Other "Stars" Who Auditioned for CHARITY...

[AnothaPartofMe]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 5:47pm

Wayne Cilento mentions in an online video clip for SWEET CHARITY that Christina Applegate was "the only 'star' to get through the dance audition"... who else auditioned for the role? I know Paula Abdul was tied to the project about 10 years ago, but was she up for possibly this time frame of a revival? Who else was there?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 5:54pm

Well, Jenna Elfman, Marissa Tomei, and Jane Krakowski were all attached to the project at some point.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 6:02pm

Yeah, but I'm pretty sure Jane Krakowski did pass the dance audition.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 6:04pm

I'm sure she did too. She was in the workshop and had that big fight with Neil Simon.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 6:26pm

I'm not sure, but I do know that Applegate was one of the ten actresses who conducted "work sessions" with Rob Marshall for the role of Roxie Hart in the film of CHICAGO.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 6:33pm

oh really? who are the other 8? I mean I assume Zellweger was part of the 10. I really liked her in Charity but I don't think she'd have been a great Roxie in the movie. Unlike some people, I believe that Zellweger made a great Roxie in the film.

[Horton]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 6:43pm

I also know the Kristen C. was up for the film Clicago,

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 10:44pm

Yeah--Jane Krakowski was supposed to do it but got fired when she got into a fight with Neil Simon during the workshop.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 10:46pm

It sucks because she'd make a great replacement after Applegate leaves the show. What was the fight about? Anyways, I hope we get to see her as Miss Adelaide sometime soon. I didn't know Kristin Chenoweth was up to play Roxie, I don't think back when the movie was released her name was big enough to carry the movie. I do know Nicole Kidman was considered for the movie, but I don't know which role she was supposed to play.

[justme2]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 10:49pm

Who HASN'T scrapped with Neil Simon lately. I keep reading these stories of how terrible he is to work with. Is this really true? Or is it all a bit of hyperbole?

BTW ...I read that Jane said something in rehearsal like "I can't read this dialogue..it's sexist!" and Simon replied.."Don't worry, you won't have to".

Take that with a grain of salt, though..I'm only repeating something I have read here and in the NY times.

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 10:49pm

She had issues with how Simon was rewriting the book.

So he basically fired her.

[justme2]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 10:51pm

There you are...

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 10:54pm

Well, I loved Applegate in the role, but would love to see Krakowski in it as well, looks like it won't happen I guess. Apparently Simon and Arthur Laurents have something in common. Can't wait to see who's replacing Applegate, I'm glad "Charity" did so well this week.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 10:56pm

There's a chance no one is replacing her.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 10:58pm

I wonder if Marissa will replace her...that would be great!

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 11:01pm

The main reason Marissa didn't get the role was because her song & dance skills really lacked.

So I doubt they would get her.

But as of now, they are still searching for a replacement. Nothing is final. A closing isn't final, and a replacement isn't final. Its 50/50 right now.

[harris007]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 11:01pm

nicole Kidman was up for velma, but baz lurman got to her 1st with Moulin rouge.


Charlese Theron i know was also up for roxie in the movie as well

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 11:02pm

Marissa Tomei, Jenna Elfman and Jane Krakowski didn't take the role when they were offered the original staring part. I don't think they're in that point of their career where they want to be someone's replacement.

I say if they can't find a bankable replacement, close it when Christina leaves and let Molly Ringwald take it out on tour.

Not to say I didn't love the show...because I did. But, Jujamcyns are in demand currently and I wouldn't be surprised if Clear Channel is doing everything they can to secure a theatre for THE WEDDING SINGER.

Updated On: 10/18/05 at 11:02 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 11:06pm

Oh I didn't know Nicole Kidman had to make a Chicago vs. Moulin Rouge decision, I'm glad she chose Moulin Rouge because I think that's one of her best performances to date and because I think Catherine Z. Jones' turn as Velma is orgasmic.
LJay, why would they close Charity? It did great business this week, and I'm sure they could find someone with big enough of a name to keep it running. I mean we have discussed so many people in other threads, can't they get one of them?

[newsieboy23]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 11:07pm

There was never an oppertunity for any of them to turn it down. One fired and two never got cast, were just interested.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 11:11pm

From Playbill.com:

"Jenna Elfman, the star of TV's now-ended "Dharma and Greg" sitcom, has withdrawn from the forthcoming revival of Sweet Charity. The New York Post reports that Elfman, who would have been making her Broadway debut, is no longer attached to the musical, which is being produced by Barry and Fran Weissler."

"As reported by Playbill On-Line in October, Marisa Tomei will play the title dreamer in a new revival of the musical Sweet Charity intended for Broadway. Now the New York Times reports that the production will open Aug. 17. No specific theatre has been named."

Sorry newsieboy, you're wrong. Both of these articles give proof that both Elfman and Tomei were confirmed for the role at some point.

[justme2]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 11:12pm

Krakowski was "confirmed" for the show in an article for Playbill too. Doesn't mean she wasn't fired later...

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 11:13pm

Didn't say she wasn't fired.

Newsieboy said that Tomei and Elfman were only interested, but never cast. He was incorrect.

Updated On: 10/18/05 at 11:13 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 11:14pm

Exactly, justme. As we know, just because you got the role dosen't mean you can't be fired out of town etc. And in this case their deals fell through before the show really got going.


I've heard both Marissa and Jenna lacked the musical talent they wanted.

And ray, the theatre unfortunatly is in demand. Which may cause them to close the show.

[justme2]

Posted: 10/18/05 at 11:15pm

Well, in all fairness, I think it's the rehearsal period the poster is referring to...as in...they weren't good enough to get past that stage.


Lijay...this response was for FOAnatic.. :)

Updated On: 10/18/05 at 11:15 PM