#26
Posted: 2/24/09 at 2:59pm
What ever happened to that little Paris Bennett (I think that was her name)from American Idol?
THE WIZ will be 2009 Encores! Summer Stars — Page 2
#27
Posted: 2/24/09 at 3:15pm
Anika Noni Rose has worked with Encores! before in PURLIE and she was once slated to star in the proposed TV movie with Brian Stokes Mitchell and Sherie Rene Scott that never came to be. I really hope they get her to star in this production, she'd be fantastic and though she is in her mid 30s, she won a Tony for credibly playing a teenager in CAROLINE, OR CHANGE.
Audra McDonald is too Julliard indeed, she belongs nowhere near this show.
I hope the likes of Lillias White, Daniel Breaker, Loretta Devine, and maybe even Tonya Pinkins are approached instead.
Audra McDonald is too Julliard indeed, she belongs nowhere near this show.
I hope the likes of Lillias White, Daniel Breaker, Loretta Devine, and maybe even Tonya Pinkins are approached instead.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
#28
Posted: 2/24/09 at 3:17pm
This is one of my favorite shows, and it would be nice to see this done correctly, since so many revived attempts have bombed.
I'd love to see a national search for a new, completely unknown Dorothy. Someone between 13 - 16, with a big voice, and that special charm to carry the role. They did it for "Annie" - why not do it for "The Wiz?"
As for the main roles, it would be nice to see some really big talent fill these shoes. Unfortunately, some of the names that came to mind were movie actors, rather than stage performers - however, my instinct is that they'd be more than capable of handling themselves on stage.
What about Eddie Murphey for the role of The Wiz? The man is funny and can sing. Great Evilene choices would be Lilias White, and for some reason, the thought of Jennifer Holiday actually made me laugh - the woman WOULD be great in that part - totally over the top. How about Cedric the Entertainer (needs a new stage name!) for the Lion? I don't know if he can sing, but he's certainly funny, and the right physical type. The Scarecrow and Tin Man are more difficult, because you really need excellent "song and dance" men. Finding one of those who's not exactly a chorus boy can be challenging.
Why not bring back Ms. Mills to play Glinda? The audience would love it, she's the right age now, and her voice still soars. To give her a sizable cameo in the piece that brought her stardom would be very cool.
I'll continue to ruminate on other possibilities, as will everyone else and their mother on here. LOL
I'd love to see a national search for a new, completely unknown Dorothy. Someone between 13 - 16, with a big voice, and that special charm to carry the role. They did it for "Annie" - why not do it for "The Wiz?"
As for the main roles, it would be nice to see some really big talent fill these shoes. Unfortunately, some of the names that came to mind were movie actors, rather than stage performers - however, my instinct is that they'd be more than capable of handling themselves on stage.
What about Eddie Murphey for the role of The Wiz? The man is funny and can sing. Great Evilene choices would be Lilias White, and for some reason, the thought of Jennifer Holiday actually made me laugh - the woman WOULD be great in that part - totally over the top. How about Cedric the Entertainer (needs a new stage name!) for the Lion? I don't know if he can sing, but he's certainly funny, and the right physical type. The Scarecrow and Tin Man are more difficult, because you really need excellent "song and dance" men. Finding one of those who's not exactly a chorus boy can be challenging.
Why not bring back Ms. Mills to play Glinda? The audience would love it, she's the right age now, and her voice still soars. To give her a sizable cameo in the piece that brought her stardom would be very cool.
I'll continue to ruminate on other possibilities, as will everyone else and their mother on here. LOL
#29
Posted: 2/24/09 at 3:20pm
I don't want to see Daniel Breaker in this. I just don't think his vocals are that good. He can carry a tune, but he can't really "sing" or..."sahng" like this show needs.
#30
Posted: 2/24/09 at 3:34pm
One of the few Encores! productions that I have no interest in seeing. AT ALL.
BroadwayEd
#31
Posted: 2/24/09 at 3:36pm
Oh my god, this fits perfectly into my NYC vacation this summer, which means I HAVE to get tickets! The Wiz is one of my favorite shows ever and to see a professional production in New York is a dream of mine.
I hope they keep the original feel of it and don't try to modernize it like La Jolla did.
Oh, and Anika Noni Rose as Dorothy sounds fantastic.
I hope they keep the original feel of it and don't try to modernize it like La Jolla did.
Oh, and Anika Noni Rose as Dorothy sounds fantastic.
"Who says you can't bend over backwards and eat bugs if you want to? I guess the bugs would probably say you can't do that that, but assuming that they are willing and consenting bugs, then there's no problem. Let's wig out eating bugs."
-RuPaul
#32
Posted: 2/24/09 at 4:10pm
I love the idea of including Stephanie Mills in one of the adult roles.
Laughter is much more important than applause. Applause is almost a duty. Laughter is a reward.
Carol Channing
#33
Posted: 2/24/09 at 4:46pm
Wow. Didn't see that coming.
Thank god they wrestled it away from McAnuff.
I can't wait.
Thank god they wrestled it away from McAnuff.
I can't wait.
#34
Posted: 2/24/09 at 5:48pm
PS: Can't wait to see Blankenbuehler's choreography. The man is a genius.
#35
Posted: 2/24/09 at 6:03pm
THINK SUMMER STARS!!!!!!! NOT BROADWAY TALENT!!!!
#37
Posted: 2/24/09 at 6:14pm
^ Looks like you can't claim that the Des McAnuff nightmare is still going places. How sad for you.
http://www.youtube.com/huskcharmer
#38
Posted: 2/24/09 at 6:17pm
Whoopi Goldberg!!!!!!!!
Vanessa Williams!!!!
Wayne Brady!!!!!!
Vanessa Williams!!!!
Wayne Brady!!!!!!
#39
Posted: 2/24/09 at 6:41pm
What about a different, Oscar winning DREAMGIRL for Dorothy?
Like, I don't know....
J-HUD?!
Like, I don't know....
J-HUD?!
Some people paint, some people sew, I meddle.
#40
Posted: 2/24/09 at 6:45pm
"Yea, but again, she (Audra) is too trained, her voice isn't...soulful."
Are you delusional!? Have you hear Audra sing anything other than Ragtime, 110 in the Shade, or Carousel? Go to one of her concerts and then tell me she can't sing with soul.
Are you delusional!? Have you hear Audra sing anything other than Ragtime, 110 in the Shade, or Carousel? Go to one of her concerts and then tell me she can't sing with soul.
#41
Posted: 2/24/09 at 7:54pm
I will have to wait for a casting announcement before I can say that I am interested. This was absolutely not my choice for this summers City Center show. Im a bit let down by this choice. I was hopeing for Evita, Funny Girl or Hello, Dolly.
#42
Posted: 2/24/09 at 8:33pm
bjh-
Yes, I have. She's too Julliard, there's no soul/R&B to her voice, which is what the show requires.
JHud would NOT make a good Dorothy. One of the Witches, yes. Dorothy, no.
Yes, I have. She's too Julliard, there's no soul/R&B to her voice, which is what the show requires.
JHud would NOT make a good Dorothy. One of the Witches, yes. Dorothy, no.
http://www.youtube.com/huskcharmer
#43
Posted: 2/24/09 at 9:05pm
I think LaChanze would be a great Dorthy.
#44
Posted: 2/24/09 at 10:36pm
"bjh-
Yes, I have. She's too Julliard, there's no soul/R&B to her voice, which is what the show requires."
I agree that she's not right for the show, but to say she can't put soul into her voice is retarded. I've heard her do it on many occasions. Maybe you just aren't hearing her sing the right things...
Yes, I have. She's too Julliard, there's no soul/R&B to her voice, which is what the show requires."
I agree that she's not right for the show, but to say she can't put soul into her voice is retarded. I've heard her do it on many occasions. Maybe you just aren't hearing her sing the right things...
#45
Posted: 2/25/09 at 5:55am
I've never seen the Wiz...not even the movie: Do they still keep the concept of Oz as a fantasy world? If so, I think most of the parts between reality and Oz SHOULD be doubled. It's all in her head, so why wouldn't the people important in her life be represented.
If, of course, this ISN'T the case with the Wiz....nevermind.
If, of course, this ISN'T the case with the Wiz....nevermind.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#46
Posted: 2/25/09 at 8:28am
^ The Wiz sticks closer to the book, where Oz (while fantastical) is a real place.
My only beef with the Aunt Em/Glinda doubling with the original (and with this one) is if she spends all her time in Oz trying to get home to her, and Aunt Em is present in some form...why go home? Notice she doesn't ever say anything about her farmhand friends (who don't exist in the original book or The Wiz)?
My only beef with the Aunt Em/Glinda doubling with the original (and with this one) is if she spends all her time in Oz trying to get home to her, and Aunt Em is present in some form...why go home? Notice she doesn't ever say anything about her farmhand friends (who don't exist in the original book or The Wiz)?
http://www.youtube.com/huskcharmer
#47
Posted: 2/25/09 at 8:38am
I think LaChanze would be a great Dorthy.
I absolutely adore LaChanze, but you do realize she is 47, don't you?
I bet the producers are going to seek out Fantasia for one of the roles in this. She is young enough.
I absolutely adore LaChanze, but you do realize she is 47, don't you?
I bet the producers are going to seek out Fantasia for one of the roles in this. She is young enough.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
#48
Posted: 2/25/09 at 8:44am
Kenita Miller would be a fantastic!
#49
Posted: 2/25/09 at 9:27am
I actually have to agree with JasonM12480's suggestion that they search for an unknown for Dorothy. if they surround her with absolute top names and talent, it could work incredibly well.
if not, my picks are Anika and J-Hud.
if not, my picks are Anika and J-Hud.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
#50
Posted: 2/25/09 at 10:05am
Wow. LaChanze is 47 year old?? She looks amazing!!
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