Playbill's Dozen Dream Miss Hannigans

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 12:27pm

Playbill has an article up today with their top 12 picks for Miss Hannigan for the upcoming revival of Annie. I've been dream casting this role since the production was announced, and I thought they came up with a few good ones (some of which I hadn't even thought of).

From their list, I really love the idea of Beth Leavel, Lillias White, Andrea Martin, Tyne Daly and Patti LuPone. Other actresses I'd love to see would be Donna Murphy (who they mention at the end as another possibility), Nancy Opel, Carolee Carmello and Ellen Harvey.
PLAYBILL PICKS: A Dozen Actresses We'd Like to See Play Miss Hannigan in the Broadway Revival of Annie

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 12:40pm

I wonder if LuPone would do it? I feel like it's up her alley.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 12:46pm

She's doing The Anarchist this fall. And as much as I'd love to see her as Miss Hannigan, I'm way more excited to see her do a new play.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 12:50pm

True. I am really excited to see her in a non-musical.

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 12:54pm

She's tied up with KINKY BOOTS in Chicago, but Cyndi Lauper would be my first choice for Miss Hannigan. Although, the Lillias White idea does sound appealing.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 1:04pm

What? No mention of Megan Mullally?

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 1:16pm

Rosie would turn it into Miss Hannigan: The Musical. No thanks!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 3:12pm

Beth Leavel would be a hoot. I'd love to see that.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 3:14pm

Beth played Miss Hannigan a few years ago at MUNY. One critic said she was the best Miss Hannigan since Dorothy Loudon.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 3:15pm

Bernadette Peters? Seriously?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 3:21pm

I would like to suggest:

Kelly Bishop

[Emmaloucbway]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 4:02pm

I think Beth Leavel would be fantastic!

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 4:04pm

Out of all of those actresses, I'd kill to see Beth Leavel tackle this role. She would be absolutely hysterical.

[morosco]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 4:08pm

I'm surprised Jackie Hoffman isn't on the list.

[Producer2]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 4:20pm

Funny I was thinking Faith Prince since James Lapine and her have worked together in Falsettoland.

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 4:29pm

I'm really thinking that (in this day and age) they;re probably going with a big-name star, either from TV or film.

[binau]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 4:29pm

I think the role is beneath her and don't think she should do it (lol **** I am ridiculous), but Bernadette Peters would be a hilarious Hannigan....I can easily imagine her "Little Girls" - it would be hilariously uncomfortable with her being like an overgrown little girl stuck in an orphanage herself.

Updated On: 2/23/12 at 04:29 PM

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 4:32pm

Beth Leavel sounds like a glorious casting opportunity. I seriously hope they let the show be the star and not go for "Geena Davis IS Hannigan" route. Non-star casting can sell out a theatre if the show is well-done. Just look at South Pacific, War Horse, Book of Mormon, Wicked, Lion King, etc and all the "star" shows that have failed like 9 to 5, Relatively Speaking, Elling, etc.

The Chenowith suggustion boggles me. There is no way a group of 12 year olds taller than her would EVER find her threatening.

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 4:56pm

It's shame they did not mention Allison Janney or Meryl Streep.

[Overkill]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 5:17pm

Lapine mentioned when they first made announcements that he wanted Meryl Streep, but quickly said "But it'll never happen.".

I'd love to see Rosie play Hannigan, but only in a concert staging or benefit or something like that. Not this full blown revival, or at least not until it's about to close. But she wouldn't be able to do the show anyway, now she's busy with her show and living in Chicago.

The Kristin and Bernadette mentions were a little out there. Both were Lily St. Regis... not quite the same type.

I actually heard from a friend who went to an audition for Annie, that Andrea McArdle was there auditioning with all the others. So, she's definitely up for it.

Why no mention of Wanda Sykes? She just did it at some regional theatre. Was she any good?

I'd personally love Kathy Najimy.

[hotjohn]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 6:00pm

What, no mention of Harvey? Years ago I saw Paul O'Grady's alter ego, Lily Savage (Google them) as Miss Hannigan - she/he was great!

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 7:02pm

Christine Baranski?

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 9:09pm

I would love to see Martha Plimpton play Miss Hannigan, though it would sadden me because it would mean Raising Hope was cancelled.

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 2/23/12 at 9:26pm

LOVE the idea of Andrea Martin!

[quizking101]

Posted: 2/24/12 at 12:00am

Beth Leavel is clearly the best pick in the non-star category.

I'd love to see Jane Lynch do this, just because she knows how to infuse terror and comedy so well..