next to normal UK
next to normal UK
#1next to normal UK
Posted: 5/13/12 at 9:19am
There seem to be productions of this great show everywhere in the world, apart from the UK.
Are the rights being withheld for the UK? Is no company interested?
Updated On: 5/13/12 at 09:19 AM
#2next to normal UK
Posted: 5/13/12 at 10:05amIt really says something about the state of the West End, the joint biggest place for theatre in the world with Broadway, that it can't get a production of this show and everywhere else in the world can.
#2next to normal UK
Posted: 5/13/12 at 10:58amThe rights are currently held for an upcoming production in London
#3next to normal UK
Posted: 5/13/12 at 12:05pm
Any idea as to who's doing it?
A commercial West End producer, the Donmar, Menier....????
#4next to normal UK
Posted: 5/13/12 at 12:45pmWherever it is, Kate Fleetwood should play Diana.
#5next to normal UK
Posted: 5/13/12 at 2:22pmEven though shes a bit young i would LOVE to see Kerry Ellis as Diana, she certainly has the vocal chops!
Musicaldudepeter
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/18/10
#6next to normal UK
Posted: 5/13/12 at 2:33pm
Kerry Ellis is all wrong - you know she's not suitable for everything. Jesus.
If anyone should play this role, it's Siobhan McCarthy, this would get her her long overdue Olivier Award.
#7next to normal UK
Posted: 5/13/12 at 2:39pmAfter her great performance as Momma Rose, I'd go with Caroline O'Connor.
#8next to normal UK
Posted: 5/13/12 at 2:48pmCaroline O'Connor can only stand and belt, she doesnt have of the depth or nuance needed for Diana, qualities i found lacking in her Mamma Rose. Id like to see Sally Ann Triplett do it. Great singer, great actress and the right age too.
sparepart973
Broadway Star Joined: 4/7/12
#9next to normal UK
Posted: 5/13/12 at 3:45pm
Per some of the messages below, I feel that Siobhan is a little too old to play the role. Diana is pretty much a MILF, with some serious issues, at least this is how she is shown in the original Broadway version. Of course as many regional companies have done, the show could have a completely different vision if it opens in the UK and can be a completely original production rather than a replica of Broadway.
Caroline O'Connor is a beast on stage and I absolutely love her, but for some reason I don't see her do this.
I like the idea of Sally Ann Triplett. I also think Linzi Hately would be suitable, but I feel that the best choice would be Ruthie Henshall, who like Alice Ripley, has also battled with depression and similar bi-polar behavior in her family. Is Rebecca Lock working? I also think she would be quite suitable for the role.
random person 112
Broadway Star Joined: 6/26/11
#10next to normal UK
Posted: 5/13/12 at 3:48pmI love the idea of Henshall, though i would also enjoy Hannah Waddingham as Dianna.
#11next to normal UK
Posted: 5/13/12 at 3:51pm
If Ruthie did it then i think it would be more Marin Mazie's Diana rather than Alice Ripleys. Personally not a fan of Ruthie, she always seems to nasally. I love Linzi Hateley, but dont see her as Diana... Although shes too old for the role now, Claire Moore would have been stunning.
The JR's - Joanna Riding and Jenna Russel would also be pretty good. The more i think aboout those two, the more i like the idea :)
#12next to normal UK
Posted: 5/13/12 at 4:03pm
Siobhan McCarthy would be amazing, but she wouldn't be able to handle the score I'm afraid.
Hannah Waddingham or Shona White (former Elphaba standby) would be fantastic, though maybe more so in a couple of years, and I'm not sure Jenna Russell can sound American to save her life (correct me if I'm wrong - I'm assuming it would have to remain USA based?).
random person 112
Broadway Star Joined: 6/26/11
DeNada
Broadway Star Joined: 7/7/07
#14next to normal UK
Posted: 5/13/12 at 6:30pm
I don't think Rebecca Caine could handle the score properly. At least Marin Mazzie is more of a mezzo - Rebecca Caine is an operatic soprano, and although she could undoubtedly handle singing the notes the sound would just be completely wrong for the piece.
Some possible names:
- Sam Spiro?
- Jo Riding (more so than Jenna Russell, I think)
- Maria Friedman (personally I don't think she could handle it any more, but there was a time she would have been great)
I'd be more concerned about Dan than Diana, though. Forty-something year old men with pop voices and star quality don't spring to mind in the West End.
danf902
Swing Joined: 11/25/11
#16next to normal UK
Posted: 5/13/12 at 6:34pmI think Anna Francolini should play Diana - one of my favourite British actresses. I think she'd have a good enough voice, too.
DeNada
Broadway Star Joined: 7/7/07
#17next to normal UK
Posted: 5/13/12 at 6:39pm
Has David Bedella ever played anything other than a bad guy with a mellifluous bass voice? He doesn't exactly spring to mind as a Dan.
And yes to Anna Francolini - why didn't I think of it before, the queen of British chamber musicals would be AMAZING.
#18next to normal UK
Posted: 5/13/12 at 6:46pmIn the concert of Chess, Bedella sang some tenor and countertenor notes, though that was a completely villainous part... In Road Show, he played Wilson, who doesn't really fit that category. In Hedwig, he played another character who doesn't fit your categories.
DeNada
Broadway Star Joined: 7/7/07
#19next to normal UK
Posted: 5/13/12 at 6:55pmI completely forgot about Road Show, and although I wouldn't really use Hedwig as an indicator of being able to play Dan Goodman you do have a point!
#20next to normal UK
Posted: 5/13/12 at 7:02pmDeNada, you took the wind from my sails, I am with you with Maria Friedman, only if the producers couldn't get Alice Ripley.
#21next to normal UK
Posted: 5/13/12 at 7:05pmMy point was less that Hedwig and Dan are similar parts, and more that Bedella is incredibly versatile, and could handle the role.
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