NYCC Grand Hotel- Page 2

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 1:50pm

Uranowitz is certainly slighter, which is physically in line with Michael Jeter, but I don't think Burstein would be considered a radical departure. And besides, the point of a revival/new staging is not to slavishly reconstruct the original. 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 1:55pm

True. Though its a little hard imagining Danny Burstein as he currently is wearing shirts and pants that are practically falling off him because he has lost so much weight. And all those lines about him being 'light as a feather.' etc.

[msmp]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 2:09pm

QueenAlice said: "Thanks for pointing that out. Actually, as I look at it more, this cast seems entirely appropriate. The show is the star. I just hope Josh Rhodes can capture the Tommy Tune magic doing his own thing."

This is how I feel. I think the casting is spot-on in terms of featuring both talent and the book/music of the show itself.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 2:18pm

I'd never heard of Stephanie Styles, but looking her up on the web, she is rather delicious. I think she'll potentially be a wonderful Flemchen.

[BroadwayBeebe]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 2:35pm

Ever since this was announced I was hoping Rob McClure was going to be Otto.

Still really excited to see this though.

[Kimbo]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 3:01pm

BroadwayBeebe said: "Ever since this was announced I was hoping Rob McClure was going to be Otto.

Still really excited to see this though. "

Do we not think there’s at least a tiny chance they need to be saving Rob McClure for their very next show, to play Bill Snibson in Me and My Girl? (which is a much more demanding role anyway, and can make use of all his physical comedy, plus his experience at playing British characters from Chaplin to Where’s Charley to Noises Off).  

I’ve been hard-pressed to think of someone more right for that role since they announced it last spring?

 

Updated On: 2/14/18 at 03:01 PM

[JSquared2]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 3:13pm

Kimbo said: "BroadwayBeebe said: "Ever since this was announced I was hoping Rob McClure was going to be Otto.

Still really excited to see this though. "

Do we not think there’s at least a tiny chance they need to be saving Rob McClure for their very next show, to play Bill Snibson in Me and My Girl? (which is a much more demanding role anyway, and can make use of all his physical comedy, plus his experience at playing British characters from Chaplin to Where’s Charley to Noises Off).

I’ve been hard-pressed to think of someone more right for that role since they announced it last spring?

I'm pretty sure Rob McClure is still in the SOMETHING ROTTEN Tour --- which runs through the end of May. 

 

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 3:30pm

Yes, McClure is on the road with Something Rotten and is contracted to stay through the end of the tour.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 4:46pm

Add me to the list of those who find this cast completely underwhelming (save for Uranowitz). How much would I have loved to see Bebe Neuwirth as Elizaveta or the incredible Annaleigh Ashford--or even Megan Sikora--as Flaemmchen. I guess I'll be skipping this one--a surprisingly lukewarm cast for such an incredible show. 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 4:54pm

Ray -- that rationale is, forgive me, silly.

Neuwirth isn't really right for that role, and I don't think would be very convincing as a vulnerable Russian ballet dancer. Irina Dvorovenko starred in ON YOUR TOES at Encores and apparently was wonderful. She makes a lot more sense.

And Flaemmchen is supposed to be 19. This is not a part for two well established women in their 30s. Shouldn't we be happy they are casting a breakout unknown in that part?
 
This is not a show about star casting. It's the definition of ensemble musical.

Updated On: 2/14/18 at 04:54 PM

[Allegra23]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 5:49pm

Styles was very lovely in The Bobby Darin Story with Groff.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 5:58pm

I had been hoping for Bryce Pinkham as the Baron, but I LOVED James Snyder in Fanny at Encores. I think he will be fantastic.

[Wicked Fanatic]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 6:52pm

The article at Playbill tells which roles they're playing.

http://www.playbill.com/article/brandon-uranowitz-stephanie-styles-james-snyder-and-more-set-for-encores-grand-hotel

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 7:50pm

This cast is so unexciting... I am kind of regretting buying a ticket.

[tomwsjr]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 8:28pm

Updated On: 2/14/18 at 08:28 PM

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 8:29pm

There is no role for Charlie Stemp in this. Maybe when he’s 45.

[yfs]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 9:16pm

QueenAlice said: "There is no role for Charlie Stemp in this. Maybe when he’s 45."

Charlie Stemp just went into DOLLY. There's no chance Scot Rudin would let him out for Grand Hotel or Me and My Girl, which he might be great in. 

 

 

 

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 2/14/18 at 11:17pm

QueenAlice said: "Ray -- that rationale is, forgive me, silly.

Neuwirth isn't really right for that role, and I don't think would be very convincing as a vulnerable Russian ballet dancer. Irina Dvorovenko starred in ON YOUR TOES at Encores and apparently was wonderful. She makes a lot more sense.

And Flaemmchen is supposed to be 19. This is not a part for two well established women in their 30s. Shouldn't we be happy they are casting a breakout unknown in that part?

This is not a show about star casting. It's the definition of ensemble musical."

QueenAlice, I get your point and I am probably being silly, but Jane Krakowski’s “I Want to Go to Hollywood” is one of my all-time favorite recordings of a showtune and I always hoped one of my favorite Broadway actresses would be cast im this production. I’m sure The actress playing Flaemmchen will do great. But for an Encores! production I am simply underwhelmed and will not be making my way to City Center like I had planned. I’m sure they’ll do great and that you will all enjoy it.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 2:48am

Encores! star casting hasn't been what it used to be, I did not expect any names in this cast. Besides it's not a star show. Uranowitz who I loved in Falsettos and James Snyder who I've adored for years are pleasant surprises in my book.

Hoping for Jane to reprise IS silly, and I'm sure most of the other big names people wished for have other projects to work on. The point of Encores! isn't dream casting, it's showing off the music.

I'm still immensely excited for it.

[Mr. Musical]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 9:53am

Am I the only one who thinks Uranowitz (despite being a wonderful performer) is way too young for this?

[Kad]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 10:10am

Uranowitz is only 6 years younger than Michael Jeter was.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 10:52am

I read the novel of GRAND HOTEL recently and the casting for the Encores production is actually a bit more faithful to the ages of the characters in the book than even the original Broadway production was.

In the novel, the ballerina is about 40. Flaemchen is 19. Otto is in his 30s. The Baron is in his late 20s.

The thing that will make this production an interesting curiosity for Encores, is that unlike most productions they produce, the 'star' of the original was not the score and not the cast. it was the staging. I think rather than scrutinize if the cast is 'exciting' or not - we should be crossing our fingers that Josh Rhodes will be able to make the staging sensational, since that is what is going to make or break the success of the endeavor.

[newintown]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 10:54am

Can Uranowitz sing those high notes? I've only heard his baritone range.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 10:58am

I've never really thought of Otto has a very rangy role. How high does he sing?

[newintown]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 11:04am

Several high As, including a long sustained one at the end of "We'll Take A Glass." And "Table With A View" and "Who Couldn't Dance" sits for some time around E above middle C.