Who should play Shelby and Annelle in Steel Magnolias?

[doraemma]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 1:48pm

Any ideas?

How about Laura Benanti for Shelby?

Or do you think they will get more of a name?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 1:58pm

Laura Benati will get cast and "mysteriously" leave the show during rehearsals. hehe.

I just hope they don't cast some young movie actress...

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 2:00pm

How about Anne Hathaway for Annelle?

[Matt_G]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 2:05pm

Well, Natalie Portman isn't doing GLASS MENAGERIE anymore.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 2:06pm

Anna Chlumsky is doing theater now.

I would vote for Brittany Murphy.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 2:07pm

How about a stage actress who needs the job?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 2:09pm

Gotta sell tickets, Bobby. If they can find a movie or tv star who can do a good job, that's who they're going to hire. It's very expensive to mount a Broadway show.

[Gothampc]

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

"It's very expensive to mount a Broadway show."

Especially a chick flick like Steel Magnolias. I doubt it will recoup its investment.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 2:13pm

But the movie start selling tix doesn't seem to be too successful...Ashley Judd and Jason Patrick didn't sell out their crappy show. Yes a star can boost the attendance, but it has to be a very popular star (P-Diddy). Some would say Edie Falco is a big star, and she's playing to 35 percent capcity. I'm sure producers will try to go for a big star, but I think realistically, if the audience isn't excited about the material, they aren't going to bite. I can't think of any of the ladies from the list above who would guarantee ticket sales.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 2:15pm

Maybe not on their own, but get a group of popular ladies together and you can have quite a hit.

Falco's not selling well because she didn't get great reviews nor word of mouth.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 2:22pm

Cast Lily Tomlin as Ouiser and Rue McLanaghan as the Mayor's wife and that might sell a few more tickets.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 2:33pm

I bet Sally Field could still pull off M'Lynn, and her stint in The Goat went over pretty well.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 2:35pm

Bea Arthur as Ouiser, keeping McClanahan as the Mayor's wife.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 2:43pm

Beaver, the last time Kidman was on Broadway, she did a naked cartwheel across the stage. She really can't top that and she won't be back to Broadway until they think of something that can.

[JamieMcG]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 2:45pm

I think Benanti would make a perfect Shelby...completely biased, but I vote for her.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 2:48pm

Does anyone remember the pilot they did in the early 1990's for the Steel Magnolias tv series? Elaine Stritch was Ouiser. Her first scene, she comes into the beauty parlor and takes off her shoes and begins some business with her feet. Oh brother!

Updated On: 12/9/04 at 02:48 PM

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 2:49pm

I don't...who else was in it?

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 3:37pm

I think Natalie Portman is an inspired choice for Shelby. Annelle on the other hand - thats a conundrum

[LuvUrBatBoy]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 3:43pm

This is off topic and she's too old, but Elaine Stritch would be a perfect Ouiser.

[diva007]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 4:56pm

How do you find out who is casting this? I would like to send a h/r. Anyone know?

[MaTakeALookAtMe]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 6:57pm

No NO NO to Natalie Portman!

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 9:14pm

And what, pray tell, is wrong with Natalie Portman? She was pretty spot-on in Diary of Anne Frank...and her film performances, though often quirky, are great. I think she's accomplished some amazing things for a young woman of her age..

[Dollypop]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 10:06pm

Hasn't anyone thought of Loretta Swit as Ouisa? There's talent, charm and box office appeal. What are they waiting for?

[wildcat]

Posted: 12/9/04 at 10:08pm

Nicole K played Shelby in the Australian production when she was 18, and very good she was, too. Now she's old enough to play Annelle.

[MaTakeALookAtMe]

Posted: 12/10/04 at 1:10am

NO NO NO to NIcole also...I love her, but no, she is not Annelle.

I have disliked Ms. Portman since seeing her in some movies..uggh. I have to admit, though, that the last couple of film roles I've seen her in were at least adequate, maybe even quite good.

In the absence of other suggestions I might even say give her a shot...