Benanti is the only person I really want to see do this. Maybe Patti can be Higgins!
If someone could teach Patti to do the accent well, she could be hilarious as Mrs. Higgins.
If they get someone big like Kenneth Brannagh, Ewan McGregor, or Hugh Laurie as Higgins, I think Samantha Barks would be a great Eliza.
No offense (honestly), but I really don't think you guys understand just what kind of star power is needed for this to be a successful production. Like I said before the show is massive and costs an absolute fortune so they need not one but TWO big names in both of these roles and possibly one or two B+/A- list stars for a couple of the supporting roles.
KELLY PICKLER
See, Dame understands!!!
I got you honey. I got you.
But you need someone like Barry Manilow or Rosie O'Donnell as Higgins, then.
REGIS
With Kathy Lee as the mother.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
Maxwell Caulfield as Higgins, please!
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
"Maxwell Caulfield as Higgins, please!"
And his wife can play his mother.
I know, let's cast Lea Michele.... ::rolls eyes::
I love this movie and would love to see it on stage. I just hope they find talent in addition to names. I know it's expensive to mount and will need name recognition to help it sell...
Geoffrey Rush for Higgins
^ Best thing I've read all night.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/15/07
I know Rex Harrison played this role well into his life, but there is something VERY creepy about someone like Geoffrey Rush (who is 61) ending up with Anne Hathaway (who is 31). It very well may be it's the same age difference between Julie and Rex, but it seems odd to me.
i dont think sam barks could sing it, as much as i love her shes more belt than soprano. shed act it well though
If they were to cast a broadway star for Eliza, which is very unlikely, the best option is Sierra. Also with Clive Davis producing I can picture a huge flashy talent search which could be quite lovely. It would be nice to see a reality competition looking for actual vocal power and ability.
I think Anne Hathaway would give a very predictable performance. Others could sing it beautifully, Benanti and Audra would be the ones I believe could give very unexpected layered performances while giving a flawless rendition of the songs. The age factor doesn't bother me really.
Love the idea of Damien Lewis as Higgins.
My dream casting for this revival:
Cast Kelli O'Hara as Eliza.
Either John Laroquette, Michael Park, kevin Spacey, or Harry Groener as Henry Higgens.
Colin Donnell as Freddy.
Joel Grey as Alfred P. Doolittle.
Stand-by Joined: 7/7/09
Audra??? Was that serious or is this turning into a color blind casting post? Lets check the stats..
#1 - She's about 43
#2 - She's built like a linebacker
#3 - She's black. I am VERY certain there were no black cockney women in Edwardian London. Maybe Eastenders 2012.
Concert version, sure, lets hear Audra. Stage version. Hell no.
I think Audra in 2005 could have done this, but I think she is a little old for a revival. No problem with the racial aspect, though.
I'm also gonna throw out a possibility: Anna Kendrick.
"She's black. I am VERY certain there were no black cockney women in Edwardian London. Maybe Eastenders 2012."
I would think you would be very wrong about there being no black cockneys in Edwardian England. Black people have lived in England for
However, there are very good reasons to have Eliza cast as a white woman. The issue of verbal class distinctions is paramount in My Fair Lady without adding another obvious distinction which would obviously be a social issue and which, if went unspoken of, would seem preposterous.
Not to mention that Zoltan would never assume Audra was a Hungarian princess.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_British
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