Out-Of-Left-Field Dream Casting?

[MollyJeanneMusic]

Posted: 11/21/24 at 9:39am

Does anyone have any dream pairings of actor/role that people wouldn't expect?  Like, a "just crazy enough to work" type scenario?

I was watching the trailer for Lee yesterday and suddenly could not stop thinking of the idea of Andy Samberg doing Parade one day.  He's interested in playing more dramatic roles, he has a huge vocal range that could be fine-tuned with some coaching, and although he's definitely older than the character of Leo, he's younger than Brent Carver was when he originated the part.  Not necessarily the first person you'd imagine in the role, but it could just be out there enough to surprisingly work.  Curious if this kind of thought process is a common experience among Broadway fans or just me being a dork.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 11/21/24 at 10:12am

I'd like a reverse version of Annie, with adults playing the orphans and children playing the adults.

This is mainly to facilitate the casting of Bernadette Peters in the title role.

[darquegk]

Posted: 11/21/24 at 10:15am

This isn't nearly as left-field, but I keep wanting to see Andy Samberg as Shakespeare in & Juliet. Admittedly, the character is written and directed to be as blatantly "hey Andy, play this role please" as possible, but I'd still love to see it. 

I know he had a big career first in a dramatic period role earlier this year, but I didn't get to see it. Was he good?

[Lanie J]

Posted: 11/21/24 at 11:12am

I'd love to see Cecily Strong on Broadway someday. I think she would have been an excellent choice to lead Once Upon A Mattress.

[Voter]

Posted: 11/21/24 at 11:14am

Honestly, Andy Samberg is inspired casting.

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 11/21/24 at 11:17am

Jinkx Monsoon as Roger DeBris/Hitler in The Producers

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 11/21/24 at 11:18am

Lanie J said: "I'd love to see Cecily Strong on Broadway someday. I think she would have been an excellent choice to lead Once Upon A Mattress."

If they do a return engagement after LA (haven't heard anything of the sort, just dreaming), I hope they give Cecily a call

[Voter]

Posted: 11/21/24 at 11:25am

GottaGetAGimmick420 said: "Jinkx Monsoon as Roger DeBris/Hitler in The Producers"

That's not even out of left field. That's just genius.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 11/21/24 at 11:33am

Norbert Leo Butz returning to Wicked as the Wizard

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 11/21/24 at 11:34am

Jeremy Jordan or Joshua Henry as Fiyero 

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 11/21/24 at 11:39am

Voter said: "GottaGetAGimmick420 said: "Jinkx Monsoon as Roger DeBris/Hitler in The Producers"

That's not even out of left field. That's just genius."

Ah, thank you. It's definitely a dream casting idea. Just getting a Producers revival with how expensive shows are these days is the bigger stretch.

[Plannietink08]

Posted: 11/21/24 at 12:45pm

Not quite as out of left field as I imagine but I'd love to see Lorna Luft as Madame Morrible. 

She's played the Wicked Witch of the West before so she's obviously not against using the Oz connection. 

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 11/21/24 at 12:54pm

GottaGetAGimmick420 said: "Jinkx Monsoon as Roger DeBris/Hitler in The Producers"

There are so, so many roles I'd love to see Jinkx do.

Hermes in Hadestown. Maureen in Rent. Hannigan in Annie. Lovett in Sweeney Todd. Madame Thenardier in Les Mis. 

Hell, cast her as Diana in Next To Normal. That'd be out of left field, and I feel like she'd be brilliant.

[The Rural Juror]

Posted: 11/21/24 at 1:11pm

I've always thought Jodi Benson would make an incredible Diana in Next to Normal. Her princess persona would work in direct contrast to the heavy material in a way that could be amazing. She's recently played Dolly Levi and Mama Rose in California, so hey, it could happen!

[Georgeanddot2]

Posted: 11/21/24 at 1:14pm

Patti Lupone in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Patti Lupone in Man of La Mancha. Donna Murphy Emcee in Cabaret. Jinx Monsoon Sally Bowles. Jinx Monsoon Fosca in Passion. Patti and Bernadette in Sweeney Todd (Patti in the titular role this time. Bernadette as Lovett). Bernadette Peters in Little Shop of Horrors (not even that out of left field tbh)

Would love to see more trans performers and more actors playing against gender/more gender blind casting on Broadway.

Oh and I think there's no role on Broadway that Cole Escola couldn't play.

Updated On: 11/21/24 at 01:14 PM

[Anthony Sunday]

Posted: 11/21/24 at 1:25pm

Tyler the Creator for Harold Hill

[witchoftheeast2]

Posted: 11/21/24 at 1:39pm

Meryl Streep as Madame Morrible 

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 11/21/24 at 1:45pm

Jamie Foxx as Madam Rose.

[Georgeanddot2]

Posted: 11/21/24 at 1:51pm

Jay Lerner-Z said: "Jamie Foxx as Madam Rose."

I mean... would you not buy a ticket to this out of pure curiosity?

Updated On: 11/21/24 at 01:51 PM

[bwayobsessed]

Posted: 11/21/24 at 1:51pm

Lady Gaga as the Narrator in Joseph

[MollyJeanneMusic]

Posted: 11/21/24 at 4:35pm

darquegk said: "This isn't nearly as left-field, but I keep wanting to see Andy Samberg as Shakespeare in & Juliet. Admittedly, the character is written and directed to be as blatantly "hey Andy, play this role please" as possible, but I'd still love to see it.

I know he had a big career first in a dramatic period role earlier this year, but I didn't get to see it. Was he good?"

That's the trailer I was watching!  He looks great in it - hoping to watch the film soon and decide for sure.  Glad to see I'm not the only one who thinks this way, and loving everyone's ideas!  (And I agree, Jinkx Monsoon and Cole Escola in every show ever until the end of time please and thank you)