Sheridan Smith has two OLIVIER AWARDS

[Iesha]

Posted: 6/22/15 at 10:08pm

She is a great actress why so much hate?

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 6/22/15 at 10:09pm

Because we want jessie mueller or Leslie kritzer

[ggersten]

Posted: 6/22/15 at 10:46pm

Speak for yourself, Phil.  

And to the OP, I don't see much hate here for Ms. Smith.  

[gypsy101]

Posted: 6/22/15 at 10:48pm

I don't know the lady personally, but if there is a Broadway revival of Funny Girl, I don't want her. No offense to her or her fans. My personal choices include (and others on this board) such wonderful American actresses as Annaleigh Ashford and Jessie Mueller. I don't begrudge her starring in a revival in London, but I don't think she's right for Funny Girl on Broadway.

[Littleshopofcarrie]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 8:46am

She's very, very talented but it just wouldn't make sense to have a West End actress play the lead role in a revival that Americans have been waiting for for years on Broadway. She'll nail it in the West End, I'm sure, and I'd love to see her come to Broadway in something, but just not this.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 9:08am

It's true, she does have 2 Olivier Awards. It doesn't mean that we hate her. Sutton Foster has 2 Tony Awards, and I love her.

I think that its just the majority of us want someone else to play Fanny Brice if a Funny Girl revival was to happen on Broadway.

[LarryD2]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 9:12am

So do y'all plan to boycott a Broadway revival if Sheridan Smith plays Fanny? Or are you just grandstanding on an anonymous message board?

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 9:23am

LarryD2, I can't speak for the others on the board, but I personally wouldn't boycott a Broadway revival with Smith, I'm just stating I'd prefer someone else.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 9:47am

"Who, who and who??"
--The Ticket Buying Public

[Falling]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 10:02am

As someone who's never gotten to see Sheridan Smith live, I'd personally be thrilled if she opened Funny Girl here. They did allow Cynthia Erivo transfer in The Color Purple-and that role could have gone to an American actress as well. You're not opposed to giving her a chance, but not Smith? (I mean The Color Purple is an American story, too.) I think the idea of someone who's new to an American audience might be ideal for Funny Girl. (That said, Annaleigh Ashford is on my wishlist along side Sheridan Smith. I frankly would see either one. I think getting away from the Streisand types is probably a smart move.)

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 10:05am

I want to see Sheridan play any role anywhere (and I will probably go to London to do so).  If people believe Sheridan should not play the role on Broadway solely because she's not American, they should start rethinking the casting of every role on Broadway, including the countless Americans in non-American roles.  If Sheridan's wonderful in the role, it makes absolutely no difference where the stage is located.  Xenophobia has no place in theatre or on Broadway.

She's very, very talented but it just wouldn't make sense to have a West End actress play the lead role in a revival that Americans have been waiting for for years on Broadway.

Which Americans?  The only ones I know who have cared even a little bit are a handful of musical theatre fans.  And even among them, those who have seen the show still don't find it to be very good.  There is no hot demand for this particular show other than as a possible vehicle for a celebrity.  Funny thing is, we've had plenty of those with a desire for Imelda Staunton to transfer to Broadway in Gypsy, but I guess that's okay because we've had numerous short-running revivals over the years.  Are we just pickier when it comes to an inferior show that hasn't been revived (for obvious reasons)?

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 11:00am

So do y'all plan to boycott a Broadway revival if Sheridan Smith plays Fanny? Or are you just grandstanding on an anonymous message board?

 

I'd go see it if the word of mouth was good, but it just doesn't make sense to have a British person play this part in a revival. Nothing against Sheridan, I didn't care for her in Legally Blonde but she is talented. I'd rather just see Ashford or Mueller.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 12:22pm

but it just doesn't make sense to have a British person play this part in a revival.

That's just ludicrous.  It "makes sense" to have an actress play a role, regardless your personal preferences.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 2:20pm

Mister Matt we agree for once, why an earth does it make any difference if she is British or not? Guess what, the Les Mis cast ain't French either. Sheridan is incredible on stage, she was comedy genius and full of heart in Legally Blonde London and transformed the show. She will be superb in this. 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 3:40pm

Exactly my point.  The nationality of the actress makes zero difference.  While there were a few other tweaks that made Legally Blonde a success in London, such as the smaller venue and tightening of the book/direction, about 80% of its success could be attributed to Sheridan's performance.  I wasn't a huge fan of the Broadway production and I only went because I thought she was hilarious on Two Pints.  She not only turned me into a huge fan of the show, she floored me with the range of her talent.  I knew she was funny, but I didn't know how emotionally effective she could be.  She had me in tears and those who really know me know that is a herculean feat.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 6/23/15 at 4:31pm

" it just doesn't make sense to have a British person play this part in a revival."

There is absolutely no logic to this. If she can play the role appropriately and effectively, then why should she not play the role on Broadway? How does being a British actress stop her from being appropriate and effective in the role? How does it not make sense? I don't ask these questions to be a jerk. I sincerely do not see the logic in your assertion, and I would like a good well standing argument to defend it.