Riedel: Reba to Star in Roundabout's ANYTHING GOES? — Page 2

I sure hope this happens

https://www.broadwayworld.com./article/Reba_McEntire_to_Return_to_Broadway_in_Roundabouts_ANYTHING_GOES_20081119

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Updated On: 11/19/08 at 01:40 PM

Ed, I must ask, what other Roundabout shows have you found so mediocre? I know something like Sunday had a reduced orchestra, but I found everything else to be sublime. and, going back to the previous season, I thought 110 in the Shade was a wonderful production of an okay show.

or are the shows I don't see the problem?

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I think I went into this before, but, what Roundabout did to Threepenny deserved a horsewhipping; except for Connick and O'Hara, Pajama Game was a mess; after a delightful production at Encores!, Roundabout presented a dreary and lifeless Boys from Syracuse; and the horror of its Follies was truly heartbreaking, particularly since it had been almost 30 years since NY had had a chance to view a "full" production of that masterpiece. I avoided 110 in the Shade altogether. Pacific Overtures was passably okay, Assassins somewhat better. Sunday in the Park was basically a transplant from London. I ADORE Pal Joey and the thought of what Roundabout may be doing to it makes me SICK and the mere mention of their doing Dancin' is enough to make me throw up.

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I assume they wouldn't be using the revised Lincoln Center script? Or would they? Or would they create a new version? And who's going to do that, Kathleen Marshal? God help us all.

Rachel York played Reno at Reprise! in LA, so there is certainly room for more sex appeal in the role. Would love to see her "reprise" it on Broadway.

Beauty, belt, comic chops, AND tap dancing. Didn't see her in Anything Goes, but did see her in My One and Only. The girl can shuffle ball change!

I can certainly understand going with Reba, though. While not quite "right" for Reno, I think she will be very energetic and entertaining. She's supposed to be a former religious evangelist who has turned to nightclub singing, so I think Reba's country roots could be quite plausible. Her "Blow Gabriel Blow" could have a real Gospel feel to it.

And she'll sell a passle of tickets!
Rachel York at Reprise!

Reba is fantastic, I have no doubt she'll do very well.

Thanks for the reminder about Forbidden Broadway! Yes, Patti mumbling her lyrics. What a hoot.

McEntire is about as perfect for Reno as you can get.

The character needs a big personality with a big voice and charm to spare, and McEntire has all those traits and more.

To those who are questioning the solidity of Kathleen Marshall's involvement, she has been attached to this project for Roundabout for over two years. In fact, she was supposed to do it during the 2007-2008 season following THE PAJAMA GAME, but when GREASE came up and no "star" was interested (they heavily courted both Catherine Zeta-Jones and Donna Murphy,) the show was shelved.

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Reba is a force. She'll blow it out of the water.

Donna Murphy is interesting, though,

Marshall though...eh. The Pajama Game was only so terrific because of O'Hara's terrific warmth and the electric sexual chemistry she inspires with her co-stars. (Not to say Connick was lackluster- he was great, but sexual energy is what drove that revival and it was O'Hara's terrific gifts that drove him crazy for her throughout the show.)

If Roundabout had any sense, they'd cast Meagan Mullally. Second choice would be Sara Ramirez.

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I think Reba is about as perfect for this role as could be. This is such a fun show, and Reba would knock this out of the park.

I really love Reba, and I think she'll do a great job. My expectations have always been low before when it comes to her, and she's always blown them to smithereens. (And yes, I used to watch "Reba" religiously...)

And that's considering that I loathe country music.

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