Lauren Ambrose as Eliza Doolittle?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/22/17 at 10:47pm

http://pagesix.com/2017/08/22/hbo-star-could-be-broadways-next-eliza-doolittle/

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 8/22/17 at 10:50pm

Until LCT confirms it themselves I don't believe it.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 8/22/17 at 10:53pm

Call_me_jorge said: "Until LCT confirms it themselves I don't believe it."

^^^

[Valentina3]

Posted: 8/22/17 at 11:34pm

This agents telling reporters to "wait till Monday" gaffe led me to believe Benanti was cast when her agents pulled off something like this. Why are they so mean? 

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Posted: 8/22/17 at 11:38pm

There is no basis to this other than "hey, we heard Lauren Ambrose might be Eliza Doolittle, so let's write a short article about it!" I am looking forward to see if Monday really is the day for the MFL casting, however. 

[Tag]

Posted: 8/23/17 at 2:23am

Is she a big enough name though?  What has she really done since 6 Feet Under?  She was pushing obscurity even in 2011 when announced for Funny Girl.

[Margo319]

Posted: 8/23/17 at 2:52am

She could be great.  Yeah, she isn't a big enough name I don't think, perhaps the male lead will be the big name if this is actually true.  

[Public User]

Posted: 8/23/17 at 4:12am

One supposes that this is a payback for the nightmare she was put through in FG.  Whether the actual role will be offered or just the publicity of being highly considered for the role we shall see.

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 8/23/17 at 5:11am

It's Ambrose.  I would be shocked if she wasn't announced.  I'm extremely skeptical about her voice on top of the fact that she's 40 on top of the fact that she's not an exciting name at all.  Frankly, I don't know anyone who will be running out to buy tickets to see her.  She's just not a fun choice at all.  Hopefully the rest of the cast will be more thrilling.

[steven22]

Posted: 8/23/17 at 8:40am

I hope his works out for her. After that nightmare with Funny Girl. 

[binau]

Posted: 8/23/17 at 8:46am

I'm just a bit confused at the casting. Granted I've only seen a few episodes of Six Feet Under but I do wonder is she too old and does she have the voice? And it's not like she is a big enough star to overcome this. I just ask myself...why her? 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 8/23/17 at 9:02am

Please keep in mind that Lincoln Center Theater is producing this revival, so they shouldn't be as concerned from a commercial standpoint.

[LarryD2]

Posted: 8/23/17 at 9:09am

Lauren Ambrose can sing. She has a beautiful soprano voice. Do you people really think LCT would cast someone who couldn't actually sing the role? Especially someone who's not a huge name?

[yeah]

Posted: 8/23/17 at 9:09am

She's a great actor with a great voice - look her up on Youtube.  Sure, she's not a huge name, but I'd definitely go just to see her.  I was bummed about the FG debacle.  

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/23/17 at 9:15am

I can't imagine any scenario where she'll act or sing this role better than Benanti (or any other number of performers) would have.  Too bad.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 8/23/17 at 10:14am

I'm not too excited about this choice either, but she can't be any worse than Olivier winning Martine McCutcheon. 

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 8/23/17 at 10:16am

While I'm sure she'll be fine, it just seems like a boring choice after so much suspense about the role. Ah well.

[LYLS3637]

Posted: 8/23/17 at 11:28am

I loved her in Six Feet Under. I'd see this in a heartbeat. 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 8/23/17 at 1:38pm

There are certain roles that I think suffer if the person is not the right age and others that don't.  I am sorry, but I cannot see a 40 year old playing Eliza Doolittle.  A few years ago, I saw Ashley Brown as Eliza.  She was probably about 32 years old, and she seemed too old to be playing the role to me.  

I guess it won't be an issue if the lead is also too old to be playing the role...they will both be too old, but at least we won't be squirming about the age difference.  

Reflecting on it, maybe this is a prelude to announcing a Higgins who is also 20 years too old for the role.

Have to admit that I saw the Rex Harrison revival from close seats in the Uris / Gershwin, and it was almost painful.  I really can't remember anything about the woman playing Eliza, other than the fact that she was his wife.

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/23/17 at 1:43pm

The best Eliza I've ever seen live was Sally Murphy at the Signature in Virginia, about 15 years ago. She was in her mid-forties at the time. The performer's actual age matters less than their ability to read younger and create the character appropriately.

[yeah]

Posted: 8/23/17 at 2:10pm

Anika Noni Rose was in her '30's when she won a Tony for playing a teenager.  Sometimes actors read younger and pull it off nicely.  

[LYLS3637]

Posted: 8/23/17 at 2:12pm

Hepburn was 35. Not that I really cared for her performance, but she was in her mid-30s.

[yeah]

Posted: 8/23/17 at 2:13pm

Taylor Trensch is pushing 30 - it happens.  

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 8/23/17 at 2:16pm

Can anyone link to a good article explaining the Funny Girl "debacle"?

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/23/17 at 2:23pm

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/05/theater/producer-explains-the-scrapping-of-funny-girl.html?mcubz=1