Dream cast Carmen Cusack

[QueenAlice]

I wonder if she can lose her accent. I've seen her in three shows: Carrie, South Pacific and Bright Star and she always had that twang (appropriate for two out of the three).

 

How about Mona in the Whorehouse Revival? She has the earthy appeal to charm in that.

[TFMH18]

Re: her accent. You happened to see her in three shows in which an accent was either required or suitable. She has also played Elphaba, Fantine, Christine in Phantom, and Dot/Marie in Sunday in the Park. Check out some clips online (they're out there)-- not so much as a trace of the southern drawl. Her versatility just astounds me to no end.

I do wonder what's next for her! I hope she doesn't disappear after this. If Broadway producers were smart, they'd all be scrambling to get her into their upcoming shows!

[ChiTheaterFan]

I paid my first return visit to Fun Home this weekend since last summer. She might be a bit young (although I have no idea how old she actually is and after bright star I think she'd believable on stage as almost any age) but after knowing she played Fantine and watching Judy Kuhn, I thought she'd be a fabulous Helen. (Although if I saw her in it, I'd probably wish I could hear her sing more often since it's not a huge role). :)

 

Definitely Diana in Next to Normal as well. 

 

Really I hope she gets more opportunities to create new characters but I will see her in ANYTHING from now on!

[Melissa25]

I can't wait to see what she does next on Broadway but in the interim I hope she gets a part on Nashville.

[Rhoda4]

I saw the show yesterday afternoon.  Carmen is a true talent.  It really is very sad that the show closes the end of this week. 

[ChiTheaterFan]

Rhoda4 said: "I saw the show yesterday afternoon.  Carmen is a true talent.  It really is very sad that the show closes the end of this week. 

 

"

Off topic but I was there yesterday as well and it was the most enthusiastic audience yet. At the stage door many in the cast were commenting on how they thought it was a great audience and they really fed off the energy. I hope this continues so they to out on a positive note. 

[TFMH18]

Could she be a possible replacement for Sierra Boggess in School of Rock? Personally I wouldn't be too thrilled since the role is minimal and she has so much more to her, but it could be fun for her and a great way to stay on Broadway.

[gleek4114]

I saw her in the PreBroadway First Wives Club and she did not have an accent. I wish that show would come in, if only for everyone to hear her characters kick ass solo at the end of Act 1.

[Sertzo19]

gleek4114 said: "I saw her in the PreBroadway First Wives Club and she did not have an accent. I wish that show would come in, if only for everyone to hear her characters kick ass solo at the end of Act 1"

No. Just no. I saw her in First Wives Club as well and she was far and away the standout, but this show does not deserve to be on Broadway in its most recent state. Carmen deserves a role that applies her talents to the fullest. I also hope you're not referring to the "Whirpool of Emotions" solo. That song was terribly trite and cheesy. I hope she gets to originate a new role, that would be fabulous and it would give her the opportunity to keep making a name for herself as a star and not just a replacement. 

That being said... She really would make a great Lucille in Parade! She also has the potential to make for a fresh new take on Mamma Rose in a couple of years, surprised nobody has mentioned that yet. 

[starcatchers]

QueenAlice said: "I wonder if she can lose her accent. I've seen her in three shows: Carrie, South Pacific and Bright Star and she always had that twang (appropriate for two out of the three).

 

How about Mona in the Whorehouse Revival? She has the earthy appeal to charm in that.

 

"

 

Maybe those were character choices? If you listen to her speak offstage (she's done plenty of interviews lately), it's barely noticeable, if at all.

 

[Call_me_jorge]

I love her accent. It's like southern with a hint of British. It's amazing.

[Auggie27]

Finally saw the show yesterday, and can only join the enthusiasm.  Had only seen her in CARRIE, but what she does in BRIGHT STAR is, well, become a (bright) star.  Right before our eyes. Picking up on other posts: she reminds me most of the great Carlin Glenn, only with a much stronger voice. In fact, she seems an infectious blend of Glenn and Mary Martin. She'd be great in PAL JOEY.  Or LADY IN THE DARK. Or hell, let her play Irene Molloy in the Midler Dolly.  With a 70ish Dolly and a likely a 40ish Cornelius, why not a 45 year-old Irene?

[icecreambenjamin]

I hope she gets the chance to play Lucille in Parade.  I think she'd be perfect.

[adamgreer]

Out of all the suggestions here, Lucille in Parade is my favorite. Hearing she and Jeremy Jordan sing All The Wasted Time together would be a dream come true. 

[LizzieCurry]

When I saw her as Fantine in San Francisco (just before the entire production went to China), I overheard her saying she couldn't do it without the accent she'd been using in the show in London even though she tried. I never would've guessed she was American, if I hadn't known better.

I agree with nearly every suggestion in the thread!

[ChiTheaterFan]

I had a slightly insane idea pop into my head the other day where I was thinking she would be great in Geneva Carr's role in Hand to God.  (Helen, was it?  I don't remember the name of the character.)  I'd bet she'd be a hoot as a repressed Southern lady whose husband ate himself to death. 

 

I'm not actually suggesting this would be the thing I'd want her to do the most, because she NEEDS to keep doing musicals and I really hope she comes back to broadway.  But it was just a crazy thought I had.

[ChiTheaterFan]

Does anyone know anything about Dave the musical?  I thought I heard her husband saying something about it today at Bright Star. I was sitting a few rows back so I'm not sure but I googled it and I see some stuff about a reading in 2014. (He wasn't exactly being quiet about it so it didn't seem super secretive or anything.). Regardless, he was saying she's getting a lot of attention and interest due to this show. I could not have been happier to hear that. 

 

Also heard him mention 54 below...  I will definitely buy a ticket for that! 

[TBFL]

She's played Svetlana, so now it's her turn to step up and play Florence in Chess.

I would buy that recording, despite having too many of them already!

 

 

[Count von Bulow]

She'll be simply marvelous in any role in regional theater from here on out.

[ChiTheaterFan]

Count von Bulow said: "She'll be simply marvelous in any role in regional theater from here on out.

 

"

3 of your 3 posts since joining contain snark about Carmen. Lose some roles to her or something?

[Call_me_jorge]

Count von Bulow said: "She'll be simply marvelous in any role in regional theater from here on out.

 

"

Delete your account