Debbie Reynolds in talks to replace Lansbury in ALNM?

[ljay889]

Saw this on ATC.

http://talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=1852296

I listened to it, and it sounds like she'd really like to do it. I wonder if they have a Desiree secured? I think Reynolds would be an appropriate and exciting choice.

[TheatreFan4]

Yay!! I suggested her when it was first announced that Angela would be replaced.

[adamgreer]

Perhaps the lack of a Desiree as of yet is what is holding up her moving from being "in talks" to actually signing on?

[ColorTheHours048]

Carrie Fisher for Desiree

[PalJoey]

I dunno about this. She's a little cute for Mme. Armfeldt, no?

[bjh2114]

What's funny is that I feel like Carrie Fisher would have been a great Desiree 15 years ago.

[best12bars]

Debbie Reynolds is "that little spunky girl from Burbank." Even as she's gotten older, she still comes across that way.

And I can't picture her as "a woman who has numbered kings among her lovers," unless we're talking Alan King.

[emilyfaye48]

is it online somewhere for listening?

[Chicago Star]

They need to get Betty White. She'd sell tickets.

[bjh2114]

^Brilliance!

[PalJoey]

And I can't picture her as "a woman who has numbered kings among her lovers," unless we're talking Alan King.

I think even Debbie would laugh at that.

Then she would cut you.

[husk_charmer]

Let's be fair, does anyone see Angela and think she's numbered lovers, much less kings?

[alterego]

A challenging choice!

[best12bars]

"Let's be fair, does anyone see Angela and think she's numbered lovers, much less kings?"

In her prime? Yes.

[husk_charmer]

To be fair, wasn't Angela's prime all of about 5 years? (And I adore everything about her) And, who amongst the tourist crowd who sees her name thinks anything beyond "Murder, She Wrote" or "Beauty and the Beast" or possible "Manchurian Candidate"

[ljay889]

BWW, You've got to be kidding me!

RIALTO CHATTER: Debbie Reynolds To Replace Angela Landsbury in NIGHT MUSIC?

LanDsbury?

[best12bars]

Honestly, husk, I've never thought that Angela was completely right for this part either. Even after seeing her in costume, makeup, and singing the full song.

So I (mostly) agree with you! She's just "more right" than Reynolds, but not by much.

I wish they'd import Leslie Caron for Mme. Armeldt, but Debbie Reynolds is a bigger name.

Come to think of if, why not Betty White? As equally suited for the part as Lansbury or Reynolds. And she'd sell out that theatre.

I wish Maggie Smith was in better health.

[PalJoey]

Angela lacked direction in this production. Nunn allowed Angela to get get "cute."

Maggie Smith would be perfect.

[Gypsy9]

I agree with best12bars in his first post: the little girl from Burbank, etc. I think that Debbie Reynolds is a terrible choice to replace Lansbury. She does not have the class for the part, IMO. How about Dame Judi Dench? Suggesting Debbie Reynolds seems like something Roundabout would do.

[Bettyboy72]

Debbie would be adorable and she's still so pretty, you would see where Desiree gets her looks from. I'd still like to see Blythe Danner with or without her daughter.

[Brick]

"Angela lacked direction in this production. Nunn allowed Angela to get get "cute."

Maggie Smith would be perfect."

PJ, you nailed it. I think Debbie would be campy and cute.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

How quickly we forget the first two Madame Armfeldts:

Hermione Gingold (OBC)


Margaret Hamilton (national tour)


Can we really look at those two, however much we love them, and honestly question the "in her prime" alure of Angela Lansbury or Debbie Reynolds?

[OtherDaryl]

I saw Reynolds' act last summer - yeah, she can do this - she will be just fine - NO worries.

[into_the_woods2]

Debbie Reynolds WOULD bring a cuteness to the role, but I could see it working, depending on who plays Desiree.

Betty White would be perfect, IMO.

[ljay889]

Betty White is THE definition of cute. I don't get how anyone thinks that is a good idea.

Yes, Angela brings some warmth to her scenes with Fredrika, but she is still perfectly bitchy/sardonic in her interactions with Desiree, and during the dinner scene.