I know it's too soon to be talking about this but I think she would make an amazing Leading Player! Who else do you guys think should be a replacement?
Glover is one I thought of. Sasha Allen is another. Asmeret Ghebremichael could also pull it off.
Leading Actor Joined: 5/2/13
She wouldn't replace at the point, but Condola Rashad would be my choice. She has a fierce presence and a fantastic voice.
Tracie Thoms played The Leading Player in the first reading of this production, so I wouldn't be surprised to see her involved down the line.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/18/10
Isn't Montego... not a good actor? She sings beautifully, but dat acting.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/16/11
I was thinking that too.
I would LOVE to see Asmeret play the role!
I feel like many years ago, Vanessa Williams wouldve made a great Leading Player
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/5/11
@Quizking Vanessa could never, even in her prime sing the score as written. "Glory" would be out of her range, unless they were planning on letting her mix it. Now I would love to see her dance and act the role, but singing it I think not.
Does it have to be a skinny black actress? Is that the only type that works for this production?
I'd love to see them go in a totally different direction for the replacement - if and when that becomes a need.
^^^^I like that idea ripped!
With that said how about Capathia Jenkins. She might not be able to dance the role, but she could sure sing the pants off of every audience member.
Love the idea of Condola Rashad, but yeah, I guess she wouldn't replace someone when she's the "it" girl in town.
I think Tracie Thoms has turned out to be one of the most consistently just okay in about everything I've seen her in, maybe Paulus can bring some magic to her performance but Patina Miller she ain't. Sasha Allen was stunning, haunting and memorable in HAIR, but I doubt she wants to make a Broadway career out of replacing Miller. I'd love to see what she could do with Deena in DREAMGIRLS.
EDIT: Yes to Capathia Jenkins, and to address the original question, I agree with the poster who said Glover might be a fine singer but God is she a dull actress.
I love love love Montego Glover and she would be amazing.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/8/11
um Capathia Jenkins would be a terrible choice...
This was discussed earlier and people loved the idea: Sasha Allen
Does it have to be a skinny black actress? Is that the only type that works for this production?
No, I think certainly not. Schwartz himself has said the role just needs to be played by someone charismatic and captivating and almost all I've spoken to seem to agree gender-blind casting has worked fine and I'd imagine race-blind would as well.
And no, the actor playing the Leading Player doesn't need to be "skinny" but the demands of the Fosse style choreography and the acrobatics of this production that I'd doubt they'd want to change (Patina Miller is on a trapeze for several minutes throughout the show and performs other highly athletic stunts) would mean the actor would need to be somewhat athletically built, which could make Capathia Jenkins difficult to cast.
Just to be sure, I don't know anything about Ms. Jenkins' health nor am I trying to discriminate against her about weight, but I would imagine it would take a certain athleticism and body type (and age!) to do tricks on a trapeze like Ms. Miller does.
Broadwaydevil, you do make a good point about the casting limitations for this specific production, and I definitely agree.
If she hadn't changed paths, Karen Olivo would be ideal in my book.
I didn't mean it as an insult, just saying the names that were being thrown out are def. in the "patina" category.
I'd like to see them go a different route, but I don't think this is the kind of show that can thrive on "star" replacements. I think it will last a year or so and then be done.
Are you saying that Pippin will only last on Broadway for a year, or something else?
Asmeret!
(I haven't even seen this production yet...)
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/18/12
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