"Originating" a Broadway Role- Page 3

[Jon]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#50

Posted: 9/23/05 at 11:06pm

Yes - "Sarah Brown Eyes" was written for Audra (well, a duet for Audra and Stokes) after rehearsals had already started. It's not on the original "concept" recording. Otherwise, Sarah would never appear in Act II until the finale.

[Sant]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#51

Posted: 9/24/05 at 5:58am

re: SUNSET BOULEVARD

Glenn Close did NOT replace Dunaway in L.A. Close auditioned for the role in LONDON before the U.S. production was even in the works. She got the role and was hired to lead the L.A. cast. At this point Patti was still heading to Broadway.

Dunaway was not in the 'picture' at this point.

When SB opened in L.A. Close received such a great response and reviews that the producers wanted her to play the role on Broadway. Enter Dunaway. She was contracted to play Norma in the L.A. production AFTER Close. Close's final performance was scheduled for June 26 and Dunaway's first performance was scheduled for July 5. June 21 Dunaway got the notice that her deal was off and the show would close June 26, the day of Close's final performance and the cast would transfer to Broadway.

LuPone had received not-so-good reviews by a NY reporter who saw the show in London and because Close had had such a great reviews and response, the producers wanted to play it safe and have a big name leading the cast to make sure there'd be a huge advance sales on Broadway. So Patti was out and Close was in.
Updated On: 9/24/05 at 05:58 AM

[djjd007]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#52

Posted: 9/24/05 at 2:51pm

"She (Alice Ripley) was a virtual unknown in the chorus of TOMMY"

Totally untrue. She was Marcia Mitzman's understudy and I couldn't be happier that Ms. M was out the day I saw the show and I got Alice. From the moment she set foot on that stage, I knew she was something special. Honestly, I can't believe she didn't land the part first.

Now why she didn't choose (or wasn't chosen to) continue with LITTLE SHOP is beyond me. She would've been much better than white toast - I mean - Kerry Butler.

[best12bars]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#53

Posted: 9/24/05 at 3:00pm

You actually just mentioned another one... Alice Ripley was replaced by Kerry Butler, prior to NYC for "Little Shop."

Wasn't most of the cast replaced, except for Hunter Foster?

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

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blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

[broadwaystar2b]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#54

Posted: 9/24/05 at 4:06pm

Lorna Luft was supposed to be the first American Grizabella in Cats but was replaced by Betty Buckley
And ALL of the cast was fired and then Hunter was rehired for LSOH

[Michael Bennett]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#55

Posted: 9/24/05 at 4:17pm

Lorna Luft never actually had a contract for CATS. She claims that she was told the role was hers after auditioning, but obviously there is some room for interpretation there...

[RumTumTugger22]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#56

Posted: 9/24/05 at 5:08pm

Brad Oscar replaced the actor who was Franz Liebkind originally. I forget his name however. But I believe we all na say it was a good choice.

CAGES OR WINGS? WHICH DO YOU PREFER? ASK THE BIRDS. FEAR OR LOVE, BABY? DON'T SAY THE ANSWER, ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.

[TheatreDiva90016]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#57

Posted: 9/24/05 at 5:36pm

I've seen the rehearsal footage of Faye as Norma (Yes, there is footage) and she was horrible. Not just bad, but reeking.

Also, just another tidbit, Patti told me that she now knows that her first official announcement about playing the role of Norma was to me, while she was good and drunk, in the bathroom at the Queen Mary, with me in full drag.

Good times…

"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>> “I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>> -whatever2

[Michael Bennett]

re: 'Originating' a Broadway Role#58

Posted: 9/24/05 at 5:58pm

Oh wow. Does Faye *sing* in those clips? Does she wave a coat hanger around?