How about Jenny Powers? Sure, she's far from a draw, but I think she'd knock it out of the park.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
I really don't think they need a name at this point, it seems Hayes' name is driving the box office.
My choice? Sally Murphy. Yeah, she's a tad too old but she plays much younger than she is and has the vulnerability that Cheno is missing. I really think it would change the dynamic of the whole show for the better.
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
^ If they cast Chenoweth, I can't see someone in Sally Murphy's age range out of the realm of possibility. I mean, she did play Tzeitel at the tender age of 43.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
Pasquale's an amazing talent, but totally wrong for this role, IMO.
I love the idea of Laura Osnes. I had seen South Pacific and had dates mixed up - thought Kelli was on. While I was still disappointed, Laura was surprisingly lovely.
I feel like she may be a bit too contemporary, but I'd be interested to hear Jenn Colella sing some of these.
"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman
I actually thought Megan Hilty as well. In terms of box office sales, Kristin obviously appeals to the "Wicked audience" and Megan can also pull in parts of that fan base. Also, what about Ali Mauzey?
Kristin is leaving in September, Sean is staying with the show so the idea is that the producers will cast someone to replace Chenoweth. I imagine they want someone who's kind of a name. I actually like the idea of Laura Osnes in the role, not sure who else they'd get. Laura Benanti? Her voice type isn't necessarily right for the role either. I'm really curious to know who they are looking at for the part.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
Benanti would be interesting. I'd love to hear her sing those songs. Her voice simmers a little more than Chenoweth's and that may lend itself to Fran's songs. But I'm loving the idea of Osnes. I can see her really looking great making that cheesy face on the poster next to Hayes.
I agree with you on your comment about Sean Hayes "driving the box office". He definitely sells the show but I think that Kristin, Katie, Dick and Tony also help alot to sell the show too.
I have concerns about the survivability of Promises, Promises when each cast member ends their contractural obligations and departs the show, moving on to other projects. Alot of shows do fine but eventually end their runs on Broadway at some point in time. Maybe Promises, Promises will do some national touring shows.
Kristin's understudy does fine so maybe that will work out. What are the contract dates for the others, with Kristin ending her contract in September to prepare for the next season of Glee?
It would be nice to see this production go for a comfortable 2 year run with maybe a 3rd year extension. Who knows!
"(in a sweedish accent) Oh! What a lovely T-shirt you are wearing!"- Catherine Zeta-Jones refering to my ALNM shirt at the CD signing.
Say NO to drugs and YES to Jackie Hoffman Live At Joes Pub!
"ITS THE DAY OF THE SHOW YA'LL!!"-Bwaynerd