ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Don't laugh, but what about Vanessa Hudgens? I think she has a lot of untapped potential as a performer.
Well, you’re braver than Il. I was going to suggest her for the KC run a couple weeks ago, but I decided it wasn’t worth all the crap I’d get about it from people here. She is older than Vanessa Williams was when she did her Broadway run, and she’s a very competent singer and dancer. I still think she has an HSM stigma, and some might still view her as a Disney kid. That could be problematic in a role like this.
I mean, if they were trying to go for something in the same vein as Spider Woman, they missed the mark. But, I feel like it was more of a who is avalible, and what show can we fit them in.
James Monroe Iglehart is an interesting choice for Arthur. I'm most excited for that.
"Ok ok ok ok ok ok ok. Have you guys heard about fidget spinners!?" ~Patti LuPone
pmensky said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Don't laugh, but what about Vanessa Hudgens? I think she has a lot of untapped potential as a performer.
Well, you’re braver than Il. I was going to suggest her for the KC run a couple weeks ago, but I decided it wasn’t worth all the crap I’d get about it from people here. She is older than Vanessa Williams was when she did her Broadway run, and she’s a very competent singer and dancer. I still think she has an HSM stigma, and some might still view her as a Disney kid. That could be problematic in a role like this."
yes, i do think there is a stigma around her, but there was with Lea Michele too. Like LM, I think Hudgens could find great success + box office in the right role. There's a sense of millennial goodwill surrounding her, and she's also incredibly charming as a host and red carpet interviewer (I think she's been rumored to take over a talkshow at various points?)
If not Spidey, then perhaps BYE BYE BIRDIE? ANYTHING GOES? Mabel Normand? Sally Bowles? Phyllis or Carlotta in 15 years? I'm sure she must have turned down a number of offers over the years (WAITRESS, Roxie, etc)
I wonder how they will deal with some of the jokes that have not aged well. The "LOOK! its funny cause hes gay" just does not seem like it works anymore
Herbert is less of a gay stereotype than a full parody of the early Disney princesses. Some of the “Lancelot the violent toxic reactionary is a repressed gay man” stuff is a little dated, but recent politics has actually made that (and his final line about “someday this will still be controversial&rdquo feel less toothless than it did a few years ago.
The one thing that really dates it for me is the Peter Allen of it all, which clearly marks the show as of a time when Boy from Oz was still both in the consciousness, and an immediately recognizable symbol of “Broadway gayness.”
On second thought… this particular moment in history seems a bit iffy for all the “find a Jew” jokes.
ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Don't laugh, but what about Vanessa Hudgens? I think she has a lot of untapped potential as a performer.
Renee Elise Goldsberry?"
You’re not alone. I’m one of the few Vanessa Hudgens advocates around these parts. She’s very charismatic and if you ask me, she’s an undertrained singer. A top coach could make her into a huge force on Broadway. Her dancing got raves at the Kennedy Center production of In the Heights. Untapped is correct.
Every time she’s appeared in something she’s been well received. I think she’s struggling both with industry/cultural sexism: the one two punch of High School Musical and having her nudes leaked have cemented her to the powers that be as “dumb teenage girl,” despite a decade of very solid work to the contrary.
Neither Kritzer or Orfeh are great for Lady of the Lady, imho. Neither has a soprano range and would probably need the role transposed. But this was put together quickly so can't really be picky...
I think with this cast, my dream Sir Robin track would be Kate McKinnon. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a woman in the track: it would offset the infamous “only one female track” balance, as well as push back against some of Monty Python’s and John Cleese’s dated gender politics.
Speaking of Cleese, I wonder if the old curmudgeon will reprise his role as the voice of God, or who they’ll get for that cameo?