Posted: 9/15/16 at 3:44am
Was it Donna Murphy who just suffered a big family loss and said she would not be returning to the stage for a while?
Posted: 9/15/16 at 4:48am
I wouldn't mind Donna replacing Patti (even if I know it won't happen), but I really doubt she will replace Ebersole... it's totally miscast and can't sing the role.
Posted: 9/15/16 at 6:57am
Regardless of whether the show is coming this season, why would Ebersole not do the show if it came to NYC?
Posted: 9/15/16 at 10:27am
Well any number of things could happen that would necessitate a casting change. None of us know the behind the scenes. Other more lucrative projects? TV? Film? Illness or family issue? Dissatisfaction after having run the show? Who knows.
All we can do is wait and see.
I can't imagine this without Christine or Patti, but we'll see.
Posted: 9/15/16 at 10:42am
Stirring the pot a bit here but back when this show started appearing on the boards, before I even clicked to read the thread I always knew it as "that Patti LuPone Donna Murphy musical in Chicago" - who knows. Would be surprised nonetheless for Ebersole to be replaced at this point.
Posted: 9/15/16 at 11:04am
I'll wait for the press release.
Posted: 9/15/16 at 11:14am
What Kad said.
Also, I overheard this in the theater when I saw it - "You cannot miss this show. 2 of the best broadway performers in past 3 decades are headlining it."
Posted: 9/15/16 at 2:11pm
uncageg said: "Was it Donna Murphy who just suffered a big family loss and said she would not be returning to the stage for a while?"
Her husband, Shawn Elliott, passed away back in March. If I remember correctly it was Jordan who reported meeting her and finding out that she was taking a break from work for a while because of this.
Posted: 9/15/16 at 4:36pm
I really hope this comes in at some point. If not this season then next maybe? And I hope Christine Ebersole stays with the piece. She was stunning.
Posted: 9/15/16 at 11:00pm
whatdoesntkillme said: "http://www.playbill.com/article/patti-lupone-and-christine-ebersole-are-cosmetics-rivals-of-war-paint-musical-premiere-com-371442
It sounds like Murphy was the first choice for the role. Maybe she's available again and they're getting her back. Personally, I loved Christine's performance--though I wasn't a very big fan of the show overall.
"
I understand that Donna's involvement was announced before Ebersole's, but the composer said during the recent run on a radio broadcast that LuPone/Ebersole was always the first choice, and in particular noted how nice it was to work with Ebersole again after Grey Gardens (which he also described as a dream come true). Maybe it's just marketing, and not that it really matters, but it is possible Ebersole was always the first choice. People who do readings etc. aren't always the first choice or cast in the end (e.g., Murphy herself did the Witch reading for the Rob Marshall ITW movie, if I recall). I'd personally guess that Ebersole was the first choice, and that if she is dropping out it is not a desirable situation for the producers right now.
Posted: 9/15/16 at 11:15pm
Until we get a press release I'm holding out hope for Ebersole. She was so spectacular in the role. "Pink" would win her the Tony IMO
Posted: 9/16/16 at 11:56am
Fwiw, Donna Murphy was not only first choice, but was also very much involved in early readings and was absolutely intending to move forward with the project. Beyond that, I have no further information.
Posted: 9/16/16 at 1:15pm
ghostlight2 said: "Fwiw, Donna Murphy was not only first choice, but was also very much involved in early readings and was absolutely intending to move forward with the project. Beyond that, I have no further information."
Which is so interesting to me, because she and Ebersole are really not the same type.
Posted: 9/16/16 at 1:19pm
I agree, if anything Murphy is closer to LuPone In performance style.
Posted: 9/16/16 at 6:45pm
I love Donna Murphy, but as someone who saw this live in Chicago, that casting seems very odd both acting wise and vocally. Murphy is insanely talented but I'm not sure the part, as written, makes sense for her....unless major major changes happened once Ebersole came on that would be reverted back.
Posted: 9/17/16 at 4:03pm
Can anyone involved with the early process of this show tell us how Donna was in the role? I just can't see her in it at all. It wouldn't make sense to me to replace Christine now especially since the buzz has been about her and Patti
Posted: 9/17/16 at 6:18pm
I did think it was interesting that Ebersole, a very (and unfortunately) active Twitter user, didn't tweet about "War Paint" at all after performances began. (FWIW, I hope she's still with the show. She was the best thing about it at the Goodman.)
Posted: 9/17/16 at 6:29pm
Posted: 8/20/17 at 3:57am
Donna was documented as seeing the show recently. I'm still curious to know how she was in the role in workshops and readings. Did anyone see any of those and can elaborate? I wonder if any audio exists..
