Wedding Singer - First Preview in Seattle. — Page 2

Assuming the powers that be end up agreeing with those who feel Laura Benanti was miscast, how likely is it to make a change at this stage of the game? I mean, does it ever happen that a major role is re-cast during previews if the reviews are negative? Not saying they should or shouldn't; just asking if that happens?

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DD, It's too bad it's gotten to a point where they're just trying to fill slots as there is so little to go around. I haven't seen WS, but I can't imagine it'll be anywhere near as good as Hairspray.

yea thats what i thought, Benanti seemed a little iffy for the role, but she should do great, tis the first preview and she will be dynamite as the show continues

Thanks for the review. I'm glad not to hear anything too negative, and you seemed very fair in your post. I agree Benanti is probably wrong for the role, I never understood that casting decision. After she did Nine, I heard nothing but terrible diva stories about Benanti. Also, she seems to miss quite a lot of shows, so we will be seeing Tina more than we think. A cast can change up to the opening night. I hope that the smart decision to out of town it first will do them good... I am so proud of Felicia.

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Aww this is so sad to hear, I was hoping for Wedding Singer to be amazing.. i guess it still has time.

However, when Laura was announced, i knew right away that she was all wrong for the part, as much as i love her. Here's hoping they can re-cast

Very true!

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And as for the standing ovation, those are a dime a dozen in Seattle. I'm sure everyone had a good time, but I do trust Veuve's (a close friend and vetran of many a first preview on Broadway) opinion. He clearly said a million times that he has no personal dig at Benanti. We have no idea how much of the house was papered last night with industry professionals and friends either. First previews are often peppered with people they know will respond well, regardless.

I'm glad the majority of the audience had a great time, but we need to allow all opinions, especially when they're backed up like Veuve's, be heard. YOu say you enjoyed yourself, but you don't give detail.

jdixon69,

Yes, it's totally unfair to judge an actor's performance based on a first preview. But I don't think that Benanti can pull this one off.

For one thing, she comes across as extremely intelligent and complicated, which is deadly for this character.

It's kind of like this: Julia is a Goldie Hawn role that they've cast Meryl Streep in. Of course Streep is a brilliant actress, but can you imagine her playing the lead in "Foul Play"? Goldie has that innate likeability factor that Streep just couldn't emulate, no matter how well she performed the role. Benanti's got the same problem here.

Felicia is genious. Even better, she is one of the most considerate people I have ever had the pleasure of being around. A true friend and worker.

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A very, very well-written review, Veuve. Thanks for it; very logical and insightful. I'll be seeing the show on Tuesday and I hope there will be some tweaks in the book, although it seems that one of the biggest problems (and correct me if I'm wrong) is that the spots for musical numbers just aren't effective in progressing the story or developing the characters in the way they should and WHERE they should. And if that's the case, it's unlikely that so many songs will be dropped and/or re-written by the end of the Seattle run.

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Thanks for the review! I'm seeing it the last day it is here, I hope it will improve by then.

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was adam sandler actually there last night?

Now hold on...

As can be seen, I agreed whole heartedly that Laura was miscast.

HOWEVER, I feel it is incredibly unfair to attack her "reputation" for being a show missing diva and saying that we'll be "seeing more of Tina Maddigan than we think."

Laura missed alot of shows in "Nine" because of the horrible injury she suffered during "Into The Woods."

There is a Playbill article floating around here where she explains it.. basically, she fell and her legs went up over her neck, and a disk was cutting off spinal fluid in her spine. She was misdiagnosed, and didn't recieve the proper treatment until the rehearsel process for "Nine" (in fact during ITW the producers tried to make her look bad and didn't even acknowledge her injury publicly for fear of getting sued, just saying it was a "shame" she missed so many shows.) TWO WEEKS after surgery she was back in the show and never missed a preview.

Throughout the run she did miss shows but it was due to complications from surgery and recovery time she barely took in the first place...

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Updated On: 2/2/06 at 09:32 PM