Who will replace Jane Lynch?- Page 4

[MissOrphanJuly]

Posted: 6/16/13 at 11:51pm

Andrea McArdle was fantastic as Hannigan regionally and I really wish she would take over the role but it most likely won't happen. But I really do see them considering Brooke Shields like you all said.

[MollyL]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 7:52am

But don't they need someone who can sing? I only heard Brooke Shields sing once, but it was terrible.

[darreyl102]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 8:24am

She was miscast when I saw her in Addams Family- Really seemed uncomfortable on stage and couldn't sing it at all.

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 9:59am

More then likely it will close- however there is something to be said for the Summer tourist season. I wouldn't be surprised if Brooke Shields was at the top of the list- but aren't people growing tired of her mediocrity when it comes to musical theatre? Jane Krakowski is an ispired choice- and probably has the time, not sure about name recognition- which is the only way this thing is going to survive beyond the Summer! Rosie, is she that desperate to be the third replacement? I know she was petitioning hard for the role and I think she could fit the bill! Leavel is beyond this, however she would be amazing! Mulally would also be fantastic! Sykes was real bad regionally in the role- she can't sing a lick! Ana Gasteyer gets my vote- she killed it in the movie version of Reefer Madness- again, name recognition is a bit of a problem. What's Molly Shannon up to these days? The thought of McArdle and a full circle turn and marketing the hell out of it is probably another strong possibility.

Updated On: 6/17/13 at 09:59 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 11:10am

Brooke Shields received glowing reviews in WONDERFUL TOWN. She needs the right roles to shine in. Her singing is not great, but they did let Finneran screech her way through it.....

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:58pm

Jane Krakowski is a Tony winner and she just came off doing a show that won the Emmy for Best Comedy three years in a row, she doesn't need to be the second replacement in a crappy revival (and my comment is more about the poor quality of the production rather than me thinking there's something bad with replacing). She would be hilarious and out of the world funny as Miss Hannigan, but I'm sure that shipped has sailed for her. Honestly, nothing I've seen or heard about this production makes me think that some of the top talent should be spending their time with it, not Mullally and not Krakowski, both of whom I'm sure field offers to headline shows all the time.
Brooke Shields has made a career out of replacing people and doing great work while she's at it. She'd be a perfect fit for this production and might actually bring some fun to it, kind of like Jane Lynch seems to have done. But at the same time, Ruth Sherwood in WONDERFUL TOWN is a hell of a role and that was a great revival, Miss Hannigan can be a great role but not in this mediocre ANNIE, I don't know that Shields wants to spend time away from her kids to be in this. Mary Testa or Jackie Hoffman are probably the only people who'd make this a must-see in my book, they have the power to redefine the entire production.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 5:09pm

Brooke was fantastic in WONDERFUL TOWN. I don't think she's a strong choice for Hannigan, but I wouldn't be surprised if they're persuing her. Not that she's a box office star or anything. I highly doubt she'd do much at all for ticket sales.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 5:21pm

I don't know how much Jane is doing either....I just got an email for pretty cheap seats....and they are going to Friday matinees.

[all that jazz]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 5:43pm

Either Patti or Chita would be spectacular in the role.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 7:29pm

Chita's youthful and all, but she is WAY too old to play Hannigan. She would have made a great Hannigan around the 1997 revival.

And Patti has many roles she should play and would play before Miss Hannigan in this production of Annie. Sorry.

Can Jessica Walter sing? Could you imagine Lucille Bluth singing at the children?

[all that jazz]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 7:33pm

What about Jennifer Holliday? Her Little Girls would be spectacular.

Updated On: 6/17/13 at 07:33 PM

[Visceral_Fella]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 7:38pm

^ I would pass out!

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 7:43pm

Shields was absolutely terrific in Wonderful Town, Cabaret and Grease, getting through those scores with no problem. Hannigan doesn't need to be a great singer but a great comedienne. And unless they can get a name that means something to the tourists, it's closing. Actually Gifford isn't the worst idea on here.

[Tsao5]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 8:08pm

Melissa McCarthy or Julia Louise Dreyfus.

They wouldn't, but both would be pretty good.

Having a good female comedian helps in the role.

Say Alice Ghostly do, she was a hoot.

[Replacement Cast]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 8:19pm

I haven't seen it, but if it's that bad, it's summer, and it's a second replacement gig, then Leavel would be perfect.

[littlebro2]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 8:30pm

I think they could get Andrea McArdle because they could market her the way the marketed Katie Finneran. I think that just because they had a "star" for two months with Jane Lynch doesn't mean they need a star in the role now. I think if they have a theatre actress like Andrea who has such strong ties with the musical, that would be great.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 8:39pm

Kathy Griffin?

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 9:07pm

If Jane is leaving in the middle of summer, then they should just go ahead and cast Andrea McArdle.

The name recognition alone would help and it wouldn't be the huge cost of some big name 'star'.

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 9:21pm

With Andrea you would get next to no "marquee name" value. Tourists walking down the street and see a bus ad aren't going to know her name, BUT you could have her and Lilias do the talk show circuit again. They'd have a couple of interesting talking points and that publicity would remind tourists and potential tourists the show is running. The same could be said for any so-so name (as far as recognition) but I bet McArdle would be cheaper, perks-wise. Maybe even cast her daughter as Grace or Lily to sweeten the deal?

[Playbilly]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 10:16pm

Sarah Jessica Parker?

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 10:37pm

and outside of no where, the producers of Annie change their schedule for the summer by canceling Wednesday evenings & adding in Friday matinees. And if the show sticks around for the fall, the start times for Tue & Thur evenings will change to 6:30pm.
LINK

[Playbilly]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 10:39pm

Children have bedtimes.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 10:49pm

SJP is a terrific idea!

[ajh]

Posted: 6/18/13 at 2:51pm

so's Kathy Griffin. Can you imagine the ad-libbing?! Of course it would no longer be a family show.........tee hee

[MusicalBoy]

Posted: 6/18/13 at 2:57pm

I was watching the 2006 Company Revival video again today and it occurred to me how fantastic Barbara Walsh would be as Hannigan, if not my vote goes with whoever said Miriam Shor, she'd be terrific and would sound phenomenal!