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

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 5:34pm

I buy her as Reno.



I bow to no one in my admiration of Ethel Merman, but she was no sexpot as Reno.



Merman's persona as Reno was more of the goofy gal who doesn't get the guy, as you can see from this clip of her doing "You're the Top" with Bing Crosby from the 1936 movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJpCO5AOVAQ

I could see Sutton doing that kind of Reno Sweeney.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 5:36pm

And Patti....

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 5:37pm

Frank Rich's review of LuPone is a good reminder of what New York audiences saw back in 1987:

"With her burst of Lucille Ball red hair, a trumpet's blare in her voice and lips so insinuatingly protruded they could make the Pledge of Allegiance sound lewd, Ms. LuPone's Reno is a mature, uninhibited jazz dame: loose, trashy, funny, sexy. Ethel Merman she's not - the difference in belting power is mainly apparent in 'Blow, Gabriel, Blow' -but who is? Ms. LuPone has her own brash American style and, most of all, a blazing spontaneity: With this Reno, everything goes. At the end of Act I, which should by all rights conclude with the full-throttle dance number accompanying the title song, she has the audacity to upstage the entire company and bring down the act with a broad wink into the Vivian Beaumont's auditorium. By then, most of the crowd is ready to take Ms. LuPone home, and not necessarily to mother."

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 5:38pm

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

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 5:41pm

I think Sutton Foster is a great choice for Reno. I just hope this revival doesn't tank like the other Roundabout revivals!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 5:44pm

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

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 5:50pm

For some reason, this does not read as "dork" to me.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 6:00pm

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

[Kad]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 6:09pm

She was surprisingly sexy and funny and Young Frankenstein, and gorgeous all made up in The Drowsy Chaperone. Her looks are hardly an issue here.

[mormonophobic]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 6:09pm

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

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 6:18pm

The role of Reno in a stellar Broadway revival of Anything Goes isn't bad news. In an embarrassingly bad revival of Anything Goes however, it could be rather daunting. But starring in a revival doesn't necessarily mean a step up or a step down in a career. And for this show, it certainly didn't do Patti LuPone, Elaine Paige or Sally Ann Triplett any harm whatsoever. Even Leslie Uggams enjoyed acclaim during her stint as a replacement and going on tour. Sutton would be stepping in line with some greats.

[ActingIsLovee]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 8:07pm

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

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 8:15pm

I hope this garners her 2nd Tony, knock on wood..

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 8:43pm

I think she'll do good.

[slmlbl]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 8:57pm

I love the idea of this! I think she will be great!!!

I don't understand the doubting her and questioning her career choices, every major broadway production she's been in since millie has secured her a Tony nom (Save YF).

I think she'll be a brand new Reno and will sell it in every possible way!! Updated On: 4/28/10 at 08:57 PM

[jewishboy]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 9:07pm

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.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 9:18pm

If she can pull some of her Drowsy/Young Frankenstein sex appeal, I think it would be incredible.

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 10:23pm

Laura Benanti as Hope???

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 10:30pm

Roundabout could easily recycle Leslie Kritzer (who would be a dynamite Reno in her own right) and Erin Mackey from SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM and cast them as Erma and Hope, respectively.

Kritzer would knock "Buddie, Beware" out of the stratosphere, though she's really due for her own star turn.

Updated On: 4/28/10 at 10:30 PM

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 10:40pm

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

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 10:42pm

And how about him as Bill? He's suave, funny and can actually sing the role.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 10:54pm

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

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 11:00pm

Does Bonnie still sing "The Heaven Hop"? I love that number.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF4rXGOKzus

This is Margery Grey from the 19666 revival.

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 11:01pm

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

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/28/10 at 11:14pm

Applegate would be great as Moonface. So would Ernie Sabella, but I believe he's retired from the business because of health issues.