Kelli O'Hara & Kelsey Grammer to Star In MY FAIR LADY On Broadway?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 8:56am

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Kelli-OHara-Kelsey-Grammer-Set-for-Julie-Andrews-Helmed-MY-FAIR-LADY-Revival-20151123

[gypsy101]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 8:59am

hmm I thought the rumor was Colin Firth was to star...and it seems like Kelli is getting long in the tooth for this. No doubt she'll sing the score well though.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 9:00am

You doubt she'll sing the score well?

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 9:04am

What about Jessie mueller or Laura osnes?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 9:06am

What about Tina Turner?

 

The article says Kelli, so I'm guessing that's who's doing it. "What about" other people is pointless since they're not doing it. 

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 9:15am

As a total aside- A few weeks ago on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Carey Mulligan and Christoph Waltz were guests and James pitched that the two of them do MY FAIR LADY together.  I'd rather see that.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 9:17am

I wouldn't mind that at all. However, I think is broadway folk would rather have someone like Kelli or Laura Benanti.

[thebeautyis3]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 9:18am

I know a lot of people are going to come in here groaning about O'Hara's potential casting and about how there are other ingenues who could/should play the role, but I heard that Kelli was fantastic when she did the role with the Philharmonic. I hope this is true because I'd love to be able to see the performance.

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 9:19am

Kelli will slay. She ages gracefully and beautifully. I'm looking forward to this if it's true 

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 9:26am

Kelli is a beautiful woman, but she looks older than what she is. She's definitely too old to play Eliza, even if she was terrific when she did it 8 years ago.

[ggersten]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 9:27am

O'Hara will be fine - if not glowing.  But, Kelsey Grammer leaves me cold as Higgins.  He can do the brusqueness and the imperiousness - but I don't know if he can do any of the softness.  (However, I didn't see him in La Cage, so maybe he is capable). 

If I were the producer, I'd spend the extra money and get Cumberbatch for Higgins.  

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 9:28am

Cumberbatch strikes me as being far too young for Higgens, although I'm sure he'd be great. 

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 9:31am

Jordan Catalano said: "Cumberbatch strikes me as being far too young for Higgens, although I'm sure he'd be great. 

It would be perfect with the far too old O'Hara then

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 9:32am

This is actually for Sydney. I love Kelli, but I rather want someone like Laura Osnes/Benanti, Kristin Chenoweth or Jessie Mueller in this role

[UnwoundFantasies]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 9:34am

It's not for Sydney. It's for when the production eventually comes to Broadway.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 9:36am

The headline of this thread is not an accurate reflection of the linked article, which is based on a gossip site that simply says that the 2 of them are "eyeing" such a production. Note the absence of any mention of a producer. 

[Kad]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 9:36am

Benanti is just a few years younger than O'Hara and definitely looks like her peer.

I have a feeling Grammer would just do a British varient on Frasier.

[newintown]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 9:43am

Benanti, O'Hara, and Chenoweth are all too old for the role; it's like when Glenn Close played Nellie Forbush - anyone who is actually thinking (rather than just automatically/passively accepting their favorite diva in any role) will wonder why this mid-40's spinster is being called a "girl" constantly. Mueller isn't a soprano, so I'm not sure why her name even came up. Grammar is an elderly stodge who can only play one tv-sitcom character in different variations, none of them better than a 5th rate community theatre Higgins.

 

If this dusty show must have another commercial Broadway revival, why not find some talented Brits to do it (at least one of whom is just starting their career), like the original did? But putting one of the Broadway Old Gals in this is not unlike casting 50-something belter Mrs. Edie Schottenstein as Tuptim in the Cedar Rapids Little Theatre production of The King & I.

Updated On: 11/23/15 at 09:43 AM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 9:46am

So....Ellen Greene is too old?

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 9:46am

I think Kelli can pull it off personally. Chenoweth looks much older than her. 

[gypsy101]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 10:02am

Jordan Catalano said: "You doubt she'll sing the score well?"

 

No! I meant I have no doubt she would sing it he score well. but the idea of her starring doesn't excite me really, at all.

[sng]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 10:05am

Julie Andrews was 21 when she played Eliza. Kelli will be 41 in 2017 if she plays her. I'm sure she'll sing the score perfectly but I'd rather see someone around that age range to play Eliza. 

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 10:20am

Broadway and theater in general doesn't pay much attention to ages.... just recently there was a thread about a 20+ actress being hired to portray Anne Frank.

...in the new Fiddler revival, the daughters who are getting husbands should be late teens and the actresses hired are in their 20's-30's. It would be unheard of for orthodox daughters to wait until that age to wed. 

-when we saw Ms. Honey is Matilda, Lauren Ward portrayed her at 40 years old..while her replacements have been correctly younger and younger which suit the role as a teacher trying to find her way...

While it would be maybe appropriate to have a younger Eliza, i don't think it's a requirement of the role..and while my personal preference might be to see or not see Kelli in the role, I don't think it's a wrong choice.

Kelsey Grammer - not sure about that one...

[Musical Master]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 10:24am

I can see this being pretty good and O'Hara and Grammer sounds divine! :) 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 11/23/15 at 10:29am

Julie Andrews was 21. Christine Andreas was 25. Audrey Hepburn was 34. Kelli O'Hara is 39. These days 30 us the new 20. She looks great for her age and she can most definitely sing the score. If I had my pick I would choose Laura Osnes.