I hope it can be appreciated for what it is, because whatever it is will pale in comparison to the movie. I'd like to see them go younger than O'Hara; I don't think I'd buy her as a novice. Maybe Laura Osnes? Nathan Fillion as Captain von Trapp?
Also, since they say the singing will be live, any 'bankable name' will have to be able to deliver.
"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg."
-- Thomas Jefferson
PalJoey-I have a feeling she's going to get it. She she did the Carnegie Hall event and will be Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, I think she's really a good choice.
They can cast bigger names as the Captain and Elsa, since they are less vocally challenging. But, for Maria you need someone who can sing.
I know she was just on Broadway as a nun, but I'd like to see Victoria Clark as Mother Abbess. And if they don't decide to use a name as Elsa, maybe Jan Maxwell?
"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg."
-- Thomas Jefferson
No offense, but Laura Benanti is kind of old (yea, I know that Mary Martin was pushing 50). Maria is supposed to be between 20 and 22. This is what I think:
Maria- Sierra Boggess, Laura Osnes, Connie Fisher, Ashley Brown Captain- John Barrowman or James Marsden Elsa- Laura Benanti or Kelli O'Hara Max- Chris Sieber Mother Abbess- Rebecca Luker
Just throwing out suggestions. I've never done one of these casting things. Haha.
Wow! I love the movie and love the story of SOM! There are so many uber talented women out there right now and I'm sure they will choose the right people for the leads. Kelli came to my head first but I would be happy with any of the afore mentioned names.
"Let's keep in mind that the Captain has an oldest child who is 16, going on 17."
Christopher Plummer was 34 when he played the role, even though the Captain is supposed to be 40-45. The real Captain and Maria were 47 and 22 respectively when they married.
I think they might tap Smash for some of these roles. How about Brian D'Arcy James as the Captain??? Debra Messing as Elsa? And Christian Borle as Max? Don't know who they want as the Mother Abbess (I know who I want, that's for sure. In a perfect world, Julie Andrews would still be able to sing and to do that role. How about Marni Nixon? Can she still sing that song???)