I would love to see a total unknown take on Eliza, with stunt casting for the smaller roles if needed, or even Higgins. When was the last time we had a performer come out of nowhere and wow us? That'd be so great and exciting. But this is Clive Davis. The lead will almost certainly be someone who is famous outside of the theater world, so don't hold your breath for any Laura Osnes-esque casting notices. Clive's got the money and he won't dump it into a production starring Laura Osnes.
Updated On: 2/7/13 at 05:21 PM
If Clive hires Taylor Swift, she'll probably want to write her own songs. Mostly about the boys she will never ever ever ever date again.
'Tasia would make an amazing Eliza.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
I doubt he'd do it but I'd like to see Kelsey Grammer as Pickering.
I could have danced all night...
Clive Davis has made something of a legendary career discovering new talent. That article mentions he has been in 'talks' with two stars, but I wouldn't necessarily discredit the possibility Eliza could go to a relative unknown.
I agree with Jordan that likely you will need to see a major name attached as Higgins for this show to be a guaranteed major hit outside of a Lincoln Center production.
Sierra Boggess, please!
Stand-by Joined: 11/10/10
"Katherine Jenkins, an opera singer" Don't let any opera fans hear that.
Hugh Laurie would probably be great as Higgins since he's a singer/musician and can do funny and grumpy and he's sure a well known name, not to mention being actually British. Seems like Higgins has got to be British, anybody else would have a hard time being believable as a expert on British accents. He couldn't be too grumpy though, Higgins is charming too.
What happened to the film version with Keira Knightly? I'd love to see her with someone like Kenneth Brannagh as Higgins.
Note to Davis: Eliza needs to be a true soprano. Let's not replay the Martine Mccutcheon and Melissa Errico dramas.
Martine was absolutely wonderful on stage. With the exception of Jonathan Pryce, that revival was perfection. I also thought the show was rather boring until I saw that production. I'm pretty skeptical about Clive Davis coming anywhere close to it, much less improving on it.
Longshot or not, it should still be Jessie Mueller. They don't need a star for Eliza necessarily at all. The name of the show will create buzz on its' own and they can cast a big name for Higgins.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/07
I also thought of Victor Garber as Henry Higgins, but I don't think that Davis would want him either. But again he would be a good choice for Colonel Pickering.
"He's probably already tapped Taylor Swift to play the role."
I think Swift would better suited for Liesl in the upcoming televised version of 'The Sound of Music'. That role would be not be vocally challenging for her. But since that show has already secured Carrie Underwood I don't know if the producers are interested in casting more big names. But maybe they are.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
"Martine was absolutely wonderful on stage."
No doubt about it, except that she couldn't sustain singing the role. She messed up her voice and had to leave the production earlier than expected.
I'd only approve of Tasia if Taylor Hicks plays Higgins.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/07
"I'd only approve of Tasia if Taylor Hicks plays Higgins."
That worries me because he's worked with Davis before. But I think he has someone else on his mind to play Higgins, who IS ACTUALLY a big draw.
Is it Randy Jackson? Because that would be amazing.
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Lea Michelle, she seems like an obvious choice to me. I will also love to see Sierra if she isn't too old. Robert de Niro would be beyond perfect for Higgings. This whole thing is getting me excited, it's about time we get a classic golden age musical on Broadway once again.
If it's Lea, it'll be the first time the audience roots for Eliza to be homeless again.
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Lea Michelle, she seems like an obvious choice to me.
Yah... because Lea is a legit soprano who can act the book scenes and do a variety of British accents. Yah... seems obvious to me.
If it's Lea, it'll be the first time the audience roots for Eliza to be homeless again.
WORD!
Say what you want about glee and Rachel Berry, but you'd have to be deaf and blind to say that Lea doesn't have talent. I think she's got one of the best, if not the best legit voice in pop today and she was a broadway star before appearing on tv.
She has no talent. Not what I call talent, Miss Lea Bitch Michele!
Updated On: 2/7/13 at 10:55 PM
Well mamma rose would definitely approve of this
http://youtu.be/I_kjnLdJnMw
Btw, all really talented ladies are bitches, that's actually part of the reason we love them. They're fierce.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/15/07
Talent for the deaf, dumb, and blind maybe!
I'd really love to see Laura Benanti as Eliza, I feel she was born to play this and Anna Loewens. Curious as to who these stars they mentioned are.
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