Sherri Shepherd teasing potential Broadway return?

Her Instagram is currently teasing a big announcement dropping tomorrow at 7am, and it’s a montage of her talking voice lessons, working out, and learning choreography.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dc_VGGMxWej/?stkn=ZjU4dW9maWx6d2xr

Conventional wisdom pushes me toward her going to be in & JULIET, since Angelique tends to be one of the big star roles - but given her comedy background and association with Lorne Michaels (via 30 Rock), I’m going out on a limb and guessing she’s might be going into Schmigadoon after Jennifer Simard leaves.

I saw that thread after I made this thread. It’s certainly a choice but I have reservations she’s going to be able to do that role 8x a week since it basically carries the whole show.

I also saw that the timing comes a few hours before she appears on the season premiere of the THE VIEW (which - ABC/Disney corporate synergy)

I can't imagine her doing all 8 shows a week. Such horrible casting.

Should be noted that current Genie Caleb A. Barnett will stay in the company during Shepherd’s run as her standby.

EDSOSLO858 said: "Should be noted that current Genie Caleb A. Barnett will stay in the company during Shepherd’s run as her standby."

This whole thing reeks of desperation to save their dying show while they finish developing whatever’s going to replace it. At least they’re doing right by the guy they’re displacing from his contract by keeping him on the payroll.

I thought Aladdin was terrible and I would never go back but I do admit that the genie and his scenes were knockout performances and stole the show. I like Sherri but I can't imagine her doing that role even once much less 8 times a week. Maybe they'll somehow dumb it down like they do with Roxie when whatever stunt cast reality star can't do the full Me and My Baby dance.

The Genie may not be on stage a ton but the character carries "Friend Like Me," which is expanded to an almost 10-minute long production number that rests entirely on their shoulders and is the show's centerpiece, not to mention a deliberate showcase of the performer's abilities.

I wonder what the evolution was re: this casting?

Did Shepherd/her team approach Disney, or did Disney decide, "Let's shake things up a bit with a female genie. Who can we get?"

While I would have chosen a stronger singer, having the first female Genie on Broadway after 12 years is really exciting to me.

Tag said: "Well, from the horse's mouth."

I mean Proud Mary keeps on turning...