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Why isn't David Burnham taking over for Matthew Morrison?

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#1

Why isn't David Burnham taking over for Matthew Morrison?

Posted: 8/17/05 at 7:47pm

Why isn't David Burnham taking over for Matthew Morrison?

DAVID BURNHAM
AARON LAZAR
I thought there'd be a thread on this somewhere, since Aaron Lazar's taking over the role of Fabrizio in TLITP was announced more than a few days ago, but since there isn't one, I'll start a "Why not David Burnham?" thread. Seems to me he's paid his dues by just being an ensemble member up till now (and the TLITP ensemble really has very little to do) and has arguably better resume than Lazar. He's gorgeous, with what's been described as the voice of an angel. He's got his own CD coming out soon. Has he been signed for something better than being a Broadway replacement? If not, why was he overlooked for this major role, which he would do quite marvelously I'm sure.

#4

re: Why isn't David Burnham taking over for Matthew Morrison?

Posted: 8/17/05 at 7:59pm

I was hoping that David would take over as well (especially from what I heard about his performance as Fabrizio). I'll be seeing it Labor Day weekend, so at least I'll be able to see Aaron.
Hey Dottie! Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany
#6

re: Why isn't David Burnham taking over for Matthew Morrison?

Posted: 8/17/05 at 8:32pm

I saw David Burnham play Fabrizio when I attended "The Light in the Piazza," and he was wonderful. The audience absolutely adored him. He has a magnificent voice, and he was all youthful Italian angst.

In answer to his being "young looking," Fabrizio is supposed to be younger than Clara. That's an important plot point. But by no means did David make Kelli O'Hara look old. They were a perfect match.

I was rooting for him to be Matthew Morrison's replacement, too, and figured he was a shoe in after seeing his performance. He's a terrific talent. I'd love to see him in something else soon.

lc
#7

re: Why isn't David Burnham taking over for Matthew Morrison?

Posted: 8/17/05 at 8:37pm

That is very disappointing! I saw David Burnham in it and thought he was fantastic! I enjoyed watching hnim more than Matthew Morrison.. he had a more italian look with his longer dark brown hair. I hope he has a good reason, which I'm sure he does. He's very talented.
#8

re: Why isn't David Burnham taking over for Matthew Morrison?

Posted: 8/17/05 at 10:44pm

I did not like David Burham as Fabrizio... I know I've mentioned it before, but I'm glad that he isn't taking over as Fabrizio. I think they chose someone outside of the cast on purpose, someone that had more experience. I'm happy about it, no offense to anyone...

--korenglish
#10

re: Why isn't David Burnham taking over for Matthew Morrison?

Posted: 8/17/05 at 11:13pm

ummm....if the audience adores a "new" person in the cast--and you are an "old" person in the cast--would you want that "new", adored person onstage with you? i'm just sayin'. you know, hypothetically.

DB is small and looks v. young. i think they went for a bigger man...at least that's part of the reason...
Mind is Mantra.

Updated On: 8/17/05 at 11:13 PM

#11

re: Why isn't David Burnham taking over for Matthew Morrison?

Posted: 8/17/05 at 11:42pm

David is really small... at least definitely smaller than Matt is. He did not fit well into Fabrizio's clothes. Anyway, I understand what you are saying shneb, but I'm still glad that they decided to replace Matt with someone else. Maybe they formally wanted to announce someone instead of having the understudy take over... I dont' understand or begin to pretend that I do, this is just me guessing why they decided not to use the understudies.

I, for one, liked Joseph as Signor Nacarelli... and I was disappointed to find out he isn't going to take over after Mark leaves, but you win some and lose some
--korenglish
#12

re: Why isn't David Burnham taking over for Matthew Morrison?

Posted: 8/18/05 at 12:14am

All it takes is for one producers to say, "Eh...I don't like him" for someone not to get a role, despite how much support they may have from other people on the creative team. That may very well have been the case.

By the way, I still think Laura Bell Bundy was INSANE for turning down the opportunity to be Glinda full-time. I mean, WHO DOES THAT? What else did she have lined up? Her one-night only cabaret act at Joe's Pub? Who the @%*# does she think she is?

Sigh...that had been building up inside of me for a while. Just had to let it out...
#15

re: Why isn't David Burnham taking over for Matthew Morrison?

Posted: 8/18/05 at 10:02am

The reason David didn't get the part is as Garland Grrrl said because he makes Kelli look to old. Actually, it was just 1 producer who said this and he had never even seen David in the part. But all it takes is one veto. It's a real shame because he's so phenomenal. He will continue to be the understudy, so hopefully he'll at least get to go on a few more times.
#17

re: Why isn't David Burnham taking over for Matthew Morrison?

Posted: 8/18/05 at 10:08am

This is total hearsay, but I heard that the producers didn't really want LBB to take over so they made her contract even worse so that she basically was forced not to accept it. (They prob know all along that they wanted someone with more experience like JLT.) I just thought it was funny bc on her website she was all like "Oh, I chose not to do Wicked so that I could do bigger and better things" when it pretty much the fact that she got rejected.
"You know, a little orphan girl once told me that the sun would come out tomorrow. Her adopted father was a powerful billionaire, so I supressed the urge to laugh in her face. But now, by gum, I think she might have been on to something!" --Reefer Madness
#18

re: Why isn't David Burnham taking over for Matthew Morrison?

Posted: 8/18/05 at 10:09am

It was announced Laura Bell would take over as Glinda, it was on all the sites. Then the news was taken down from all the sites! So we knew what happened. A few weeks later - they announced JLT. Who we should be greatful they got for th role.

Anyway - I think Aaron looks a lot more Italian, and overall looks better for the role - though Davis is a cutie.
#19

re: Why isn't David Burnham taking over for Matthew Morrison?

Posted: 8/18/05 at 10:52am

Very interesting speculation, though I suppose we may never know all the facts. As to David looking "too young," that's quite ridiculous I think because, as someone else has stated, Fabrizio is supposed to be about 20, and David certainly looks at least 20 if not quite a bit older. I can't help feeling bad when an understudy, especially one like David who has leading man experience, is not allowed to take over the role when the original departs, unless of course it's a role requiring a big name star, which neither David nor Aaron Lazar is. (I'd bet that more people have heard of David than Aaron.)
#20

re: Why isn't David Burnham taking over for Matthew Morrison?

Posted: 8/18/05 at 11:11am

I spoke to David about this and he himself told me the reason was because he makes Kelli look to old. I don't agree at all, Kelli is young looking, especially in the costumes she wears.
#21

re: Why isn't David Burnham taking over for Matthew Morrison?

Posted: 8/18/05 at 11:15am

See, but it wouldn't be that he looks too young for the written age of the part; it's that he makes Kelli look too old, because he looks very young, and because she is older than Clara's written age. They're two different issues.

That said, it doesn't seem like terribly common practice to just pass the role on to the current understudy, so I'm not sure why it's such a surprise.

A work of art is an invitation to love.

Updated On: 8/18/05 at 11:15 AM

#23

Why isn't David Burnham taking over for Matthew

Posted: 8/18/05 at 11:28am

oh, sorry! I didn't mean you. I mean, the original topic seems like it was posted out of surprise that he didn't get it.
A work of art is an invitation to love.
#24

Why isn't David Burnham taking over for Matthew

Posted: 8/18/05 at 11:34am

My sister saw David go on for Matt and said he was wonderful. I have not seen him; every time I've gone, Matt has been on.

I'm looking forward to seeing Aaron's interpretation of the role (as well as Chris Sarandon's take on Signor Naccarelli). Best of luck, guys.

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