Susan Egan as Miss Honey?

[FindMe12]

Posted: 12/19/13 at 1:58am

Just got back from seeing Matilda for the first time, was completely blown away by Jill's performance but was wondering what others would think if Susan Egan playing the role of Miss Honey?

[theatregeek6]

Posted: 12/19/13 at 7:22am

I love Susan Egan but isn't she pushing mid-forties? Might read a bit old for Miss Honey.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 12/19/13 at 7:29am

She's only four months older than Lauren Ward, I think she can still do it.

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 12/19/13 at 8:16am

Vocally she isn't a fit for the role, far too nasally. Never understood her appeal outside of her Disney work.

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 12/19/13 at 8:16am

^^Double Post

Updated On: 12/19/13 at 08:16 AM

[newintown]

Posted: 12/19/13 at 8:18am

I've always liked her voice, but I don't think she could play more delicate than a VW bus. And Jenny Honey is a pretty delicate creature.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 12/19/13 at 8:35am

Personally I think Lauren Ward was a bit too old for the part when we saw her... but I understand why she positively should have been there because of her originating the role.

But a younger Ms. Honey works better for me - because at a certain point, it's less appealing when an older adult does not get their act together, no matter what their childhood was. Jill is just perfect...and 10 years younger.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 12/19/13 at 9:23am

Yeah, Susan's voice is nice, but would be way too whiny and nasally for Miss Honey. How old should the actress who play Miss Honey be then? I read the book a while after I saw the musical, and Miss Honey was 24.

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 12/19/13 at 11:32am

Miss Honey has the best songs in the show, and, in my opinion, the best songs written for any character since Caroline Thibodeaux. Lauren didn't come off as too old to me, mostly because I was just bowled over by her voice.

The thing about Miss Honey (at least the way Lauren played her) is that yes, she is mostly shimmery high notes, but her speaking voice can drop way into the lower register. The duality is the most important part of her character. She's not a delicate creature, though she appears that way, and that's the point. She's a small but stubborn fire and her voice needs to bolster that.

My pick would be Christiane Noll.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 12/19/13 at 12:11pm

I was thinking the other day that Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, and Anne Hathaway would be great choices for Miss Honey for the film version. With Amy Adams as my first choice if Lauren Ward doesn't get chosen (I seriously doubt it with Matthew W. as the director)

[BewareTheUndertoad]

Posted: 12/19/13 at 1:01pm

Only if they want the show to close.

[ElphabaGoodman]

Posted: 12/19/13 at 2:12pm

I'd love to see Jenn Gambatese do it.