Stunt casting that worked!- Page 2

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 3:56pm

Reba in AGYG, and definitely Antonio Banderas in Nine!

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 4:00pm

Castalbumfan, I think you are mistaken in some of your Dolly facts. I believe Hello, Dolly on Broadway starred the following ladies in the following order:

Carol Channing
Ginger Rogers
Martha Raye
Betty Grable
Bibi Osterwald (longtime standbye for the part and "starred" on her own briefly)
Pearl Bailey (I believe Pearl Bailey's production played more than 200 performances in its original Broadway run)
Phyllis Diller
Ethel Merman

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 4:56pm

How come no one has mentioned Hugh Jackman in TBFO? Although he has a musical theater background, many would call it stunt casting because at the time he was known in the states only for his film work.

[NightLaughs]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 4:59pm

What would be considered "Pulling a Donna Murphy"? I've read her attendance for some shows was poor, is this what it's refering to?

[check your personality]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 5:13pm

I'm not sure of her theater background, but since I know her as an actress on the big-screen, I'd have to say Natasha Richardson in Cabaret.

[zippyjen]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 5:26pm

Neil Patrick Harris in Assasins.

[apdarcey]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 5:30pm

what are people's thoughts on toni braxton's performance in aida? i know they had to lower the score but i actually thought she was really good... her acting i thought outdid her singing, even though that was good too, if not a little raspy... but i definitely was blown away with her acting (thinking it was going to be horrendous!

[zippyjen]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 5:52pm

I didn't see Toni but i saw Michelled WIlliams and didn't care for her one bit.

[BWayBoy88]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 6:06pm

"How come no one has mentioned Hugh Jackman in TBFO?"

Um I mentioned him

[jo]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 7:00pm

Yes, Hugh did have a background in commercial musicals ( although he was actually trained in dramatic theatre rather than musical theatre), his casting on Broadway must have been heavily influenced by his fame as a Hollywood star. And what a surprise to critics and non-believers he turned out to be

Antonio Banderas, another Hollywood star, also had a background in theatre in his native Spain but had not appeared in big productions (like Hugh did in Australia and London) before he came to Broadway.

I do not know how to classify Sean Combs's foray into dramatic theatre in RAISIN IN THE SUN. It brought in a new audience niche into the theatre - young Afro-Americans and the pop culture crowd who, from reports, enjoyed watching the serious play. So, in a sense, that has also contributed to the enhancement of the theatre community.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 9:53pm

performance wise- wayne brady, paige davis, vicki lewis- chicago
steven weber- the producers

box office wise- joey fatone- rent

plus all the others mentioned previously

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 9:56pm

Reba was GREAT when I saw her in AGYG. My granfather to this day swears that she smiled at him during the show.

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 9:58pm

Reba in AGYG and Antonio Bandares in Nine.

[Jon]

Posted: 1/20/05 at 11:17pm

Lou Diamond Phillips in THE KING AND I. Everyone laughed when they announced it - he turned out to be pretty damn good.

[andyf]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 12:47am

Toni's acting definitely outshined her singing, but that's not saying too much because I could have sang the score with all the new keys. I was NOT amused with the end of "Dance of the Robe." Anyway, she really got into the scene where the tomb is closing...I remember that and thinking that her acting was good, but I didn't love the altered score.

Michelle T. didn't have any stage presence, but I'm still trying to figure out how she pulled those notes out of her asS. I really didn't think she was going to be able to do it, but out popped the F, and then in "Gods Love Nubia" she went NUTS (in a good way). I was really impressed with her vocally - at points - but she really didn't have ANY stage presence. I sort of kept waiting for Beyonce to walk onstage...

Updated On: 1/21/05 at 12:47 AM

[eslgr8]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 2:07am

Glad I started this thread. I know that a lot of times, people known mostly for film and tv (without a strong stage background) can really louse up a good show, but there have definitely been some pleasant surprises over the years, tv and film stars who not only have given the box office a lift but proven themselves in a new medium. I've enjoyed reading all your replies!

[CTY]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 4:28pm

i don't know if i would classify NPH as being "stunt cast" in Assassins. he was excellent in it and all, but i don't know if he's exactly a big enough name to draw a huge crowd to a show, especially a show like assassins. i think he certainly deserved the part, and that is the only reason he was given it.

[VonTussleGirl]

Posted: 1/21/05 at 7:51pm

Wayne Brady in Chicago and Brooke Shields in Wonderful Town.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 1/22/05 at 1:36am

I agree with you on Neil Patrick Harris, CTY. While I don't think he was expected to "pull a Joey Fatone" *shudders* for the Roundabout, he certainly was great. On the other hand, a lady near me did shriek, "Oh my gosh, it's Doogie!" during The Ballad of Czolgosz. Which I found annoying and rude but... amusing.
I enjoyed Wayne Brady in Chicago too. Although he flubbed a line or two, he had a certain charisma and panache that was charming in the role.