Who Should Play the Nutty Professor?- Page 3

[Eris0303]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 11:10pm

Doesn't this role require someone MUCH younger than the likes of Martin Short or Robin Williams. I think Hank Azaria is the very high end of the age range. But, as long as were at that high end, I'd submit Eric McCormack.

I was thinking the exact same thing. As I stated earlier it's necessary to find someone who won't look like a skeevy old man going after a college student. Part of what made the film work is that Lewis could pass for younger than he really was.

McCormack could work. But it all depends on who they cast as Stella. Let's say they cast someone like Ashley Spencer as Stella. Ashley Spencer as Martin Short's love interest? No way. (And no...I'm not promoting Ashley for the role. I have no idea what the score is like or what sort of voice they're looking for. I just used her as an example)

[little_sally]

Posted: 6/29/09 at 11:11pm

Brian d'Arcy James

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 6/30/09 at 12:54am

Brian d'Arcy James is in the title role in Shrek and Norbert is doing Catch Me If You Can right now so they may not be available.

[little_sally]

Posted: 6/30/09 at 1:02am

I doubt Brian d'Arcy James will still be in Shrek in the 2010/2011 season.

[goober1632]

Posted: 6/30/09 at 1:04am

Sean Hayes, Roger Bart or give John Tartaglia a chance to headline.

[scaryclowns2232]

Posted: 6/30/09 at 1:06am

Danny Burstein would knock it out of the park.

He seems the perfect choice to me...

[Eris0303]

Posted: 6/30/09 at 1:07am

But how can Danny play next to a much younger costar?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/30/09 at 2:15am

I think Mitch Jarvis would be PERFECT.

[Wheresmyvoice]

Posted: 6/30/09 at 2:35am

Personally, I think Christopher Fitzgerald would be great. After all he was the best thing about Young Frankenstein, and if the whole Minsky's thing doesn't work out...

[Here I Am]

Posted: 6/30/09 at 2:56am

The first person I thought of was Norbert Leo Butz, but he'll probably be doing 'Catch Me If You Can' at the time.

[Elke]

Posted: 6/30/09 at 9:09am

Chris Fitzgerald or Chris Sieber. Maybe Hunter Foster.

Too bad that Norbert Leo Butz probably won't be available.

[monkeybutt]

Posted: 6/30/09 at 9:28am

Jack Blag would be good too, but I would rather see him as Lonny in Rock of Ages

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/30/09 at 10:03am

A lot of these suggestions are not good because the actor doesn't have the range. This role needs an excellent character actor, not a leading man type like Eric McCormack. McCormack can rip off funny lines that are written for him, but he doesn't have the acting chops to play the goofy side of the professor. The role needs a strong character actor, not a leading man.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 6/30/09 at 10:35am

"It should be a singer who can also make a lot of crazy sounds with his voice."

Hank Azaria?

That's actually a really wonderful idea. Hank Azaria steals the show in everything he does- high time he took the lead on Broadway. I left Night at the Museum 2 without hating it because of his brilliant Pharaoh.

[BlueforBroadway]

Posted: 6/30/09 at 10:41am

I will throw Constantine Maroulis in the running. He's good at comedy and has a great voice. By next year, he'll be looking for something new. He'd be really good as Buddy Love.

I love the original movie.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/30/09 at 10:49am

The problem with Hank Azaria is that he's never done a long run on Broadway. You can expect that the lead in this show will have to sign at least a one year contract. Can Azaria sustain doing the same show for eight shows a week for more than a year?

[madbrian]

Posted: 6/30/09 at 10:58am

Neil Patrick Harris? Could he get away from How I Met Your Mother for long enough?

[proptart101]

Posted: 6/30/09 at 11:30am

Douglas Sills

[ggersten]

Posted: 6/30/09 at 11:49am

Michael Andrew was attached to the project at one time and announced by Mr. Lewis as such.
Mr. Andrew has a website as well. www.michaelandrew.com
Michael Andrew on MDA

[Eris0303]

Posted: 6/30/09 at 12:16pm

Chris Fitzgerald is, probably, the first person mentioned who could play against a college student and not be creepy.

NPH would be great but the scheduling would be an issue. On the other hand...the season finale of HIMYM made it seem that he meets the "mother" next season. If so, how long can the show last once the mother is around?

[BlueforBroadway]

Posted: 6/30/09 at 12:58pm

Michael Andrews website says Jerry has already cast him as the lead.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 6/30/09 at 1:01pm

ETA:

I can't hear him but I can see the video on his website. Based only on that he looks perfect. It seems he can do suave and nerdy... the plus is he doesn't look too old.

A link would be helpful

Updated On: 6/30/09 at 01:01 PM

[ggersten]

Posted: 6/30/09 at 1:24pm

Of course, the announcement on Andrew's website may be based on the announcement in 2006 that Mr. Andrew would star. Times change. The prior announcement was for an 08 opening - that didn't happen. The prior announcement didn't include Hamlisch or Holmes. So who knows?

[heatha1017]

Posted: 6/30/09 at 4:01pm

I agree with whoever said Douglas Sills. He has already had experience as a leading man, and definitely has the vocal range and stage presence. Plus, it would be great to see him back on broadway

[Eris0303]

Posted: 6/30/09 at 6:02pm

Of course, the announcement on Andrew's website may be based on the announcement in 2006 that Mr. Andrew would star.

So his website hasn't been updated in three years even though it has a 2009 copyright on it?