Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!
Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/24/03
Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#0
Posted: 7/3/05 at 6:46pmAfter just seeing Cinderella Man at the movies today, does anyone else agree that she would make a PERFECT Charity Hope Valentine in Sweet Charity? We all know she is a fabulous actress, and her singing and dancing skills were wonderful in Chicago.. given that that also could have been the magic of movies and she really may not be the best dancer and singer. However, I believe she would be BRILLIANT in the role.. Shes probably way to big to do Broadway at this point, but someone should call up the Weisslers and get her to replace Christina when her contract is up! Now this is some stunt casting that I think would be incredible! What do all of you think?
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
re: Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#1
Posted: 7/3/05 at 6:51pm
A - she has stated that she is petrified by the thought of singing in front of a live audience - that's why she didn't sing on the Oscars.
B - Oscar winning movie stars rarely come in as replacements for former sitcom stars.
re: Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#2
Posted: 7/3/05 at 6:51pmI just think there are tons of talented actors that aren't movie stars that should be cast. Renee might be ok, but lets give the people who need jobs the part, ya know?
Broadway Star Joined: 1/8/05
re: Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#4
Posted: 7/3/05 at 6:56pmi agree - i heard that she is not a live singer. bway brings out the true performers/actors. :) well, from a theater actress's point of view.
re: Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#5
Posted: 7/3/05 at 6:57pmTheater isn't a welfare program, Hairspraydoll. That said, for the reasons Jon stated so well, Zellwegger on Broadway ain't happening.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/24/03
re: Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#6
Posted: 7/3/05 at 7:00pmWhile I agree she would never do it, I still believe she'd be wonderful.
re: Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#7
Posted: 7/3/05 at 7:01pmWow, that was mean. I was just saying that there are so many talented actors who aren't movie stars that would be better so why give it to someone just because they have a big name? I don't think you needed to be rude because I support people trained to be Broadway actors getting parts over movie stars.
re: Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#8
Posted: 7/3/05 at 7:02pmI def. think she'd be amazing. Maybe if they made a movie remake or something?? I know she would never do it on stage. I always thought Sarah Jessica Parker would make a cute one
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/30/05
re: Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#9
Posted: 7/3/05 at 7:04pmSJP- Yes she'd be good! RZ not so much!!
re: Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#10
Posted: 7/3/05 at 7:06pm
I'm being rude? I just stated a fact. Casting should be based on suitability for the role, not on whether or not someone needs a job. And in many cases, box-office viability falls under "suitability." In a role she fits, a star of Zellwegger's caliber should absolutely be cast over an unknown.
Think of it this way- when the show charges $200 for prime tickets and sells out because of her fame, she'd be paying for the salaries of a bunch of unknown chorus members. With the unknown in the lead, all those chorus members would quite likely lose their jobs again in a few months.
Updated On: 7/3/05 at 07:06 PM
re: Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#11
Posted: 7/3/05 at 7:07pm"Casting should be based on suitability for the role, not on whether or not someone needs a job." Just like the "real" world, folks.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/30/05
re: Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#12
Posted: 7/3/05 at 7:08pmlol
re: Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#13
Posted: 7/3/05 at 7:09pmSarah Jessica Parker should be first on the Wisselers list for a replacement charity. right before Rosie and Brooke...
re: Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#14
Posted: 7/3/05 at 7:10pm
Maybe I took you wrong or something. My point wasn't people "needing" a job. My point was there are actors I think that are better suited who could play the part more adeptly that are not "Movie stars."
So, sorry if I mistook your comment or you mistook mine. I think RZ would be great in a movie remake, but not on stage.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/8/05
re: Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#15
Posted: 7/3/05 at 7:10pmI just don't see Renee doing it that much more interestingly, better, or different than Applegate. I don't think her singing voice has that much cuteness in it and I think her large head, squinty eyes, and tiny body would look odd on stage even from far away. I'm kind of a fan of hers, but I don't think it would be a worthwhile endeavor for her.
re: Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#16
Posted: 7/3/05 at 7:11pm
Well, then I think we're in agreement. If Zellwegger's singing sounded shaky in Chicago, where she no doubt had multiple takes and studio tricks like pitch correction on her side, I doubt she'd be very good doing 8 live shows a week. To her credit, she seems to realize her limitations.
Updated On: 7/3/05 at 07:11 PM
re: Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#17
Posted: 7/3/05 at 7:13pmI see your point, Plum. It would be great for the unknown chorus people and I agree with what you just explained. I hope you see my point in that I hate when names are cast that aren't right for the roles. Not saying RZ might not be ok, but my point is "names" over talent in general.
re: Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#18
Posted: 7/3/05 at 7:20pmI think that when they need a replacement it probably will go to Charlotte d'Amboise
re: Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#19
Posted: 7/3/05 at 7:23pmI would love to see Renee as Charity, but I doubt it woul dhappen for the reasons already stated.
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
re: Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#20
Posted: 7/3/05 at 7:31pm
The Weisslers would close the show rather than give the role to D'Amboise -- that's what they did before when Applegate broke her foot. When they announced D'Amboise would open the show, most of the group sales immediately cancelled, single ticket sales dried up and it was such a disaster at the box office that days later, the Weisslers cancelled the show altogether. Only Applegate insisting on opening the show herself no matter the status of her injury (as well as her bringing in $1.5 million in investment money to the show) allowed the show to open in New York.
D'Amboise is an extraordinary triple threat talent, but she can't sell tickets. Once Applegate's contract is up and she leaves in January, the show will close unless another "name" can be found to replace her.
Joined: 12/31/69
re: Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#21
Posted: 7/3/05 at 7:51pmI don't really care... because I don't think that Renee is a good singer at all. She did not impress me in Chicago. While she isnt' a bad dancer, I also don't think that Christina Applegate is good for the role either. Her singing is horrendous and her dancing is very lackluster.
re: Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#22
Posted: 7/3/05 at 8:57pmMaybe if they make a new Sweet Charity movie. I could see Renee taking the role in a movie version.
re: Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#23
Posted: 7/3/05 at 8:59pmThat would be more likely, if they ever remade the movie.
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
re: Renee Zellweger as Charity Hope Valentine!#24
Posted: 7/3/05 at 9:07pm
The Weissler's will most likely (or should) tap Paige Davis for the role. Ticket sales sky rocketed when she took over in Chicago.
I look at it like this - Wonderful Town did very, very, very poor with Donna, or should I say Linda. They didn't just stop there, they tried a star in the role, and kept it open for over a year. Sweet Charity is doing pretty good with Christina, making a very nice amount of money weekly, and attendance is not bad at all. I don't think they will just end it with Christina. I think they will definetly try another name in the role. Paige or SJP would be perfect choices.
And it's very true that Barry & Fran would NEVER give the role to Charlotte full time, she would not sell tickets.
Updated On: 7/3/05 at 09:07 PM
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