Leading Actor Joined: 5/22/03
but just for two charity performances of the show taking place as the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 22 October 2006 at 3.00pm and 7.30pm
Other cast members include Joanna Riding and Laura Michelle Kelly
VERY interesting.
if she keeps working with joan lader, she could be quite spectacular in this. just check out the deleted scene on her last documentary for proof.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/04
And I thought Madonna was doing the world a favor by giving up her acting career .....
I assume Kelly will play Cinderella?
VERY weird castings until now. The only thing Im think sounds logical is Laura playing Cinderella.
I mean Jo playing Red Riding Hood?? Abit too old. And still wandering what Anita Dobson will be playing... and now comes Madonna as the Witch... WHAT?! Am I the only one who think she cant sing?
I can only hope the castings for the ROH production could be better, like Ruthie as Witch or sth :P
This is a benefit concert for charity. The roles don't have to be cast exactly according to perfect age, etc. But I have in fact seen RRR played by women in their 30s and 40s on many occassions: in fact the two best, funniest takes on the role I've ever seen: Tracey Katz and Megan Lawrence were both well into their 30s when they played the part.
I'd certainly love to hear Madonna's attempt at the Witch. I'm sure some kind of audio recording will surface :)
I hope a CD comes out! Yay Madonna!
F*CK Yeah! I can see Madonna kicking ass in this. I am a little biased because I am one of the few that think she's actually a good actress when she has the right vehicle/director. I wish I could be there
If Joanna Riding were playing the witch, then I would be excited about it.
I am kinda excited i hope they use the more "rap" sounding orchestrations they used for VW.
I'm just gonna take a guess... Thye lowered all the keys for her.
Go M!
Does anyone have a towel I need to clean up now! I find this exciting beyond belief!
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/04
After seeing Madonna massacre Mamet in "Speed the Plow" and Sondheim in "Dick Tracy" (not to mention her deer-in-the-headlights performance on that year's Oscars), I have NO interest in hearing her do harm to "Into the Woods."
But it is a charity concert and she will certainly sell tickets. It won't matter that she can't hit the notes.
Actually, she CAN hit the notes. See jerby's post above, about the scene in her documentary in which she works with Joan Lader. She has an operatic voice that she has never used.
I can't, however, vouch for the acting. And timing is so important in this show.
I still think this is really incredible.
I think this role is suited for her voice
'She has an operatic voice that she has never used'
What?! I do hope there's something more to her than what I'm seeing right now! I certainly cudnt hear anything more than her normal voice in the Evita soundtrack!
Except for 'Children Will Listen' & 'Last Midnight' I dont personally think there's anything too hard to sing well... so I guess she can manage for just 2 performances and thank god it's only 2 performances! Her 'Sooner or Later' was SO bad in that Oscar's performance I nearly cried!
But I guess if it's for charity, they'll need some famous people in it... I'm still really interested what role Anita Dobson will play now that the Witch's role is gone!
I though her "Sonner Or Later" was pretty good.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/04
'She has an operatic voice that she has never used'
Perhaps she should have put it to use in EVITA.
Maybe she didn't have it then, philcrosby.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/10/05
Madonna as The Witch? Are you people insane!? I love Madonna's music, but her music is a far cry from ITW. This sounds like an awful idea...
https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=12041 <---
she's not doing it. Sad, I would've loved to have seen her do it because that kind of challenge could improve her acting abilities, maybe?
Oh well. I'm anxious to see who they cast.
Broadway Star Joined: 1/20/06
I'd have loved to see Madonna's take on the Witch, just for the mere fun of it. This is not a movie or a major revival, this event is probably the only time she'd get to tackle a Sondheim role and I admit the idea sounded appealing.
I do hope they bring in Ruthie Henshall but I'd like her more as the Baker's Wife (though she's completely wrong for the role, but again, it's just a concert). I can't think of any major stars I'd like to see in this show (except for Cher who was supposed to play the Witch in the rumored movie version).
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/04
"she's not doing it. Sad, I would've loved to have seen her do it because that kind of challenge could improve her acting abilities, maybe?" ....
Hmmm.... after numerous major film releases and two high-profile runs in plays in London and New York, I think her acting abilities are as "improved" as they are ever going to get.
If you have never heard the track from one the original Forbidden Broadway recordings "I Strain in Vain to Train Madonna's Brain" -- well, it's just too funny.
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