Lord of the Rings: The Musical casting annouced

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 1:36am

Um,

I have been away all day, and was quite surprised to not find any posts about this news. Here is the article. I am super excited to see that they are snapping up some great, young Toronto talent. AND Michael Therrieault is an idol of mine so I couldn't be happier for him.

Here's the link: http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1122070219372&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154&t=TS_Home&DPL=IvsNDS%2f7ChAX&tacodalogin=yes

Akiva

[BluCat500]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 1:41am

How are they going to pull of the whole hobbit's miniscule stature thing...ignore it?

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 1:41am

I can see it..."The Ballad of Gollum"!

[TabooPhan1]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 1:44am

I'm SO torn by this show it's not even funny... I have no idea what to think anymore. I honestly want to take it seriously, but, as Govrochegirl said, I just can't help but hear the folk dance "Oh My Precious..."

[Dreamcatcher]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 1:47am

Same deal, I'm completely on the fence about this one. It's an idea that really intrigues me and I'm a huge LotR fan and as such, I want to think positively about this endeavor but in all honesty, It's just not possible to imagine something like Frodo and Sam singing a ballad about their treck to Mordor in a positive way. It just kind of makes me cringe to be honest..... Great cast though so that's a point in their favor.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 1:50am

From what I hear, they're not going the traditional musical theatre path. My guess is that it'll be a conceptual piece, with Nordic-flavoured music as a narrative device rather than for characterization. Still, I have no idea how they're going to pull this off. The idea of trimming this mammoth tale to three hours scares the hell outta me. As a LOTR fan, I withhold judgment until I see it myself.

I'm VERY happy to hear Michael Therrieault has been cast (and in the role of Gollum, no less!). And news that Brent Carver may be attached excites me so!

Updated On: 7/24/05 at 01:50 AM

[DefyingEDCT]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 1:52am

Though I wonder, Wicked the Tour preformed in the Cannon Theatre, and are slated to come back to toronto next October-November, so I wonder what theatre they are going to be in.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 1:52am

Wow,

For a board of people s in love with the musical theatre genre, you guys sure have no faith in what the genre can do. This production will NOT have cheesy showtune ballads and kicklines. It has been stated many many times that it will use much of Tolkein's own lyrics and a collection of musical influences from around the world. It will almost be an opera more than anything, but with less cheesey and over the top emotions.

I say give it a fighting chance...because you will all be eating your words in a few months when it opens and pretty much is hailed as the next big evolutionary step in the Musical Theatre genre.

Cheers,
Akiva

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 1:53am

DefyingDEFT,

Toronto has MANY nice theatres. Lord of the Rings is going to be in the Princess of Wales theatre where i have seen Lion King and Hairspray. Gorgeous place.

Akiva

[DefyingEDCT]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 1:55am

I know it has many nice theatres Ive been, but if you read the first three lines of the article you would see it says

"Ring leaders revealed
Toronto actors snag coveted roles in $27 million stage adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien novel

32-year-old Michael Therriault moves from Broadway to the Canon Theatre as Gollum Updated On: 7/24/05 at 01:55 AM

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 1:57am

Though I wonder, Wicked the Tour preformed in the Cannon Theatre, and are slated to come back to toronto next October-November, so I wonder what theatre they are going to be in.

It was announced, when the production was confirmed, that it will be at the Princess of Wales Theatre. The article's reference to the Canon Theatre is a fub on Richard Ouzounian's part; he should know better.

Link, I do have faith in the musical theatre genre, but I'm a fan of LOTR too, and I cringe at the possibility of having this story told half-ass. Tolkien's mythology is complex, and none of the creative team seem to have any preknowledge of his work. But I'm hoping it's a huge success, for the sake of Toronto and the theatre community here; and it'll at least be interesting to see another interpretation of Tolkien.

Updated On: 7/24/05 at 01:57 AM

[DefyingEDCT]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 1:58am

That Wicked or LOTR was at the Princes of Whales?

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 1:59am

Hah,

Wow...Richard Ouzounian must not be getting sleep, because he is almost always quite reliable. I can assure you that is a mistake. The Princess of Wales theatre is already decked out in LOTR stuff, and I know the Canon quite well since I see it every day (I go to school across the street and my friends all live in that area). It's for sure in the Princess of Wales.

Akiva

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 1:59am

LOTR will be at the Princess of Wales Theatre, which is high-tech enough to handle such a show. The producers made a big deal about how the theatre is perfect for the show.

If WICKED returns, it'll most likely be back at the Canon.

Updated On: 7/24/05 at 01:59 AM

[DefyingEDCT]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 2:00am

I know, thats what I thought LOTR is going to be at but if you read the article it says



"32-year-old Michael Therriault moves from Broadway to the Canon Theatre as Gollum"

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 2:01am

Yes, that's what I meant. Richard Ouzounian, who wrote the article, made a glaring error.

[DefyingEDCT]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 2:02am

Thats what I was getting so confused about, because I have been following the musical for A LONG time and I knew it was going to be at the POWT, but that totally threw me off!

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 2:04am

BlueWiz (Yup...thats right...i gave you a nickname),

I am also excited for what this might mean for Toronto theatre...We need a revival so badly (and since I am planning a show next summer...I am praying for a boost for my own sake as well). Also I know that they are renovating the stage an backstage areas of Princess of Wales theatre quite a bit, so it's current tech level isn't even that much of an insetive. Have you read about the floor they are putting in? awesome stuff. I can't wait to see some more designs.

Too bad the tickets are so friggin' expensive.

Akiva
Updated On: 7/24/05 at 02:04 AM

[DefyingEDCT]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 2:05am

Theres going to be a BAZILLION trap doors, elevators and lifts.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 2:08am

From what I've heard, they're completely revamping the orchestra section because the stage will extend past the first few rows.

Even though I'm dying to see the production, I haven't bought my tickets yet because really, who can plan a year ahead, especially when the tickets are that expensive? I'd hate to pick a date and realize months down the road that I can't make it.

My biggest concern is what they'll trim, because they certainly will have to cut SOMETHING. I'm surprised they're even keeping most of those characters. What I'm most excited about is how they're going to depict -- theatrically -- the story's most epic moments: the army battles, the confrontation with the Balrog, the Witch King, etc.

Updated On: 7/24/05 at 02:08 AM

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 2:09am

Not to mention tracks...lots of tracks...so excited. I have contacts with the lead electrician who gave my class a backstage tour of Lion King...so I am hoping to swing a backstage visit to this, which must be amazing.

Akiva

[tshell88]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 10:00am

BluCat500,

I'm currently working with Dylan Robert, who was cast as Merry. And I can assure you, he is tiny. In all of the casting notices, the descriptions that were given for male actors was something like under 5'6" and over 6'...and then there are always additional ways to exaggerate that height difference fruther

[MissElphie]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 1:19pm

Richard McMillan (Saruman) goes to my church. I saw him as Scar in The Lion King. I'm sure he will make a fine Saruman. And I really liked Michael Therriault in The Producers.

I think the show could be interesting. They are certainly putting enough money into it. I will at least give it a chance.

[mizzie]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 4:39pm

Everytime I picture this musical, I can't help seeing Elijah Wood in Mamma Mia costumes, with a neon orange ring, and diamond teeth in his mouth. Disco, baby!

I wonder who's playing Pippin....

mizzie(AKA Pippin's biggest fan!)

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 5:43pm

Mizzie,

Funny that you say that. I know a guy, Steve, that is up for consideration for Pippin. he got very far in the casting process. I have a feeling however, that if they did not announce him with the rest of the Canadian cast members, that he did not get the part and that it will go to a British or American actor.

Akiva