached, then she doesn't need to be bankable alone.

None of the stars of the big '90s "Guys and Dolls" revival were bankable Broadway stars. Nathan Lane was barely known. So were Faith Prince and Josie de Guzman. And I wouldn't call Peter Gallagher a huge movie star.

Still, it was a smash hit.

So it can be done. The fact that Jean Smart seems to be such a great fit for it is a very good sign.

I was actually expecting a bigger name with lesser potential in the role.

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She would add a touch of class to the whole affair.

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Updated On: 5/21/12 at 11:20 PM

For real - sorry.

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I guess she refused to shave her head.

You don't need a box office star for ANNIE to be a success. Very few people knew who Dorothy Loudon was in 1977 (very few people know who she was now).

The show's title will sell itself and the producers of the ANNIE revival are some of the best marketeers on Broadway.

I can already see preteens and their parents going to see a WICKED matinee and ANNIE in the evening.

Plus, this won't be the Martin Charnin (Mike Nichols uncredited) staging. The genius that is James Lapine probably has some clever tricks up his sleeve.

Updated On: 5/22/12 at 01:28 AM

She was great as Margie McDougal in Promises Promises at Encores.
Wish she replaced Katie Finneran instead of tMolly Shannon who while funny in Saturday Night LIve, seems to ruin any musical she is in.

What a great Mrs. Hannagin. Jean Smart would be. Great Casting

Many here seem to be of the opinion that the success of Annie hinges on the casting (preferably STAR casting) of Hannigan. Really?? Sure, she'd better be great, but remember what show this is. A handful of theater obsessives like us are not the target audience for Annie.

My two suburban sisters don't care which gay icon B'way World posters want to play Hannigan. They want to take their little girls to see the show called ANNIE on Broadway, the original Broadway AND movie versions of which, they were smitten with as kids. This production is timed for the 30-something Annie lovers who now have kids of their own.

Remember, this is a beloved title folks, it's not Glory Days. An acclaimed production will sell tickets. (And I hope it's good. Having Martin Charnin far away from this one is a great start.)

As for the last revival, it was dreadful. It got awful reviews and lots of bad press. There was a story on Page Six trashing Nell Carter and the feuding stage mothers every other day. And having a star play Hannigan unbalanced that production. There was milked entrance and exit applause, drawn out scenes, and just too much focus on Carter. It didn't work.

Watch it end up being someone like Roseanne Barr as Hannigan. That would be just the ticket ... to see a different show instead, that is.

As for Warbucks, maybe Michael Cerveris can jump ship and sign on.

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Updated On: 5/22/12 at 06:43 AM

Yes, I'm being baldist. Guilty as charged.

Or, as the saying goes, if the skullcap doesn't fit, don't wear it.

In all seriousness, I think Cerveris is right for the part as an actor (hair or no hair) and would sing it well.

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Updated On: 5/22/12 at 08:01 AM

I'd love to see Brian d'Arcy James take on Warbucks. *sigh* Maybe one day...

Jean is so perfect, I love it. She was amazing in The Man Who Came to Dinner. But as stated, she's not the "name" that was pumped up. I'm sure they'll let Rosie O'Donnell take over when the show starts to run out of steam.

The have their Ms. H and she is not a name outside of the theatre world.

Yup