kelsey Gramer Confirmed for New York La Cage aux Folles

As good as kelsey Gramer maybe, i don't know, as I do not know his work, but I am against him in this production, instead the wonderful Phillip Quast or Denis Lawson should of been given the nod to star along side Denis Lawson.

I know many of you agree?

I agree with both above posters-he wouldn't be my choice, I'd rather have seen Lawson/Quast transfer too. On the other hand Grammer will bring in audiences and as I really want this fabulous production to do well I'm in favour (obviously as long as he does it justice-I don't really know his work so I also can't comment.)

Good luck to all involved I say-here's to it doing better than the last production of la cage to hit the great white way!

---

Me thinks too.
'Frasier' is still HUGE in the States (its not often they make good TV!).
A bigger slice of the normal theatre going public in New York will now sample the delights of this little big show.

Kelsey Grammer is a good choice for Georges and he will put bum on seats but Douglas Hodge is the star of the show and he should get a Tony nomination for Zaza although I wouldn't be surprised if they both get nominations.

I've heard that Phillip Quast doesn't want to do Broadway for some reason. Not sure about Denis Lawson. (Incidentally, I loved Quast's performance when I saw the production.)

I think those complaining about Lawson or Quast not being in the Broadway production have to remember that this Broadway revival has a different set of challenges than the current London production. Broadway's 2010 La Cage has to overcome memories of the indifferently received, soft-selling 2004 revival.

If Kelsey Grammer brings media attention and advance sales to the Broadway production (not to mention that he should fare well with the role), then it's some insurance that people will come in the door for Grammer and then discover and fall in love with Hodge.

---

Phillip Quast is also in the Melbourne production of Mary Poppins as Mr Banks which opens in June so the schedules wouldn't have worked out anyway.

It's an ATG production, right? (well, Sonia Friedman I guess but there's not much difference.)

The casting of an ATG show goes as follows:

i) Find the celebrity with the best notoriety:cost ratio (talent a bonus.)
ii) ???
iii) PROFIT

This is the same production they've already cast the negligably-voiced Graham Norton and the too-straight-for-Will-and-Grace John Barrowman in. It's a moot point when it comes to ATG shows; stunt casting all the way.

Besides, we know Grammer can sing (he was reportedly an excellent Sweeney) and is a fine comic actor, plus since his new TV show HANK has just bombed (second time in as many years a show he's starred in's been axed) he'll be glad for the work and come cheaper than usual. It's a win-win situation all round!

And... well, it's GEORGES, of all people. Leaving aside my own dislike of LA CAGE as a show it's not a part that people will hate you for if you don't knock it out the ball park; there's not much TO knock out the ball park, it's a relatively understated part (or at least it was when I saw this production with Quast.)

From a producing perspective, if stunt casting brings the punters in then sod the critical reception. This is the principal Chicago has been operating on for years, after all. The entirety of the Drury Lane production of Oliver! has essentially been stunt cast, and I don't think the producers regret that too much...

I think you underestimate his recognition factor here. Despite the two failed sitcoms, "Frasier" is on endless syndication and Grammer's face and voice are instantly identifiable. David Hyde Pierce was the factor that brought people into the theatre for Curtains and I think Kelsey Grammer will have a similar effect for La Cage.

---

I absolutely LOVE this casting! Kelsey Grammer is a much-loved actor who can surely be forgiven a couple of recent mis-steps in TV-land. He hasn't had much luck with theatre roles in the past but I can see him bringing just the perfect amount of charm, bombast, singing ability and ultimate humility to the role of Georges.

I'll wager it now that people will be complaining he's just 'playing Frasier/himself' probably from before he even begins previews (much as I've read ridiculous comments stating that DHP only 'plays himself/Niles' in threads about his Broadway successes so far).

---