Norton, Baldwin and Jackson to Star in Encores! Finian's Rainbow March 26-29

[Rob]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 9:41am

Click Here to Read Norton, Baldwin and Jackson to Star in Encores! Finian's Rainbow March 26-29

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 9:45am

yawn...sad they couldn't get a better cast.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 9:46am

How do you define "better"?

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 9:49am

this is a...surprising cast. I love Kate Baldwin and Cheyenne though, and I know my mom will be happy to see Jim Norton. I'm curious as to the rest of the cast, especially Og (I'm going out on a limb and saying Cheyenne is not playing Og).

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 9:49am

Dammit! I assumed NORTON, BALDWIN AND JACKSON meant:

Ed Norton, Alec Baldwin and Samuel Jackson.

I agree... the cast they chose is one big tired borefest. Cheyenne Jackson is wearing-out his Encores! bit to death.

He needs to give Falcon Studio a call. They've been waiting way too long for him to make a decision.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 9:59am

"How do you define "better"?"

Malcolm, Melissa and Max.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 10:03am

I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that they get Malcolm Gets. I'm also curious as to who they'll cast as Senator Rawkins and Susan. I would love to see them get a ballet student or something for Susan, but I also think Jessica Lee Goldyn would be wonderful.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 10:35am

I'm fond of the score, but this annoucement is yawn-inducing.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 10:56am

I had sworn not to see this because I'd seen it several times and was even in a production many years ago. In my imagination, I had said, well, I'd only break my promise to myself if Cheyenne were in it. Well, he is and I'm going. The role's a perfect fit for him. And what else has Cheyenne done at Encores! except Damn Yankees? I hardly think that constitutes wearing out his welcome.

Updated On: 2/26/09 at 10:56 AM

[Mimi2]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 12:19pm

How about Norbert Leo Butz as Og?

[Jon]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 2:09pm

...or Roger Bart.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 2:46pm

I don't care. I like Jackson, so I'll be there. He's worth my $10.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 3:50pm

He's worth the family jewels as far as I'm concerned.

[RyToast1]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 4:18pm

Cheyenne is playing Woody. I don't know the show that well, so I have no idea who that is, but that's who he's playing.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 4:39pm

I think the cast is very exciting with the possible exception of Ms. Baldwin. I am very fond of her voice, but have never seen her in a lead role, in a classic musical comedy. Then again, there is no one in my mind who really screams Sharon. Roger Bart would be excellent, but I was thinking Norbert Leo Butz originally.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 5:35pm

RyToast, Woody's the romantic lead in Finian's Rainbow. His big numbers are Old Devil Moon, If This Isn't Love and, as part of the ensemble, Great Come and Get It Day. I'm wondering if they'll use the original book or the sanitized version that was done at the Irish Rep a few years ago. Anyone know the answer to that one?

[RyToast1]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 5:49pm

Generally they try to stick to the original.

[karen24]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 9:11pm

How was the Irish Rep version "sanitized"? I'm just curious as I hadn't heard that, and I can't picture what would have been taken out. Was it something to do with "The Begat"?

I have mixed feelings about seeing this show again. I have always felt that while the score is wonderful, some of the book is just really...cloying, I guess is the word I'd use. Just a bit too arch and cutesy in places. But maybe that's just me. I do love the music.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 2/26/09 at 9:25pm

The Irish Rep version toned down some of the aspects that might have been considered politically incorrect by that time. The issue of racial stereotyping has deterred producers from doing a full-fledged revival of the show, as originally written. Specifically, the transformation of Hawkins into a black man being considered a degrading punishment wouldn't fly today and hasn't flown since the late 60's. It's a shame, because the score is glorious. But, times change, mores change.