Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/08
I’ve always thought Zac Levi would make a great Harold Hill. That being said, I iuld love to see Norm Lewis in it.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
I think James Snyder would make a great Harold Hill and I would enjoy seeing Eric McCormack do the role again.
Zachary Levi is the best suggestion I've heard. He has a campy, big personality, enough of a voice to speak/sing it, charisma, and a name. They should definitely pursue him after Jackman.
DramaTeach said: "Zachary Levi is the best suggestion I've heard. He has a campy, big personality, enough of a voice to speak/sing it, charisma, and a name. They should definitely pursue him after Jackman."
I LOVE this idea.
Norm Lewis, please.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/2/15
I’m curious how Cheyenne Jackson and Kristin chenoweth would fair.
Or Neil Patrick Harris and Laura Osnes
Or John Stamos and Megan hilty
Besides college and some regional productions, why does it seem like Marian and the professor have NEVER been cast age appropriately in the history of this show?
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/21/05
angoradebs said: "Fosse76 said: "I'm more curious as to how a 44 year old woman's mother has a young son. Unless Winthrop is played as a mentally disabled adult, it was already a hard sell in earlier iterations."
Just because Sutton Foster is 44 doesn't mean Marian Paroo is 44. Patti Murin and Caissie Levy played characters around 20 years younger than themselves in Frozen. Since Marian's age is never stated outright, it doesn't really matter, but I'm going to assume she's just playing younger."
Murin and Levy didn't pass as 20 year olds and looked every bit their real ages. Foster also looks very much her age. Winthrop is a small boy, so his mother must be old enough to have an adult daughter but young enough to credibly have a young son. No matter how old they pretend Foster is, the woman playing her mother needs to look older, and no matter her age, she's still going to look like Winthrop's grandmother.
Swing Joined: 4/8/18
Unlike HJ, Seth Macfarlane can really sing! I am Australian and have seen HJ in a lot of things and he's really a weak singer. Sorry.
But I'm still seeing The Music Man in December though.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/25/18
Trousers said: "Unlike HJ, Seth Macfarlane can really sing! I am Australian and have seen HJ in a lot of things and he's really a weak singer. Sorry.
But I'm still seeing The Music Man in December though."
I get why Hugh appeals to a lot of people. He’s got an everyman likeability and is very inoffensive and a good entertainer. But it does annoy me that he seems to get so much praise for his singing when it’s really not that good. It’s like expectations are lowered just because it’s Hugh, which annoys me!
I think it's the opposite--people are surprised that Wolverine sings so well. But I do think not enough consideration is given to which roles are within his range, and this can lead to a weaker vocal performance depending of the production (the Les Miz movie, for instance).
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
joevitus said: "I think it's the opposite--people are surprised that Wolverine sings so well. But I do think not enough consideration is given to which roles are within his range, and this can lead to a weaker vocal performance depending of the production (the Les Miz movie, for instance)."
I agree with your comment. Personally, I think Jackman sings well when the song doesn't go for high notes, but when he goes for the high notes, his voice gets nasally; and, although he makes the notes, the sound is not necessarily pleasant.
But, in this case, we are talking Harold Hill; his two big numbers are essentially patter songs, which will benefit mega from his charisma and I don't think any of them are difficult. He will be incredible.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/21/05
Trousers said: "Unlike HJ, Seth Macfarlane can really sing!"
That's true, but I don't think he's as charismatic as HJ, and SM looks like he's a conman. He just looks suspicious. I don't think he'd be a good fit.
Fosse76 said: "Trousers said: "Unlike HJ, Seth Macfarlane can really sing!"
That's true, but I don't think he's as charismatic as HJ, and SM looks like he's a conman. He just looks suspicious. I don't think he'd be a good fit."
BUT!!! That’s the character!!!
How about Lin Manuel Miranda? The role doesn't require a big range and I could see him being good as Harold Hill.
Tommy Schwanfelder posted in a private Facebook group titled 'Broadway By Broadway' earlier today asking people who they'd like to see take over for Hugh Jackman as Harold Hill.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/431379557404808/posts/1050620595480698/?comment_id=1050762475466510&reply_comment_id=1050800332129391¬if_id=1637672814192405&ref=notif¬if_t=group_comment_mention
I posted a comment with the following suggestions:
Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Neil Patrick Harris
Zachary Levi
Seth MacFarlane
Conan O’Brien
John Stamos
Patrick Wilson
Understudy Joined: 8/28/17
Could be 100% be false. But I heard from a friend in an agency that John Krasinski has been CONTACTED.
But regardless, I could see it. Great way to show his range, and Hill isn’t that extreme of a role to sing
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/21/20
I'm liking a lot of the suggestions here - Seth MacFarlane, Norm Lewis, Lin-Manuel Miranda and John Krasinksi especially.
This show could end up being like the Hedwig revival and have a whole slew of different forms of stunt casting. Could help it last a long time.
I would love to see a Porgy & Bess reunion with Norm and Audra.
Zachary Levi, IMO, is the most inspired casting choice in this thread.
John Krasinski is a really fascinating choice too, and I think he could be great. Has he ever sang before? Harold Hill of course doesn't require an insane set of pipes, but I'm curious as to Krasinski's vocal ability.
Soaring29 said: "Kelli O'Hara should play Marian afterwards. Laura Osnes too."
Yes, please! She can sing "My White Vaxx" and "Til there was Flu" with Chad Kimball as Harold!
blaxx said: "Soaring29 said: "Kelli O'Hara should play Marian afterwards. Laura Osnes too."
Yes, please! She can sing "My White Vaxx" and "Til there was Flu" with Chad Kimball as Harold!"
Don't forget the classic "Goodnight, My Karen"!
Maybe they can pull a Company and Foster can take over the Jackman role. Marian could easily be Marion.
He's far more of a Marcellus overall, but I'd LOVE to see Kenan Thompson perform "Trouble." The man has a knack for a knowing leer and stressing words just right.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
darquegk said: "He's far more of a Marcellus overall, but I'd LOVE to see Kenan Thompson perform "Trouble." The man has a knack for a knowing leer and stressing words just right."
A new & lively "Trouble."
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWqUAnZgb9R/
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