MY FAIR LADY Revival Back On For Next Spring?

[UnwoundFantasies]

Kelli is doing an opera at the Met March 2018, so I'd say that takes her out of the running

[Jessetenny]

Maybe Shanice Williams as Eliza? I'd pay for that! 

[SmoothLover]

So Junk is a limited run?

[wonkit]

For me, Paulo Szot for Higgins and Benanti for Eliza. Szot has full command of English now, and the clips of him in Brazil last summer were splendid. Would love to see Colin Firth but fear that he plays a little too old for Higgins. It is very important to me to see someone play Eliza who has the comic chops to make her Cockney side feel real and slightly desperate. I love Kelli O'Hara but I thought he Nellie Forbush felt very Southern genteel and I would be afraid that the early scenes in MY FAIR LADY would come across as nice young lady waiting for clean clothes and some lessons. Eliza is the daughter of a drunk, on her own, lonely and a scrapper. Benanti can do that.

 

[wonderfulwizard11]

Exciting if they've cast an unknown as Eliza, but I still maintain the ideal choice is Lauren Worsham. Could handle the score and the comedy in equal measure. 

[disneybroadwayfan22]

I wish Auli'l Cravalho was older to be Eliza.

sondmon said: "I've heard Laura say she wants to play Eliza so maybe.

"

Yup, she just tweeted

[Robbie2]

BroadwayConcierge said: "I  cannot overstate how much I would love to see Phillipa Soo in this role. I would forfeit my right to dreamcast ever again if she played this. 

My choice as well coupled with Colin Firth is perfection.

 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Robbie2 said: "My choice as well coupled with Colin Firth is perfection."

Right? That combination would just be legendary!

[icecreambenjamin]

Colin Firth and Laura Benanti all the way (both are just far too perfect for Eliza and Higgins) with Danny Burstein as Alfred Dolittle.

[bjh2114]

wonkit said: " love Kelli O'Hara but I thought he Nellie Forbush felt very Southern genteel and I would be afraid that the early scenes in MY FAIR LADY would come across as nice young lady waiting for clean clothes and some lessons."

Having seen her do the NY Phil concert version, I can assure that wasn't the case.  I know people are getting sick of her doing these revivals, but let's be honest... Eliza is actually a better match for her voice than Nellie, Anna, and Babe.  If this revival had been 8 years ago, it wouldn't have even been a question of whether she'd be good for the part.  I don't THINK it will be Kelli, but I'm obviously not going to be mad if it is.  For those saying Benanti, I actually prefer funny, belty Laura to soprano Laura.  I think she'd be great for the first half, but I don't know how I'd feel about her for the second half.

BroadwayConcierge said: "I  cannot overstate how much I would love to see Phillipa Soo in this role. I would forfeit my right to dreamcast ever again if she played this. 

God I can't disagree with this more.  Phillipa has a lovely (if slightly underwhelming) voice, but she lacks any and all personality required to make cockney Eliza even remotely funny.

[Greenfinch4]

Ever since they announced it for the run in Chicago, I thought Lisa O'Hare is absolutely perfect for Eliza. 

I think Scarlett Strallen could nail the comedic moments and sell the softer moments too, plus I'd basically just want to see her tackle almost anything. 

I think for an American choice, Jessica Hershberg could be a really good option and her soprano is exceptional. 

[VintageSnarker]

wonderfulwizard11 said: "Exciting if they've cast an unknown as Eliza, but I still maintain the ideal choice is Lauren Worsham. Could handle the score and the comedy in equal measure. 

I don't know about her accent (I didn't see Gentleman's Guide) but otherwise, I'm SO down for this. I know I said I wanted them to cast younger but... she can pass for being in her 20's, right?

 

[Skimbleshanks2]

Wowww. ERIVO would be an awesome choice if it can't be O'HARA... Props to whoever suggested her! though I wonder if her movie career would prevent it from happening. 

[bjh2114]

Lauren Worsham is the best idea I've read yet.  She's legitimately perfect for the role in every possible way.  Scarlett Strallen isn't a bad choice either.  But the idea of Worsham is really exciting to me.

[perfectlymarvelous]

I've wanted Lauren Worsham to do it for ages, she'd be perfect. 

[SmoothLover]

How long is Junk running?

 

I think Danny can sit this one out. Lets see some fresh faces.

[wonderfulwizard11]

VintageSnarker said: "I don't know about her accent (I didn't see Gentleman's Guide) but otherwise, I'm SO down for this. I know I said I wanted them to cast younger but... she can pass for being in her 20's, right?"

She only did an upper-class accent in Gentleman's Guide, but I think she'd have no problem with the cockney. And as far as age goes, she's certainly more appropriate than Benanti or O'Hara. 

[mamaleh]

My dream casting:  Hugh Jackman as Higgins, Lauren Worsham as Eliza.   May it be so!

[wonkit]

Actually the suggestion of Danny Burstein as Alfred Doolittle is so perfect that's all I can think about. YES!!

 

And I am glad Kelli was good in a concert version but I think it is much easier to pull out all the stops when it is a single performance, especially when you have no scenery or costumes to help along. Don't get me wrong: I admire her work, and I love Kelli's voice but in both SOUTH PACIFIC and THE KING AND I I felt she was holding back a lot. When I was fortunate enough to see Marin Mazzie in TKAI, I realized how much unexplored territory Kelli's characterization represented for me. 

[froote]

Disagree bjh, there's some stuff floating around the internet of Phillipa doing Oklahoma and Parade and she does the comic stuff well. Eliza, Natasha and Amelie aren't really the best roles to express that.

 

[gypsy101]

Lauren Worsham would sing the sh!t out of those songs. I think she'd be perfect.

[bjh2114]

wonkit said: "And I am glad Kelli was good in a concert version but I think it is much easier to pull out all the stops when it is a single performance, especially when you have no scenery or costumes to help along. "

Just for your reference, the production was fully costumed and had a small set.  It wasn't a "stand and sing" concert.  It was fully staged.

[QueenAlice]

Count me among those who would love to see an unknown as Ms. Doolittle. I would be surprised if Sher cast an actor as seasoned as Laura Benanti. I think he'll take a cue from Shaw's original play which states Eliza is "no older than 20."

[LesWickedly]

Whoever mentioned Lauren Worsham, I thank you and hate you. I can't get it out of my head. She'd be perfect. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Wow, yeah. Lauren Worsham would be one of few names I'd be okay with over Phillipa Soo (who I still hold as my #1 choice, though). Worsham would totally nail this role.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

QueenAlice said: "Count me among those who would love to see an unknown as Ms. Doolittle. I would be surprised if Sher cast an actress as seasoned as Laura Benanti. I think he'll take a cue from Shaw's original play which states Eliza is "no older than 20.""

Let's not forget that Julie Andrews was only 20 years old when she originated the role of Eliza Doolittle on Broadway.