Weinstein in Secret negotiations with Morrison

[valeposh]

In today's day and age, with shows closing left and right, I can't really blame producers for wanting a "marketable" lead. Look at If/Then. It'd have never made it through the summer without the pull of Idina. Granted, Morrison hasn't a smash hit on Frozen, but he's still more widely known than Jordan.

[AwesomeDanny]

Am I the only one who is a fan of both? I'm sure Jeremy is doing a great job with the role, and I imagine Matthew would be great as well. I feel bad for whichever one of them gets the short end of the stick.

[Up In One]

I think both actors are wrong for the role - it should have an Adam Driver type not a matinee idol but that's all part of whats so wrong about the production as it is being driven.

[Jordan Catalano]

Awwwwwww. I was really looking forward to seeing Jordan in the show!

[Cupid Boy2]

Few performers irk me, but Matthew Morrison is one of them. I'm very happy now that I made the trip to Cambridge to catch the show because I definitely won't be returning if Morrison is cast.

[dramamama611]

Ill be saddened if Jeremy loses the role, I thought he was pretty wonderful (and I was not a fan before Neverland). I've only seen Morrison do South Pacific, which I liked him in, but wasn't blown away.

And as far as this being secret or unethical: poppycosh. Hell, someone here mentioned several weeks ago that they wanted Morrison back. Will Jordan be disappointed? I'm sure he will, but its part of the business.

Your boss certainly doesn't tell you they are interviewing for your job... or that they have contacted a former employee for further consideration: they do what they think is best for their business plan.

[thebeautyis3]

I don't know if he'd still be right for this incarnation of the role, but I'd love to see Christian Borle play Barrie (as he did in an early reading).

[CATSNYrevival]

They'd probably have to change the keys or the vocal arrangements for Borle and likely for Morrison as well. Neither of them could riff the end of "Stronger" like Jordan does. I don't know when they wrote that song but it does seem like it was written for Jeremy's voice.

[FindingNamo]

"poppycosh"

I shall be using this word from now on, dramamama. Thanking you in advance.

[Mattbrain]

I also will be sorry if Jeremy goes…I saw the show last Saturday and was thoroughly entertained from start to finish for the record.

[henrikegerman]

Some people are confusing "unethical" with "business," and not even unethical business at that.

[PalJoey]

This reminds me of the story about how when the troubled musical SEESAW was trying out in Cleveland, of all places, with Lanie Kazan in the starring role, the producers decided to fire her, but they kept the show running in Cleveland at night, and they had Michael Bennett rehearse Michele Lee and a bunch of his loyal gypsies in a new (but equally unsuccessful) version of the show by day.

Well, Cleveland isn't big enough to hide Michele Lee from Lanie Kazan, and besides, they were both former roommates and old friends.

In the end, the show flopped with both of them, and they didn't speak for several years.

[RippedMan]

The fact that Barrie is "riffing" the end of a song just shows you what's wrong w/ the show. It's not their fault.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

PalJoey, I've always been fascinated by the Michelle Lee/Lainie Kazan SEESAW thing. Bennett's work on the show did turn out to be legendary though and it produced the wonder that is Tommy Tune. I imagine that you could cast Daniel Day-Lewis in this show and it'd still be an awful show and a clear flop.

And I'm sorry but no one knows who Mathew Morrison is. They know "that guy from glee?" but that's about it.

And I'm sorry but the people who gave him an Emmy nomination and who have seen that thing called GLEE all around the world would probably beg to disagree. I love how delusional people are on this board.

[CATSNYrevival]

I don't even know if riffing is the correct description. It's a single word of the song but he's singing about 5 different notes. Is that riffing?

The score is slightly anachronistic but for the most part I think it works.

[CurtainPullDowner]

When I saw Jonathon Groff in London there was a huge crowd of kids waiting for him wearing GLEE T-Shirts, and his role was a lot smaller than Matt's. Unfortunately the problems with the show (according to the professional critics) is more the book and style and not one performance, so the bigger name makes the shows chances to succeed greater. It's just business as usual.

[Princeton Returns]

But in fairness that was at the height of glees popularity, when it was still on a main TV channel in the UK before going to sky.

No doubt Matthew is more well known out of the two, but my issue is he THAT well known. Being 'that guy off glee' won't be put on posters, an actor can be in a big TV show but if they don't have name recognition themselves that's no good for posters etc. Look at Annie, Jane Lynch was out of costume and took over the entire poster to sell who she was. I'd suspect they would have to make Matthew Morrison prominent in the art work and not rely on 'starring Matthew morrison'

[JohnyBroadway]

If Jordan doesn't transfer wouldn't that reopen his chance for Ever After? another show he work shopped?

[skylight2]

well if this is true, kinda sucks for Jeremy Jordan but then again, that's show business.

[thebeautyis3]

If Jordan doesn't transfer wouldn't that reopen his chance for Ever After? another show he work shopped?

I was curious about that. I assume his wife is still involved, so he'd get the chance to work with her if it happened? I don't know.

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Honestly, I wonder if Morrison’s character on “Glee” could have a negative effect on Morrison being a draw, despite being a more recognizable name than Jordan. I loved the character of Will on “Glee” at the beginning of the series, but, by the second season, his character became bland, annoying, and odd and has (for me) continued to be a character I no longer like (that goes for nearly every single character and I have no idea why I continue to watch the show, but that’s another discussion). While people obviously can recognize that Morrison is not Will, having an unlikable character (or, even just a bland one) could make people associate Morrison with that kind of role and turn ticket-buyers away. I like Morrison and have been a fan of his since before “Glee,” – and I completely blame Will’s lack of likability on the writing and direction of “Glee” and not on Morrison’s performance - but it has still lessened Morison’s appeal for me. In that case, Morrison’s recognition could actually have the opposite effect than a “name” usually renders and Jordan’s less-known name could actually be a plus in this case.

Granted, Jordan’s “Smash” character was a much, much worse character than Will (and, while I am a fan of Jordan and have really enjoyed him in the things onstage I have seen him in, I think Jordan came off looking like he didn’t know how to act), but his “Smash” character is also not as well-known as Morrison’s character, so I don’t think it would have any effect, either way, on Jordan’s draw.

And, I agree with those who are saying that this is not unfair or going behind Jordan’s back - I’m sure that Jordan was always aware that his time with “Neverland” might end at ART. I remember when he was first announced to be in the cast, while not explicitly said, it seemed implied in many articles that Morrison was attached to the role but wasn’t able to do it in Boston and that’s why they were bringing in Jeremy.

I enjoy both Morrison and Jordan, but I personally think Jordan may be more of an interesting choice for the character. I feel like I know exactly how Morrison would play it, but could see Jordan bringing something different to the role.

[Gothampc]

"I completely blame Will’s lack of likability on the writing and direction of “Glee” and not on Morrison’s performance - but it has still lessened Morison’s appeal for me."

Definitely the worst written character on the series. But in a show of cover songs, they couldn't even find any good music for him to perform. I don't think I liked any of his musical numbers.

[valeposh]

Gothampm- wait, you mean you don't listen to Schuester's cover of "Ice Ice Baby" on repeat?
Matthew's character has been mistreated like few I've seen on tv series. I don't know if people might be "turned off" because Will is unlikeable, I hope they can still separate fiction and reality. Wild hope maybe?

[Gothampc]

"Matthew's character has been mistreated like few I've seen on tv series."

Remember when Sue Sylvester did a recreation of Madonna's "Vogue"? That was when I knew Matt Morrison had been demoted to Chorus Boy #3.


Matt After Ryan Murphy

[Back Row]

Weinstein appears to have been approaching this project in full Hollywood producer mode, with many decisions based on what he can sell rather than what might make for a better project. In that sense, adding "Glee guy" to an equation that already includes "Take That" and "SYTYCD" is certainly a predictable move. The consensus seems to be that Morrison adds little or nothing to the production from an artistic standpoint, with the only question being just how much his Glee notoriety adds to the commercial appeal of the show. I saw the show, and liked it, but as has already been stated here, the star of the show is the show itself (along with the title). This is not a show that will live or die on the Hollywood bona fides of its leading man. So, if you assume that Weinstein would have to pay top dollar to lure Morrison to the role, then he's probably throwing his money away. He doesn't need a TV star here. If this show can navigate the treacherous waters of the New York critics and survive with even mixed reviews, I think it has wide appeal for families and tourists. They can plug almost anyone into the leading roles and it won't affect ticket sales at all.

[Sunny11]

Outside of those involved in the spring workshop nobody has seen Matthew in the role. How do you know that he " adds little or nothing from an artistic standpoint" ?

Whoever is cast in the part will have the challenge and responsibility to perform well and entertain the viewers/critics. If the initial reviews and audience word of mouth is good than any previous bad biases that potential ticket buyers will have towards the actor ( eg disliking Will Schuester) will be subverted. Showbiz is incredibly fickle after all.