Norbert is definitely irreplaceable. I can't think of anyone I would like to see take over...
Nobody is going to be able to fill Norbert's shoes. I don't think Hunter Foster would be a good match, either.
Definitely not Hunter.
I say Adam Pascal. It would just be funny to watch - good OR bad.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/9/04
They are going to need a BIG NAME to replace Norbert
The more I think about it, the more I want to see Adam Pascal try it.
do you really think they are thinking about Jack Black?
I mean, yeah, he's a big name and yeah he could do a good job but I also think he might overact just to get laughs and it won't be that funny.
"I think Sandy is Robin Strasser."
Shhhh.... don't tell Lucie, and CERTAINLY not Larry or I'll sic Scooter and Bisou on ya!
Stand-by Joined: 12/31/69
I saw Lucie Arnaz in London a few years ago in "Witches of Eastwick." She was fantastic. Maybe she doesn't yet know how to put together her own cabaret act, but I think she'll be great in DRS.
Jack Black doing Broadway (as a replacement) is about as likely as Robin Williams doing "Spam" (remember those rumors when Hank going on leave for "Huff"?) Ain't gonna happen..although I would not mind being wrong..
I mean, yeah, he's a big name and yeah he could do a good job but I also think he might overact just to get laughs and it won't be that funny.
Hmm, cause The Butz is just so subtle in it?
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
When I first saw this show I predicted Lucie would take over for Joanna.
well cat, Norbert knows how far to go. But I think Jack would go even farther and stretch it to see how many laughs he can get and it will look terrible.
but that is my point of view.
how about christian borle(spamalot) as freddy?
also who shall replace greg? i could see maybe david hyde pierce
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/05
Joanna is brilliant, but I think Lucie Arnez will do just fine. She has presence and the right attitude to pull it off.
Wasn't John O'Hurlehy (sp, i know) in talks to go into DRS--could it be for the Andre role?
John would be perfection as Lawrence whenever Pryce moves on. John O'Hurley was so amazing in Chicago when I saw him, and he has the wit and imrpov that would be perfect for the role. Putting him in Andre would be a crime. That part, of all the leads, could be played by a lesser known actor without affecting the show.
Lawrence, Muriel, and Freddy need to be names. No way around it. Christine needs to be someone with dry humor and wit as well as a powerhouse voice. From what I've read Rachel isn't all of those things like Sherie was, but I'll withold judgement until I see the show for myself with the new-er cast.
I think Lucie will be fine because she has street cred in the Broadway community, Joanna having done parts in shows like West Wing and then in Boogie Nights helped because people saw the poster and said "oh yea! I know her," which is something that will be unfortunately lost. John O'Hurley - Lawrence, Joe Cassidy could take over Andre and I'd be totally fine with it, even though he was better as Freddy, maybe they could Wicked it and have him be the Freddy u/s. I read somewhere Wayne Brady as Freddy which I think would be really interesting. Jack Black would never take over this role IMO, but if he did he would be amazing. He wouldn't over do it, producers wouldn't allow it, and even if he did, its not like the role doesn't call for that. Sherie will re-assume Christine and all will be right in the universe until they need to do something about Freddy. There are enough older gentlemen with wit and white hair to play Lawrence, Butz on the other hand will be much tougher to replace. I don't even want to think of a replacement for when Sherie leaves for good.
P.S
A big HELL NO to Adam Pascal, that is so ridiculous. It was painful enough watching him play a serious role in the RENT movie, nevermind delving into comedy. Hunter I feel plays his humor as the nerd when Freddy needs to be played as the glutton, so no-go on him as well.
I don't know if this was put in this thread somewhere but...
Since the initial article came out, DRS has since confirmed the news and also confirmed that Lucie's first show is May 29th, making Joanna's last May 27th.
Broadway Star Joined: 7/24/04
There is no show on the 29th, so I'd assume Joanna is leaving the 28th with Arnaz starting on May 30th.
Wayne Brady bugs me...I would like to see someone else get a chance..Chris Fitzgerald?
Of Boq fame?
Can't say that someone who played Boq strikes me as the type of person to take over with the spark needed to play Freddy, but who knows, one may have thought the same thing of Norbert having only seen him as Fiyero, Jaime, or Roger.
I feel like Norbert did have a notable-enough name to draw audiences, not sure with Fitzgerald. A quick google image search tells it all, Chris Fitzgerald brings up a famous basist and maybe 2 pages of Boq photos whereas Norbert Leo Butz; 8 pages of all Norbert. I think the notierity of the person chosen for this role will really make or break the show.
ALthough I LOVE this show I am starting to think it is going to tank when Norb leaves. I know, its bleak, but unless they can get a great actor with a fairly well known name I think the show may be on life support.
I see from Telecharge now that there are no shows on the 29th. Which means that all the articles about Lucie are wrong.
"Lucie Arnaz is set to play wealthy divorcee Muriel Eubanks in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. She succeeds original star Joanna Gleason on May 29." -Broadway.com
"After Playbill.com reported the news, the producers confirmed Arnaz joins the troupe May 29. Arnaz is the fiftysomething daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz." -Playbill.com
She is?!?! I've been sitting here reading that name all day (on the photo quiz which I couldn't stop playing) and wondering if she had just taken on a similar stage name because Lucy was... well Lucy and not Lucie and I thought Arnaz was spelt Arnez. This excites me
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