Michael Musto on Patti LuPone and Faith Prince- Page 3

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/9/13 at 2:40pm

Don't they need a name for Helen Sinclair that tourists can identify with? I like Patti Cohenour, but nobody knows who she is.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/9/13 at 2:41pm

I'm wondering if Phylicia Rashad is being considered?

[logan2]

Posted: 9/9/13 at 2:42pm

I just checked out Helene Yorke on youtube. Good choice!!

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/9/13 at 3:14pm

Goth, I think you're probably right here. They haven't cast the part yet, not only because they're holding out for the right actress, but they're hoping for a name (film or TV) to play the part.

I know people keep saying "Woody Allen" is a big enough name to carry this show, but I think the "money people" would be much happier with a recognizable name in the cast. Someone up on stage for them to see and fawn over and "stage door" after the show.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 9/9/13 at 3:19pm

They haven't cast the part yet, not only because they're holding out for the right actress, but they're hoping for a name (film or TV) to play the part.

This. Talented as Cohenour may be, they're clearly holding out for a "name" for the role.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/9/13 at 3:24pm

On the other hand, does Woody Allen want a huge star to overshadow his name? Is it being billed as "Woody Allen's Bullets Over Broadway"? A star would push his credit down "Angelina Jolie in Woody Allen's Bullets Over Broadway".

[TheLadyoftheWood]

Posted: 9/9/13 at 3:32pm

Why has no one stated the obvious. Elaine Stritch should and most likely will be Helen. She is absolutely perfect for the role.
Subtlety At Its Finest!

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/9/13 at 3:36pm

I think everyone is ignoring the elephant in the room. Woody Allen turned down Patti LuPone because he wants to cast Glenn Close.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/9/13 at 3:44pm

I just think they're going to have a lot of trouble finding a "movie star" or TV personality to try to play Helen in stage. Dianne Weist is so iconically brilliant in the role. I could see all of them getting cold feet and saying no.

It sort of reminds me of Nina Arianda in Born Yesterday. They found a solid theatre actress with "no name" to come in and make the part completely her own, winning over everybody in the process.

If I were them, I would be hoping for that, more than a "star" who is willing to risk the inevitable comparisons to a previous, Oscar-winning performance.

Plus, in today's "Broadway realm," producers look more for starting theatrical "franchises" that don't rely at all on a star's participation. They want the name of the show plus perhaps someone like Woody Allen or Walt Disney, who don't have to be there (or even be alive) to boost ticket sales.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 9/9/13 at 3:51pm

Rachel Bay Jones should have been cast as Olive-no question. They missed the boat on that one. She sounds like Olive in real life.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 9/9/13 at 3:54pm

Best12, savvy, as usual.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 9/9/13 at 3:56pm

It sort of reminds me of Nina Arianda in Born Yesterday. They found a solid theatre actress with "no name" to come in and make the part completely her own, winning over everybody in the process.

If Nina Arianda was 20 years older, she'd be at the top of my list for sure.

[Playbilly]

Posted: 9/9/13 at 4:52pm

If it wasn't so close to Chaperone, I'd like Beth Leavel. Second, Judy Davis. She's worked with Woody Allen before.

[theeatah]

Posted: 9/9/13 at 7:38pm

In the year that the Mendes' CABARET revival is returning to Broadway, it would be nice for Jane Horrocks to make her belated Broadway debut as Helen Sinclair. I'm not sure that she could handle the soprano requirements, if her singing as Gracie Fields is any indication.