More Broadway for Zachary Levi?

[TheBroadwayBubble]

Posted: 5/18/19 at 11:53am

I heard during a recent Q&A panel that Zachary Levi would love to do more onstage, specifically- Guys and Dolls and Little Shop of Horrors. What would you like to see him do, I ADORED him in She Loves Me, and he could bring in lots of people with his fame from Shazam! and Chuck.

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 5/18/19 at 12:42pm

Both are good, if not obvious, choices for him. I would like to see him originate a role. There won't be a Big Fish revival any time soon, but he would make a great Edward Bloom.

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 5/18/19 at 12:54pm

If he’s interested in replacing, I could see him taking over Tootsie for Santino. Maybe even just for his vacation or something.

[Valentina3]

Posted: 5/18/19 at 1:03pm

He'd could also be a good King George III replacement if Hamilton wanted some free advertisement

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 5/18/19 at 1:20pm

Is he married?

[TheBroadwayBubble]

Posted: 5/18/19 at 1:54pm

SmoothLover said: "Is he married?"

He's been divorced for a few years.

[JennH]

Posted: 5/18/19 at 1:59pm

TOOTSIE. I didn't think of that but seemingly he'd make a GREAT replacement when Santino leaves, possibly even be better as Zach has way better comic timing. Not that Santino is bad from what I've heard but having seen both men on stage and met Zach for all of two seconds back when, his comedy style would totally fit Tootsie.

And no he isn't married. He was back in 2014/15 but it didn't last long. 

And originating a role...I honestly think if he worked on his singing, especially his tenor range, he'd make a fantastic Hercules. He's a goofball but can totally access the sweet, earnest side of Herc as well. Frankly I think it could win him the Tony...and I don't say those things lightly. Sidenote, that I'm not much for superhero films, I didn't grow up on comics. I only saw Shazam for Zach alone, and I had an absolute ball. TOTALLY his style, and hopefully this will be his turn to propel him into bigger, better projects. 

Updated On: 5/18/19 at 01:59 PM

[TheBroadwayBubble]

Posted: 5/18/19 at 2:04pm

I know there's lots of projects that he's working on right now, but I would love to see him in the new Guys and Dolls film. What's the progress like on that?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/18/19 at 4:10pm

I'd love a Guys and Dolls revival but I can't decide if Zachary Levi would be better as Nathan or Sky.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 5/18/19 at 4:15pm

CATSNYrevival said: "I'd love a Guys and Dolls revival but I can't decide if Zachary Levi wouldbe better as Nathan or Sky."

 

He has the look of a Sky, but I think his personality is better for Nathan. 

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 5/18/19 at 7:18pm

I thought he was so so in Sunday In The Park at City Center but I liked him in the 2nd season of Mrs. Maisel. Does anyone know him? Is he a nice guy?

[Andres_Zayas]

Posted: 5/18/19 at 7:45pm

I know David Hyde Pierce was what really made the show, but I’d love to see Levi play Lieutenant Frank Cioffi in Curtains if it’s ever revived

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 5/18/19 at 8:21pm

JennH said: "And originating a role...I honestly think if he worked on his singing, especially his tenor range, he'd make a fantastic Hercules. He's a goofball but can totally access the sweet, earnest side of Herc as well."

That would be adorable.

I'm not sold on Guys and Dolls. Peter Gallagher was so suave. 

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 5/18/19 at 8:25pm

ALBERT. PETERSON.

He'd be a delightful Harold Hill after Jackman. On paper, I think he's a little wrong for both Sky and Nathan in G&D.

I actually wonder how much of a draw he would be for audiences if he headlined a Broadway show. Shazam! was released 6 weeks ago yet it seems almost forgotten by now. She Loves Me really didn't sell with him + Benanti + Krakowski, and First Date definitely didn't sell. 2019 is probably the peak of his Box Office power.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 5/18/19 at 8:56pm

SomethingPeculiar said: "ALBERT. PETERSON."

Oh my God, yes. Duh.

I don't think he's a big draw to people who aren't already fans. Even with Shazam, I feel like Tangled is the most mainstream thing he's done and even then, that's voice work. 

But star casting is a weird thing. Why can Adam Driver sell Burn This when Emilia Clarke couldn't sell Breakfast at Tiffany's?

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 5/18/19 at 9:07pm

I agree about him taking over for Santino. He would be great as Michael and Dorothy.

He’s also a self professed Disney geek so I could see him as a stunt cast in Frozen(Hans or Kristoff) or in the Beauty and the Beast revival as the Beast or maybe Lumiere.

[Vigoroftheyouth]

Posted: 5/18/19 at 9:17pm

He’s such a nice guy! I saw First Date a bunch of times and saw him in She Loves Me twice. He’s got a big heart and a goofy personality.

I’m not sure what role I’d like to see him in though. Pomatter?

[The Other One]

Posted: 5/19/19 at 10:12am

I doubt anyone would want to revive it again, but he would be a perfect Chuck in Promises, Promises, wouldn’t he?

[JennH]

Posted: 5/19/19 at 10:51am

He's extremely nice from what I can tell. I don't stage door anymore except for a few exceptions and he was one of them when I saw She Loves Me. Gracious as heck, and good lord he's SO TALL. Random I know, but I just wasn't expecting that. If you don't follow him on Twitter, you should. 

Ohhhh Pomatter....I'd see that FOR SURE.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 5/19/19 at 11:06am

When SmoothLover asked if he was a nice guy, the question was directed to anyone who might know him personally. Not to people who have met him at the stage door. 

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 5/19/19 at 12:33pm

JBroadway said: "When SmoothLover asked if he was a nice guy, the question was directed to anyone who might know him personally. Not to people who have met him at the stage door."

Touché. I was referring to artists that have worked with him. I was chuckling at some of the responses.

 

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 5/19/19 at 12:34pm

VintageSnarker said: "But star casting is a weird thing. Why can Adam Driver sell Burn This when Emilia Clarke couldn't sell Breakfast at Tiffany's?"

Maybe because I came to Game of Thrones a little later, but I feel like six years ago it hadn't quite hit the pop-culture, frenzied peak it is at now; season 3 just started airing during at the same time Breakfast at Tiffany's was up and running, and for those who hadn't read the books the Red Wedding was still a month and a half away after Breakfast at Tiffany's closed.

The show also got slammed by the critics, and rightfully so. It was excruciatingly slow and dull, and intermission walk outs were pretty common during its short run.

[magictodo123]

Posted: 5/20/19 at 8:16am

Dr. Pomatter

 

Kidding 

[Fosse76]

Posted: 5/20/19 at 11:05am

SomethingPeculiar said: "I actually wonder how much of a draw he would be for audiences if he headlined a Broadway show.Shazam!was released 6 weeks ago yet it seemsalmost forgotten by now. She Loves Mereally didn't sell with him + Benanti + Krakowski, andFirst Datedefinitely didn't sell. 2019 is probably the peak of his Box Office power."

Are you saying he should only be cast for name recognition? He probably isn't any more well known to the general population than Bernadette Peters, who couldn't sell Hello, Dolly. The reality is only stars with major wattage can sell tickets to any property, no matter how bad the show (think China Doll and Al Pacino). Anyone else would not only need to be good in the show, the show also needs to be appealing. 

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 5/20/19 at 12:02pm

Fosse76 said: "Are you saying he should only be cast for name recognition? He probably isn't any more well known to the general population than Bernadette Peters, who couldn't sell Hello, Dolly. The reality is only stars with major wattage can sell tickets to any property, no matter how bad the show (think China Doll and Al Pacino). Anyone else would not only need to be good in the show, the show also needs to be appealing."


Not exclusively on name recognition, but I have to believe his perceived "star-power" was a major reason for casting him in She Loves Me and First Date. If he's making more than your average Will Roland/Beth Leavel type (which his agents would absolutely demand outside of a non-profit setting) and if he's being billed prominently, then yes he would be expected to sell a substantial number of tickets. Unless he was playing second-fiddle to Helen Mirren or Bryan Cranston.

Also, not to split hairs, but Bernadette's average gross for her run in DOLLY was $986,108 per week. Strong grosses for someone following Bette Midler in a beloved musical. I would be surprised if Zach Levi grossed that much in a musical with similar name-value.

Updated On: 5/20/19 at 12:02 PM