KING AND I Revival a possibility — Page 5

Kristin intrigues me a lot. I think she would either be amazing or terrible. But I am rooting for Laura Benanti so much.

The more I think about this revival, the more I want Laura Benanti to come in and work her magic on it. I think she'd be so brilliant in a role like this.

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Kelli O'Hara's schedule is going to be mighty tricky the next few seasons. She has a year long contract with NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, and she's also very much attached to Jason Robert Brown and Marsha Norman's musicalization of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, which (last I heard) was looking toward going into production right when she becomes free to do so. She'd also been involved with FINDING NEVERLAND, should that ever get legs, as well as another impending revival that I know for a fact is looking to work around her scheduled availability.

While I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Sher had every intention of making this a vehicle for her, if it's going to happen this coming fall at the Beaumont as rumored, he's going to have to use someone else. I'm not even kidding when I say that this sounds like a much more appropriate opportunity for him to work with Lauren Ambrose in a musical.

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Updated On: 12/30/11 at 12:44 AM

How about Harvey Fie- wait no! - Kristin Chenoweth as Tuptim.
O, Cheno how I love thee

BEHOLD!!!

bwayphreak234, the initial rumors were that this was a project intended for the fall of 2012 at the Beaumont.

While I can't speak for what Lincoln Center plans to do with WAR HORSE, I do know that the new cast that's going into the show next month is only contracted through the summer, and, with the tour and Toronto productions launching next year, I wouldn't be surprised if they wanted to go out on top and close the show in New York next August or September while its still riding high (no pun intended.)

That would also afford them a nice window of opportunity to capitalize on the exposure afforded by the release of the film adaptation this holiday season.

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Updated On: 12/30/11 at 02:08 AM

While I wouldn't be upset if the role goes to O'hara; I really think this is the role that could turn Benanti into a leading lady!

Just wondering but could War Horse transfer to a different theater.

I don't think Lauren Ambrose would be the best choice, the same thing might happen that just happened with the Funny Girl Revival. It sounds to me like no producer wants to take a gamble on her.

Laura Benanti would be good I think, but something just turns me off to the idea. Looking at the roles she has played in the past, it's just hard for me to see her doing this.

I think Kelli O'Hara is my top choice for this.

And someone mentioned Danny Burnstein earlier for the King. I took it as a joke....and then I thought about it. He might do good.

I still stand with my Lou choice. I saw him play it this summer at my local theatre and he did great....which reminds me, he played opposite Rachel Bay Jones and she was marvelous. She might be good too.

For some reason I see Megan Hilty in the Anna "get-up".

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Isn't Benanti becoming a regular on SVU? That would shoot Broadway in the foot for the time being.

I like an Anna with tremendous warmth and openness...Laura might just be too sophisticated. I'd rather see Susan Egan, who is very gifted and sophisticated but still has a childlike quality. Compare her to, say, Melissa Errico, who strikes me as chilly. I would love Carolee Carmello.

And something tells me the time is right for a very young cast. Think WSS...Josefina Gabrielle would be lovely. Karen Olivo would be fantastic singing "Something Wonderful." They'd never get her to do it, though.

Annaleigh Ashford could be an interesting Anna. Or Jennifer Damiano, with the proper direction....she's SO talented, although I've only seen her play contemporary characters.

You could also plug in a star...say, Jane Krakowski, if she wanted to demonstrate her range. All they'd have to do is say " the last Anna won a Tony" and actresses (and their agents) would come out of the woodwork.

Agree with those pointing out that it's not a tough sing. Keys can be changed.

Just as long as it's not Stephanie Block...that casting would give me the willies, though I'm not sure why.

I forgot about Laura Osnes: slam-dunk.

Bart Sher likes casting creatively and putting his stamp on revivals. An Anna and King who were in their late twenties, just learning about each other's cultures (as well as their own in the global context) would be very moving.

You'd have to cast Tuptim very young, and Lady Thiang in her thirties...I feel like there are plenty of girls around who are weary of doing summer stock productions of Miss Saigon, and they could find a Tuptim the same way they found Lea Salonga.

Celia Keenan-Bolger would also be a fascinating Anna. She's got all the charm, warmth, and curiosity the role requires to really soar.

Bart Sher doesn't seem to direct standard revivals of anything...expect someone unexpected, if this ever happens.

Unless it's Kelli...who I guess is kind of Mitt Romney for me in this whole discussion. She's a perfect fit, and would be wonderful, but............

People keep mentioning Lauren Ambrose, but for some reason I can't warm to that idea. Her acting on Six Feet Under is so ingrained in my mind, that I can't see her as Anna. She just doesn't read "warm" to me for some reason.

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