Young Frankenstein Without Cloris Leachman- Page 2

[allofmylife]

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......."

[lildogs]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 10:57am

Very sorry to hear that I won't get to see my girl, but it's is probably for the best--that's a rough week for anyone at any age.

[Mister Matt]

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

Sad, but not surprising in the least. I figured it was too good to be true.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 12:41pm

I enjoy minion's writing.

[BroadwayBaby6]

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.

[Gelfling]

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.

[Rathnait62]

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.

[BrookArtsCenter]

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

My 2 cents...

If not Cloris Leachman, then Mary Testa. She would be a hoot.

[Hanna from Hamburg]

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.

[madbrian]

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).

[cooperross]

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

What about Megan Mullally? she seems to have some free time on her hands now...

[worrell4077]

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.

[Scarywarhol]

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

[devonian.t]

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.

[Hanna from Hamburg]

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.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 3:23pm

Jan Maxwell

[best12bars]

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

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


...but she'd never show up.

[Rathnait62]

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

For that matter, Hanna, Debra could tear this up as well. She's busy though.

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

[BroadwayBaby6]

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.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 4:25pm

Oh my god... at least you didn't say Isadora Duncan.

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 1/12/07 at 4:46pm

I guess I'll just have to look forward to someone musicalizing another Cloris Leachman movie...maybe "Scavenger Hunt"!

[JerseyScoundrel]

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

I heard she could barely learn her lines for the reading.

[fflagg]

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!

[SNAFU]

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!

[TheatreDiva90016]

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

Jackie Hoffman.....