I have not seen any producer associated with this information. Previously Aaron Harnick (nephew of Sheldon, son of Barbara Barrie) was named but it would not surprise me to learn he has glommed onto some a-list producer.
Wow, fantastic casting. I just love her voice .... it is so feminine, elegant and timeless. I think this is a great move for her. This show has now jumped to the top of my spring 2017 wishlist along with Hello Dolly and Come From Away.
_IrisTInkerbell said: "I do wonder about Samantha Barks. I think she would be considered a bigger "star" even with the Hamilton hype, so it's interesting that they go back to someone less "famous" from the try-out."
I think Phillipa seems perfect for the character and also I think she's more talented than Samantha.
"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."
this season and next season are shaping up to be marvelous
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I love Samantha. I wonder if she was offered something else because it did seem like she would continue with the show. I think Pippa will do great in the role though.
gypsy101 said: "_IrisTInkerbell said: "I do wonder about Samantha Barks. I think she would be considered a bigger "star" even with the Hamilton hype, so it's interesting that they go back to someone less "famous" from the try-out."
I think Phillipa seems perfect for the character and also I think she's more talented than Samantha.
"
Oh, that is quite possible. I have never seen either of these women live and I wasn't talkig about the talent of either Samantha or Phillipa. I just noted that it is the opposite of what we see with other shows sometimes, i.e. casting a more famous actor once a show moves to Broadway.
I think people are over estimating sam barks star power. Her time to capitalise on the 'girl who played eponine in les mis' has long passed. I do really like her but outside the theatre fans im not sure anyone would know her by name. Its sad but her career doesnt seem to be taking off the way id hoped.
Phillipa soo has the current hamilton buzz to capitalise on.
Next year's awards season is really looking like a bloodbath. Let the 71st Hunger Games begin. And here I thought no actress would want to be pitted against Bette Midler
Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
RippedMan said: "Must be weird come Tony time to go up against the girl who replaced you in the musical you started. "
If Philippa can handle going against Laura Benanti at the Tony's last Sunday, then I think she'll be fine going up against the girl who played Natasha in the musical she started back in 2013.
Wick3 said: "RippedMan said: "Must be weird come Tony time to go up against the girl who replaced you in the musical you started. "
If Philippa can handle going against Laura Benanti at the Tony's last Sunday, then I think she'll be fine going up against the girl who played Natasha in the musical she started back in 2013.
gypsy101 said: "_IrisTInkerbell said: "I do wonder about Samantha Barks. I think she would be considered a bigger "star" even with the Hamilton hype, so it's interesting that they go back to someone less "famous" from the try-out."
I think Phillipa seems perfect for the character and also I think she's more talented than Samantha."
I'm really happy for Philippa. I agree I think Philippa is more talented than Samantha and right now, I think Philippa's name has more star power than Samantha's.
because apparently we like Jeremy Jordan more than Matt (also someone said Phillipa did a reading so it kind of seems like she's Jeremy in this situation).
"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."
Actors get replaced all the time. It's hardly unheard of, sometimes it improves the show, sometimes not so much. People were not thrilled about Matthew/Jordan scene because latter was apparently shafted. Matthew was in no way incapable of taking on the role, he gave a really mature performance as JM Barrie. No one knows what happened with Barks, so let's not speculate here.
Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
Phillipa workshopped the role before Samantha, not comparable to Jeremy/Matthew.
Anyway, I'm thrilled for her. I too think Phillipa is a more accomplished actress than Samantha and she'll do a great job. Also agree that Phillipa's hype is larger than Samantha's at the moment. I hope Adam Chanler-Berat is still involved.
It's funny to me that so many here seem to think Barks was passed over in favor of Soo when it is obvious it was the other way around. Barks is at a stage in her career where it makes no sense to subtract yourself from the market for a year or more to do a show. And of course even more so financially. In all likelihood, if she tried to do the show, her agent would drop her.