http://www.playbill.com/news/article/103367.html
Great casting!
Great news! I love Kelli O'Hara and I'm sure she'll be superb as Dot.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/20/06
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
I would have never thought of her for the role, but I think she will be amazing. I wish i could see this!
I must say, I do not think Kelli will work at all as Dot. The part is emotionally a challenge, and I'd be surprised to find Kelli picking up some of the underlying emotion hidden in the script. At least she'll sing the hell out of it!
Broadway Star Joined: 9/15/04
on some occasions, living in new york stinks
Broadway Star Joined: 10/15/06
I am totally going. I hate LA but it will be an excuse to visit my brother. I love her!!
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/20/06
Perhaps she will be triumphant in the role and might be cast in the London to Bway transfer...you never know...
Broadway Star Joined: 1/20/06
Enjoyed her in Light in the Piazza yet not to keen about seeing her play Dot, Reprise! casting (like Encores!) can either be ingenous (Jane Krakowski in Mack & Mabel) or a total misfire. I wonder who will be playing George...
I am mixed on this. I can definetly see her Singing the role and she will be fantastic in that aspect but I don't think the acting aspect is her type of role, but we'll se
Hmm... dunno whether she could make. I hope she could...
Jason Alexander is directing this? as in...George? (not Seurat, Costanza).
Akiva
Broadway Star Joined: 10/7/05
It will be tough for anyone to combat the memory of Bernadette Peters in the role.
But I can see her as young Dot. Old Dot, not so much. Still, Reprise! continues to attract top B'way stars into these semi-staged concert productions. Good for them, and for the West Coast audiences.
lc
Wow. I think that's a great choice. I wish I could see it.
So is the London revival transfering or not?
Yes, it's Jason Alexander from Seinfeld fame directing.
This casting is extremely exciting and I can't wait to see it.
Now, just bring in Neil Patrick Harris as George and I'll be thrilled as can be.
Broadway Star Joined: 1/20/06
Yes, as in George Constanza, he has won a Tony and has been in numerous Broadway shows including Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along.
EDIT: Ljay, the rumors that the London production is transferring are quite prominent and it will likely transfer; however, the Reprise! concert has nothing to do with the production that played in the West End. I'd be thrilled to see Neil Patrick Harris play George as well, I'm really not too happy with O'Hara's casting.
Updated On: 11/7/06 at 10:41 PM
After seeing Kelli as both Clara in Light in the Piazza and Babe in the Pajama Game I'm beginning to think she can do anything. I agree with Patronus, the only thing that's going to make this better is adding Neil Patrick Harris as George.
I know the productions aren't related. But if O'Hara is a smash in this, I'm sure they would try to get her for the transfer. As much as I would love Russell and Evans to transfer, it's unlikely. So if we can't get Russell for the transfer, I would be thrilled with O'Hara.
I think Marie will be a stretch for her acting wise, I think it'll really push her. I can't wait to hear what she does with the role.
Kelli is going to make a great Sally in Follies in like 15 years. It's obvious she will play that role when she's older. She's already played Young Sally!
Broadway Star Joined: 2/7/06
I think Kelli would make a great Dot and I wish I could see this production.
I know he has been on Boradway...I just didn't know he has directed anything.
Akiva
well i didn't think she could do babe either, so i have absolutley no reasons to doubt this casting.
more power to o'hara really breaking out of the ingenue mold.
Jason Alexander has directed a few plays in LA to generally unehthusiastic reviews. I'm anticipating he'll see this production as sa chance to prove himself as a director. I'm sure Kelli would love to play dot in the Broadway transfer of the London production (As fabulous as Jenna Russell was in the London production, American producers will want a pedigreed Broadway actress for the role).
Will Neil Patrick do the role in LA? I'm not sure he can afford t take time away from his sitcom's shooting schedule. I personally think James Barbour would be an ideal choice (he has a "cold" quality that would be perfect for the role). Mark Kudisch isn't available but he would have been perfect.
Malcolm Gets is a Reprise "regular" but I think he would be totally wrong as George.
Another interesting choice would be Hugh Panaro who did Merrily in concert at Reprise a few years ago.
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