The Devil Wears Prada — Page 3

VotePeron said: "Emily is good as Miranda is good, but I can't imagine they're not trying to get a big name for the future."

I would agree that it's likely they'll end up courting a bigger star for the full production, but this does give at least an idea of where they might be going in terms of the vocal requirements for the role (I can't imagine hiring Emily Skinner, even for a reading, if you're not planning on at least a few moments of belt-your-face-off)

Why do they need a big star for this?? The title is huge (as good or better than Mean Girls and Tootsie) and Elton John's name is still a draw for Broadway audiences and tourists. And every famous actress who got offered the role would have to deal with being compared to Meryl Streep.

IdinaBellFoster said: "Wow - Skinner is inspired.Heléne Yorke is a great choice for Emily. I'd love for it to be Laura Benanti but I wonder if the third lead is too small of a role for her at this point."

I wouldn't say so much the size of the role, but Emily still needs to be on the relatively younger side. A 40+ Emily who's just getting promoted to the position of first assistant just feels off. I don't remember if the movie ever mentioned where Emily eventually hopes to end up, I can't imagine that the character would be aiming to still be an assistant at that age.

So happy to hear Emily Skinner is doing the reading. She has that sarcastic thing about her

that is perfect for Miranda...plus that voice...boom ...I really hope this is hers when it goes or if it goes to Broadway...

Elton John has never chased stars. Schedules permitting, I fully believe this is intended to be the cast for Broadway.

(Heléne Yorke is coming for that Best Featured Actress in a Musical Tony. Know that, babies.)

magictodo123 said: "I think they should find an unknown for Andy"

Krystina Alabado is an unknown to 99.8% of the world.



Call_me_jorge said: "Just remembered that this will be Emily’s second time working on an Elton John show. The first being Billy Elliot. Maybe Elton just had her in mind from the get go?"

Doubt it. He might not have even seen her in Billy Elliott, by all accounts he was very absent from the U.S. production. Anyone know if he attended last week's reading?

A reliable source in Chicago mentioned to me that this is in works to have their Pre-Broadway tryout in the 2020 Season with Broadway in Chicago.

Can someone explain exactly what takes place at a 'reading'.

The obvious is that they all come in, are given scripts, then improvise/are directed?

Do they know the music/their lines before coming in; is there movement; is it only a one time.

It couldn't be like a Mickey/Judy at a piano with one look at the sheet music and they know it word perfect, and also the dance routines.

Interested to know the process. I have been to a studio/journalist preview in a rehearsal room but by then the show had basically been set.

BrodyFosse's version might be correct for certain preliminary readings that don't have an invited audience, but Devil Wears Prada was a much different situation.

For the Devil Wears Prada "reading," they rehearsed for 2 weeks in the mornings/afternoons, working around people with matinee schedules. The presentations were performed at music stands, with the cast reading the book and singing the songs, for an invited audience of investors, theatre owners, etc. I believe the Equity agreement was a "Tier 1" development contract.

Often, a musical will just do a "29 Hour Reading." They'll have about 25 hours of rehearsal (learn the music, read through the script a few times, do a bit of character work, etc). The presentation is typically the full book and score (or whatever is written of it) at music stands, with piano or a small band. The presentation happens in a rehearsal studio or in an off-Bway theatre. It's a way for producers to raise money, but also to see a show performed by actors so they can say "this scene/song works, that doesn't; we like this actor, that actor shouldn't continue with the project."

Updated On: 9/12/19 at 11:26 PM