TOO OLD For the Role? — Page 2

Not to put too fine a point on it, but I saw Ethel Merman play a mature Annie in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN on a school trip to Lincoln Center in 1966, not the early ‘60s. (Please, I’m old enough.)

Updated On: 6/26/18 at 03:07 PM

Obviously, there are some roles where the actors have become too old for, BUT who am I to judge casting when people are buying tickets to see them and people are still casting them in the parts. I mean everybody has to make a living. As Forbidden Broadway put it re: Channing, "Some people sing, some people dance, some people act...I do Hello Dolly!"

missthemountains said: "It's insanely subjective. I think honestly the biggest crime here is when people who are too old play teenagers. It's so cringey, and then I think it also gives teenagers unrealistic expectations of what their bodies and voices should sound like."

Not only that, but seeing dozens of 25 year old actresses with fully developed bodies playing 14 year olds really does promote the sexualization of youth. People who hear about, say, a statutory rape case or even just adults being creepy around kids and think "They're practically an adult anyway" "age is just a number"

I just wrapped up a project with a 16 year old actor. I'm in my early twenties, and my goodness did he make me feel old. I cannot fathom people in their early twenties dating highschoolers as anything other than creepy. (And, while working on the show, he did have to fend off some creepy messages despite being a minor, playing a minor, in a role that was not in any way sexualized)

BrodyFosse123 said: "Hasn't she retired Effie tho? I think the last time she did it was 2012 right?

In a 2017 interview Jennifer Hollidaymentioned thatshe would consider again playing her signature role, Effie White in DREAMGIRLS ifshe were joined by the musical's original Deena Jones, Sheryl Lee Ralph.

“Maybe she could do Deena for a week or for one night only but maybe not want to tour with it,” Holliday told STLTODAY."

Loretta Divine would like a word...a very high, belted word.

What does it mean when a musical theatre writer etc. is called a "hack?" I always thought K&L were quite well-regarded, so it was surprising to hear them referred to as such in this thread.

Musical Theatre Frenzy said: "And how believable was this: John Travolta and Stockard Channing played High School Seniors when they were in their 30s in the film version of Grease."

John Travolta was 24 when Grease was released, and would have been 23 or 24 during filming (depending on what the shooting and post-production schedule was).

Musical Theatre Frenzy said: "And how believable was this: John Travolta and Stockard Channing played High School Seniors when they were in their 30s in the film version of Grease."

Per casting director Joel Thurm, the casting of older actors (in their early 30s) in the film adaptation of GREASE was in order to help make then-29 year old Olivia Newton-John look younger (and more high school age), which even she agreed was far-fetched. Dinah Manoff (who played Marty) and Kelly Ward (who played Putzie) at age 21 (in 1977, when the film was being shot) were both the youngest of the principal cast. As mentioned above, John Travolta was 23 at the time of filming.

Most actresses cast as Blanche Dubois are too old -- Blanche is thirty in the text.

Blanche's 30 at the time of STREETCAR's opening is akin to 40-45 today.

The age difference between Norma Desmond and Joe Gillis should be wide enough to make any physical/romantic relationship seem at the very least awkward or even a little cringey. Since Joe is supposed to be a screenwriter who has had considerable work experience in Hollywood without any success, his age is not likely to be in his early twenties. I think a more credible age for him would be closer to 30...which would make Norma closer or at around 50. Joe could be in his late 30's or early 40's, which can push the age of Norma closer to 60 but that may not sound ideal. I think the casting in the original film noir classic ( William Holden as Joe and Gloria Swanson as Norma) was the most credible. Acting-wise, the film beats any stage adaptation production!

Rainah said: "missthemountains said: "It's insanely subjective. I think honestly the biggest crime here is when people who are too old play teenagers. It's so cringey, and then I think it also gives teenagers unrealistic expectations of what their bodies and voices should sound like."

Not only that, but seeing dozens of 25 year old actresses with fully developed bodies playing 14 year olds really does promote the sexualization of youth. People who hear about, say, a statutory rape case or even just adults being creepy around kids and think "They're practically an adult anyway" "age is just a number"

I just wrapped up a project with a 16 year old actor. I'm in my early twenties, and my goodness did he make me feel old. I cannot fathom people in their early twenties dating highschoolers as anything other than creepy. (And, while working on the show, he did have to fend off some creepy messages despite being a minor, playing a minor, in a role that was not in any way sexualized)"

Watching that Mean Girls performance at the Tony's the thing that struck me was how they all seemed way too old to play high schoolers.