Andrew Rannells to replace NPH in HEDWIG

[CurtainPullDowner]

Perhaps NPH will return after Rannells 8 weeks and they are just not announcing it yet so people don't say, "oh, i'll just wait till Neil returns"?

Just a theory.

[Lenexajones]

I was hoping that they would perhaps put Wayne Brady in. Has there ever been a black Hedwig?

[Adair Haywind]

I'm about 80% sure Andrew is just in place to keep the show open until Pink is available.

[Sutton Ross]

Pink isn't an actress, so I have no idea why you would think that. Do you have any inside scoop?

[Testing1232]

Not sure if this would make a BIG difference, but I believe NPH is once again booked to be a "Candlelight Processional" Guest Narrator this year (Disneyworld/Epcot- most likely 1st week of December)---

So, unless he had an understudy this time around, cant see him coming back-
He would be missing a week of performances, and from all accounts, he really wants to spend more time with the family- and last 4 years, I have seen them in Disney for the holidays-

[Adair Haywind]

Whoa, chill out. I have no inside scoop, just pure speculation. There was an article awhile back reporting that Pink was in talks for the role.

[Sutton Ross]

Chill out? I wasn't attacking you in any way, I was just asking if you knew something I didn't.

[haterobics]

The only article mentioning Pink was some guy in Florida's blog:

http://moviemartin.blogspot.com/2014/05/pink-and-angry-inch.html

And he just said the producers were interested in her, but didn't even know if she had expressed any interest back yet. So, not a lot there to hang one's hopes on...

[Sutton Ross]

Yeah, I can't imagine that happening since she doesn't act and I think she's pregnant.

[Jane2]

"Pink isn't an actress, so I have no idea why you would think that."

"Chill out? I wasn't attacking you in any way, I was just asking if you knew something I didn't."

"Yeah, I can't imagine that happening since she doesn't act and I think she's pregnant."

I think you're nasty. You're trying to make Adair feel stupid for his comment.

[CurtainPullDowner]

The show is a GOLDMINE with NPH, I don't think they will make the $ he brings in with any other performer. One week in December won't stop them from bringing him back. As far as spending time with his kids, that's one thing you can do when you work on Broadway cause you're at least in one spot with a set schedule. And plenty of people on Broadway have kids.

As far as this Pink stuff goes, I highly doubt they will bring in a woman, the show makes no sense if a woman plays this role and they found that out with the Ally Sheedy disaster (besides her other problems).

[haterobics]

The other half of the equation, though, is NPH already has a GOLDMINE without Hedwig (he was pulling in $225,000 per episode of HIMYM, although he doesn't get all of that, but still...). From his perspective, he said he would do the role for X amount of time, did it, and won a Tony, so... aside from being worn out and bruised for more months, he can check it off his list and do other things.

Not to mention, he was working on Hedwig during breaks in HIMYM production, and went directly into rehearsals, so he probably wants to chill out for a bit.

[Sutton Ross]

Yeah, when he says he is leaving the show, people should believe him. He is great in Hedwig, but he has expressed wanting to take some time to chill out before starting new things. I think the production will continue for awhile, because people love it, as long as there is someone really great playing the role.

[Testing1232]

As far as the show making money, I think they have (2) options---

Bring in a big name--- (that everyone is familiar with--- not just within Broadway circles) -

Bring back someone that played the role before, during the Jane Street run-

Thats what scares me about Rannells--- (got tix to see him on 8/28, and hope he is great) --- He doesnt fall within either of the above scenarios---

Just my .02, but I think the box office might take a big hit with him replacing NPH-
I
As far as NPH reprising the role-
totally understand that plenty of ppl on Broadway have kids, and the whole idea of a set schedule, but he has stated a number of times already that he wants to spend more time with his family, so obviously, the role has taken a toll on him -

[haterobics]

The show will clearly make less money, since the $399 premium seating will disappear, so it won't be making a $1M a week anymore, but it will definitely indicate whether the show itself has the legs or if it needs to put fishnets on the legs of a famous actor to stay open. It may have taken NPH to open, but how it will stay open is still TBD.

I've always been a fan of the show, not necessarily NPH only, so every person as Hedwig is another chance to see the show fresh.

[little_sally]

I like the show a lot but don't care for NPH. I am, however, a fan of Rannells and like him in everything he does so I look forward to seeing him in the role.

[Scarywarhol]

I would love to see a a hedwig with an authentic rock background in this production eventually.

[SFFrontRow]

I agreee that the show will not be able to charge the absurd $350/$399 for tickets after NPH leaves. And I am sure there are some who just want to see NPH in the show because they have heard about (or seen on the Tonys) his awesome all out performance.

But, I hope the general public embraces the show and appreciates another take on the role someone like Rannells can bring. I have to admit, I am glad I got to see NPH in the role as it was a great melding of role and actor. Not sure how well Rannells will compare, but he HAS played the role before (albeit about 10 years ago).

I still think Pink, even without acting background, would be a pretty hot ticket. Just because Ally Sheedy was not a success is reason to dismiss a woman from taking on the role. And I think Pink would surprise a lot of people - just a hunch. Who would have thought she could build her aerial skills like she has (have you SEEN her sing while hanging from the rafters - AWESOME).

I think the key to future casting for this Bway incarnation will be more reliant on (1) the big as life personality of the actor (male of female) and the (2) in your face attitude in the performance.

Lets not forget two things - (1) the "original" JCM had a series of replacement actors who thrived in the role and (2) this was an off-Bway hit for over 2 years - so the show has legs, its just a matter of keeping the fishnets on.

[RW3]

I know he would never do it, how about Billie Joe Armstrong

[Jordan Catalano]

Could Orfeh do it?

[Testing1232]

Have to agree about "Pink"--- not saying that she would be good or not (as far as acting--- I know she could probably sing the S&&T out of the score !!!)

She has a set of pipes !!

I have no doubt that she would sell a ton of tickets !!!

[FindingNamo]

I think Alec Baldwin would be a big draw.

[Jordan Catalano]

Or Lena Dunham.

[Kad]

"As far as the show making money, I think they have (2) options---
[...]
Bring back someone that played the role before, during the Jane Street run-"

No one from the Jane Street run would be any more of a draw than Andrew Rannells except John Cameron Mitchell.

[Kad]

"As far as the show making money, I think they have (2) options---
[...]
Bring back someone that played the role before, during the Jane Street run-"

No one from the Jane Street run would be any more of a draw than Andrew Rannells except John Cameron Mitchell.