Love this idea, and seems like a great team is being assembled, but the role of Fran will certainly be difficult to cast.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/08/theater/the-nanny-broadway-fran-drescher.html
I bet Laura Benanti could do it. I wonder if Drescher could play Sylvia. The role would have to be rewritten to fit her, though,
Agreed - an impressive creative team! Bloom is a great choice for this material.
The role does seem almost impossible to cast.
Broadway Star Joined: 9/15/16
LOVE this idea. Very exciting team. Looking forward to it!
At first I thought this would be another I Love Lucy, Honeymooners, Happy Days where it will be a touring and regional theater play, but the fact that Rachel Bloom is on board actually has me excited. The Nanny, is essentially a 90’s era adaptation of Pygmalion meets The King and I, both of which have made great musicals. Add to that Rachel Bloom’s skill for writing humorous lyrics that can also be extremely biting and symbolic and I could see this being as iconic is in the American jewish community as the original series, and maybe even Fiddler if they play their cards right.
IdinaBellFoster said: "The role does seem almost impossible to cast."
I have to agree. I loved the sitcom, but the character was so intrinsically Fran Drescher that I can't see how the concept could be reproduced without her.
Featured Actor Joined: 3/16/15
This could be so much fun. I'm already dream casting, in my head.
Can Nina Arianda sing?
the.hard.part said: "Two words...Lesli Margherita"
Okay, that's intriguing.
Lot666 said: "the.hard.part said: "Two words...Lesli Margherita"
Okay, that's intriguing."
oh yes!
Any chance Rachel Bloom will just play the role herself? She’s very different from Fran Drescher, but so is everybody.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/7/18
She posted a photo with Charles Shaughnessy a few months back and also has hinted that she had something in the works that fans would love. I guess this is it. Very exciting!
I wonder if Charles could play Niles? I know he's done regional theater before and looks like he has done a few musicals.
I think Rachel Bloom should do it herself
I love Marc Bruni's analogy: "But what if instead of Maria Rainer with her guitar, Fran Fine showed up on the doorstep of a fractured family?" How do you solve a problem like The Nanny...! This could be delightful and charming.
Understudy Joined: 9/26/18
RWPrincess said: "She posted a photo with Charles Shaughnessy a few months back and also has hinted that she had something in the works that fans would love. I guess this is it. Very exciting!
I wonder if Charles could play Niles? I know he's done regional theater before and looks like he has done a few musicals.
"
Who are you referring to? Several ladies have been mentioned in the thread. Would be helpful if you specified which "she" you're talking about.
Featured Actor Joined: 3/16/15
the.hard.part said: "Two words...Lesli Margherita"
Ooh, yes.
I think they meant Fran D posted pictures
hayleyann said: "RWPrincess said: "She posted a photo with Charles Shaughnessy a few months back and also has hinted that she had something in the works that fans would love. I guess this is it. Very exciting!
I wonder if Charles could play Niles? I know he's done regional theater before and looks like he has done a few musicals.
"
Who are you referring to? Several ladies have been mentioned in the thread. Would be helpful if you specified which "she" you're talking about."
Rachel Bloom adapting The Nanny for the stage?? I love it!!! It might be garbage but I'm sure it will be a really fun time.
I thought I remember reading somewhere that the TV show was meant to be a loose twist on The Sound of Music, so it's kind of coming back to its roots.
I agree that Rachel Bloom should play the lead. In fact, I'll be somewhat disappointed if she doesn't!
Daniel Davis, who played Niles in the TV show, is still a working stage actor - he was in the recent revival of Noises Off on Broadway, as well as The Low Road at the Public a couple years ago. He's even done musical theatre before. I'd love to see him return to the role!
If she was a little younger- Margaret Emily Wheeler (janice from Friends)
the.hard.part said: "Two words...Lesli Margherita"
She would be PERFECT! There is no one that could do it better IMO
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/7/18
JBradshaw said: "I think they meant Fran D posted pictures
hayleyann said: "RWPrincess said: "She posted a photo with Charles Shaughnessy a few months back and also has hinted that she had something in the works that fans would love. I guess this is it. Very exciting!
I wonder if Charles could play Niles? I know he's done regional theater before and looks like he has done a few musicals.
"
Who are you referring to? Several ladies have been mentioned in the thread. Would be helpful if you specified which "she" you're talking about."
"
Yes, since I mentioned her co-star Charles Shaughnessy, I was referring to Fran Drescher. But looking back at the thread, I guess that wasn't so obvious.
the.hard.part said: "Two words...Lesli Margherita"
The only casting I’ll accept.
Broadway Star Joined: 11/4/15
Broadway Star Joined: 6/16/17
This will get me back across the Atlantic.
Though I agree the role is Fran it’ll be difficult to cast.
Sylvia and Yetta need show stopping numbers.
Perhaps they could make it meta and have the original cast with Mr Sheffield producing a musical of the family and all the shenanigans that ensue.
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