McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
#1McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted: 9/16/13 at 3:27pm
Audra is the Mother Abbess, Benanti is Elsa Schrader, and Borle is Max Dettweiler.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/sound-music-audra-mcdonald-laura-629903
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#2McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted: 9/16/13 at 3:28pmCast Patti as Liesl and I'll be in heaven!!!
#2McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted: 9/16/13 at 3:29pmWow I did not see that coming at all. That's really fantastic casting. I had forgotten that there were even other roles to be cast with all the talk of Underwood is going to be. I love when Laura get's to play funny, so this is going to be a real treat. And who could beat Audra singing Rodgers and Hammerstein?
#3McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted: 9/16/13 at 3:32pm
I agree, somethingbypuccini- Benanti as Elsa is particularly inspired (though I fear having her involved will only make Carrie Underwood even less appealing).
Audra's "Climb Every Mountain" is going to be glorious.
They just released this poster as well.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#4McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted: 9/16/13 at 3:34pmThis news just made me super excited for December 5th. Benanti can do no wrong in my mind and Audra will be fabulous. Very excited to hear her "Climb Every Mountain"
#5McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted: 9/16/13 at 3:35pm
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WELL NOW I'M HAPPY.
They better make a recording just for 'Climb Every Mountain' and 'How Can Love Survive'.
#7McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted: 9/16/13 at 3:37pmGood luck to Underwood attempting to play Maria next to Ms. Benanti herself, but Benanti is going to be beyond great as Elsa, though it'll be a crime to have her there without doing any singing, and of course I love the connection to Benanti's own starmaking turn as Maria. Of course Audra is gonna nail her song, I love the supporting cast, maybe Underwood will pull a Reba and surprise everyone...but I doubt it.
#8McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted: 9/16/13 at 3:38pmSwiss Miss Underwood is amazing and she'll prove it to you.
#9McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted: 9/16/13 at 3:40pm
^Umm, you do realize Benatti will sing in two songs, one in each act:
How Can Love Survive (which will be here and Borle)
No Way to Stop It (Her, Borle and Von Trapp)
... just as long as they do the Broadway version (original or revival).
#10McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted: 9/16/13 at 3:41pmWell, they certainly couldn't get any better supporting players.
#11McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted: 9/16/13 at 3:42pmExcellent, I wasn't sure if the Baroness sang in this. That's great.
#12McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted: 9/16/13 at 3:43pm
For those who didn't see it last time it was posted, here is Underwood singing the title song a few years ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPUvPT_TiPs
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#14McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted: 9/16/13 at 3:54pmI called Borle getting this role about a year ago, and everyone said "No, he's too young." But NBC seems committed, if not to SMASH, to at least its best ensemble players, with Megan Hilty and Christian Borle both appearing in high-ish-profile shows this season now.
#15McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted: 9/16/13 at 4:01pmI really want some hot chocolate now.
Sutton Ross
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
#16McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted: 9/16/13 at 4:02pmAmazing news! Does anyone know where they're filming this?
#17McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted: 9/16/13 at 4:02pmThey're definitely casting a lot younger than the movie for those roles, but why not?
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#18McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted: 9/16/13 at 4:02pmA BLACK Mother Abbess?
#19McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted: 9/16/13 at 4:05pmSutton Ross, they're filming in Studio 8H (the stage for SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE) in 30 Rock.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Liza's Headband
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/13
#20McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted: 9/16/13 at 4:05pm
"Amazing news! Does anyone know where they're filming this?"
Seeing as it's a live broadcast, it would probably be on a soundstage in either NY or LA...
ETA: Somethingwicked beat me to it. Thanks!
Updated On: 9/16/13 at 04:05 PM
#21McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted: 9/16/13 at 4:06pm
Why not? Does race play a part in her role or in the convent?
I would have a problem with one of the kids being black and definitely Rolf the Nazi delivery boy, but other than that ... I don't think it "freaks out" the story.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
jimmycurry01
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/05
#22McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted: 9/16/13 at 4:06pmWhy on Earth would Borle be too young. He is 39; Kurt Kasznar was 41 when he created the role on Broadway and Harold Kasket was 35 when he created the role in London. 39 seems right on par.
#23McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted: 9/16/13 at 4:08pm
I didn't say they were too young. I said they are a lot younger than the actors were in the film, which they are.
EDIT:
Richard Haydn was 60.
Eleanor Parker was 43.
Peggy Wood was 73.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
jimmycurry01
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/05
#24McDonald, Benanti, and Borle Join NBC'S SOUND OF MUSIC
Posted: 9/16/13 at 4:11pmSorry, that wasn't directed to anyone specific. It was mentioned that "everyone" was saying Borle was too young. I should have quoted that.
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