Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

#1

Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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

#2

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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

#3

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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.

#4

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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.

#5

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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)

#6

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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*

---

I don't WANT to live in what they call "a certain way." In the first place I'd be no good at it and besides that I don't want to be identified with any one class of people. I want to live every whichway, among all kinds---and know them---and understand them---and love them---THAT's what I want! - Philip Barry (Holiday)

#7

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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.

#8

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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.

#9

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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.

#10

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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.

#11

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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.

---

"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter

#12

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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.

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"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611

#13

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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

(post Marissa, pre Christina)

Who is Marissa?

#14

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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.

#15

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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

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

#16

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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

Marisa Tomei, neddy.

---

"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter

#17

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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?

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I don't WANT to live in what they call "a certain way." In the first place I'd be no good at it and besides that I don't want to be identified with any one class of people. I want to live every whichway, among all kinds---and know them---and understand them---and love them---THAT's what I want! - Philip Barry (Holiday)

#18

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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.

#19

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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.

---

"I've got to get me out of here This place is full of dirty old men And the navigators and their mappy maps And moldy heads and pissing on sugar cubes While you stare at your books."

#20

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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
:)

#21

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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.

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Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

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

#22

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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.

#23

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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

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

#24

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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.

---

"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter

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

#25

re: Sarah Jessica Parker as Charity

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.

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"Y'all have a GRAND day now"