Just something interesting I thought I'd share, in this video when T. Oliver Reid (the current Hermes) gets asked who his favorite Broadway diva is, his answer is Lillias White. Might be hinting at something? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtk1UoqpkFg
T. is also leaving the show on Sept 4. I guess the two understudies will be filling in for that one week.
The press release has Lillias missing three weekends in November, so I'd assume she's probably doing a 6 month contract?
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
Play Esq. said: "I really did not care for this show on or off broadway...but Lillias could get me back for one last shot! Inspired casting."
I saw it on Broadway and didn't care for it, but then I saw the tour with Levi Kreis who can SANG and found the score gorgeous and story interesting. No offense to Shields, who is a living legend, but his vocals / performance didn't do much for me. But the tour really made the material sing, to me.
I’m delighted that this thread opened with the rumor that Neil Patrick Harris would be the replacement and the answer ended up being Lillias White. I can’t wait to see her. Broadway royalty.
i cant wait to see what she does with it, but i am concerned about how she will sound, solely based on the press hits she did for Chicago last year. rooting for her 100% though.
PipingHotPiccolo said: "i cant wait to see what she does with it, but i am concerned about how she will sound, solely based on the press hits she did for Chicago last year. rooting for her 100% though."
I watched her live streamed London concert a few months back, and she was in phenomenal voice for her age. 8 shows a week is obviously different than a concert, but I think she still has it in her.
Funny story, when they did the Dreamgirls Concert reunion on Stars In The House, Seth suggested a "down a step" reunion concert, to which Lillias replied: nobody here needs down a step! just a little extra rehearsal!
Some of y'all are acting like Beyonce is going into the show! Don't get me wrong, Lillias will be perfectly fine and is good casting --- but her name isn't going to sell a single ticket at the box office.
JSquared2 said: "Some of y'all are acting like Beyonce is going into the show! Don't get me wrong, Lillias will be perfectly fine and is good casting --- but her name isn't going to sell a single ticket at the box office."
JSquared2 said: "Some of y'all are acting like Beyonce is going into the show! Don't get me wrong, Lillias will be perfectly fine and is good casting --- but her name isn't going to sell a single ticket at the box office."
I honestly don't think anyone is arguing that point -- that she would be the box office draw equivalent of Beyonce. Rather, all this excitement is from the amazing talent and inspired choices that Lillias White will bring to the production. I, for one, am very jealous of those that get to see her -- regardless if she "is going to sell a single ticket at the box office." And I don't think I'm alone in that.
JSquared2 said: "Some of y'all are acting like Beyonce is going into the show! Don't get me wrong, Lillias will be perfectly fine and is good casting --- but her name isn't going to sell a single ticket at the box office."
She sold me at least two tickets.
"I hope your Fanny is bigger than my Peter."
Mary Martin to Ezio Pinza opening night of Fanny.
I know it's a factor in casting decisions at times, but God I hate how much this board focuses on "is this person going to sell any tickets?" I say this as politely as possible, whoooooooooo caresssssssss? Maybe they aren't, but it's not my money going down the drain. All I care about is "are they going to be good?" Lillias is going to be damn good.
humorous to think Lillias White will sell tickets. Would love to believe it doesnt matter for Hadestown, which has sold well on its name alone, and what a blessing to be able to cast without worrying about whether a celebrity can keep your show afloat! But she aint a household name. Grip needed here.
Lets see what she sounds like. We can appreciate her incredible talent while also noting how unpleasant she sounded croaking through Mama Morton last year.
You’ll probably get more responses to that question in the Hadestown Understudies thread but there is a weeklong gap between T. Oliver’s last performance as Hades and Lillias’ debut, so there will need to be some coverage there.