I believe the musical itself is good enough to make a respectable run with or without its London cast. But like I said earlier I wouldn't doubt if the entire cast is brought over in the end, at least the leads. And I believe that someone in a fat suit will make the cut. The suit is a comic aspect in itself. The part might would work with a heafty actor but Fosco is overbearingly fat in the novel so I believe the fat suit adds to the ridiculous nature of the character.
Sometimes you "gotta do what you gotta do" to get a few laughs. Many ridiculous things have had to be done to make something work. The Phantom makeup takes two and half hours to be put on and that is probably a pain for them to get off. Some people have to dress in drag. But I'm sure it is something terrible to be in that suit under all of the hot lighting instruments. And bouncing around the stage in it as well. It would take weeks to get used to. And a few buckets of cold water.
I am glad people are talking about this show, because it is really quite good! I look forward to talking about it more when more people get their CDs.
Back to the discussion. Isn't it normal for the leads to transfer along with a show that transfers from one side of the pond to the other? Of course, Patti didn't with Sunset, but I feel ALW made a good BUSINESS decision by putting Close in the role over here. But, when I think of BIG shows like Phantom, Les Miz, Miss Saigon, Sunset, etc....it seemed all the leads transferred.
It will be interesting to see what happens.
"What the hell happened to you? You look like a Make-A-Wish Kid. You know, I just knew you were gonna bring shame on this new family of ours, and it just figures you had to go make yourself over into some heroin-shootin skate board chic on the only day E! could interview you!" - Cherry Cherry, on her daughter Mary Cherry
I saw the show about three weeks ago and I have the OLC. It would be nice if ANY of the cast transferred to Broadway because they are absolutely stellar, but to be honest, if Crawford dropped out, it wouldn't be such a loss for you guys. His main scene (You Can Get Away...) is funny but any good actor can make it funny. Personally, if Crawford didn't transfer, it wouldn't rock my world. Same with most of the roles. All of the cast are excellent but the characters are such that any Broadway quality actor can play them, perhaps with the exception of Marian (Friedman's character).
Anyway, the show is good (I loved the scenery and the versatility it permits, even if at one point it did actually make me feel sick - I think they need to tweak that little bit). It's very different to a lot of ALW's stuff (which I was initially disappointed by) but it is still lovely. The OLC is great - it couldn't be better really. Anyway, it's a great show, I hope it transfers, with or without the original cast.
"Jane, I've been dealt a blow - I've been dealt a blow, Jane."
I agree with the above poster. And, although I'm not Crawford's biggest fan, he still has a good fan base here, which would certainly draw people to the show. That being said, I really believe it will be a hit on Broadway regardless of it's cast. It's quality work, and that will ensure it's success in itself.
"What the hell happened to you? You look like a Make-A-Wish Kid. You know, I just knew you were gonna bring shame on this new family of ours, and it just figures you had to go make yourself over into some heroin-shootin skate board chic on the only day E! could interview you!" - Cherry Cherry, on her daughter Mary Cherry
Thought the show was good, not great, but would like to see it transfer over and would likely suggest it to friends. I also agree with the sentiment that it doesn't need Michael Crawford in it, except for the sheer naming, althugh some of the reason Crawford was able to get the laughs so easily is because he is The Michael Crawford. Again, that's really one song, and a song that doesn't make/break the show. I agree, the part of the wizard in "Wicked" is actually a really good comparison to what this part is.
I am getting REALLY pissed off. I still do not have my cd. According to amazon.com/uk, it was sent off November 23rd and was supposed to be here Monday AT THE LATEST. Grrrrr. If it is not here tomorrow, I am going to SCREAM!!!!
"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2
"What the hell happened to you? You look like a Make-A-Wish Kid. You know, I just knew you were gonna bring shame on this new family of ours, and it just figures you had to go make yourself over into some heroin-shootin skate board chic on the only day E! could interview you!" - Cherry Cherry, on her daughter Mary Cherry
I'm waiting for something too. I think they are just behind or something..Suck's, doesn't it.
"What the hell happened to you? You look like a Make-A-Wish Kid. You know, I just knew you were gonna bring shame on this new family of ours, and it just figures you had to go make yourself over into some heroin-shootin skate board chic on the only day E! could interview you!" - Cherry Cherry, on her daughter Mary Cherry
Well, I got a cd that I ordered at the same time today (CARMEN JONES OLCR--Great by the way), but no WOMAN IN WHITE. I think there is a force that is trying to prevent me from listening to this cast recording.
"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2
You would have thought that ALW would have looked for something else than the Minskoff... Given that "Sunset" (although magnificent in my opinion) never recouped there....
ARG!!! Still no cast recording. I am getting really pissed off. I have e-mailed amazon.com/uk and I am waiting for their response. God, I want to hear this so bad I can't stand it.
"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2
I must admit I have become somewhat of an addict with the recording. I enjoy more on each listening. I would LOVE to play Sir Glide (are you reading this Sonia?). When you get used to it, the melodies really stay with you, but most of them are not as glaringly evident as with previous Lloyd Webber shows and as with all his shows, some sound as if they were written for other shows (I Believe My Heart reminds me of The Beautiful Game), but they work well in this one.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian