Kutcher to Star in LaBute's FAT PIG?

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 8:49am

So speculates Michael Reidel in The Post:

"To the parade of great actors who've appeared on Broadway in the last few years -- Patrick Stewart, Frank Langella, Richard Griffiths, Geoffrey Rush -- we may soon, if we're lucky, be able to add . . . Ashton Kutcher!

Mr. Demi Moore, I'm told, is considering an offer to star in Neil LaBute's 'Fat Pig.'

In 'Fat Pig,' Kutcher would play Tom, a nice-looking guy who dates the sweet but heavyset Helen.

When Tom's friends find out about the romance, they tease him mercilessly.

'Fat Pig' played off-Broadway five years ago. It starred Jeremy Piven, whose mercury levels back in those days were within the normal range.

The reviews were decent but, for various reasons, the production never transferred to Broadway.

Fran and Barry Weissler produced the play in London last year. The production, which LaBute directed, received glowing reviews, with some critics calling it his best play yet.

LaBute will direct the Broadway version as well..."

http://www.nypost.com/seven/06172009/entertainment/theater/kutcher_in_the_wry_174656.htm

Updated On: 6/17/09 at 08:49 AM

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 8:54am

I wouldn't hate this.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 9:09am

I don't know where I got this idea, but I suspect that Riedel isn't overly impressed with Mr. Kutcher. Just a suspicion.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 9:14am

I'm not a fan of his, particularly but why did you say that about Reidel?

He says: "IF we're lucky" we'll get Kutcher. Doesn't sound sour to me.

[fgreene1938]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 9:16am

This is wonderful news for the theater community. I guess it also explains why Kutcher had to back out of his commitment to appear in a revival of "Golda's Balcony".

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 9:29am

"I don't know where I got this idea, but I suspect that Riedel isn't overly impressed with Mr. Kutcher. Just a suspicion."

The sarcasm was dripping - especially the "great actor" comment. You can say a lot about Ashton kutcher but "great actor" is not one of them, unless you are being sarcastic.

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 9:53am

Well I wouldnt mind seeing this. Would it be considered original or revival though?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 9:56am

The question is - after the unfortunate flopping of REASONS, why would producers take a Broadway chance on LaBute? Is Kutcher that much of a draw? He's certainly a greater draw than Sadoski.

That said, I see Kutcher more as Carter, the LaButian douchebag friend (Andrew McCarthy's role).

In fact, the original cast - Piven included - was pretttty perfect. One would hope Ashley Atkinson is asked back. Helen is really HER role.

And for the record - Piven did leave this production a few weeks early. Replaced by Stephen Pasquale. As Pasquale said in an interview, "That was the first time he quit. He's embarrassed all of us by his behavior. I hope he never sets foot on a New York stage again. He's not welcome."

[MarkK]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 10:10am

But, can Ashton Kutcher act withoout shouting his lines or acting like a dufus?

[lovepigeon]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 10:25am

This play is appalling, so don't get excited. We had an amazing cast of young, hip comedy actors in London but the play was flat and predictable with absolutely no wit at all. I'm surprised it's getting another go.

[lusciouslace]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 10:39am

"I'm looking forward to The Players' tribute to Ashton Kutcher, who, when he's at his best, resembles an actor."


Wow...that's not at all snarky.

Does anybody know anything else about the casting of this?

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 10:51am

As much as I would hope to see Ashley Atkinson (who was absolutely brilliant) given the opportunity to reprise her role for this production, considering the Weisslers are the lead producers, expect someone of the Nikki Blonsky variety as a more likely option.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 10:54am

Or at the very least, Rosie O'Donnell.

[fbueller]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 11:05am

How was Keri Russell in the original? It would be great to see her on Broadway.

Rosie should never be allowed back onstage in any capacity.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 11:10am

I think it's a great play, and not really predictable at all. I think to someone not familiar with LaBute, the ending was a little hard to swallow.

But I think it's a great play, and should be seen on Broadway.

[scaryclowns2232]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 11:14am

I happen to think its a wonderful play- his best in my opinion.

I do, however, think it would be a tremendous mistake to play this as too much of a comedy, because there is a tremendous undercurrent of sadness in this play.

And yeah- Ashton Kutcher would make a great Carter, but not sure about Tom.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 11:21am

He has a weird "everyman" quality about it, so I can see why he's being sought after for Tom, but I think most audiences would want to see him as Carter.

And yeah, I think a lot of LaBute's plays are hard to peg as "comedies." Like, "reasons...." is more of a dramatic comedy than anything. I remember at the Tony Awards when Pasquale was introducing the clip and he was reading from the prompter and said "Ha, Comedy? Um.." and then kept going. It's obviously a good mix of both.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 11:57am

I hate Kutcher.

But I would go see this just to see another LaBute work live; I loved REASONS.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 12:20pm

Oh, please. He needs to go to London and do this in one of those theaters the size of a dinner table where the starstruck critics will fawn over him.

[little_sally]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 1:01pm

My question is: does this really need to be on Broadway? With or without Kutcher?

Updated On: 6/17/09 at 01:01 PM

[WOSQ]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 2:09pm

To call Reidel's article snarky is to be kind. Snotty and envious came to mind as if Mister Reidel could do a better job if only he were asked.

Whether Fat Pig ought to be on Broadway at all is another question entirely. Reidel is trying to kill Kutcher before rehearsals start and that sort of bitchy tone is what I expect from the Post as well as room full of eighth graders.

[ChristopherDurangFan]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 2:10pm

Yes, this play is LaBute's best. It's one of my very favorite contemporary plays. But, if Kutcher has to be in it, then I don't want it revived. And, Nikki Blonsky? She's way too young for Helen. The interesting thing is that there isn't really a big name actress of that size and age.

[timote316]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 2:32pm

Susan Boyle!

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 2:56pm

This has got be a joke, but if Kutcher showed up in anything on Broadway, all he'd have to do is twitter his about 2 million followers, and the run of the show would be sold out in an hour.

I have only seen him in the film The Butterfly Effect, in which he was quite good, and one episode of Punk'd, in which his role wasn't really an acting role.

What I'm wondering is, could he resist twittering onstage?

[thespian geek]

Posted: 6/17/09 at 3:37pm

I personally think it's a wonderful play. Just reading the script made me cry. A lot.

A theatre company I've done shows for here is planning to do it next season and I may or may not be playing Helen, we'll see. I'd feel incredibly honored if I do.