The Future of Wonderful Town

[J.J.]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 5:37pm

Barry and Fran never know how to say the word quit. Rumor is that they are renewing WT's contracts for about 6mo-1year. And, of course, they're bringing in one of their tv personalities to take over for Donna: Brooke Shields.

[MusicPos2]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 6:12pm

Can she even sing?

[musicalfandukie]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 6:17pm

i have never heard or seen Brooke Shields on stage but i know she has also been in cabaret and grease on broadway..so i am guessing she can sing. Updated On: 7/27/04 at 06:17 PM

[tthomas76]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 6:18pm

Ok, so when is she suppost to take over? We're going to go on August 8th and I'd really like to see Donna and NOT Brooke. No offense but I want to see Donna...

[cvapb]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 6:18pm

I don't think Donna can sing either. No big loss in my opinion.

[musicalfandukie]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 6:25pm

i havent seen donna in wonderful town but i have the king and i broadway revival cd..and i think she has a beautiful voice. Updated On: 7/27/04 at 06:25 PM

[PJ]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 7:08pm

Brook Shields cannot sing. From what I've been told and have read, she talk-sang her way through Cabaret. But, crappy singing was considered characterization for the recent revival.

[cvapb]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 7:27pm

Maybe donna was just bad in WT, but everything about that show (including her) made me want to run away screaming

[musicaltheatreman]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 7:36pm

they should bring in patti lupone!!! i know that ruth in WT is one of her dream roles!!! but i know that she would not do it

is the tour still going to happen?? thanks :)

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 8:11pm

how about bebe neuworth? she'd make a great ruth

[MusicPos2]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 8:23pm

Either of those two would be great!

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 8:43pm

they should bring in patti lupone!!! i know that ruth in WT is one of her dream roles!!! but i know that she would not do it

Why wouldn't she do it, if it's one of her dream roles?

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 8:44pm

Am I the only person who LOVED the revival?

[AvalonSkysStudios]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 8:49pm

when do they plan on kicking Donna off and
bringing in Brooke?

Donna Murphy can most certainly sing.

I think that it is just wrong for bringing in
Brooke. It is kind of hard to imagine her as Ruth,
she is just too sweet and cute for the part.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 9:05pm

No, NYCbabe, I absolutely loved it too.

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 9:06pm

Yay!

[AvalonSkysStudios]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 9:10pm

it's about time to see some devoted
fans of WT.

[bythesword84]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 9:10pm

I'm telling you, Carolee Carmello would be an awesome Ruth. I stand by that. She won't bring in the ticket sales they'd need but still, she'd be amazing.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 9:21pm

Well, aside from Shields being rather "limited" as a singer and actress, wouldn't her youthful looks and beauty make her an odd choice for Ruth? Ruth is typically cast as a 40-something spinster type and while Shields is in her late 30's, she doesn't look it all and frankly wouldn't SHE be the one getting all the attention from men, not whoever's playing Eileen? I can't imagine men tripping over themselves to meet Eileen and ignoring Ruth in the process if Shields is playing her (wouldn't guys want to meet them BOTH?). Shields just doesn't make sense as Ruth.

Cast Lupone, Neuwirth or some great comedienne in the role -- the role was written for Rosalind Russell's 4 note range, so frankly ANY well known comedic actress who can sing even slightly would be a decent choice. One of my personal picks -- who's not famous enough and probably is wrong for it in so many other ways, but I don't care -- would be Jackie Hoffman. Imagine what she would do to "101 Ways To Lose A Man" ....

[musicgal04]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 10:01pm

I adore Wonderful Town, I've seen it three times and will see it yet again this coming weekend. I personally would love it if Linda Muggleston would get to take over the part, but as the show isn't really selling well right now with Donna, I guess they need the name. When is Donna leaving? Any word on if any other cast members are leaving? I have dorky "crush" on Greg Edelman and would hate to see him leave.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 10:03pm

edelman is signed for another show in the fall so i guess he's leaving some time in the near future

[musicgal04]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 10:06pm

What show?

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 10:12pm

sondheim's opening doors

[bythesword84]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 10:14pm

Him and Carmello are both signed on for that, its a headline on Playbill.com right now, should be good.

[marincrazy11]

Posted: 7/27/04 at 10:19pm

I loved Wonderful Town too! I think Donna is fabulous in the role, and I love hre in passion and king and i as well