Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

[Carefree-Existence]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 1:18am

Okay so hearing about how awful Molly Ringwald is in the Charity tour (not surprising her Sally Bowles was so unbearable I had to leave) and knowing how mediocre (that's kind) Christina Applegate was, I was wondering if Sarah Jessica Parker was ever offered the role on Broadway. Talk about the PERFECT Charity Hope Valentine. She would have killed- she can act, sing, dance...I mean really was there ever discussion of her playing the role when they were planning the revival. And talk about an actual name that would draw a crowd. I still have to be reminded who Christina is.
Updated On: 10/18/06 at 01:18 AM

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 1:26am

i hear the screams of dying babies.

have you HEARD her on the "Once Upon a Mattress" recording? or in any live clips of that revival? (she's far worse live, if that's believable)

sorry, but i strongly disagree.

she looks adorable in that pic though. Updated On: 10/18/06 at 01:26 AM

[Carefree-Existence]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 1:32am

And Christina Applegate can sing? I have hear the Once on this Mattress and a bootleg of How To Succeed...Great No, but better than half of the TV actresses turned Broadway actresses. I promise you nothing could be worse than Molly Ringwald.

My vote would have gone to Jane Krakowski- but she screwed that up royally.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 1:34am

How did Jane Krakowski royally screw that up? I thought she was in the talks for the part at one point.

I think SJP would be fabulous.

[Carefree-Existence]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 1:38am

I don't know all the details but I know that Jane had an argument with Neil Simon during the workshop of the show in New York (post Marissa, pre Christina)

[BroomstickBoy]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 1:39am

I like SJP, but when she belts it sounds like her voice just wants to fly right out of her throat. There was a clip of her singing at the Tonys on TwoYoob with the Mattress revival cast and it just was painful to watch.

I've seen her do some other theatre related stuff, like on some PBS special where she sang a few songs and she has a decent voice, just not suited for major belting songs like Once Upon a Mattress.

I'm sure she'd make an admirable Charity, better than the recent ones who have tried.

Anyone know where I can get my hands on these live clips? *hush hush, wink wink*

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 1:39am

Jane Krakowski did not screw anything up. She simply voiced out her comments about the flaws in the book (refusing to say some of the dialogue because it was sexist) so Neil Simon fired her. I admire her for standing up to him and honestly she was better off and if I'm not wrong (though I probably am) being out of Charity gave her the chance to play Miss Adelaide in London providing a brilliant performance and getting an Olivier Award.
I believe Sara Jessica Parker was rumored to replace Applegate at some point but I don't know if the Weisslers ever pursued her.

[Joshua488]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 1:42am

She DID screw it up because her comments got her fired. That's not very good.

And am I the only person that finds Sarah Jessica Parker to be a mediocre actress? I don't see what all the fuss is about at all. And she's a terrible singer.

[Carefree-Existence]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 1:44am

Fosca- Jane screwed up. It's Neil Simon's play, and a revival at that. You do what he wrote or you don't do it. What Jane did was not admirable, but instead highly unprofessional. She's talented yes, but also known to be a royal pain.

[Joshua488]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 1:47am

Exactly. She knew what she was the show was about from the gate. She thought she could walk in and have the script tailored to her liking? By Neil Simon of all people? Give me a break, Jane Krakowski. She's an amazing talent, but let's be real, Jane.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 1:47am

SJP sounds totally adequate on the OUAM recording, in my opinion. I thought her performance of Shy at the Tony Awards was fine too. Clearly, it's a part that's intended for someone who has a bigger, more booming voice, but I think she sang it well enough.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 1:48am

Maybe Christina Applegate wasn't the best singer, but I think it's a role that relies on the three (singing, acting, and dancing) working together, all of which she pulled off as a whole.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 1:49am

(post Marissa, pre Christina)

Who is Marissa?

[Carefree-Existence]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 1:51am

I actually thought Christina did quite well in the acting department- but as a presence I find her rather boring. May be a personal taste thing. Just didn't work for me.

[Carefree-Existence]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 1:52am

Marrisa Tomei- the 1st of the long line of attached actresses to the revival

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 1:52am

Marisa Tomei, neddy.

[BroomstickBoy]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 1:53am

I do think she makes a cute and funny Winnifred, but sometimes her voice can grate the nerves a bit. I do like her rendition of "Happily Ever After" though.

I wish the Charity revival recording was done later in the run, when Christina's singing improved a bit, from what I heard.


Paula Abdul was supposedly linked to doing Charity wasn't she?

[Joshua488]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 1:55am

Paula Abdul was the first. It was announced in 1998 that she was to star in AND choreograph a revival of Sweet Charity, directed by Wayne Cilento. Obviously, that fell through.

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 4:54am

And am I the only person that finds Sarah Jessica Parker to be a mediocre actress? I don't see what all the fuss is about at all.

I used to agree with this during all the hype and overratedness that was Sex and the City. However, after watching Family Stone, I remembered that I enjoyed SJP before she was the insufferable Carrie Bradshaw.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 6:26am

i love SJP! ive never heard her sing, but i think she wouldve done a fine job as Charity. not to diss Christina, but if she can sing, SJP certainly could
:)

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 6:36am

Parker was offered Charity post-Applegate when the Weissler's were shopping around for a star replacement, but she wasn't interested in returning to theater at the time.

I think she'd make a fine Charity. Those saying she wouldn't be up to it vocally have to remember that Charity isn't much of a singers role. Yes she has to sing, but she doesn't have to belt her way through the score like Winnifred in OUAM. The role relies more on charm and dance then it does the vocals. Applegate is a perfect example of that.

Updated On: 10/18/06 at 06:36 AM

[jewishboy]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 8:36am

Um, are we forgeting that Carity is a dancing role. I thought Applegate's only strength was her acting, great comic timing on stage, but she could not keep up with the demands of the dancing required. I don't think Parker would be able to reach the demands of the dancing.

[Lizzya9]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 8:48am

i'm sick of so many "celebrity" charity's. how about someone with actual TALENT!??

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 9:57am

SJP has studied dance, jewishboy. She's been dancing pretty much her whole life.

And, frankly, she has a better voice than tons of other people who have played the role.

Updated On: 10/18/06 at 09:57 AM

[Princeton78]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 10:53am

I said that SJP would be a good idea as Charity about 2 years ago. I still say she'd be fantastic.