What is the MOST MISCAST role in Musical Theater History?

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 1:33pm

My choice is Dean Jones as Robert in COMPANY.

"Charming" actor; but has limited vocal range and just COULD NOT carry off "Beling Alive" ending.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 1:34pm

Bernadette Peters in GYPSY.

Posted: 10/9/04 at 1:36pm

Matthew Broderick in The Music Man.

Matt - I'm sure you'll get a fair amount of feedback to your answer. I'll just say I disagree, and leave it at that.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 1:38pm

I agree that Bernadette was miscast, but there have been worse. still trying to decide on THE worst.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 1:39pm

Matt,

I never saw Peters, but I find it hard to imagine that the same "cuteness and dimples" that gave us DAMES AT SEA, MACK & MABEL and THE GOODBYE GIRL could also play Momma Rose.

Too bad: She could have been a WONDERFUL Dainty June in original Broadway Production!

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 1:41pm

Dgrant,

Matthew Broderick as Harold Hill?


That would be like Melanie Griffith as Medea! :)

[Matt_G]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 1:43pm

DGrant, there are a lot of people that disagree with me. They're more than welcome to. I'm just stating what I thought.

[Annie Get Your Rose]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 1:56pm

I don't know about Bernadette. It depends on what night you saw it. She was extremely terrific on the night I saw her. I have seen everyone of the Mamma Roses, and I thought outside of her power voice Ethel Merman was like a board. Acting was stiff, I think you need more emotion in that role, but i wouldnt say that she was miscast(I am going to get blasted for even saying that) I would say Vanessa Williams in Into the Woods was a miscast, and Mel B. in Rent.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 2:07pm

Hi Annie!

I agree with your thoughts re: Merman, but have you heard about Angela Lansbury or Tyne Daly in the role?

Both portrayed Rose's inner "warmth" that got stripped away totally during "Rose's Turn"!

I saw Peters perform number on Tony Awards Show and didn't get the same emotional response AT ALL.

Of course, a taped performance is very different than a live one.

If you can, you might want to get a hold of the Lansbury and/or Daily casts (hard to find) and see if you can discern the differences I see.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 2:09pm

I saw Peters during the first preview of GYPSY.

And Tyne Daly is by far my favorite Mama Rose.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 2:12pm

Peters as Rose reminds me of a pissed off Minnie Mouse.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 2:22pm

Having worked on the Tyne Daly production, and having a huge amount of emotional investment, I never thought I could accept Bernadette. However, toward the end of the run, I decided to give it a shot.

I was beyond pleasantly surprised. She brought a dimension to that role that even Daly hadn't found. And, she was able to sing the hell out of that great score.

[Annie Get Your Rose]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 2:22pm

Ha, funny broadwayguy2. Well Matt_g she supposbly got better as it went on. I actually have both those cast recordings ethel. You defintly hit the nail on the head. Also have Merman's but I can't get the through recording.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 2:25pm

Matt,

Tyne gave me GOOSEBUMPS!

As the show progressed, you actually saw her EVOLVE from assertive to aggressive to maniacial to INSANE!!!

She handled vocal part quite well also. I think her rendention of "Small World" is the MOST MOVING I have ever heard.

[ponine24601]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 2:28pm

Melanie Griffith as Roxie or Christy Romano as Belle.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 2:34pm

Hi ponine,

Melanie Griffith as Roxie Hart? I agree!!!

But why stop there--let's cast Melanie in ALL of Gwen's parts!

(Could you imagine Griffith trying to make it through "I'm a Brass Band Number" in SWEET CHARITY?) :)

[Matt_G]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 2:37pm

Oh, God. Let's hope CJR doesn't stumble onto this thread!!!

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 2:37pm

john lithgow as anything.

[Chris537]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 2:58pm

Hasselhoff

Jekyll & Hyde

OMG!

[ponine24601]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 3:02pm

o i agree with that too!!

'Hi ponine,

Melanie Griffith as Roxie Hart? I agree!!!

But why stop there--let's cast Melanie in ALL of Gwen's parts!

(Could you imagine Griffith trying to make it through "I'm a Brass Band Number" in SWEET CHARITY?) :) '

o god! i'd like die!

[BWayBoy88]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 3:02pm

Vanessa Williams in Into the Woods.

[Corine2]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 4:52pm

I thought Bernadette was a great Rose. She made the role sexy and I liked her better then Daly.
I did however see footage of Merman in the role and thought she was the best Gyspy Rose.
Personally, I was very impressed with Bernadette no matter what Reidel said.
Sorry that Gypsy closed as it was a very entertaining show.
I think that Andre De Shields was miscast as an ape in PRYMATE.
He deserves so much more and I miss him in the Full Monty.
The man is talented.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 5:52pm

The most obvious have already been mentioned, so to add to the pot, Kerry Butler as Audrey, but I'm being redundant.

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 6:16pm

i definitely have to agree with bdwayboy88 vanessa williams in into the woods UGH SHE WAS HORRID!!!!! bring back bernadette she was amazing! Vanessa couldnt even portray the anger that bernadette had so they rewrote her songs!!!!

[mallardo]

Posted: 10/9/04 at 6:24pm

John Stamos in Nine. Or in anything.