Raven-Symoné to Replace Patina Miller in SISTER ACT- Page 6

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 1:21am

Well, I saw the show again tonight and loved Patina (again). Calling her character "ghetto" is not only wrong, it's stupid. What exactly are you basing that on? And please don't answer "A clip I saw somewhere", explain EXACTLY what made her "ghetto" to you?

[Overkill]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 6:53am

Look, I'm not the BWW police or anything...but isn't this a different discussion for another thread? Patina Miller's performance has nothing to do with this news. It's about Raven, who I think is going to be just great...

This stunt casting seems to be like Donny Osmond as Gaston in Beauty in the Beast: Definite stunt casting, but GOOD stunt casting, which doesn't happen very often. I can't wait to see how she does. I had the pleasure of working with her on a tv movie and she is the sweetest, most professional person. I wish her all the best!

[Tobibaker]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 7:01am

That Gif is brilliant, thats literally the image that pops to mind when I think about her.

I miss her being on TV !!!
Stage Lighting

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 8:08am

Look, I'm not the BWW police or anything...but isn't this a different discussion for another thread? Patina Miller's performance has nothing to do with this news.


Blame the person who basically turned this into a thread about Patina's performance by making wildly stupid statements without even having seen her.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 11:33am

I think this can be great. Her TV show has always been very theatrical in her acting style and we know she can sing. I think she'll be great.

[TheLadyoftheWood]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 2:06pm

"We know she can sing?"

Yes we know she can sing well enough to perform a concert here or there with songs that use limited range. Other than that I don't think we "know" she can "sing." I am, however looking forward to seeing her performance when I come visit NYC in march. Liked her in the Cosby show and second the notion to have Phylicia Rashad play the Reverend Mother would be great. Just give Carolee Carmello a month long break and have her do a stint then. At least then the line she says during the Act 1 Finale "We're packing bootys in the seeties momma," would be true then.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 3:42pm

The booties is the seaties line is not in the new book. It's been replaced with "people in the pews."

Almost all of the dialogue from London was rewritten (mercifully) by Douglas Carter Beane. It's no longer the campy mess it was.

[gypsy4]

Posted: 2/1/12 at 11:58pm

I have always been a huge fan of Raven's she was absolutely hilarious Disney hasn't produced a better show since so it will great to finally see her up on the Broadway stage in a role thats perfect for her. The Producers should consider bringing Anneliese van der Pol in to the cast as Mary Robert and Phylicia Rash?d as the Rev. Mother and that would be an incredible reunion. Yes they would have to lower the keys but she could sing the crap out of Menken's score.

[muchadoabout_me2]

Posted: 2/2/12 at 11:34am

I am extremely excited about this casting. It reminds me of that That's So Raven episode where Raven has a vision and disguises herself as a nun. Or something.

Seriously, I think this has the potential to be spectacular. As much as I enjoyed Patina's performance, I have a feeling that Raven will bring that certain spark that I didn't necessarily get when I first saw the show.

And I know this isn't the point of the thread, but I just want to say: What's wrong with judging a performance based on a TV clip? Isn't the point of talk show appearances/Tonys performance to get people interested in and excited about the show? If that's the case, then you have to accept that they run the risk of doing just the opposite if it doesn't impress someone. There's no reason why they should go out and spend money on the show just in case their opinion would change.

[felix5]

Posted: 2/12/12 at 11:21pm

What ever happened to this story? Was it a just rumor that fizzled out?

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/13/12 at 12:02am

it's official. Patina's last show is March 18 & Raven-Symone starts March 20.

[felix5]

Posted: 2/13/12 at 9:14am

Wow that's Great! Was there an official announcement? I seem to remember the reviews saying that "Patina is not as funny as Whoopi". I think Raven will definitely bring the funny better then Patina. Even if it's her same shtick, it will make the show sooo much different and better.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/13/12 at 2:41pm

There is no official announcement, therefore it can't be considered "official."

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/13/12 at 2:58pm

I seem to remember the reviews saying that "Patina is not as funny as Whoopi".

You seem to be remembering incorrectly, because not one review said that.

[Huss417]

Posted: 2/13/12 at 3:36pm

With this weeks grosses they need to do something soon.

[felix5]

Posted: 2/13/12 at 3:43pm

This is the comparison I was speaking of.

VARIETY REVIEW:

"Whoopi Goldberg looms large over the new musical comedy "Sister Act," and that's part of the problem. While she co-produced, Goldberg isn't onstage, and the outsized sense of hilarity mixed with humanity she brought to the 1992 motion picture is sorely missed. Patina Miller makes an altogether impressive Broadway debut as diva-on-the-run Deloris Van Cartier, singing up a veritable storm, but the decision to plaster Goldberg's name on numerous signs outside the theater raises comparisons that flatter neither Miller nor this garish production."

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/13/12 at 3:51pm

The review you quoted doesn't in any way say "Patina isn't as funny as Whoopi."

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/13/12 at 4:08pm

I honestly feel if Raven-Symone wasn't lined-up to take over in March that they would have announced a closing date. They must be losing a good amount of money this winter.

[binau]

Posted: 2/13/12 at 4:18pm

It is odd that they don't announce it in order to increase ticket sales though..unless they think that announcement would cause the ticket sales to collapse until the replacement?

[defygravity24]

Posted: 2/13/12 at 4:51pm

I think Raven will do great. She can clearly sing and act, and she'll definitely be somewhat of a ticket boost at least.

[hotjohn]

Posted: 2/13/12 at 7:26pm

I wouldn't be surprised if, when ticket sales start to slump. they announce Whoopi as Mother Superior for a limited run (I know she ruled it out already). I was lucky enough to catch her in the role in London and she was fantastic and brought a whole different dynamic to the show.

[felix5]

Posted: 2/13/12 at 9:04pm

That's what they are saying when they say "Whoopi's presence is sorely missed". And it's true

[ChenoKahn]

Posted: 2/13/12 at 9:19pm

No felix, the role is completely different. People need to start reading ljay's posts s/he has posted it so many times.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/13/12 at 11:06pm

Whoopi couldn't sing "Haven't Got a Prayer." Even in a lower key.

Also the role of Mother Superior is no longer the camp fest it was in London. It requires a good deal of range. Again, Goldberg, talented as she is, could never manage it. Anyway, Carmello isn't going anywhere. Trust me. If there's further stunt casting, it's going to be in the featured sister roles (Mary Robert, Patrick and Lazarus).

That's what they are saying when they say "Whoopi's presence is sorely missed". And it's true

No, it's not what they're saying. But, believe what you want to believe.

Updated On: 2/14/12 at 11:06 PM

[theeatah]

Posted: 2/14/12 at 6:26am

Denise Black can't sing it either. She's still playing the role, to good effect, actoss the UK.