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#26

MFL closing??

Posted: 4/28/19 at 9:33am

Cabaret was really reinvigorated when Emma Stone was brought in to play Sally. Roundabout doubled the number of premium seats.

I’m not suggesting Emma because for starters I think I would be told that she couldn’t sing the score. But the lure of playing Eliza might bring in a talented young actress with little stage experience and much audience appeal.

#27

MFL closing??

Posted: 4/28/19 at 9:55am

When I saw the show (3rd time, 1st with Benanti) on Sunday 4/7, the theatre looked to only be about 65% capacity. I actually commented to my friend how little people were in attendance. The 100s and 500s were practically empty, with seats throughout the center sections also empty.

#28

MFL closing??

Posted: 4/28/19 at 10:21am

When I saw it the first Sunday in April, it was also 65% at the absolute most. The whole side sections were empty. It looked pretty dire that day and, I always hate to say this, but some of the cast seemed to be really low energy. It might be a good idea to refresh more than just Eliza/Henry if they do a recast. The one exception being Danny Burstein (of course he's leaving for MR soon anyway). Had never seen him before and he had energy to spare, sad some of the cast couldn't rise to that level.

#29

MFL closing??

Posted: 4/28/19 at 10:32am

I would guesstimate My Fair Lady's operating cost is between $700-725K per week, which they've surpassed all but one week in 2019. If they can sustain the current numbers, there's no reason why it shouldn't run through Labour Day (the end of tourist season).

The problem with star-casting is that they initially offered Higgins to every famous British actor between 40 and 60, and all turned it down...so why should anyone say yes now to replacing an acclaimed performance? It would need a Hugh Grant-type name to really make a dent in those grosses, not another "that guy" actor. And let's be realistic about Melissa Benoist: she hardly meant ANYTHING in Beautiful. The gross potential was between 60% and 76% for her 2-month run at the height of summer.

Updated On: 4/28/19 at 10:32 AM

#30

MFL closing??

Posted: 4/28/19 at 6:00pm

It would take someone from films or TV who had enough of a national following to .gain national attention.

Unfortunately, I’m not one to make suggestions. As good as Lauren and Laura are in the role, as 40 year old mothers I don’t think that they can play the young Eliza in the same way as a young girl who has experienced no marriage or children. (If I am discriminating against mothers or anyone else, I recant it all.)

Updated On: 4/29/19 at 06:00 PM

#31

MFL closing??

Posted: 4/28/19 at 6:40pm

The Other One said: "Dominic West seems like an excellent choice for Henry Higgins. He has a very impressive resume, no less so than Harry Hadden-Paton. In fact, he is probably even better known."

Exactly. When everyone was having fun speculating on casting before the production's cast was announced, Dominic West was my pick for Higgins -- suitable age range, easily conveys either charm or arrogance, has a some name value due to his American TV work. I wonder if he might even have originally been approached for the role but had conflicts that made it impossible -- though I have absolutely no complaints about HH-P.

#32

MFL closing??

Posted: 4/29/19 at 3:21am

I feel like you want someone on the level of Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston, or John Barrowman, not that any of them would do it or be available. Someone with a large and devoted female fanbase who would be an amazing but not impossible get. But given how broadly comedic HHP's performance is, Hiddleston is the only good replacement I can think of. If we're dreamcasting then Jude Law or Ralph Fiennes. But as SomethingPeculiar said, it makes no sense for a star of that caliber to replace now.

#33

MFL closing??

Posted: 4/29/19 at 9:20am

Is Kelsey Grammer busy?

#34

MFL closing??

Posted: 5/1/19 at 12:28pm

I had heard about The Lehman Trilogy being the next show also. Does anyone know if it is being brought in or is Sher mounting it?

#35

MFL closing??

Posted: 5/2/19 at 1:30am

Saw it tonight. Get a star for Eliza and let Michael Halling take over. Greatly preferred him to H H-P.

#36

MFL closing??

Posted: 5/2/19 at 7:01am

Maybe Michael Halling and Shereen will take over after the leads leave in July.

#37

MFL closing??

Posted: 5/2/19 at 9:25am

SmoothLover said: "I had heard about The Lehman Trilogy being the next show also. Does anyone know if it is being brought in or is Sher mounting it?"

I don't have any insider details, but it would certainly be a transfer of the National Theatre production directed by Sam Mendes with Simon Russell Beale, Ben Miles, and Adam Godley. Maybe it will be a co-production between LCT and the National (like War Horse), or maybe the commercial producers are renting out the Beaumont for the engagement (like Beautiful at the Roundabout-owned Sondheim)?

#38

MFL closing??

Posted: 5/3/19 at 8:31pm

SomethingPeculiar said: "SmoothLover said: "I had heard about The Lehman Trilogy being the next show also. Does anyone know if it is being brought in or is Sher mounting it?"

I don't have any insider details, but it wouldcertainly bea transfer of the National Theatre production directed by Sam Mendes with Simon Russell Beale, Ben Miles, and Adam Godley. Maybe it will be a co-production between LCT and the National (likeWar Horse), or maybethe commercial producers are renting out theBeaumont for the engagement (like Beautifulat the Roundabout-owned Sondheim)?"

That would make sense especially with Sher filming Oslo.

#39

MFL closing??

Posted: 5/3/19 at 10:26pm

It’s not like Eliza and Henry are the only roles. They can stunt cast the hell out of Alfred and Mrs. Higgins. Maggie Smith as Mrs. Higgins would be stunning

My father (AIDS) My sister (AIDS) My uncle and my cousin and her best friend (AIDS, AIDS, AIDS) The gays and the straights And the white and the spades

#40

MFL closing??

Posted: 5/3/19 at 10:41pm

I feel like their advertising/design is just so old school. They need something new. The artwork is so dated for such a relevant production.

#41

MFL closing??

Posted: 5/4/19 at 12:43am

Call_me_jorge said: "It’s not like Eliza and Henry are the only roles. They can stunt cast the hell out of Alfred and Mrs. Higgins. Maggie Smith as Mrs. Higgins would be stunning"

Yeah, but why would an older actress of that caliber sign on to replace in a small role like this? Since the whole point of stuntcasting is to boost the box office, I doubt it would come with a huge paycheck. Playing Eliza or Higgins is a rewarding challenge an actor might relish. I could see them maybe stunt casting Freddie with some heartthrob who isn't looking for a very demanding part.

#42

MFL closing??

Posted: 5/4/19 at 8:10am

Sally Struthers might be available.

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