Tell us your dream Broadway revival! — Page 5

I think someone already said Light in the Piazza with Kelli as Margaret, but hear me out on the rest of this dream. The revival would be a production à la Deaf West Spring Awakening and would play at Circle in the Square.

I’d like to update my earlier post and say that I’ve thought of a much better Witch for my Into the Woods dream revival. I personally believe Katrina Lenk could be spectacular in that role. She may not be the biggest headliner in the role, but she’s a remarkable actress with one hell of a voice. My mention of Indiana Menzel doing the role was the only performer in my dream cast that I wasn’t sure about, and the more I think of it, the more I think she’d be wrong for the part. Also, as I said in my original post, having Menzel play another witch would be a bit on the nose.

Also, while I still think Stephanie J. Block could be a great Penelope Pennywise, a little while ago I heard someone suggest Rachel Bay Jones for the part, and I believe she could do it even better.

And I thought of one more dream revival. Norbert Leo Butz and Ethan Slater starring in The Producers, as Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom respectively(although I’m guessing most everyone reading this knew who I meant for which role). The supporting cast could be made up of Bertie Carvel as Roger Debris, Christian Borle as Carmen Ghia(Although I seriously struggle to see him accepting the role. As great a part as it is, Carmen is still second banana to Roger. But again, this is a dream cast), Danny Burstein as Franz Liebkind, and Taylor Louderman as Ulla.

Updated On: 7/3/19 at 01:28 AM

Someone please collect the troll?

Back on topic, I've had sort of a fringe-y design idea for a Hair revival that I'm gonna include here. Highly unlikely Jim Rado would ever go for it (assuming he remembered one discussed it with him; he's not 100% all there these days, sadly), but I like it.

I was inspired by an untitled comic by Subnormality and PeopleWatching creator Winston Rowntree about two kids, a guy and a girl, who run into each other on the way to some event. They're kind of flirty, she wants to draw comics, a few political references that could apply to any era are sprinkled in, and then there's a horrific twist ending (you have to check the last page carefully for a caption at the very bottom when you read it to know that an historical event is being referenced) that I won't spoil. Read it for yourself. I liked that twist of not knowing until the very end that the comic is not set in the time period the reader automatically assumes, and though the parallel would not be 100%, I'd like to attempt something similar -- albeit mildly more palatable for "the old guard" -- with Hair.

Namely, we open the show with a look apparently hearkening back to hippie days (with one or two modern pieces, or at least neutral period-appropriate clothing not dissimilar to today’s fashions, but definitely not overtly hippie), and gradually introduce more later looks/fashions/etc. (not a hop through the decades, straight to now) until, come the finale, the clothing and whatnot is up to date. Perhaps the protest/rally has the odd poster with references that may have current application as well. The point of all this modernity bleeding through and then taking over is to drive home the story's timelessness. The comparison isn't perfect (let's face it, Hair talks about the times it takes place in every five seconds, the exact same execution would be impossible), but I'd like to achieve a similar effect to Rowntree's comic, to give the audience that unsettling realization of how far we still have to go, where people are like "Okay, that's still the show I know, but they looked like kids today and didn't sound that different either..."

It'd take some adjusting for the audience, both newbies and longtime fans, but I think it'd emphasize the show's message and accent the characters' personalities, while bringing something new to the piece, especially for those that only know it for three out-of-context radio hits. Further, this gradual progression would both establish that the show is still set in the Sixties and potentially off-set the awful feeling some people who lived through the era get when they see actors trying to look and act like hippies.

On another costume design note, I also think it's important to remember that, regardless of era, we're dealing with a group of New York street urchins. These kids don't have money and are almost always seen outside, so the dressier fashions of the time wouldn't be appropriate. Indeed, the reality of what "living on the street" means in a contemporary context is very incongruous with the makeshift, day-to-day living of liberated NYC youth of the Sixties and Seventies; it might be interesting if this Tribe singing about their idyllic community look, smell, and act more like today's homeless than a Sixties costume party.

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Updated On: 7/3/19 at 10:23 AM

A revival of "Fiddler On the Roof" with Bette Midler as Tevye OR

A revival of "The Color Purple" in Navy Blue OR

A revival of "Dreamgirls" with Betty Buckley as Effie



All viable possibilities.

My dream revival takes place 15 years from now so that everyone is around the right ages. But my dream revival is Follies, as well done and as large as the NT production. Keep the documentary aspect added in NT.

Annaleigh Ashford- 49- Sally Durant Plummer
Laura Benanti- 54- Phyllis Rogers-Stone
Lin Manuel Miranda- 55- Buddy Plummer
Christopher Jackson- 58- Ben Stone
Sara Ramirez- 58- Carlotta
Anika Noni Rose- 61- Stella

Updated On: 7/4/19 at 04:00 PM

A revival of 'The Most Happy Fella' starring Sean Penn OR

A revival of 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' starring Donald Trump, Jr. OR

A revival of 'West Side Story' that's set in the East Village OR

A revival of 'Sunday in the Park with George' starring Fran Drescher as Dot

(I should have been a casting director)

TooTiredForThis said: "... I also may have spent far too much time dreaming up my perfect cat for this... XD"

Irma La Douche with Karen Olivo in the title role!

A revival of 'Funny Girl' with Viola Davis as Fanny Brice OR

A revival of 'Wonderful Town' that takes place in Flint Michigan OR

A revival of 'I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It On the Road' starring Hillary Clinton OR

A revival of 'I Can Get It For You Wholesale' starring Jeff Bezos

(I definitely shoulda been a casting director)

Updated On: 7/7/19 at 10:57 PM

I’d love to see a revival of Little Shop of Horrors. One that would stay true to the original, minimalistic off broadway production. It could star Brandon Uranowitz as Seymour, Kate Rockwell as Audrey, Andy Karl as Orin, Michael McGrath as Mr. Mushnik, and Jewelle Blackman as Audrey II.

HamilHansen said: "Don't see Borle as Todd or Jones as Lovett, but I'd love to be proven wrong.

That said, Slater, Kritzer, Page, and Steele are spot on! I'd LOVE to have them in those roles (and sell my soul to see them as well)

"

I realize that Borle and Bay Jones may not be actors who scream Todd and Lovett, but after I went over several potential leads, the two of them were the best I could think of. I believe they are both extremely talented and incredibly versatile performers, and I’d be willing to watch them act in just about anything. Christian Borle has actually said in an interview that Sweeney Todd is a dream role, which leads me to believe he’d be willing to fully commit himself to that monster of a part. Also, while he’s primarily known as a comedic actor, I believe most people will agree that his work in Falsettos showed that he can excel in a juicy, dramatic part. While Marvin is a total saint compared to Sweeney, some of his actions in the first half of the show are legitimately monstrous, and Borle’s at times unhinged performance was chilling, especially in the famous “Marvin Goes Crazy/Hits Trina” scene. Rachel Bay Jones’ performances in Pippin and Dear Evan Hansen proved that she can be completely hilarious and heartbreakingly honest, which are both key elements to being Nellie Lovett. I also believe that her wonderfully warm presence could make her one of the more unique Lovetts. It would cause some of her sweeter moments to come across as genuinely endearing, while also making her diabolical actions even more unnerving. Hell, seeing such a lovable actress become such a loathsome character could actually make her Lovett almost as terrifying as Sweeney.

Also, I’m very proud of of the cast members you mentioned. To me, Slater exudes such a likable, childlike energy. I believe he’d make for a lively and tragic Toby. I honestly couldn’t think of a single other performer that I’d want to see do the role. Not only could he act the part beautifully, he also has the perfect voice and face for it. Not too young, but not too old. I’ve personally always preferred for Toby to be played by a young adult rather than a child actor. The role’s not exactly easy to sing, and it just sounds much better with a more developed voice. Not to mention, the audience should actually find the character to be scary by the end of the show, which is definitely harder for a minor to pull off. Kritzer, meanwhile is one of those performers who is truly excellent in whatever she does. I believe she’d be totally game to tackle the Beggar Woman. Her voice against that beautiful and frantic music would be delightful, and I think she’d be able to perfectly pull off her craziness while also never forgetting to give hints about the woman underneath the insanity. And I don’t think anyone can deny that her Pirelli would be sidesplitting. As for Page, if you put a low note or a villain in front of him, he’s going to knock it out of the park. Another reason why Page would be ideal is because he never approaches a villain as a villain. He always tries to find a legitimate reason for their actions to base his performance around, which is perfect for Turpin, since outside of his big solo, the Judge never seems to have any idea that he’s a disgustingly awful human being. I believe it’s easy for an actor to make Judge Turpin into a one dimensional character, but if Patrick Page got his hands on the part, he’d bring out just the right amount of horror and depth. And finally, anyone who saw Great Comet knows that Lucas Steele can hit truly breathtaking high notes, and be deliciously hammy, which are the two ultimate necessities to correctly portraying the Beadle.

Updated On: 7/19/19 at 12:02 AM

The Who’s Tommy, with the following cast:

Roman Banks as Tommy Walker
Benjamin Walker as Captain Walker
Nicolette Robinson as Mrs. Walker
Michael Schaeffer as Uncle Ernie
Mike Faist as Cousin Kevin
Joaquina Kalukango as the Gypsy
Isabelle McCalla as Sally Simpson
Jon Rua as the Hawker
Raymond J. Lee as the Specialist
Justin Sargent as the Lover

Also, I’m not the first person to suggest this but I think a Deaf West production would also be perfect for the show