The idea of Stephen Colbert as Harold Hill is absolutely breathtaking! I want to see this NOW!
I'd love to see Butz tackle this role or Danny Burstein, and Brian Stokes Mitchell could also be fabulous.
I just saw the film Bernie last weekend and there's a whole scene where Jack Black performs "Seventy-Six Trombones" in a stage production of The Music Man and all I could think of was how delightful he'd be in this role. I was never a huge fan of his until seeing Bernie. He's got a surprisingly nice voice.
Brent Barrett!
I heard Lea DeLaria once tackled Harold Hill.
Was he hurt?
singtopher, that is just about the greatest profile pic ever!
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
"School of Rock" was pretty much an update of Music Man - complete with Joan Cusack as the Marian character.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
During the last revival, wasn't there a rumor of Conan O'Brien coming in as a replacement?
I love the suggestion made about Robert Downey, Jr. It was the first name that came to mind when I read the title of the thread. Colbert would also be terrific.
With the right director, I think Douglas Sills would make a fantastic Harold Hill.
I think I'd like to see a younger Harold Hill. Maybe Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Ever since his SNL appearance, where he performed Make 'Em Laugh, I thought he belonged on Broadway.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/04
Burke Moses is doing a lovely job with the role in DC, though very much in the Preston mold.
Any revival must address the age old theory that Winthrop is actually Marian's son by her wealthy benefactor, which is why he left her the Library (where Winty was conceived) and why the Chicken Ladies think Marian is a slut.
When Winty is mowed down by the Wells Fargo Wagon and needs a bone marrow transplant, the secret comes out. Paroo was the benefactor's favorite cook and maid and was bribed to stand in as the Mom of Marion and her bastard stuttering child.
Whoever said Colbert as Harold Hill is my hero. That would be awesome.
"Any revival must address the age old theory that Winthrop is actually Marian's son by her wealthy benefactor, which is why he left her the Library (where Winty was conceived) and why the Chicken Ladies think Marian is a slut.
When Winty is mowed down by the Wells Fargo Wagon and needs a bone marrow transplant, the secret comes out. Paroo was the benefactor's favorite cook and maid and was bribed to stand in as the Mom of Marion and her bastard stuttering child."
Isn't all of that addressed in Shipoopi?
Sounds more like the Palins than Paroos. Donchaknow?
Well a gimmick that would get people in the door would be to bring in Dan Radcliffe to do it. It would bring a little different angle to the character as well, and unlike Bierko, Radcliffe wouldn't (mainly because he couldn't) be simply imitating Preston.
That being said, I would personally cast Kevin Spacey as Hill, Kelli O'Hara as Marian, Ellen Harvey as Ms. Paroo, and Robert Creighton as Marcellus.
Also, Raul Esparza would be a fantastic Hill.
Raul did his Harold Hill impression. It was called Leap of Faith.
(and he was awful)
Well Leap was just a terrible show all around, so he wasn't given much to work with. I am basing my comment on a video I saw of Raul doing "There's a sucker" from Barnum in a concert setting back in the 90's I believe.
Featured Actor Joined: 9/12/10
I did not like Music Man...at all...but Collin Donell has a pleasant voice.
Also, Raul Esparza would be a fantastic Hill.
Raul might be right for a lot of roles, but not that one. I already saw him horribly miscast in Chitty. I loved the show, but he was all kinds of wrong for that part.
Esparza has none of the charisma and smoothness needed for the role, he's tough, harsh, and has the potential to be incredibly hammy. In a role like this, you need someone who can be hammy and make it work (the Stephen Colbert idea is brilliant, he was great in the NYPhil COMPANY), Esparza would suck the fun out of it.
Speaking of Esparza, an unconventional Harold Hill--sort of in the mold of Daniel Radcliffe--would be David Hyde Pierce.
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