Rumor about next Reno Sweeney- Page 2

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 10/15/11 at 5:08pm

It would be pretty cool for Tari Kelly to take on the role. She really deserves to make a break and have her own leading role on Broadway. I would definitely take her over Block.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 10/15/11 at 6:41pm

Tari indeed deserves to replace Sutton. I consider myself very lucky to have seen the show on a night she went on for Sutton. I would definitely go see her again if given the chance and I'd tell everyone I know to make sure to see her. I imagine I'd hardly be alone in spreading the word that the girl is terrific!

Updated On: 10/15/11 at 06:41 PM

[Tamerlano]

Posted: 10/15/11 at 8:22pm

Its great to see this Tari support..I will never forget going into the theatre and hearing the audience bitchin as Sutton was off.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 10/15/11 at 9:05pm

The show was at the TKTS book last night, a Friday in October. I was startled. I don't think it has a life after this cast exits.

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/15/11 at 9:08pm

It's been up to TKTS for most performances, recently.

[theatreguy]

Posted: 10/15/11 at 11:54pm

It being at TKTS doesn't indicate much. You'd need to know what and how many seats they sent to TKTS last night. If it's hundreds of orchestra seats - that's not so good. If it's scattered side seats that are harder to sell at full price - that's pretty standard.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/16/11 at 3:04am

I can't imagine they'd replace the ball of energy that is Sutton Foster with Stephanie J. Block who not only can't act but has absolutely no star presence. Replacing Foster is going to be quite a challenge.

[chellie]

Posted: 10/16/11 at 3:12am

http://a.tumblr.com/tumblr_lt4nkdeRVI1qemh98o1.mp3

I'm pretty sure that this is where the rumor comes from...about halfway through, the woman talking says straight up that she got a call and Stephanie Block "will be replacing Sutton Foster in Anything Goes."

[alterego]

Posted: 10/16/11 at 7:25am

Here is a fabulous Reno ..... Sherie Rene Scott.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 10/16/11 at 8:32am

Alterego, have you seen Tari?

[random person 112]

Posted: 10/16/11 at 8:46am

I assume like me he hasn't but let's be honest tari kelly will not a keep a show up and running those people are not coming to hear cole porter. There to see a great broadway production with sutton foster and joel grey, have you seen the reciepts from when tari was in it was a very very steep drop. If they do want a name and a perfect reno they would get it with scott and frankly i don't see kelly getting promoted this show will need some broadway or otherwise names to keep going.

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/16/11 at 9:59am

Sherie Rene Scott has always been one of my dream Renos, along with Leslie Kritzer.

I'm guessing those who *claim* Stephanie Block can't act didn't see her near-flawless performance in BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK, in which she didn't sing a note...

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 10/16/11 at 11:29am

Random, I think you are putting the cart before the horse.

My theory is this, replace Sutton with Tari and Tari will become the star people will want to see. The reason will be that people like me, who have seen her, will make it happen. The press will also make it happen. Talent will win out, find its champions, and keep a show, especially one as wonderful as Marshall's production of Anything Goes - which many have said is even better with Kelly than with Foster - going as far as it can.

A purpose of casting is to make stars, not just to recycle - whoops, perhaps "reshuffle" would be the better term - them.

Also, with due respect to Ms. Scott or Ms. Block, who might also do quite well in the role, they are not necessarily going to sell tickets on the basis of brand recognition either. If you want to go that route, get Jane Krakowski (who btw would probably be great).

Tari Kelly is a star waiting to happen. (Just like Sutton Foster was before Millie). I am sure there are some people who have seen Tari's Reno who would say I am overstating her star power. But I would venture to say they would be few and far between and wouldn't know talent if it woke them up in the night with a sledgehammer.

If Broadway is concerned about nurturing it's top talent, then it has to do just that. And she's the top!

Updated On: 10/16/11 at 11:29 AM

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 10/16/11 at 11:38am

The reason it was a steep drop was because the star was out of the show.

Hell, when I sat in my seat and unexpectedly read that card telling me that Sutton was out that night I was tempted to run to the box office and see if I could get an exchange for a future performance.

If I had, and assuming - arguendo - that it would have worked, it would have been one of the biggest mistakes of my theater-going life, as I would have missed Tari Kelly's Reno.
Updated On: 10/16/11 at 11:38 AM

[random person 112]

Posted: 10/16/11 at 12:09pm

If it was starting a show henrik i would say cast kelly but if we want anything goes to last through the winter and not be beaten by the newer revivals and shows its going to need a little something extra. If we did want to promote kelly we would need to cast plenty of veterans around her who have selling power. Having a more established theater vetran mit help the show do a bit better than if kelly came. I'm not doudting you about her i'm just saying it's alot to put on her especially if they want the show to keep on.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/16/11 at 12:31pm

Both Grey and Foster have been out this week. It will be interesting to see the grosses.

[erinb2]

Posted: 10/16/11 at 1:35pm

I was at the concert Friday night, and I can confirm it was NEITHER JRB or Shoshana that announced it, it was Shannon Forsell, who works for The Cabaret at the Columbia Club in Indianapolis, Indiana. As you can hear in the Tumblr link someone posted, she was saying that SJB called to let them know Thursday that she will be replacing Sutton, but she will still be doing the fundraising concert for The Cabaret in 2 weeks.

[MikeInTheDistrict]

Posted: 10/16/11 at 1:56pm

I mentioned in a previous thread that I'd seen Tari in another production of the show in Florida and was so impressed with her that I actually arranged my schedule so that I could drive up to NY from DC when I heard she was on this week. She was absolutely amazing and won over the initially disconcerted audience within moments of coming onstage. Even better than when I last saw her. I completely agree with henrik when he says Tari Kelly is a star waiting to be happen. She is not only a phenomenal singer and dancer, but she has charisma and presence emanating from every cell in her body. This woman needs a break.

All that said, I kind of agree with random person 112 in that I'm not sure that this production is the right vehicle for her at this point in her career. What Tari needs is a vehicle she can open herself, rather than taking over in Sutton Foster's shadow. From the beginning, Roundabout billed this production as "SUTTON FOSTER [and JOEL GREY] in 'Anything Goes.'" Let's face it, poor Porter got the crap end of the stick on this one. Sutton is the name and face on the posters and marquee, the Playbill and CD cover, she won the Tony and headed the television coverage. I'm not sure this production has much of a shelf life after Sutton leaves -- no matter who they replace her with. At this point, anyone short of the ghost of Ethel Merman isn't going to entice theatregoers in requisite numbers to keep it running more than a couple months.

In an ideal scenario, positive word-of-mouth would build around Tari (maybe a little press coverage in the NYTimes Arts blog or similar wouldn't hurt her chances) and she could take on the role without too much of a dip in ticket sales but that's a real long shot.
Updated On: 10/16/11 at 01:56 PM

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 10/16/11 at 1:59pm

Well said, Mike, good point on all fronts.

Bottom line: what we need are some great new productions- new shows and revivals of quality - presenting great new talents, and T.K. should be at the top of the list!

[MikeInTheDistrict]

Posted: 10/16/11 at 2:14pm

Bottom line: what we need are some great new productions- new shows and revivals of quality - presenting great new talents, and T.K. should be at the top of the list!

Agreed! I'm confident someone will find a great role for her, whether a revival or new show. She's too good to go unnoticed.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/16/11 at 2:18pm

I agree Steph's acting in VERA STARK.... was top notch.
I love Sherie, but she could never dance this production.
A lot of people couldn't see Sutton as Reno (I always could)
and she pretty much proved em wrong, I think Steph would surprise if this is true.

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 10/16/11 at 2:24pm

I can't see Stephanie J. Block wearing a blonde wig. I just don't think will suit her skin tone and features. It works for Sutton, but I can't see it working for her.

[random person 112]

Posted: 10/16/11 at 3:25pm

Curtain you do know scott learned choregraphy meant for bebe neuwirth at the last minute in over and over right i imagine with lessons she'd be fine.

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 10/16/11 at 4:58pm

I think Block would def. be a interesting Reno. I agree she tends to overact alot but I've heard that Vera Stark was simply amazing in terms of her acting. And she does bring alot of presence to the stage and her HUGE voice would fill Reno quite well. Idk...she could be a total miscast but she could also be something really special.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/16/11 at 5:05pm

No, I did not know that, good for her, can she tap too?