http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/fair_weather_for_casting_Za8RATXeoeqgxVDRJLu3tO
Riedel wants Ralph Fiennes and Laura Benanti for the MY FAIR LADY revival that the Nederlanders want to do next year (Hathaway and Firth are out).
I absolutely detest My Fair Lady, but I would see it for Laura Benanti.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/07
Laura Michelle Kelly should play Eliza. I also think that she would win a Tony for it.
Fiennes is not just a fine actor, he is the best working actor of the English speaking world. If they can get him it will be epic.
Broken record: Jessie Mueller as Eliza would be incredible.
Swing Joined: 7/3/13
geoffrey rush!!!! John Lithgow or Tracey Lets or David Hyde
Broadway Star Joined: 11/21/11
I suspect they are lining a big show to replace Annie at The Palace...
"The Nederlanders are planning a multimillion-dollar revival of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s “My Fair Lady” in 2014..."
At the risk of sounding like Roxy, what show doesn't cost multimillion dollars anymore?
I'm most excited by the prospect of Bartlett Sher directing this.
I love Laura Michelle Kelly-yes, please!!!! She would be heavenly in the role. (I frankly would rather see Geoffrey Rush, but Ralph Fiennes would work too.)
It'll be Anne Hathaway.
I'd love to see Hugh Laurie as Higgins, and Maggie Smith as his mother.
I'd love to see Megan Hilty, but I don't know if she comes across as too American for the role.
Laura Benanti would be lovely as Eliza Doolittle. However, I personally am not thrilled by a non-singer taking on the role of the Professor. Of all the choices who were mentioned, David Hyde Pierce would be o.k. In my personal opinion, just because Rex Harrison "spoke sang" in the original Broadway run and the film shouldn't make it a template for future mountings. Listening to Harrison "speak sing" is probably about as painful as hearing Katharine Hepburn "speak sing" in "Coco." I'm impressed that Michael Riedel seems to be a fan of Laura Benanti.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/5/11
Oooh exciting! Sierra Boggesss would be perfect for Eliza!
Liza: Laura Benanti
Higgins: John Barrowman
Pickering: David Hyde Pierce
Alfred Doolittle: Danny Burstein
Mrs. Higgins: Angela Lansbury or Maggie Smith
Freddy: Wesley Taylor
Miles Phillips would make an excellent standby for Higgins. It'd be nice to give a talented journeyman a break.
https://ct.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-Interviews-Miles-Phillips-Theatrical-Journeyman-Travels-Many-Roads-20130305
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/30/08
I love the idea of Benanti - she has both the voice and the comedic chops to do justice to the role.
Benanti would be fantastic, and I'd greatly prefer her to Kelli O'Hara, but I actually kind of want to see Michelle Dockery come over and do this.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/5/11
Does Anna Hathaway have the vocal range to play Eliza?
I'd much rather listen to Rex Harrison (or an actor with as brilliant a way of characterization as he) "speak sing" MY FAIR LADY than hear a brilliant singer with a bland take on Higgins, so if they can't somehow find a man who can brilliantly do both, I hope they choose an actor over a singer.
Also, since Ralph Fiennes is the headlined rumor now, in case anyone hasn't heard his voice before, he sang in THE PRINCE OF EGYPT.
Ralph as Rameses II singing
I like Hathaway, but I think Benanti would be divine.
I cannot imagine Megan Hilty or Kelly O'Hara -- and I'm fan of both of them.
How is it even possible to "detest" My Fair Lady?
Woo! I've been saying for years on here how much I'd love a revival of My Fair Lady... so I am thrilled it's coming closer and closer to fruition.
I personally think Megan Hilty would make an inspired Eliza; I don't get why more "delicate" actresses are usually selected for the role. I use delicate very loosely, as I just find Megan Hilty to be more raw and not the status quo type.
'I cannot imagine Megan Hilty or Kelly O'Hara -- and I'm fan of both of them.'
Hilty would certainly be cast against type, but I think she could be delightful.
O'Hara played the role at the Phil and had a triumph with it.
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