Let's talk DROOD casting!

[Bialyhoos22]

Posted: 3/28/12 at 12:48pm

With the revival a mere 6 months away, rumblings are starting to emerge about casting. Obviously we have Chita as Puffer but with John Jasper, Drood and most importantly, The Chairman, allegedly cast, who do we want to see in those parts...?

I think there are so few people qualified to do this show justice that the shortlist for The Chairman is indeed a short list! But if I could pick and choose, Jim Dale (often mentioned here) and Robert Lindsay would top my list. I heard a rumour that Joel Grey was eyeing it and I only hope that's not true - I think it'd be the death of the show. If anything, Joel would make a terrific Bazzard or Crisparkle...but a Chairman he is NOT.

For anyone who has seen the various replacements on Broadway or on the tour, I'd be really interested to hear your thoughts on who worked and who didn't. Did anyone see both George Rose AND Clive Revill...if so, how did Revill stack up? Or Jean Stapleton for that matter as Puffer?





Updated On: 3/28/12 at 12:48 PM

Posted: 3/28/12 at 2:31pm

Jean Stapleton and Loretta S*it were both gawd-awful.... Don't even get me started. This is one of my favorite musicals and hope Roundabout doesn't mess this one up!

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 3/28/12 at 3:37pm

I believe Clive Revill was the original Fagin in the first Broadway production of OLIVER. As I remember, he was wonderful. George Rose, deceased, was a first rate actor who made a wonderful Alfred Doolittle in the first Broadway revival of MY FAIR LADY. He was also the star of a Gilbert & Sullivan operetta whose name may have been THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, on Broadway. Additionally, George Rose stood out in a likable flop called WALKING HAPPY.I just felt like commenting on these two actors mentioned above.

Posted: 3/28/12 at 3:42pm

George Rose was amazing as was the original cast. Donna Murphy was pretty bad as Drood. She never hit the $ note that Buckley did in Writing on the Wall.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/28/12 at 3:50pm

Alan Cumming as The Chairman.

He has that Music Hall feel to me.