MY FAIR LADY Revival Back On For Next Spring? — Page 16

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Laura-Benanti-Would-Give-Left-Pinky-to-Star-in-MY-FAIR-LADY-Revival-20170504

No surprise here, but it's telling that she says she has "a feeling they're going to be going a different way."

BroadwayConcierge said: "https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Laura-Benanti-Would-Give-Left-Pinky-to-Star-in-MY-FAIR-LADY-Revival-20170504

No surprise here, but it's telling that she says she has "a feeling they're going to be going a different way."

I had the same thought. It's an assumption, but that sounded to me like the clues she's gotten so-far seem to suggest that.

And we had said as much, since they apparently cast him out-right but are going to audition Eliza's. It's not as if Sher doesn't know Benanti's work.

She's such a class act. While there's tons of great Eliza candidates, I want the role for her so badly.

Philippa Soo?

I love Phillipa Soo, but I don't see her as an ideal fit for Eliza Dolittle. There's a certain poise and aloofness to the two performances I've seen from Soo that would be at odds with the pre-transformation Eliza and that would make the post-transformation less impactful. It's exactly the same reason I simply can't stand Audrey Hepburn's performance in the movie--easily one of my least favorites, maybe even my least favorite, of the classic movie musical star turns.

Such a shame about Benanti. I get Sher, but when one of the greatest performers of her generation also happens to possess unmatched comedic skills and a stunning soprano infused with personality, why not cast her in one of the most awaited revivals of the past fifteen years? Again, I'm sure he'll find a great person and whatever, maybe even the next Cynthia Erivo--but much like it will always be a real shame that no one ever cast Jane Krakowski as Dot in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, it will always be a real shame that Sher isn't building this revival around Benanti much like he did with Kelli O'Hara and THE KING & I. Maybe Benanti can replace whoever gets the lead just to say she played the role on Broadway.

I'm still hoping for a Laura Benanti and Colin Firth production. I truly believe that they are the two best choices for those roles.

I thought Colin Firth was set for Higgins

If they were to cast someone at Park's age (yes she would be fantastic) it may be best to have someone younger like Benedict Cumberbatch play Higgins. If Firth were to be cast along someone so young, it would have a major ick factor.

Soaring29 said: "I think Benanti is definitely talented, but not a stunning soprano by any means and her timbre actually resembles more of a mezzo soprano then a soprano's. . Her MT soprano work is not really my cup of tea most of the time and I find her singing merely average. She obviously has a strong instrument, but not stunning by any means.



Mkay. Whatever floats your boat, honey.

Laura Benanti has an absolutely gorgeous voice, but she's so much more than that. She is a brilliant actress, comedian, and the most beautiful woman on broadway. She's an absolute treasure.

ray-andallthatjazz86 said: "I love Phillipa Soo, but I don't see her as an ideal fit for Eliza Dolittle. There's a certain poise and aloofness to the two performances I've seen from Soo that would be at odds with the pre-transformation Eliza and that would make the post-transformation less impactful. It's exactly the same reason I simply can't stand Audrey Hepburn's performance in the movie--easily one of my least favorites, maybe even my least favorite, of the classic movie musical star turns."

I understand what you're saying as Soo is a naturally poised person, which is probably why people often think she's older than 26. I'm not sure which two performances you've seen of hers but I think her performances as Natasha and Eliza were only helped by her having that poise and she was able to let go of it slightly for Amelie. However, if Julie Andrews, the most poised individual alive, can play Eliza Doolittle effectively, then I think an actress as talented as Soo would find a way to make it work too. Audrey Hepburn was one of the best human beings we've ever had and a good actress but she wasn't an incredible talent that could pull off everything given to her.

Soaring29, she may not be stunning to you, but whenever I hear her sing "Will He Like Me?" or "Dear Friend" or, of course, "Vanilla Ice Cream," my life is a little better and I am, indeed, stunned and marveled by the brilliance of her voice. Maybe for people who are trained, her instrument is not as powerful as Renee Flemming, but the way she can act and emote and actually be funny while singing those gorgeous notes is unparalleled. It's what I always say about Barbara Cook's "Glitter and Be Gay," opera singers galore have performed it and probably think they can sing it better than Cook, but what Cook brings to that song is not just the gorgeous soprano but her ability to infuse the song with actual, hilarious comedy, which is why no one has ever matched Cook's rendition.

froote, I've only seen Soo in HAMILTON and AMELIE. It's not that I don't think she can let loose and be fun and funny (I thought she was funny in AMELIE and perfectly giddy and silly--in a good way--as a young Eliza in "Helpless"; it's that there's something aloof and, like I said, poised about what I've seen of her on stage and in televised interviews. And I disagree with your comparison to Julie Andrews. Yes, she is the definition of poised offstage (or at least in public, Angela Lansbury says she has quite a sailor's mouth), but if you recall, in her genius turn in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, her Maria was sloppy, unruly, and funny. Again, I'm a huge fan of Soo, I just don't see her in the part. I also couldn't see Sutton Foster as Reno Sweeney and I was very happy no one listened to my complaints because she ended up being a Reno for the ages.

I loved Ashley Park in THE KING & I, but had no idea she was so funny, she makes more sense as Eliza to me than Soo.