https://www.broadwayworld.com/l.cfm?id=46174 In the words of Napoloen Dynamite, "Whaaaaaat?!" Sarah Paulson and Natalie Portman aren't even int he same catagory. I think Natalie Portman would have been amazing given her performance in Garden State and if I cannot have the role myself, she can have it. But Sarah Paulson? I like her but I'm having doubts about her in the role.
One, that's an old story that you linked -- both Hawke and Leonard have since dropped out of the revival and have moved onto other projects (Hawke is slated to star in an off-Broadway revival of "Hurlyburly" beginning in January).
Two, Portman was absolutely awful as Nina in "The Seagull" opposite Kevin Kline and Meryl Streep at the Delacorte a couple of years ago and let's not even talk about that embarassment of a performance in "Phantom Menace." Paulson could only be better.
"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie
[http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/]
"The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney
That really sucks that the two starring males have left the show. I was really looking forward to seeing them in these roles. As for Sarah... Isn't she a little old to be playing Laura? I thought Natalie fit the role better age-wise, and physically.
Paulson's 28 and Portman's 23 -- either age is fine for Laura.
"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie
[http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/]
"The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney
Now Margo, referencing Phantom Menace performances is not fair. Everyone is terrible in that movie, as they are in Attack Of The Clones, but it is so not their fault.
Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.
I actually thought Ewan McGregor was fine, as was Samuel L. Jackson -- not great, of course, but fine -- so clearly the ones who had actual acting talent were able to get through it relatively unscathed (and let's not forget Alec Guiness from the first series).
Hayden Christiansen and Portman, however completely embarassed themselves.
"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie
[http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/]
"The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney