Megan Hilty as Mrs Johnstone

Yes, she would make a good Mrs. Johnstone. But the show never really warmed to American audiences. I think this is an instance where the off-Broadway scene has failed. This show could have a nice production off-Broadway, small but well done.

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I wish a revision would be done on the show. Cut down on the Marilyn Monroe motif and write one or two new songs.

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I have 2 for the narrator. Tom Hewitt or Michael Cerveris.

I'm a fan too, but I think a limited run might do well, as it would play to the fans and to people who have never seen it. The show is really hauntingly beautiful, and can make you cry every time.

"It didn't work on Broadway because it's a show about Class. The Brits eat that stuff up, but Americans either don't get it, or don't want to hear about it."

I still think Americans want escapism in their musicals. I think the Occupy Wall Street movement gained enough traction to at least make people stop and ask the question if there is a Class problem in the United States.

The part of the Narrator is difficult because it's not a big enough role for there to be a major star in it. But I can think of several good actors who could do it. Possibly Jeremy Jordan?

I think some enterprising production company should do a production with a black cast. Audra as Mrs. Johnstone anyone? I don't know who the author would put in place of the Marilyn Monroe motif since so many of the lyrics scan with the "Monroe" sound. Redo the lyrics to fit Dorothy Dandridge or Billie Holliday?

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Gothampc,

Audra=OH YES! I would love to see her as Mrs. Johnstone! I would think Jeremy Jordan is a little young though.

When I first heard the album, learned the story, I thought the show was in many ways anti-adoption, victimizing the birthmother plight inordinately, making the adoptive mother a villainous heavy. Now, I don't think it has anything to do with adoption, ultimately. It's about poverty, yes, the deal cut between the two women really is a kind of adoption story point. But that's plot, not thematic; it's about fate, luck, chance and destiny. When you see it, the show hits the themes hard, too hard ("Shoes on the Table" etc.) The narrator keeps telling us about the bad luck. To look too deeply at its messaging is probably not useful. It's a story, it's sad, the songs are catchy. I am the first appreciate thematic intentions. But in impact? It's a tragedy about choices and fate.

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Updated On: 12/11/14 at 10:02 AM

Funny, I’ve never really looked at it the show with class as the main focus. The whole chance/luck/Prince and Pauper theme always stood out to me much more.

I love this show and would love to see it revived on Broadway. Some updated orchestrations and a few other revisions would do the show well, I think.

I also think Megan or Audra would be wonderful in the role.

"I could see Victoria Clark playing the role"

The audience has to believe that the actress is still capable of bearing children. Victoria is a bit past that age.

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