The Secret Garden is a familiar classic story with no familiar songs from the Broadway musical. It's not going to be high on anyone's list.
I love the idea of Geoffrey Rush as Fagin. I still think Hugh Jackman would be great, too. He's my first choice.
Paul Simon could be an interesting and risky choice for Fagin and pull in pretty many viewers in the 40-60 bracket.
Heck, he could even play Tevye, though he's too old for that part.
Bob Dylan!
Mick Jagger!
David Bowie!
I love the idea of Bowie as Fagin. With Adele as Nancy. I'd cast Nolan Gould as Dodger, and an unknown as Oliver.
I think Oliver would be an awful choice. The movie is so much better than the stage show. There are so many musicals out there where the movie counterpart did not live up to expectations. Why do one of the only ones that surpassed the stage show?
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
I still think Daniel Huttlestone could play Oliver. If they heavily marketed him as the boy from "Les Miz" and the upcoming "Into The Woods" they could get audiences familiar with him. And with big stars as Fagin, Nancy and Bill, it would pull in large numbers.
Daniel is twelve now. By the time Into the Woods opens in the fall, I wouldn't be surprised if his voice had changed. He would be a fantastic Dodger, in my opinion, but too old for Oliver.
I think it would be a great idea to have a reality TV special "The Search For Oliver," which leads to the 2 or 3 finalists and lets audiences vote on the winner. Yet another reason to tune in. And I'm guessing Oliver should be around 9 or 10, although 10 is more likely since he has to carry a good chunk of the show.
Best12Bars, I was serious about Simon. I could see producers seeking him out, and I imagine he'd work very hard and do something interesting. I honestly could see David Bowie as a good choice for something as well, but I feel like you were mocking my suggestion. I don't see Mick Jagger or Bob Dylan being good actors, and their presences don't lend themselves to being small parts of larger shows. Simon, however, is unassuming, relatable and popular, and his voice has a nice, light theatrical sound. Bowie, for all of his flamboyance, is a chameleon, and can let his actual personality fade into a character. I'd be interested in seeing a television musical built around either of those men.
Simon isn't right for the part, not that this would stop anybody from casting a pop star who isn't right for a part.
He's too boyish and youthful even as an older man. He's not Fagin.
I agree that Simon is wrong for the part. While I love the idea of Bowie, I also think Sting might be a good Fagin.
My Suggestions:
.The Wizard of Oz, starring Ariana Grande
.Mary Poppins, starring Kelly Clarkson or Anneliese Von Der Pol and Christian Borle
Also, anyone else think they could do "The Addams Family? Its pretty family-friendly and would bring in a lot of viewers just from the name of it.
"I still think Daniel Huttlestone could play Oliver. If they heavily marketed him as the boy from "Les Miz" and the upcoming "Into The Woods" they could get audiences familiar with him."
Anyone who would be drawn by Huttlestone's work in Les Miserables and Into The Woods would probably watch anyway. Promoting Nolan Gould from Modern Family might bring in those who might otherwise not watch.
Chorus Member Joined: 4/26/13
They should do one of the casting shows where the winner isn't revealed until the live performance. They can be down to four candidates and all of the candidates can play smaller roles in the show with the winner stepping in to the lead.
Just a thought.
I like that idea-from a marketing standpoint it's quite smart-it gets more people to tune into the event itself.
I don't know, the thought of ten year-old boys going through a casting series doesn't sit well with me.
How about ladies for Nancy then??? (I think it's fine for kids-they are on "America's Got Talent" all the time.)
I think they need a star for Nancy, someone like Adele or Kelly Clarkson.
Kelly Clarkson-Keep Adele far, far away from this. (Come to think of it aren't there some Hollywood actresses who can, you know, ACT, who might be 'famous enough' to pull off the role?)
There was a casting reality series for Oliver in England - both for Oliver and Nancy. It was entitled "I'd Do Anything"
Samantha (Eponine) Barks came in third for Nancy.
Oliver and Nancy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
I think Adele would be great for a concert version of Oliver. But for an actual production, I think she's a bit too...round shall we say?
I know...I know...the musical isn't like the book, but I think there should be something that makes this closer to the world that Dickens created and less like Nancy via Wendy in Peter Pan.
Oliver! is an excellent choice! I actually hadn't thought about it.
I also think GUYS AND DOLLS would be an excellent choice.
Sky - Michael Buble or Jeremy Jordan
Sarah - Carrie Underwood or Laura Benanti
Nathan - Eric Stonestreet
Adelaide - Lady Gaga
I can see that argument against Simon. I think this is likely to be a lighter, "family-friendly" production, so Fagin may be played a bit lighter, but I can see that his boyish presence might be wrong. Sting isn't an awful suggestion, though I don't think his voice is right for the role. Did anyone here see him in Threepenny Opera?
I think GUYS & DOLLS is a great idea, though I still feel it doesn't have the kind of appeal of something as huge as THE SOUND OF MUSIC, but then again what does? For GUYS & DOLLS they really could have a top notch cast. I bet they go with FIDDLER ON THE ROOF or OLIVER though.
Broadway.com's poll: http://www.broadway.com/buzz/173604/weekend-poll-which-family-friendly-musical-should-nbc-air-live-in-2014/
West Side Story is in the lead (like it should be, in my opinion)...
Oliver would be my first choice.
Does Tom Hardy sing? If so, he'd be my choice for Bill Sykes.
I LOVE the idea of Geoffrey Rush as Fagin. Or maybe Rowan Atkinson could do it again.
And if there are bigger names as Bill and Fagin, maybe Megan Hilty could play Nancy?
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