RAGS announced as next World AIDS Day Concert

[Craig]

Posted: 7/27/06 at 4:28pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=11187

[gustof777]

Posted: 7/27/06 at 5:09pm

how exciting! Can't wait to see whos in the cast

[Pippin]

Posted: 7/27/06 at 5:15pm

really? my post got deleted? com'on. twas just a joke.

[hortonhearsasam]

Posted: 7/27/06 at 5:39pm

Wow! I can't wait to hear who gets cast as Bella and gets to belt out the title number. I wonder if they'll opt for an opera singer for Rebecca. This is so exciting!

[BillFinn]

Posted: 7/27/06 at 7:04pm

Four words: Laura Benanti, Michael Arden. I call it.

[gustof777]

Posted: 7/27/06 at 7:08pm

that would be one word- Heavenly!

[hortonhearsasam]

Posted: 7/27/06 at 8:44pm

Well I guess they were both in the last World AIDS Day concert, but I don't know if I see them in any of the parts. Laura Benanti singing "Children Of The Wind" would be amazing though.

[BillFinn]

Posted: 7/27/06 at 10:00pm

They were the stars of Secret Garden and Pippin. I'm not familiar enough with Children of Eden, but I remember Laura playing the Snake. She's ringing currently in our ears as a leading lady in Wedding Singer. I'll bet you anything, she'll be the leading lady in this concert. And I hope it's true because I loves me some Benanti.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/27/06 at 10:14pm

What's the proper attire for attending a performance of RAGS?

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 7/27/06 at 10:33pm

Marin Mazzie would make a terrific Rebecca.

Four words: Laura Benanti, Michael Arden. I call it.

Michael Arden would make a good Ben, but I can't see Benanti as Bella at all.

[Calvin]

Posted: 7/27/06 at 10:33pm

I'm not falling for that one again. When I saw TAILS, I felt so overdressed.

[JamieMcG]

Posted: 7/28/06 at 12:21pm

Hey there,

I'm glad you guys seem excited about the show. I had a great meeting about the show yesterday and everyone on our end is really thrilled as well. I also can't tell you how happy I am to be doing it at the new Nokia Theatre in Times Square. it's an amazing space...and far better than previous options. :) The show has undergone a number of rewrites and in a lot of ways, feels like we're working on a whole new piece.

As for casting, we've really just begun. We do have an offer out for Rebecca and that's looking very good right now. As for anything else, I'd love to get people's recommendations. Let me know who you think would be appropriate...particularly if you're familiar with the show.

Hope to see you all there!

Jamie

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 7/28/06 at 12:23pm

I love this show like I gave birth to it.

And I think the biggest coup and most inspired casting would be to have Judy Kuhn play Rebecca. Jamie, can you arrange it?

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 7/28/06 at 12:39pm

Mark Hartman is fab! This should be very exciting.

[JamieMcG]

Posted: 7/28/06 at 12:45pm

As I said, Rebecca is pretty much taken care of. :)

Give me thoughts on other roles...pretend for instance that we were trying to find a pop star...I know...just indulge me...to play Bella...who could belt the hell out of the title number and sound amazing doing it?

I don't watch American Idol, and I only listen to showtunes, so help me out here.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/28/06 at 12:46pm

Could Benanti really sing Rebecca? I mean this is a role written for an opera singer...

Get Diana DeGarmo for Bella.

Updated On: 7/29/06 at 12:46 PM

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 7/28/06 at 12:48pm

No to Benanti.

The only belt I can think of for Bella would be Kelly Clarkson.

[TonyaFanatic]

Posted: 7/28/06 at 12:54pm

one of the first full-scale musicals i ever performed in.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/28/06 at 12:54pm

Oh - I bet they get Victoria Clark for Rebecca...

[Jon]

Posted: 7/28/06 at 1:23pm

You need a real tenor with a song-and-dance man style like Jim Walton as Nathan.

Dick Latessa and Marcia Lewis can still do their roles.

Maybe Adam Wylie as Ben?

[LeaGirl]

Posted: 7/28/06 at 1:30pm

""Laura Benanti singing "Children Of The Wind" would be amazing though.""

I'd pay the full price of the benefit just to hear that.

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 7/28/06 at 2:37pm

I'm kinda shocked no one has mentioned Julia Murney yet.

[mrkringas]

Posted: 7/28/06 at 3:22pm

The part may have been written for an opera singer but Christine Andreas was the stanbye. Pretty sure Laura Benanti can sing it, heck even belter Sally Ann Triplett played this role in London a few years back.

[Luvinbroadway]

Posted: 7/28/06 at 4:44pm

How about Audra McDonald as Rebecca....?

[gustof777]

Posted: 7/28/06 at 5:00pm

If Michael Arden is Ben than I'm fine with any other decisions...I trust you guys!