After thinking about this a little more, I'm going hands-down with Emily Skinner (hehe. E-skins. I like that.) She's got that big, brassy, voice and is a heck of an actress. Though I wouldn't complain if Carolee was booked.
I agree, Idina would be a horrible choice, and I'm a big Idina fan. I mean, she could technically sing the songs, but it would just be/feel/seem ...off ..somehow.
There's always room for pathos - and jazz hands.