Toni Collette back to Broadway? — Page 2

Ray-I'm not meaning to be condescending at all- merely pointing out that much of the enthusiasm here in the suggestions for casting her in musicals are based on fantasies of performances she's never given or rumours of strong auditions she has given that nobody but a very select few have ever witnessed.

I'm simply trying to temper a little levity in the argument.

Somethingwicked- I agree with that- and am not really questioning her talent or her ability to potentially handle many of these roles- it's just an observation that I am fascinated by- Kate Winslet is given much the same aggressive suggestion for stage musicals on the board, though neither woman seems to have expressed much real interest in performing on Broadway in musicals. I just wonder if its more the fantasy many of us have for seeing a movie star we love and think has actual musical talent on Broadway over their complete suitability for some of the roles they are suggested for.

As for Collette and Patinkin; it wa an unfortunate experience but doubtful one that would turn off a performer from forever returning to Broadway. If Collette doesn't ever return it's more likely that she prefers the flexibility of film to the riguors of 8 shows a week, which is understandable. A lot of stars feels that way.

Updated On: 2/7/13 at 01:54 PM

"I still insist that Toni Collette should have been cast as Roxie in the film version of Chicago (she and CZJ would have made a much more incendiary pair than whatshername)"

Don't get Toni started on whatshername. Toni thought that she should have starred in "Bridget Jones' Diary" and not whatshername. You want to see Toni go berserk? Mention how good whatshername was in BJD and you'll see berserk Australian style.

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It's all very strange because I don't think of Toni and Renee as being so similar that they would have been likely to have gone through these reversals of fortune over the two same coveted roles.

Have to say though, as big a Collette admirer as I am, I happen to love "whatshername" in Chicago.

"I just wonder if its more the fantasy many of us have for seeing a movie star we love and think has actual musical talent on Broadway over their complete suitability for some of the roles they are suggested for."

I think you've got it half right, Michael Bennett. Casting is always to large degree about the fantasy of seeing something in someone that is very well suited for a role. It's both chemical and alchemical. And it's not an exact science, one can be proven wrong about how good someone will be as anything.

Collette is a very endearing performer and has given so much pleasure to so many people, including myself, that we picture her in things which might bring out her very best. On top of which, many, including myself, believe that she has long been on the brink of making a greater impact in the right role than she has ever done before and long to see her do just that.

But that doesn't mean we are interested in seeing her in a role irrespective of her suitability for it. To my mind she seems a particularly inspired and appealing choice for Mame, as she does for The Baker's Wife. But that doesn't mean I'm particularly interested in seeing her as Charity or Mrs. Lovett (although it's quite possible she could be quite good at them). And while I agree that she might make an excellent Diana, envisioning her in that role doesn't provide me with the same kick of imagining what she would bring to Mame.

Updated On: 2/7/13 at 02:43 PM

"I was doing Wild Party. I was offered Bridget Jones's Diary at the time, but couldn't do it because I didn't know how long Wild Party was going to play."

Did she sign an "entire run" contract? I thought that stars usually knew whether they were signing a six month contract or a year contract.

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I'd be more on Collette's side if she was criticizing the Weinsteins for casting someone who was completely inappropriate for the role. I know she gets a terrible reputation on the board but Zellweger was fantastic as Bridget Jones and Roxie Hart. I do think she has been screwed out of a better career in some ways, I still think it's a real shame that she didn't get in at the Oscars for MURIEL'S WEDDING or THE HOURS.
I definitely see MichaelBennett's point that Collette simply doesn't seem to be interested in doing a Broadway show, which is a real shame.

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I agree that Renee was fantastic in both roles.

But while the headline makes Collette out to be bitter and possibly catty, if you look at her actual quote it reads much more like an account of what happened without any vitriol and possibly one delivered in a very good-natured way.

Updated On: 2/8/13 at 08:47 AM