I saw her do I Could Have Danced live at Carnegie and it was absolutely magical. But, with her in MADISON COUNTY, one has to assume that she's out of the running.
A previous poster assumed that an effective singer might turn out to be a bland choice to play the Professor. He mentioned Ralph Fiennes "singing" in the "Prince of Egypt." I listened to this recording. While it is not bad, at least to me, it's about as good as Russell Crowe in "Les Miserables." I'm intrigued that Riedel thinks Fiennes is a good choice. There are plenty of singer/actors who can sing/play the role effectively. It is just my humble opinion that an actor/actress with a leading role in a musical should... oh, I don't know... be able to sing competently along with the rest of the cast. In any case, the powers that be will make the choice based on their own preferences. I just have mine. That's all. : )
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
But the songs were tailored for someone who is a non-singer. They are most famously done by a non-singer. Which means too much vocal heft could lead to them sounding ponderous and over-sung.
How many times have we listened to SEND IN THE CLOWNS completely oversung? It's written in short phrases to accommodate Glynis Johns' vocal limitations. Once a 'real' singer attempts the song, it always sounds ridiculous to me.
"Listening to Harrison "speak sing" is probably about as painful as hearing Katharine Hepburn "speak sing" in "Coco.""
Listening to Harrison as Higgins, whether in song or dialogue, was about as painful as - to quote Lerner in "Coco" - "two extra weeks in Baden Baden." He was magnificent and it was glorious. I wouldn't at all mind a mellifluous non-singer like (in some cases, of course age may be a concern, at least to some) Alan Rickman, Geoffrey Rush, Ralph Fiennes, Benedict Cumberbatch, Damian Lewis or Hugh Laurie as Henry. Of course that doesn't preclude someone who is, in addition to verbal eloquence, a great singer; I just don't see it being a necessary element for the score.
Anne Hathaway is an "A" lister with a recent Academy Award win. If that's all that means anything to Mr. Reidel it is understandable why he would think that she would be a "perfect" choice as Eliza. But the fact is she cannot sing, not in Julie Andrews class, probably not in a class with any poster on this board, so it might be a good thing that she cannot commit to this project.
Tom, I agree that the LES MIS film proved her a competent singer, but not Eliza. Then again, I did not see her in CARNIVAL some years ago, so maybe she has the range?
Does Kelli O'Hara really have to play every single role to ever exist in musical theatre? She's fantastic but she's already played the role in NY, give someone else a chance. Laura Benanti has repeatedly cited this (and Fosca) as her dream role, and she'd knock it out of the park, she's developed into a great comedienne and we know she can obviously sing the SH*T out of the role. I don't think they need to look any further. Fiennes is also ideal casting, the two of them would be definitive in the roles.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
Laura Benanti would be the ideal choice I think. If they really wanted stars, they could fill the other roles with them. Eliza is too difficult and pivotal a role to be played by someone who can barely pull if off.
I wonder if Laura Osnes would be able to do this? I've never heard her perform with an accent... but she seems to have good comedic timing, and her rendention of "My Own Little Corner" makes me think her "I Could Have Danced All Night" would sound delightful.
Someone suggested Boggess- if she's not announced for the Les Mis revival I'd be shocked! I think Mueller could be inspired, my vote goes to her former castmate from Drood Betsy Wolfe- who unfortunately is out of the running due to "Bullets..." Since we're discussing her protege, Hilty, I'll throw in Chenoweth at the risk of being massacred!
"Wouldn't they try to get A-list celebrities for this?"
That wouldn't be wise for this sort of show. You really need a Broadway lady for Eliza.
"Someone suggested Boggess- if she's not announced for the Les Mis revival"
I mentioned her a few threads back. I think she would be perfect for this sort of role but I feel like Laura B would be even better. I would be happy with either one.
Anshel2, I guess I was trying to say definitive for this generation (and being hyperbolic), obviously no one can touch Andrews/Harrison. Osnes could be good, but I don't think she has the comedic chops Benanti does, which is not to say she'll never have them, Benanti used to be really good when she was Osnes age, but she went from really good to brilliant over the years.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
Laura Benanti, Sierra Boggess, and Laura Osnes are my top choices. I'll also throw in Annelise van der Pol, who I am pretty sure has the soprano range and I think could be a great Eliza. If this were done maybe five years ago, the top of my list with be Audra, and she could probably still do it.
As for Higgins, whoever suggested Seth McFarlane is on to something - he's too busy with Family Guy, but he could for sure sing it and would be an interesting choice. I also am fine with Ralph Fiennes. What about Ewan MacGregor - too young?
"I saw Pavarotti play Rodolfo on stage and with his girth I thought he was about to eat the whole table at the Cafe Momus." - Dollypop
Audra would have nailed it. Casting Seth would be a very inspired choice and I think he would nail it. If there ever is a Music Man revival in the next 5 years then he is our guy.
The good thing with Ralph is he has a very versatile Career. He Has done Blockbuster films and serious films while also having a rather Large theater background. I think he will make an excellent Henry Higgins.
Laura Benanti is my number one choice for Eliza cause I think she would completely nail it. Sierra is my number 2 cause her voice is just beyond beautiful and she is great with dramatic stuff and has proven herself to be very good at comedy. Laura is great at transformation roles so i would love to see her as an Eliza replacement but Laura Benanti seems like the number 1 obvious choice here.
Would any of you be happy if they cast Hathaway as Eliza? I am a big Hathaway supporter and i think she would act the part beautifully and put her own little spin on it but I'm not sure her voice is cut out for this type of role.
What I DON'T want to see is An actress trying to do what Andrews and Audrey did. I want to see a new take on Eliza that has nothing to do with what Other Eliza's have done. There is a very distinctive way on how to Play Eliza and people are going to be expecting a characterization like The Movie but I would love it if they got far away from that as possible. Reinvent it!
It would be marvelous if this was a Big Grand Scale Production! Something as big as SUNSET BOULEVARD but ya know..This one can't suck.