"Originating" a Broadway Role

[best12bars]

"Originating" a Broadway Role#0

Posted: 9/23/05 at 11:01am

A lot has been mentioned lately about Stephanie J. Block being the "original" Elphaba in WICKED during its workshop phases, then Idina stepping in in SF and taking over the role, bringing the show to Broadway... and the rest is history.

I believe this is all part of the natural creative process of mounting a major Broadway show, and has been for years. While I in no way take away from Stephanie's contribrution to Wicked in its early development, I still will always think of Idina Menzel as the "original" Broadway Elphaba.

It got me thinking... This is not the first time a new performer was brought in prior to a show's opening in New York, going on to win fame and glory. Others come to mind, but I wonder if any of you have stories or names to share!

The one that comes to mind right away is Andrea McArdle in "Annie." She was a part of the show out of town (as Pepper, I believe), then replaced the girl in the lead prior to the show coming into New York. Anyone know the story behind that?

Also Paul Newman was hired as an understudy, then the paper boy for the original cast of "Picnic," but while they were out of town he stepped into the part of Alan (the second male lead), and took the show to New York.

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

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blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

[munkustrap178]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#1

Posted: 9/23/05 at 11:03am

Well, everyone knows about the Betty Buckley/Bernadette Peters INTO THE WOODS thing...that's the only one I can think of off the top of my head.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

[best12bars]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#2

Posted: 9/23/05 at 11:05am

Okay, maybe not. That's a new one on me. I do know that Ellen Foley ("Night Court" and "Paradise By the Dashboard Lights") played the Witch in the San Diego out-of-town try-out for Into the Woods. But I don't know the Betty Buckley story. Do tell!

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

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blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

[best12bars]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#3

Posted: 9/23/05 at 11:11am

Okay, just thought of another one...

Movie star Jean Arthur was replaced out of town by Judy Holliday as Billie Dawn in "Born Yesterday." Talk about a star-defining role!

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

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blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

[WonderBoy]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#4

Posted: 9/23/05 at 11:27am

Lainie Kazan getting replaced out of town by one of her best friends and neighbor, Michelle Lee in SEESAW.

Faye Dunaway getting replaced by Glenn Close in SUNSET BLVD.

"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds." ~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns

[pndmnd]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#5

Posted: 9/23/05 at 11:43am

I'm sure that I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, but we all know that Sutton Foster stepped up from the Chorus for Millie. I believe that Kristin Chenowith was who they originally had in mind.

[JKM2159]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#6

Posted: 9/23/05 at 11:45am

Kristin Chenoweth did the workshop, but Erin Dily was playing the role when Sutton Foster stepped up.

[RockabyeHamlet]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#7

Posted: 9/23/05 at 11:50am

And Brittney Kissinger replaced Joanna Pachinni (sp?) in Annie 20th.

"I wouldn't let Esparza's Bobby take my kids to the zoo...I'd be afraid he'd steal their ice cream and laugh."- YankeeFan
"People who like Sondheim enjoy cruelty."-LuvtheEmcee

[FOAnatic]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#8

Posted: 9/23/05 at 11:54am

Kristin Chenoweth said in an interview that she was NOT supposed to play Millie. She was intended to play Miss Dorothy but had to back out because of scheduling conflicts.

"I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about." - Oscar Wilde

[theatrebabe]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#9

Posted: 9/23/05 at 12:04pm

Joel Grey replaced someone as the wizard after the out-of-town run. What was his name? Can't remember.

"While some feel it is a film related question, I seem to think it may be a 'I am thinking of losing my winkie' sort of question."
-cheezedoodle

[theatrebabe]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#10

Posted: 9/23/05 at 12:04pm

Joel Grey replaced someone as the wizard after the out-of-town run. What was his name? Can't remember.

"While some feel it is a film related question, I seem to think it may be a 'I am thinking of losing my winkie' sort of question."
-cheezedoodle

[MagicToDo82]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#11

Posted: 9/23/05 at 12:07pm

Joel Grey replaced Robert Morse:)

There's always room for pathos - and jazz hands.

[MargoChanning]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#12

Posted: 9/23/05 at 12:08pm

Robert Morse (Tony winner for How To Succeed)

"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

[MargoChanning]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#13

Posted: 9/23/05 at 12:08pm

"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

Updated On: 9/23/05 at 12:08 PM

[Michael Bennett]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#14

Posted: 9/23/05 at 12:16pm

Kristin Vigard was Annie at Goodspeed originally. It was decided that she was "too sweet" and that the material really warrented a tougher Annie to keep the show from falling into Schmaltzville, and Vigard was replaced by Andrea McArdle.

Vigard actually came back to the production as McArdle's standby on Broadway.

[My Name in Lights]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#15

Posted: 9/23/05 at 12:17pm

Matt Morrison in HAIRSPRAY was not supposed to originate the role. I believe he was the understudy and MJW asked that he be the replacement for the original person, when the original left for whatever reason.

[Michael Bennett]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#16

Posted: 9/23/05 at 12:19pm

James Carpinello was originally supposed to be Link. Different soruces say different things about why he left the production.

[Fosse76]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#17

Posted: 9/23/05 at 12:20pm

Glenn Close did not replace Faye Dunaway. It was vice-versa (but she couldn't sing at all, and the show was shut down. Glenn Close replace LuPone for Broadway.

[best12bars]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#18

Posted: 9/23/05 at 12:25pm

These are all really great!

re: SUNSET BLVD.

This is the way I understood it. (Someone, please correct me if I'm wrong.)

Patti originated the role in London and was supposed to play Norma on Broadway.

EDIT: Dunnaway was supposed to open the Los Angeles company, but was replaced before it opened with much embarassment and ALW apologies by Glenn Close. A little while later, strange things started happening, and Patti was NOT going to Broadway. There was more public humiliation and apologies, etc.

The Los Angeles production (which was running full-steam) was shut down. And the entire cast, with the exception of Judy Kuhn who was pregnant, became the Broadway company and opened the show in NYC.

So I guess Glenn replaced Dunnaway in L.A., and then LuPone in NYC.

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

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blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

Updated On: 9/23/05 at 12:25 PM

[robbiej]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#19

Posted: 9/23/05 at 12:37pm

I thought Close was always doing LA and Dunnaway was replacing her. Can anyone confirm?

"I'm so looking forward to a time when all the Reagan Democrats are dead."

[best12bars]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#20

Posted: 9/23/05 at 12:42pm

As far as I know, Close was always the replacer, not the replacee.

But I too would love to know if anyone has the scoop!

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

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blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

[WonderBoy]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#21

Posted: 9/23/05 at 12:43pm

That sounds right best12bars. Patti was brilliant and should have opened on Broadway. She and Betty were the best Norma's in SUNSET. However, even though she couldn't sing it I bet Faye would have been absolutely amazing in that role!

"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds." ~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns

[Jon]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#22

Posted: 9/23/05 at 1:19pm

By the way, Chenoweth also played Queenie in the first workshop/reading of Lippa's THE WILD PARTY at the O'Neill Festival.

Of course, there are numerous cases of actors being replaced during previews or out-of-town try-outs:

Hans Conreid replacing David Burns (who literally dropped dead on stage)in 70 GIRLS, 70.

Steve Barton replacing Roger Rees in THE RED SHOES

Jim Walton replacing Jim Weissenbach in MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG

Josie DeGuzman replacing Carolyn Mignini in the GUYS AND DOLLS revival.

Susan Watson and Jack Gilford replacing Carole Demas and Hiram Sherman in the NO NO NANETTE revival.

Actor/playwright Larry Shue played Rev. Crisparkle in THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD in Central Park, but was killed in an auto accident. Jerome Martin played the role on Broadway.

Similarly, Patricia Routledge played Ruth in PIRATES OF PENZANCE in the park, but Etelle Parsons played it on Broadway.

When the revival of ON THE TOWN was remounted on Broadway, A LOT of the cast was different - but it took over a year for the tranfer. The same is true of the Broadway remounting of WONDERFUL TOWN.


Updated On: 9/23/05 at 01:19 PM

[Borstalboy]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#23

Posted: 9/23/05 at 1:26pm

So did Marin Mazzie at one point.

I also remember hearing that Brian D'Arcy James was going to be in DRS at one point...

"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” ~ Muhammad Ali

Updated On: 9/23/05 at 01:26 PM

[best12bars]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#24

Posted: 9/23/05 at 1:30pm

Come to think of it... I had also heard that LaChanze was the original Sarah in the workshop of Ragtime. Something fell apart in the negotiations for the Toronto/Broadway mounting, and she dropped out.

Ironically, she ended up playing the part in the "American Premiere" production in L.A., and went on to replace Audra in in the Broadway company.

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

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blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22