The Devil Wears Prada

[AEA AGMA SM]

VotePeron said: "Emily is good as Miranda is good, but I can't imagine they're not trying to get a big name for the future."

I would agree that it's likely they'll end up courting a bigger star for the full production, but this does give at least an idea of where they might be going in terms of the vocal requirements for the role (I can't imagine hiring Emily Skinner, even for a reading, if you're not planning on at least a few moments of belt-your-face-off)

[Mike Barrett]

Wow I really love that casting!!!! Sells me a bit more on this musical to be honest, and of course Elton John. This could be good.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Why do they need a big star for this?? The title is huge (as good or better than Mean Girls and Tootsie) and Elton John's name is still a draw for Broadway audiences and tourists. And every famous actress who got offered the role would have to deal with being compared to Meryl Streep.

[InTheBathroom1]

I agree. With Elton John and Devil Wears Prada they don’t need a star. I think Emily Skinner is a major theatrical talent that has been working for the better part of 20 years and think that this is the role for her

[jacobsnchz14]

Would love Emily Skinner, Donna Murphy...
Oh, God, I know Stritch is no longer with us, but imagine what she could’ve done with this role. Haha.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Wow - Skinner is inspired. Heléne Yorke is a great choice for Emily. I'd love for it to be Laura Benanti but I wonder if the third lead is too small of a role for her at this point. 

[GeorgeandDot]

I must say, I don't find Skinner or really anyone here to be very exciting.

[Valentina3]

Heléne Yorke really could be great. Didn't think they'd go for a soprano for Emily (Blunt's character), though she can do pop quite well too. Makes you wonder what the music really is.

I was listening to Kinky Boots OBC the other day, and Lena Hall's "pinch them or pay for them, these shoes are in my future" line read in the opening song has such perfect Emily energy that I wanted to dreamcast her in that role.

[AEA AGMA SM]

IdinaBellFoster said: "Wow - Skinner is inspired.Heléne Yorke is a great choice for Emily. I'd love for it to be Laura Benanti but I wonder if the third lead is too small of a role for her at this point."

I wouldn't say so much the size of the role, but Emily still needs to be on the relatively younger side. A 40+ Emily who's just getting promoted to the position of first assistant just feels off. I don't remember if the movie ever mentioned where Emily eventually hopes to end up, I can't imagine that the character would be aiming to still be an assistant at that age.

[bjh2114]

Skinner was actually on my list of people I'd like to see do this, but I was REALLY holding out hope for Vanessa Williams. I know it would basically be Wilhelmina Slater again, but it would be SOOOOO good. 

[bryan2]

So happy to hear Emily Skinner is doing the reading. She has that sarcastic thing about her 

that is perfect for Miranda...plus that voice...boom ...I really hope this is hers when it goes or if it goes to Broadway...

[Call_me_jorge]

Just remembered that this will be Emily’s second time working on an Elton John show. The first being Billy Elliot. Maybe Elton just had her in mind from the get go?

[CindersGolightly]

Elton John has never chased stars. Schedules permitting, I fully believe this is intended to be the cast for Broadway.

(Heléne Yorke is coming for that Best Featured Actress in a Musical Tony. Know that, babies.)

[magictodo123]

GeorgeandDot said: "I must say, I don't find Skinner or really anyone here to be very exciting."

I agree. I think they should find an unknown for Andy (speaking as someone who would LOVE to play her. Andy is my homegirl). 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

magictodo123 said: "I think they should find an unknown for Andy"

Krystina Alabado is an unknown to 99.8% of the world.

 

Call_me_jorge said: "Just remembered that this will be Emily’s second time working on an Elton John show. The first being Billy Elliot. Maybe Elton just had her in mind from the get go?"

Doubt it. He might not have even seen her in Billy Elliott, by all accounts he was very absent from the U.S. production. Anyone know if he attended last week's reading?

[magictodo123]

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "magictodo123 said: "I think they should find an unknown for Andy"

Krystina Alabado is an unknown to 99.8% of the world.



Call_me_jorge said: "Just remembered that this will be Emily’s second time working on an Elton John show. The first being Billy Elliot. Maybe Elton just had her in mind from the get go?"

Doubt it. He might not have even seen her in Billy Elliott, by all accounts he was very absent from the U.S. production. Anyone know if he attended last week's reading?"

Fair point. 

I'm sorry but I'm also just commenting on this because I LOVE your username!!! hahaha 

[tbaker2]

A reliable source in Chicago mentioned to me that this is in works to have their Pre-Broadway tryout in the 2020 Season with Broadway in Chicago.

[magictodo123]

tbaker2 said: "A reliable source in Chicago mentioned to me that this is in works to have their Pre-Broadway tryout in the 2020 Season with Broadway in Chicago."

Any rumors on any casting? 

[KathyNYC2]

Half the ensemble and the musicians are from Waitress for this reading.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

tbaker2 said: "A reliable source in Chicago mentioned to me that this is in works to have their Pre-Broadway tryout in the 2020 Season with Broadway in Chicago."

That makes sense, with Anna Shapiro being based at Steppenwolf.

 

"Half the ensemble and the musicians are from Waitress for this reading."

Same music director, which probably explains it. Perhaps the musical styles are similar?

[SweetLips22]

Can someone explain exactly what takes place at a 'reading'.

The obvious is that they all come in, are given scripts, then improvise/are directed?

Do they know the music/their lines before coming in; is there movement; is it only a one time.

It couldn't be like a Mickey/Judy at a piano with one look at the sheet music and they know it word perfect, and also the dance routines.

Interested to know the process. I have been to a studio/journalist preview in a rehearsal room but by then the show had basically been set.

[BrodyFosse123]

It’s basically just that: a reading. The cast sits at a table and reads the script. The composers perform the musical material though on a few occasions an actor may have been given their material in advance and will sing their material, though this rarely happens. Rarely will any choreography be performed and if it is, the choreographer’s assistant with a few dancers will show an idea of what is being considered by the choreographer. Actors are hired to just read the script, which they see for the first time that day. Some actors received the script prior so this helps them create an idea of the character they are reading. A workshop is more produced so actors will be employed for this as these have rehearsals, etc.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

BrodyFosse's version might be correct for certain preliminary readings that don't have an invited audience, but Devil Wears Prada was a much different situation.

For the Devil Wears Prada "reading," they rehearsed for 2 weeks in the mornings/afternoons, working around people with matinee schedules. The presentations were performed at music stands, with the cast reading the book and singing the songs, for an invited audience of investors, theatre owners, etc. I believe the Equity agreement was a "Tier 1" development contract.

Often, a musical will just do a "29 Hour Reading." They'll have about 25 hours of rehearsal (learn the music, read through the script a few times, do a bit of character work, etc). The presentation is typically the full book and score (or whatever is written of it) at music stands, with piano or a small band. The presentation happens in a rehearsal studio or in an off-Bway theatre. It's a way for producers to raise money, but also to see a show performed by actors so they can say "this scene/song works, that doesn't; we like this actor, that actor shouldn't continue with the project."

[SweetLips22]

I thank you for your response---the journey from reading/workshop to frozen must be littered with numerous songs/scripts/ideas--and people.

Can't remember it now, but Smash might have been an insight to that process and now Chorus Line might go the same route.