NYTimes article on Star Power on Broadway

[musikman]

Posted: 9/26/10 at 11:15pm

I didn't know that Night Music officially recouped??

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/theater/27recast.html?hp

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 9/26/10 at 11:34pm

Pat Healy is a great reporter, but when he says that the ALNM producers didn't try to replace CZJ with a big film star, he's dead wrong. This was reported in many places back in June and July. There are very few film stars that were NOT approached, and the show actually posted a closing notice before Bernadette first entered the picture.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 9/27/10 at 4:06am

I think Brooke Shields turned it down. She didn't want to be a replacement yet again and signed to do "Leap of Faith" instead. Who are the other high profile stars that turned it down?
And yes, the show announced its closing notice. I heard that Sondheim approached Peters and that Peters also approached the producers to be in this production. I'm happy she did, she did keep this great show open! And I give her props for it.

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 9/27/10 at 12:11pm

Think of all of the movies stars between 35 and 45 you can think of, and from what I've heard, you can assume that virtually all of them were approached.

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/27/10 at 12:30pm

I know shows don't HAVE to announce their recoupment. But I think it's odd ALNM didn't. I hope it's true.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 9/27/10 at 2:21pm

Does this mean that if and when "Leap of Faith" lands in Broadway, then is it likely that Brooke Shields will still be on board? Eh. from RC in Austin, Texas

[ggersten]

Posted: 9/27/10 at 4:39pm

(CZJ is 41)
As for the stars who may or may not have been asked:
Michele Pfeiffer is 52.
Meryl Streep is 61.
Can Cameron Diaz sing? She's 38.
Teri Hatcher is 46. (probably too busy with TV)
Christina Applegate?

[maguli]

Posted: 9/28/10 at 11:17am

"How do you recast roles that grow to be heavily identified with widely recognized actors?" -- Good casting and less closed-minded PR?

I think the producers who can find the next Barbara, the next Patti Lupone, the next Sutton Foster are going to have something really great on their hands. A fresh face, a no-name, but actual TALENT.

As for Night Music, I am of the opinion that they should revoke CZJ's Tony and give it to Bernadette.

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/28/10 at 12:03pm

As for Night Music, I am of the opinion that they should revoke CZJ's Tony and give it to Bernadette.

Wow, you're an idiot.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 9/28/10 at 1:44pm

Why is it so unbelievable to you guys that the producers are looking for replacements? Wouldn't you want the show to run as long as possible (while still turning a profit) if you were a producer?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/28/10 at 2:00pm

Glenn Close was considered

Some of the British actresses were considered but I think were cast aside because they weren't as well known by US audiences.

At one point, someone was dreaming about Reese Witherspoon as either Anne or Petra.

[madbrian]

Posted: 9/28/10 at 2:04pm

If I were dreaming of a Petra, I'd start with Scarlett Johansson. Witherspoon is far too old for Anne.

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/28/10 at 2:26pm

Nunn wanted Glenn Close like eight years ago. But she wasn't considered for the Broadway transfer. Nunn was extremely specific about having a younger Desiree. Though he caved in with Peters' casting.