Is Anyone Else Concerned with the Casting of Sutton Foster as Reno Sweeney

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 2:39am

I am a gigantic Anything Goes nut. It's my most collected cast recording. It was one of my first obsessions. And I'm fascinated with its various versions.

I think Foster is a pleasant performer. I thought her work in Little Women was surprisingly moving. She was also fine in Millie, Drowsy, and Young Frankenstein. I thought she was the worst thing about Encores' Anyone Can Whistle.

I just can't see her as Reno. As a nightclub singer and former evangelist. I thought she had zero sex appeal performing the sultry "Come Play Wiz Me". And I just don't see her being convincing as a seen it all/done it all dame. She'd be a fine Hope and an even better Bonnie/Erma. It just seems like baffling casting to me. Does she draw crowds? I doubt it. It seems that this would be a role that Roundabout could have cast with a star (Gina Gershon actually would have worked in this role). Ethel Merman, Patti LuPone, Elaine Paige, and now Sutton Foster. Maybe she'll surprise me, but I just don't feel like she's a fit for the role.

Updated On: 7/11/10 at 02:39 AM

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 2:41am

This is the organization that brought such winners as Bye Bye Birdie & Pal Joey. I just stopped giving a f*ck & hope for the best.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 4:57am

Gina Gershon? You have to be joking. Gina Gershon?

I saw Sutton Foster blow audiences away in "Millie." She has a very powerful voice. I was impressed with "Jimmy" and "Gimme." She will do justice to the songs. She's a talented, and remember, Tony Award winning actress. She'll draw in all sorts of people.

I saw Patti LuPone do the role at Lincoln Center. I'd rather slide bare-assed through cut glass than ever have to experience that horror again.

Gina Gershon? Oh Gawd.....

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 5:44am

Roundabout hasn't produced a decent revival since 110 in the Shade back in 2007. I may be concerned, but I'm not surprised. It's kind of sad actually. If this was their attempt at an apology for all of the atrocious "star" casting over the last few years it really doesn't help to cast a theatre celeb who seems just as miscast as the television personalities.

[amoni]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 5:45am

Concerned? Oh Brother.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 6:05am

Did you guys miss Sutton Foster's FOUR Tony nominated roles in the last decade? Her Tony and Drama desk winning role in "Millie?" She has managed to do what it took Patti Lupone twenty-eight years to accomplish, in less than a decade.

Are you for real? She's one of the biggest stars on Broadway right now, a woman who has NOT gone Hollywood, but stays in New York and continues to perform. To say she is miscast shows that you have no concept of what acting is all about.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 8:02am

Just because she is talented, doesn't mean she hasn't been miscast. Even the most talented of performers aren't suited to EVERY role.

While I actually think she would be fine as Reno (Not one of my favorite shows, though), I have gotten pretty tired of her stage schtick -- the roles I have seen her play are just rehashes of her Millie role. Entertaining and all, but I become less and less impressed with her.

[Jamie Pierce]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 9:49am

YES! Totally miscast. And yes, it is possible for a talented performer to not be right for a role. Yet another missed opportunity (like with the Birdie revival). At least they're casting a Broadway talent and not a TV/Film name.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 9:56am

Personally I would rather see Catherine Zeta-Jones. But that is just MHO.

Posted: 7/11/10 at 9:56am

Broadway fans sure love the drama, don't they?

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 10:01am

Yes, Joe, as long as there is singing and dancing!

[AC126748]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 10:06am

Concerned? No.

Horrified? Yes.

[once a month]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 10:36am

Concerned? Not an iota!

Loved her in the Anyone Can Whistle concert.
I have no plans to see this revival. I admit enjoying Patti eons ago, but it's not a show a feel the need to see again.

Now...if only Sutton was offered the role of Evita....

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 10:55am

Sutton as EVITA???? Auuuuuuugggghhhhh!

[singtopher]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 11:10am

Yes. I'm very concerned about this. I've not been sleeping well, and haven't had much of an appetite since this was announced. As a concerned citizen, I'm considering writing a letter to congress.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 11:43am

Mildred, Mildred, Mildred!
If you think Gershon could handle Reno, it's hard for me to take your 'concern' seriously.
First and foremost the actress must be able to sing and Foster has that covered, her belt is different from the Merm and the Pone, but she has a great voice and I feel she will bring her own sound and colors to the score.
As far as sex, Reno is not Marilyn Monroe! Ethel was never considered a sex symbol, her allure was her voice, playfullness and strength, Patti can play sexy, but again she's no Gina Lollobrigida. I feel of all the actress/singers out there Sutton is an excellent choice to bring a different spin on the role, and hopefully they will capitalize on her excellent dancing instead of Patti's faking the time step over and over like in her revival.
I am interested in seeing who they cast alongside her, especially Lord Evelyn who can be younger than the stuffy old dude, usually cast. Maybe a Noah Weisberg type?

My BIG concern is Kathleen Marshall, who seems like a nice lady who can assemble a show but doesn't appear to have a creative bone in her body. I find her shows extremely pedestrian, and without some new fun ideas this revival will end up being the 'relic" some fear. Which is a shame because the score is flawless and the book can be fun, and I believe Sutton could knock this part out of the park surrounded with a freshly designed well cast production.
I wish her luck and look forward to seeing her Reno.
Updated On: 7/11/10 at 11:43 AM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 12:32pm

I think Sutton will be a disaster as Reno. She's an incredibly dull, boring performer, without an ounce of charisma. Reno requires an over the top personality to make it work. A star performer. Sutton sure as hell isn't that. That being said, neither is Gina Gershon.

Sutton's attachment, along with the fact that Roundabout and Kathleen Marhsall are helming this, makes me think we're headed for disaster.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 2:08pm

I don't see how the casting of anybody in anything should be "concerning" to anyone who isn't working on the particular production.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 2:08pm

This role has been performed on Broadway by two great stars. Personally, I feel the Merm's acting was no better than a tugboat and LuPone's singing is as unattractive and incomprehensible as .... a tugboat. Sutton Foster sings, acts and dances wonderfully. What are the problems with her playing this role again?

[castlestreet]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 2:16pm

I love this show, and have seen Sutton on stage in two of her nominated roles- I don't really think there is any reason for concern.

I am actually more curious about who will be taking the other roles before I think this production is "doomed" as some of you have said. This can be a terrific production, but there are so many unknowns before we all start hitting the panic button.

Which version are they using- will it be the popular 87 Revival- or are we finally going to get a hybrid production with the best elements of the 61 Off-Broadway revival & the 87?

Who will be playing Billy, Moonface, Erma/Bonnie, and Lord Evelyn?

Once those questions start getting answered I will remain hopeful that a great show will get a great production- Roundabout will bounce back eventually- and if they don't, even a blind squirel finds a nut now and then!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 2:19pm

Sutton Foster sings, acts and dances wonderfully. What are the problems with her playing this role again?

Because I've yet to see her sing, act, or dance wonderfully in anything. And she has the charisma of a piece of chewing gum.

[Kad]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 2:43pm

The quality of this production is top most on my list of concerns- having just recently knocked the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico from the top slot.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 3:12pm

I think "concerned" is a rather dramatic choice of words here.

AdamGreer, you have really never seen Sutton sing or dance well, really? Have you not seen her in Millie? She may not be everyone's cup of tea, but she certainly can sing and dance. All of the technical aspects of both are present, that isn't even a matter of opinion. Now you may not care for the sound of her voice, you may not think she can act her way out of a brown paper bag, and you may think she is wrong for a part, but you can't watch her do a fairly complicated tap routine tap routine without missing a single step and say she can't dance. When she sings she uses proper diction (something Broadway hasn't seen in a Reno Sweeney since the Merm), she is on pitch, has great breath support, and rarely misses a note.
I'm not saying you have to like her, I'm not saying she is right for the part, and I am not saying she is a great actress, but I definitely challenge your decision that she cannot sing or dance well.

[Weez]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 3:50pm

I saw Sutton Foster blow audiences away in "Millie." She has a very powerful voice. I was impressed with "Jimmy" and "Gimme." She will do justice to the songs. She's a talented, and remember, Tony Award winning actress. She'll draw in all sorts of people.

I think your focus on her vocal prowess without a single mention of her acting ability makes this probably the most telling comment in the entire thread. :P

[adamgreer]

Posted: 7/11/10 at 3:57pm

AdamGreer, you have really never seen Sutton sing or dance well, really? Have you not seen her in Millie? She may not be everyone's cup of tea, but she certainly can sing and dance. All of the technical aspects of both are present, that isn't even a matter of opinion. Now you may not care for the sound of her voice, you may not think she can act her way out of a brown paper bag, and you may think she is wrong for a part, but you can't watch her do a fairly complicated tap routine tap routine without missing a single step and say she can't dance. When she sings she uses proper diction (something Broadway hasn't seen in a Reno Sweeney since the Merm), she is on pitch, has great breath support, and rarely misses a note.
I'm not saying you have to like her, I'm not saying she is right for the part, and I am not saying she is a great actress, but I definitely challenge your decision that she cannot sing or dance well.

Really, I haven't. I've sat through her "performances" in Millie, Drowsy, Young Frankenstein, Shrek, and Anyone Can Whistle (where she was the ONLY weak link in a stellar production). She's not a terrible singer, but there's nothing unique or especially powerful about her voice. She's bland and boring. Same thing with her dancing. She might be able to get the steps, but does so with no pizazz or star quality whatsoever. And then she tries to "act."

Dull, dull, dull.

And when you're talking about Reno Sweeney, which first and foremost requires a BIG personality that's going to own the stage, you realize just how completely wrong she is for the role. She'd be a better Hope- a supporting role, little ingenue that just sort of fades into the background.