New “Frozen” Casting!- Page 2

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 9/24/19 at 5:44pm

BritCrit said: "ClumsyDude15 said: "According to his Instagram, Joe Carroll is also leaving on the same day as Caissie and Patti.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2zs0Q7pWT3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link"

Which means that he can get to grow his beard back..."

Hahahaha! I actually thought about this too after I saw this post. I'm sure he's thrilled.  

Updated On: 9/24/19 at 05:44 PM

[Bell0708]

Posted: 9/24/19 at 5:49pm

BritCrit said: "RWPrincess said: "They've both been with the show for almost 3 years so not unexpected. Disney likes to move people around or use them elsewhere so I'm sure we will see both ladies again soon. I wonder if we might be getting some type of stunt cast for one of them. I'd love to see Christy Altomare as Anna if there isn't a stunt cast."

I think Stunt Casting could be possible (if it keeps Frozen open a few months more) but the characters should be the main stars. At the risk of sounding ageist, I would like actors who are closer to Elsa and Anna’s ages. In addition, the fear of a Pretty Woman effect (where the production closes just a few weeks after the new leads start) is uncomfortably tangible at the moment..."

 

I see your point and having not seen the show, I can't really speak on Frozen specifically.  However, there have been plenty of actors over 30 (some late 30's) who have played Elphaba and Glinda as college students and I can personally overlook that.

 

[BritCrit]

Posted: 9/24/19 at 5:59pm

Bell0708 said: "BritCrit said: "RWPrincess said: "They've both been with the show for almost 3 years so not unexpected. Disney likes to move people around or use them elsewhere so I'm sure we will see both ladies again soon. I wonder if we might be getting some type of stunt cast for one of them. I'd love to see Christy Altomare as Anna if there isn't a stunt cast."

I think Stunt Casting could be possible (if it keeps Frozen open a few months more) but the characters should be the main stars. At the risk of sounding ageist, I would like actors who are closer to Elsa and Anna’s ages. In addition, the fear of a Pretty Woman effect (where the production closes just a few weeks after the new leads start) is uncomfortably tangible at the moment..."



I see your point and having not seen the show, I can't really speak on Frozen specifically. However, there have been plenty of actors over 30 (some late 30's) who have played Elphaba and Glinda as college students and I can personally overlook that.

"

Fair enough. I guess it’s a matter of taste, and I am fully aware that my rules don’t apply in the world of animation, which is the medium Frozen is best in. But I feel like younger actresses can do a better job on stage for the reasons I mentioned. I guess everyone has a non-PC opinion or two...

 

[bdn223]

Posted: 9/24/19 at 6:27pm

BritCrit said: "Bell0708 said: "BritCrit said: "RWPrincess said: "They've both been with the show for almost 3 years so not unexpected. Disney likes to move people around or use them elsewhere so I'm sure we will see both ladies again soon. I wonder if we might be getting some type of stunt cast for one of them. I'd love to see Christy Altomare as Anna if there isn't a stunt cast."

I think Stunt Casting could be possible (if it keeps Frozen open a few months more) but the characters should be the main stars. At the risk of sounding ageist, I would like actors who are closer to Elsa and Anna’s ages. In addition, the fear of a Pretty Woman effect (where the production closes just a few weeks after the new leads start) is uncomfortably tangible at the moment..."



I see your point and having not seen the show, I can't really speak on Frozen specifically. However, there have been plenty of actors over 30 (some late 30's) who have played Elphaba and Glinda as college students and I can personally overlook that.

"

Fair enough. I guess it’s a matter of taste, and I am fully aware that my rules don’t apply in the world of animation, which is the medium Frozen is best in. But I feel like younger actresses can do a better job on stage for the reasons I mentioned. I guess everyone has a non-PC opinion or two...

"

Anna is 18 and Elsa is 20-21 throughout the entire plot of the show. Galinda and Elphaba go from 18-22 in Act 1 to their Mid to late 30’s by the end of the show, with the timeline of the second act being quite fuzzy. Don’t get me wrong I like Casey and Patti as actresses, but they are 38 and 39 playing characters half their age. It hurts the believability of Anna being so aloof when she is being played by a woman in her late 30s. 

As such I expect their replacements to be much closer   to their characters ages. In other words casting actresses in their late 20s.

I also wouldn’t be surprised if Disney announces Dove Cameron as the next Elsa with a POC playing Anna. 

[sparksatmidnight]

Posted: 9/24/19 at 6:31pm

Unless Frozen 2 does miracles for this, they might as well extend and close.

Also, even though I think wouldn't be able to play Anna and Elsa in a filmed version, I think they pass just fine on the stage.

[broadwayboy222]

Posted: 9/25/19 at 1:26am

In regards to West End casting, truly hoping and pulling for Celinde Schoenmaker to be cast as Elsa. Looks and vocally spot on for the role. However, she is 30, so she is on the older side of the 18-30 age range.

[Rainah]

Posted: 9/25/19 at 2:54am

I'm more concerned what age they look than what age they are. Reeve Carny plays fine against Eva in Hadestown despite being well over a decade older than her.

[BillyComet]

Posted: 9/25/19 at 6:50am

I don’t think that she would ever replace after two consecutive Leading Actress Tony nominations (and honestly, it probably wouldn’t be a great career move for either), but wouldn’t Eva Noblezada make SUCH an adorable Anna??

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 9/25/19 at 8:47am

Why are people saying that Frozen is going to close? Yes, it's (surprisingly) the least Disney show that's doing well. But, it can't be in danger to close? Do you guys think Hercules will come after?

[magictodo123]

Posted: 9/25/19 at 9:27am

I hope they already have people waiting in the wings to take over when Patti and Caissie leave...Is it too early to predict casting or wishing for certain people to take over?

[bdn223]

Posted: 9/25/19 at 10:12am

disneybroadwayfan22 said: "Why are people saying that Frozen is going to close? Yes, it's (surprisingly) the least Disney show that's doing well. But, it can't be in danger to close? Do you guys think Hercules will come after?"

Disney’s original plan was based on prior history once Frozen opened Aladdin would close about 1.5-2 years  later as Disney hasn’t been able to successfully have 3 shows on the boards since Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, and Aida*. The last of which was not sold as a Disney production. It follows a pattern of Beauty closing 8 months after Mary Poppins opened, Mary Poppins closing 1 year after Newsies opened, and Newsies closing 14 months after Aladdin opened.  Disney would then bring in a “limited”/tour based revival of Beauty and the Beast into the New Amsterdam, akin to the recent Cats, Miss Saigon, Bring it On, and now Lightning Thief productions. This would then close to make way for their newest musical at which point sounded like Hercules. Frozen’s middling box office, and Aladdin’s surprisingly strong staying power, has thrown a wrench in that. Add to the glowing reviews Hercules got over the summer. I can see Disney rearranging their plans now to having an out of town production or two of Hercules over the next year, with Frozen closing in August 2020/ January 2021 to make way for a Spring 2022 opening of Hercules.  

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 9/25/19 at 10:47am

Anyone else find it strange both ladies tweeted the exact same thing about their departure? As if it was scripted for them? I don’t know... just think that’s a weird look.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/25/19 at 10:52am

GreasedLightning said: "Anyone else find it strange both ladies tweeted the exact same thing about their departure? As if it was scripted for them? I don’t know... just think that’s a weird look."

It was announced via press release that both would be leaving at the same time. Nothing weird about coordinating media and consistency in messaging. It probably was scripted, or written in tandem.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 9/25/19 at 11:03am

That's great insight, bdn223! Honestly, I am expecting Frozen to close for Hercules. With its gigantic success and the best critical reviews Disney has seen in a long time, Disney would be extremely stupid to not transfer this after some tinkering. Honestly, if BATB is going to be a limited run like 9 out of 10 revivals, just replace Aladdin with Hercules since NA Theater is Disney-owned and then Frozen with BATB since St. James is public domain. 

GreasedLighting, I had the same feeling! Especially that Patti and Cassie had the same closing sentence. 

 

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 9/25/19 at 1:36pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "GreasedLightning said: "Anyone else find it strange both ladies tweeted the exact same thing about their departure? As if it was scripted for them? I don’t know... just think that’s a weird look."

It was announced via press release that both would be leaving at the same time. Nothing weird about coordinating media and consistency in messaging. It probablywasscripted, or written in tandem."

I didn’t say the coordinated media or consistent messaging was weird, just that it was strange they wrote the EXACT SAME THING. No originality to their message and, took the heart out of the words seeing it copy/pasted. Just an observation. 

 

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 9/25/19 at 2:22pm

I thought it was weirder that the message was released in September for February rather than the actual content of the message. Disney doesn't usually announce things until closer to the time they happen but Frozen seems to be treated differently from Aladdin and The Lion King.

In terms of wishful casting, I already mentioned Christy Altomare as Anna is high on my wish list. I also think Zach Adkins would make a good Hans. Kara Lindsay is available now with Beautiful closing so I'd add her name to the mix too along with her husband Kevin Massey for Hans. For stunt casts, if Tootsie closes, could Santino pull off Hans onstage? It may be too small of a role after Tootsie though. Kristen Bell as Anna would be great. However, I think the most realistic stunt cast would be Josh Gad as Olaf even though that role doesn't seem to be opening up at the moment. By realistic, I mean most likely to agree to do it.

[DinaW]

Posted: 9/25/19 at 2:44pm

As much as I would love to see Christy Altomare play Anna, I think there is a pretty good chance the standbys for Caissie and Patti, Alyssa Fox and Aisha Jackson, are gonna end up taking over the roles. While I haven't seen either of them perform, I've heard great things about both and Disney might not want to search too hard for newer actresses considering the Frozen creative team is busy trying to cast the West End version and getting ready for the North American Tour.

[magictodo123]

Posted: 9/26/19 at 7:55am

GreasedLightning said: "Anyone else find it strange both ladies tweeted the exact same thing about their departure? As if it was scripted for them? I don’t know... just think that’s a weird look."

I WAS THNKING THE SAME THING!!! Like...why?