Who could replace Josh Groban?

[BETTY22]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 5:54pm

It seems like a new trend - after the star leaves, the show closes without even trying to find a replacement. First Lea Michele and now Josh. (Told Tommy has the theatre next)

However, if they were going to replace Josh - who would be a great choice? 

Could Justin Timberlake sing it?

 

[OhHiii]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 5:58pm

Well Justin Timberlake certainly wouldn't be a good choice for many reasons...

I'm more interested in Lovett's replacement and would focus there and let Nicholas Christopher do the role full time. I'm desperate for a different take on Lovett than Annaleigh's hammed up portrayal which I feel is a clown. I'd LOVE a Patina Miller or Heather Headley turn. Sara Bareilles, SJB, Hannah Waddingham would all also be phenomenal Mrs. Lovetts. 

Updated On: 9/18/23 at 05:58 PM

[Alex M]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 6:03pm

Two of the names above were approached. I don't think they got anyone to replace though.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 6:05pm

Many could replace him.  Few would want to or sell tickets at the level that is needed to sustain the show. And most of those actors have no incentive to replace Groban or Ashford in a lauded performance.

Closing after the star leaves isn't exactly a new trend, same with the box office tanking after replacing a star with someone who does not mean more than them. Tommy Kail's production of SWEENEY is on Bway exclusively because Josh Groban wanted to do it.

"Without even trying" implies that you know something we don't –– Rudin reportedly engaged in conversations with many big-name ladies to replace in DOLLY; nobody wanted to do it. The same could be true of SWEENEY. 

If it recoups this fall, as was indicated by Phil Boroff, that should be considered a good success for its producers and perhaps it will have a future life in London (with Groban?) and/or on the road.

[quizking101]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 6:09pm

Raul Esparza or bust.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 6:11pm

Justin Timberlake would only be a good idea in terms of selling tickets.

A person absolutely right for the role would be Killian Donnelly, but he wouldn't be a draw.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 6:15pm

Okieriete Onaodowan, too soon?

Ideally, I think it would be a cute moment if Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford got to reunite in this.

Updated On: 9/18/23 at 06:15 PM

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 6:16pm

I know she can't really sing, but hear me out... Whoopi Goldberg for Mrs. Lovett.

[gibsons2]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 6:22pm

Michael Buble could, but probably would be accused of not being sinister enough Sweeney, just like Groban

Updated On: 9/18/23 at 06:22 PM

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 6:30pm

Jay Lerner-Z said: "I know she can't really sing, but hear me out... Whoopi Goldberg for Mrs. Lovett."


Love her, but she’d barely get past the gasp before, “A customer!”

[darquegk]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 6:39pm

Cillian Murphy and Margot Robbie.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 6:39pm

In that case, I'll opt for Bernadette Peters. I still haven't given up hope of her playing Mrs. Lovett one day, and she's been a replacement before. Too bad she's busy in London. Mrs. Lovett is ageless, right, it even makes more sense for an older actor to play her.

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 6:50pm

darquegk said: "Cillian Murphy and Margot Robbie."

...this is actually so inspired

[pmensky]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 6:50pm

Will and Audra.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 6:51pm

Still want Cyndi Lauper.

[AKarp2013]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 6:58pm

Gerard Butler :P

It might not sound pretty, but the audience will hear everything he says.

[pmensky]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 7:08pm

Shuler Hensley would make a good Sweeney.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 7:10pm

I can't see Cyndi Lauper playing a Londoner convincingly. Maybe if they relocated the show to Ozone Park. Then again, maybe the accent is not that important. As Patti LuPone once proved. I do think the reason Sondheim loved the Imelda Staunton/Michael Ball production so much was because of the authentic "Britishness" of it.

Margot Robbie. Hm. It's hard to see Barbie as a convincing unmarried lonely heart of a certain age, but I guess that's what acting is all about.

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 7:10pm

It'll never happen but I would love to see Hugh and Sutton together again. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 7:20pm

Jay Lerner-Z said: "I can't see Cyndi Lauper playing a Londoner convincingly.”

 

and Annaleigh does? lol

[The8re phan]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 7:28pm

Jordan Catalano said: "Still want Cyndi Lauper."

yes, this.  I'm down for it, and now can't 'unsee' it .  Thx Jordan

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 7:30pm

I wouldn't have cast Annaleigh either.

How do we rate Bernadette's accent in Song and Dance?

[ACL2006]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 7:32pm

Jordan Catalano said: "Jay Lerner-Z said: "I can't see Cyndi Lauper playing a Londoner convincingly.”



and Annaleigh does? lol"

 

Annaleigh is as dreadful as Mrs. Lovett. How she got a Tony nomination is unreal. She's literally rolling around on the stage pandering for laughs. I blame the director for allowing that to happen.

 

FYI, the show is not extending. The Lunt is booked for the Spring.

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 7:33pm

Hannah Waddingham is an inspired idea, and arguably has as big a following, it not bigger, than Ashford does. Thats a realistic treat. 

But i think its pretty clear that Groban is the draw, and the producers (understandably) do not want to plunk down cash to keep this going without a ticket-seller of that caliber. Timberlake is immensely talented but a preposterous choice, and is way too smart to beclown himself trying to pull this off. 

[willep]

Posted: 9/18/23 at 7:54pm

God please no not a Hugh Jackman Sweeney.