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Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman — Page 2

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#26

re: Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman

Posted: 1/12/07 at 10:44am

By getting a younger actor, they can expand the scope of the role. Imagine if Ms. Leachman HAD played the part, at 80, it would be ghoulish, waiting every performance for her say "Stay very close to the aaaaaaarrrrhhggggghhhhh......."
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=972787#3631451 http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=963561#3533883 http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=955158#3440952 http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=954269#3427915 http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=955012#3441622 http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=954344#3428699
#28

re: Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman

Posted: 1/12/07 at 11:58am

Sad, but not surprising in the least. I figured it was too good to be true.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#30

re: Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman

Posted: 1/12/07 at 12:53pm

It's ageism, pure and simple. Chloris is in better shape than most 30 year olds...She's actually in amazing shape and would not have a problem doing 8 shows a week.

The only person who could do the role justice would be Harriet Harris.
"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"
#31

re: Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman

Posted: 1/12/07 at 12:55pm

don't know if it's true or not but I don't see her being "asked" not to be involved on account of anything else than her age. There are plenty of great actresses who could do the job but it's still bad news for the show. Still, I was surprised to read of her involvement because 8 shows a week is a tough thing to ask to someone over 81 when the show opens next year.
"What book of rules says that theatre exists only within some ugly buildings crowded into one square-mile of New York City? Wherever there's magic and make-believe and an audience, there's theatre..."
#32

re: Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman

Posted: 1/12/07 at 12:56pm

I don't think it's ageism - otherwise they wouldn't have bothered with her for the reading.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
#33

re: Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman

Posted: 1/12/07 at 1:21pm

My 2 cents...

If not Cloris Leachman, then Mary Testa. She would be a hoot.
-------------------- Brook Arts Center closed due to flooding from April 2007 Nor'easter. Watch www.brookarts.org for more info.
#34

re: Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman

Posted: 1/12/07 at 1:48pm

As much as I'd love to see Cloris in this role, there was a reason why in the original movie they cast her (as a younger actress) in a role that's supposed to be an older woman -- it makes it possible for that person do physically do things to heighten the comedy. I'm sure that also true in this case. Cloris is in amazing shape, but I would imagine that the creative team wants to have the character involved in physical comedy that might be too taxing on a woman in her 80s.
". . . POP . . ."
#35

re: Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman

Posted: 1/12/07 at 1:51pm

I think Harriet Harris would be terrific, but I'll suggest another name: Kelly Bishop. Looks like this role calls for a scene-stealer, and she fits the bill (as does Ms. Harris).
"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg." -- Thomas Jefferson
#36

re: Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman

Posted: 1/12/07 at 2:00pm

What about Megan Mullally? she seems to have some free time on her hands now...
-Politics is like driving. To go backward, put it in R. To go forward, put it in D.
#37

re: Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman

Posted: 1/12/07 at 2:43pm

Man, what a bummer! I was looking forward to seeing her in Young Frankenstein on stage, but I think Andrea Martin would be hysterical as Frau. Did anyone see the extended version of Along Came Bialy on The Producers dvd? She was just so hysterical, and then with the blooper reel, she doing all these funny things that Nathan was just cracking up. Those are sadly, the only things, I think I've seen her do, but still with those little tid bits, they show how hysterical she can be. Andrea Martin has my vote for Frau.
#38

re: Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman

Posted: 1/12/07 at 3:20pm

THIS is what I was really looking forward to about this show! I am so upset! I love Cloris Leachman. Man, I'm not sure I even want to see this now. re: Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman

Updated On: 1/12/07 at 03:20 PM

#39

re: Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman

Posted: 1/12/07 at 3:21pm

Very disappointed but it's understandable- maybe they want to do things musically which she won't be able to accomplish. The last thing you need in a slapstick comedy is having to be "careful".

Perhaps it could have been handled better, but we don't know the full story.

#40

re: Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman

Posted: 1/12/07 at 3:21pm

Personally, I think the extended version of Along Came Bialy is MUCH better than the final cut. Having the scenes interspersed with the dance made the number much more enjoyable. It also gives you a better picture of what Bialy went through to raise the cash.

Most importantly, it shows you the GREAT stuff that Andrea Martin and Debra Monk did that never made it to the final cut. BOTH of those women ROCKED as little old ladies!

Andrea could definitely rule in YF.
". . . POP . . ."
#42

re: Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman

Posted: 1/12/07 at 3:59pm

I've thought Donna Murphy would be great in this part...


...but she'd never show up.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#43

re: Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman

Posted: 1/12/07 at 4:02pm

For that matter, Hanna, Debra could tear this up as well. She's busy though. re: Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

Updated On: 1/12/07 at 04:02 PM

#44

re: Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman

Posted: 1/12/07 at 4:22pm

Cloris can still sing beautifully AND dance...She studied dance with someone some of you may have heard of- Jerome Robbins.
"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"
#47

re: Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman

Posted: 1/12/07 at 9:16pm

I heard she could barely learn her lines for the reading.
"This is a stupid story. It never stops. But we keep making lemonade! We're opening the biggest f***ing lemonade stand you ever saw!" -Walter Bobbie after a long day of Sweet Charity Rehersals (Newyorkmetro.com)
#48

re: Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman

Posted: 1/12/07 at 9:18pm

How come no producer shot down the idea of Ms. Lansbury coming back to Bway?

If Ms. Leachman is in good health and shape, let her do the bloody show. Hell let her do the night shows and let Catherine O'Hara do the matinees.

She would be great!
Do you know what happens when you let Veal Prince Orloff sit in an oven too long?
#49

re: Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman

Posted: 1/12/07 at 9:51pm

Ah they should give the role to Ana Gasteyer! That woman can sing and do comedy quite well!
Those Blocked: SueStorm. N2N Nate. Good riddence to stupid! Rad-Z, shill begone!
#50

re: Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman

Posted: 1/12/07 at 10:22pm

Jackie Hoffman.....
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>> “I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>> -whatever2

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