Sutton Foster to star in Roundabout's Anything Goes? — Page 2

And Patti....

---

And any discussion of Early Ethel MUST include "Ethel and the Elephants":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBs6eiMzCPk

Ethel's rendition of "The Animal in Me" from The Big Broadcast of 1936

---

She'll sing the sh*t out of it, dance like a dream and probably mine the book for an infinite number of laughs. Good on her.

I never thought I'd live to see the day RobbieJ says this about Sutton Foster. And I totally agree with him. While Sherie Rene Scott would play a completely different Reno, I think Sutton would bring her own talents to the part and make it work. Personally, I think she's loaded with charm, talent and charisma. She must be doing something right to continuously get great offers. Did she get any bad reviews for her performances in Shrek, Young Frankenstein or Little Women? I honestly can't remember. But based on her performance in Drowsy Chaperone, I'd count on her delivering a great Reno.

---

Updated On: 4/28/10 at 05:44 PM

I'm still trying to figure out the logic of Reno Sweeney being a worse career move than Shrek. Really?

---

I just don't see how starring in a (possibly good) revival would be bad news for Sutton's career. Were Young Frankenstein and Shrek somehow good news? Although I don't think she is right for Reno, some of the best roles out there (and best shows in general) are in revivals.

That being said, I've enjoyed Foster in the few things I have see her in. Although she wasn't the greatest thing about Anyone Can Whistle, it's easy to be overshadowed by Donna Murphy and Raul Esparza, especially when they had the better roles. I did really like Foster and Esparza during the subtitled scene, throughout "Come Play Wiz Me", and happen to be in the minority of people who thoroughly enjoyed her rendition of the title song.

The day before I saw Anyone Can Whistle, I watched The Drowsy Chaperone at Lincoln Center Archives. I was uber-familiar with the cast recording, but actually seeing it was quite thrilling. Although everyone has a shining moment or two in Drowsy, it was Foster who really surprised me. Well, besides Beth Leavel. But as the title character and sole Tony winner from the show, that goes without saying. Heck, you can tell just by listening to the OBCR how great she is.

Slightly off topic, but all that was to say that if Sutton Foster can tap into her Drowsy Chaperone-ish sensibilities (where she was ANYTHING but boring), she might actually make this work. Assuming, of course, that this actually happens.

Updated On: 4/28/10 at 06:09 PM

Although I understand where the concerns come from, I have a feeling Sutton will surprise a lot of people with this role.

I think she'll do good.

I think she is quite perfect for the role personally. Sutton Foster can belt as high and as powerful as Patti, but the only thing that might be a problem is her lack of "brassiness." She is one of the only young musical theater actresses who could pull off the role's requisite comedy, dancing and singing. Jenny Powers could too, but she is not a star. Yet.

Laura Benanti as Hope???

This is the only person I'm interested in seeing as Reno.

---

Well, if Sutton's Reno, I'll just go ahead and properly cast the rest of this s***:

Billy Crocker: Harry Connick Jr.
Moonface Martin: Christopher Fitzgerald
Lord Evelyn Oakleigh: Tim Curry
Hope Harcourt: Jayma Mays
Bonnie: Leslie Kritzer
Mrs. Harcourt: Rue McClanahan
Elisha J. Whitney: Fred Applegate

---

Christopher Fitzgerald is far too young for Moonface. Fred Applegate would be far more appropriate in THAT role.

---