London cast of August: Osage County now listed on the National Theatre's website

[mikem]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 10:47pm

I apologize if this has been posted already. At the National Theatre website, they are listing the following cast for August: Osage County's London run:

Steve Heidebrecht : TBD

Little Charles : Ian Barford

Violet Weston : Deanna Dunagan

Johnna Longwell : Kimberly Guerrero

Karen Weston : Mariann Mayberry

Beverly Weston : Michael McGuire

Barbara Fordham : Amy Morton

Ivy Weston : Sally Murphy

Charlie Aiken : Paul Vincent O'Connor

Bill Fordham : Jeff Perry

Jean Fordham : Molly Ranson

Mattie Fay Aiken : Rondi Reed

Sheriff Deon Gilbeau : Troy West

So Francis Guinan and Madeleine Martin are not going (does anyone know if she is staying with the New York cast?), and it sounds like Brian Kerwin is undecided (or that the re-casting hasn't been finalized yet).

There is a new logo as well

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 10:51pm

YYYAAAAYYYYY MOLLY!!!!!!

Sorry, I had to.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 11:01pm

Molly Ranson is totally miscast in this role. Her performance is a pale imitation of Madeleine Martin's. What a shame Madeleine won't be transferring.

[winston89]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 11:05pm

I too wonder why Madeleine Martin is not going.

Although, if I had to choose between which actress playing Jean should stay in New York (I know no one knows if Martin is in fact staying in NYC, I am just saying) and which actress should go to London. I am glad Ranson is going to London because she is the weakest of the two. I hope that Martin stays in NYC.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 11:23pm

Obviously, everyone is entitled to their opinion and I'm biased towards Molly, but honestly, if she weren't good in the role they would have cast somebody else.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 11:26pm

They did cast someone else. She's just a replacement.

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 11:26pm

WOW. Look at that list! I'm actually kinda surprised that most of them are going to make it out there. The people in London are going to be pretty lucky.

Too bad Francis Guinan won't be able to. He was one of the stronger male cast members.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 11:31pm

I saw the show with Ranson in the cast, and thought she gave the weakest performance. It wasn't awful or terrible, just not good, especially when she was on stage with some of the best actors working today.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 9/1/08 at 11:33pm

I meant they would have cast someone different specifically for the London cast if they weren't pleased with Molly's work.

[Weez]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 6:42am

Awwwww, I can't stalk Francis Guinan at the stagedoor and tell him how much I still love 'Eerie, Indiana' to this very day.

Never mind, it's still a respectable-lookin' list! ^_^

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 6:45am

Francis Guinan is doing The Seafarer at Steppenwolf starting in early December. I have no idea why Maddy Martin isn't going to London and I totally agree with WBaF's assessment. Ranson had nothing on Martin's performance.

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 8:01am

Martin is not yet 18 and Ranson is. That's why Molly's going.

eta: Horrible logo.

Updated On: 9/2/08 at 08:01 AM

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 8:04am

I'm happy with the casting, especially the keeping of Amy Morton!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 8:12am

Glad to see I'll be able to see whilst in London in the winter.

[gustof777]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 9:30am

the fact that people praise Martin still boggles me on so many levels. Ranson, while nothing wonderful was MILES better than the ear cringing, entirely unbelievable performance Martin is STILL giving at the Music Box

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 10:21am

Not crazy about the new logo either.

[Weez]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 10:29am

It's not so much a new logo as tying it in with the National's brand. While pretty logos are very nice, and lord knows we've proved we can rant on about logos for DAYS, there's way more to a play than what font the title is in. Which is possibly why the National uses Arial for all its play titles, only breaking into actual design when a musical is involved. :P

[Ftworthguy]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 10:59am

Brian Kerwin is committed to ABC's "One Life to Live," so that's probably why he's not going.

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 2:38pm

I think the role of Jean mostly has to be funny. It's not a huge role, and there aren't too many dramatic moments with Jean. Molly Ranson was not funny as Jean, not at all, but Madeleine Martin was. She plays Jean slightly over-the-top, and I thought she was very funny.

BUT come on! With cast consisting of Deanna Dunagan, Amy Morton, Rondi Reed, etc, who the hell cares who plays Jean!

[Ftworthguy]

Posted: 9/2/08 at 4:53pm

Any word on who is replacing those that are still in the Broadway cast??? I'd still love to see Laurie Metcalfe replace Amy Morton.