Rosie O'Donnell to star in Annie-according to Huff Post- Page 3

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 2:28pm

I refuse to delete that from my DVR. "LIZA MINNELLI??!"

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 2:31pm

For non-Hollywood celeb casting, I can't imagine a better Hannigan than Mary Testa. The woman can belt the roof off any theatre and find the funny in every second on stage. But with a property as well-known as this and produced in regional, community and school theatres, they simply HAVE to get a big name if they want to draw any interest.

[Kalimba]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 2:35pm

Like the Mary Testa idea.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 2:43pm

There are approximately 1000 great women who should be considered this role right now. Mary Testa, Lea Delaria, Jan Maxwell...the possibilities are endless.

Not Rosie. No.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 2:50pm

While most (or almost all) posters here are saying NO NO NO, most of America and especially tourists would probably say YES to seeing Rosie live on stage.

Testa would be Divine!

As far as not wanting to sign autographs for little girls, most actresses (not Sutton) love signing and meeting fans, I know a few who like it more than performing.

[TulitaPepsi]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 2:51pm

I'm not sold on Rosie as Hannigan, but there are worse ideas.

Like Jackie Hoffman.

(I agree with the Leavel & Testa suggestions. They'd be perfection.)

Updated On: 3/21/12 at 02:51 PM

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 3:07pm

Ana Gasteyer has tourist recogition...maybe.

[morosco]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 3:10pm

The original production on Broadway was sublime. I wish ANNIE detractors could have seen it.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 3:11pm

"While most (or almost all) posters here are saying NO NO NO, most of America and especially tourists would probably say YES to seeing Rosie live on stage."

Her name hasn't drawn in crowds so far.

Grease - first revival of the show and people would have come without her; and her Rizzo was not that great

Seusical - brought in as a vacation replacement and until they could bring in Cathy Rigby

Taboo - disaster

Fiddler on the Roof - she was brought in to close the show.

[FindingNamo]

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

According to Jeff Calhoun, the Grease revival wouldn't have existed without her.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 3:31pm

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[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 3:40pm

Goth you are, as usual, utterly devoid of facts.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 4:01pm

From what I remember, the only time Seussical had ANY strong box office was during Rosie's run.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 4:10pm

I saw Seussical when Rosie was in it. I left during intermission.

The original production of Annie was my first Broadway show. I saw the show shortly before Andrea McArdle left to star in the London production. The entire experience was very magical for me. A star as Miss Hannigan doesn't guarantee success (i.e., the revival with Nell Carter). That production was absolutely horrible.

I'd love to see either Beth Leavel or Mary Testa as Miss Hannigan. But Rosie, absolutely not.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 4:19pm

"From what I remember, the only time Seussical had ANY strong box office was during Rosie's run."

Fortunately we don't have to rely on your memory. Grosses show that while she was in the show, it did spike up, however, she didn't hit any numbers that weren't seen before or after her appearance.
Link

[ChildrenwillListen]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 4:24pm

Just one more reason to not see it. The most overrated show in musical theatre history. The only Miss Hannigan I like is Carol Burnett. I would see it if she did it but she probably can't do it nowadays. Sadly.

[bk]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 4:34pm

As several have pointed out, this is purely coming from Miss O'Donnell's publicist. She was just let go from her TV show - the trick now is to keep her name in a positive light and out there, as if she's rebounding and the loss of the TV show is a good thing, not bad. This is called spin. This sort of publicist thing has been going on since the year One. I once was told by The Hollywood Reporter in Hank Grant's column that I had a "three-pic-pact" with Paramount. Only I didn't. It came from my publicist and was designed to keep my name out there and seemed real since I'd just done another deal with Paramount. But people here just believe (or want to believe) anything that's printed anywhere, despite the obviousness of the wording of the release. The only one who's saying anything is a "friend" of Rosie's. There are no negotiations going on other than in her publicist's mind. Maybe at some point there will be, but that point has not arrived yet.

As to Miss Leavel, I have made my case for that as loudly as I could to the musical director of the show - she, of everyone working today, would be utterly fantastic because she's genuinely funny, doesn't have to work at it, and would just tear the roof off the theater. I think Miss Ullman would have been good, and I think the other person they offered it to who can't do it would also have been good. While Miss Leavel doesn't have the name power of either, it doesn't really matter, because Annie is the name power.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 4:35pm

Ah yes, you got me there! Of the 29 weeks in the Seussical run, there were indeed three weeks that made more than any of the 4 weeks of Rosie's run. Two of those weeks were Christmas and Easter. The other was the final week of previews before opening night. For some reason, I thought Rosie's appearance in the show had something to do with ticket sales and attendance. I admit my memory was a bit fuzzy on the subject, but thank you so much for clearing it up with a bit of fact. Fortunately, we don't have to rely on your lack of perspective.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 4:39pm

The most overrated show in musical theatre history.

Stand back, everyone! This is the silliest use of hyperbole in the history of the world ever infinity! I strongly suggest the use of protective eye wear when reading it.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 4:44pm

Nancy Opel is also genuinely funny.

Leavell, Testa... there are. as others have stated many Broadway Dames who would kill and make the part her own.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 4:54pm

While Miss Leavel doesn't have the name power of either, it doesn't really matter, because Annie is the name power.

I think the last revival disproved that theory. The show didn't sell itself and Nell Carter couldn't sell it, either. The original production turned the show into an iconic hit. Bad productions have turned the show into a nightmare to be endured. I'm really hoping they put some effort into this one. Otherwise, it's just going to flop again.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 6:15pm

Reallllly? We're actually going to set up a dynamic whereby the hiring of Rosie O'Donnell would be seen as a blow to the artistic sanctity of ANNIE, fergawdssakes?

^ LOVE!!!

[mar97]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 6:22pm

It isn't so. Don't believe everything you read. She's not doing it.

[ticenewyorkcity]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 6:23pm

I do know Jen Cody and Hunter Foster recently auditioned. Lilly and Rooster...great casting as far as I'm concerned.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/21/12 at 6:24pm

And thank god, BROADWAY ACTORS.