Benanti, Jackson and Hensley to star in MOST HAPPY FELLA at Encores!- Page 2

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 12:26pm

This is one of my all time favorite shows. A beautiful score, a touching story, great characters.

I really hope they get to record it!

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 12:38pm

If the young, gorgeous and virile Paulo Szot can pull off the older Emile De Becque in the last revival of SOUTH PACIFIC (which he did beautifully), Hensley should be able to make this work with very little effort. In fact, I don't know if there's another actor working that might be more right for this role.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 1:05pm

I realize that his age in relationship to hers is mentioned several times in the show. His sister Marie hammers it home, and it becomes Tony's biggest demon, not believing that Rosabella could love someone who isn't young or good-looking.

For stage, I think they can get away with it pretty easily. I'm hoping they "age up" Hensley just a bit. Gray around the temples, some extra crow's feet. It should work out fine.

EDIT: I also like it when Rosabella isn't too young. It makes more sense that she's lived a little and might even be feeling her own age creeping up on her a bit. Those "when am I going to meet someone and settle down?" feelings. Not desperate, just able to even understand that question.

If she's too young, she has the whole world ahead of her and might not be open to "thinking outside the box," as it were.

It makes the story and her role in it all the more believable.

Updated On: 8/22/13 at 01:05 PM

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 1:17pm

"If the young, gorgeous and virile Paulo Szot can pull off the older Emile De Becque in the last revival of SOUTH PACIFIC (which he did beautifully),"

True, but Emil is a gorgeous and virile character, older than Nellie but their highly romantic attraction is never in doubt, and his being older than her is mentioned but not as a major issue, rather as a non-issue or an issue naively mistaken as an impediment to a romance by a much younger man. Unlike Emil, Tony is not a romantic leading man type and his being older and not romantically interesting to Rosabella is a major conflict in the show.

"I realize that his age in relationship to hers is mentioned several times in the show. His sister Marie hammers it home, and it becomes Tony's biggest demon, not believing that Rosabella could love someone who isn't young or good-looking."

It is also a huge disappointment to her when she realizes that Tony is not only older but in her own words "an old man".

Again, I don't think it's a major problem especially for Encores. I mention it more because I'm curious how Hensley being a relatively youthful Tony will impact the show; as I said, it could well have a beneficial effect, as I agree with you having a Rosabella who's not particularly young might.






Updated On: 8/22/13 at 01:17 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 1:48pm

At her age and sketchy history this Rosa should be glad she snagged this Tony.
Musically she will be divine.
I've not heard Hensley sing a score of this range and depth.
How old is Jackson's character listed as?

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 2:44pm

Um...Ok...I'm gonna be a bit of a dick...but I'd have no trouble if real life Laura Benanti looked at real life Shuler Hensley and thought he was an unattractive old man for her.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 2:49pm

At her age and sketchy history this Rosa should be glad she snagged this Tony.

Has anyone ever told you you're a pig?

[Rainbowhigh23]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 2:55pm

I just bought a ticket for Emily Skinner at 54 Below and would love to see her in this production! I am also very excited to see Laura Benanti - what a nice reunion that would be!

Updated On: 8/22/13 at 02:55 PM

[hushpuppy]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 3:36pm

My all-time favorite show. Although I was lukewarm about the Paul Sorvino-led production at City Opera a few years ago.

But I don't think there could be a more perfect recording than the 1956 OCR, the full show. I asked for it for my 14th birthday (and my parents were surprised when I turned out gay, go figure). Back then (mid 70's) it was on 3 LPs. When I bought the CDs I was over the moon that there were a few little snippets that had been cut off the LPs. I still listen to it often.

BYW, in the original, Jo Sullivan was 25, Robert Weede was 53. Now that I'm 56, I do cringe a bit when I hear the 'old man' references.

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 3:43pm

Skinner has a long history with Encores. I wouldn't be surprised if she played Cleo.

[jv92]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 6:56pm

Unless Benanti, Hensley, et al are breathtakingly brilliant and bring something totally, radically new to the show, I'd rather see a recording of a new show, or an unrecorded show...even one of the "lost" Loesser shows. You can't top the OBCR, and the even more complete Jay Masterworks recording is great, too.

BUT...this is great news. I think Benanti is right for this part. Jackson is MORE than right for this part. He's going to be brilliant. All we need is Victoria Clark as Marie! MOST HAPPY FELLA is one of my top five favorites. Maybe I'll get tickets to two different performances. It's not done, or known, enough.

[Jon]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 7:16pm

...or Judy Kaye as Marie.

[jv92]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 7:46pm

She'd be great, too.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/22/13 at 9:28pm

Or Judy Kuhn as Marie.

Posted: 3/6/14 at 1:07pm

http://playbill.com/news/article/188444-Heidi-Blickenstaff-Jay-Armstrong-Johnson-and-Jessica-Molaskey-Join-Cast-of-Encores-Most-Happy-Fella?tsrc=hph

Even more excited about this cast. This looks like it is going to be one of those special Encores productions that blows everyone away.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 3/6/14 at 5:09pm

Wow. Love this show. Saw Jackson play the exact same part opposite Patti Cohenour in Seattle 12 (!!!) years ago.


Lets just say he's improved over the years.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 3/6/14 at 9:40pm

I adore this show. Definitely in my top ten shows ever and the OCR is in the top three. Very pleased with this casting, I think Benanti and Hensley have become renowned for playing characters with deep insecurities, (Louise, Jud) and it doesn't hurt that they both sing magnificently.

Jackson's hot, but I'm a bit over him. I'd rather see Matt Cavenaugh, or Josh Young.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 3/6/14 at 9:54pm

Probably wishful thinking but does anyone know if they're restoring any of Marie's cut material that's on the studio cast album?

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/6/14 at 10:43pm

I'm sorry I won't be able to see this.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 3/7/14 at 5:52pm

^^^ Yeah, I could not be more jealous!

Indeed a masterpiece! (With one small quibble: why does Tony suddenly lose his ability to speak English so Rosa can teach him to say "Happy to make your acquaintance." I realize Tony's English is never perfect, but being unable to say "Likewise" all of a sudden seems a serious loss of language skills.

Maybe he was concussed in the car accident?)