Laura Osnes Frozen

[jacksonpotter]

I saw Frozen a couple weeks ago, but just recently saw a video of Laura Osnes singing For the First Time in Forever. While Patti was absolutely phenomenal, I can't help but wonder why Laura Osnes wasn't cast as Anna. She's younger than Murin, has the voice, the resume, and the fan base and seems altogether like a perfect candidate for the part. Thoughts?

[BroadwayConcierge]

You're getting into a years-old conversation on these boards! 

Though I completely agree. Laura Osnes would've been much more age-appropriate for Anna (and Betsy Wolfe would've been a perfect Elsa alongside her). I'll never really understand why they went with Murin and Levy. 

[JBroadway]

On paper she seems like a great choice, but I'm not sure Osnes is quirky enough for Anna. 

[RippedMan]

To me Osnes is always fine. She's not like "Wow what a choice!" but she's fine. Bland, I guess. I think she'd be a fine Anna, but it seems they wanted someone SPUNKY and not sure she's that. I actually can see why they would go with Levy. She's got a dark quality to her that really suits the role. 

[Elegance101]

Maybe she didn't audition for it? I also still think she's not even age-appropriate for it, even though she's younger than Patti.

[msmp]

Laura needs to break out of the ingenue mold and do something a little grittier than Frozen, IMO. I still think one of her best performances was in Bonnie and Clyde. That being said, I think she would have been great with the songs for Anna, but iffy for the book because of the aforementioned lack of quirkiness.

[yankeefan7]

" I still think one of her best performances was in Bonnie and Clyde."

Yep, that part was a little grittier than her normal roles - lol

[disneybroadwayfan22]

My thing is why Disney hasn’t cast her as a voice of a princess yet. She’s pratically gift wrapped for them. And the new Wreck It Ralph movie would have been perfect for her, as an original princess or the voice of Cinderella/Aurora.

[robskynyc]

BroadwayConcierge said: "Laura Osnes would've been much more age-appropriate for Anna (and Betsy Wolfe would've been a perfectElsa alongside her)."

 

AMEN!

 

[Dolly80]

Osnes seems like a lovely person - why would you wish this awful show on her? She deserves a good show to star in...

[yankeefan7]

"Osnes seems like a lovely person - why would you wish this awful show on her? She deserves a good show to star in..."

I saw her in "Bandstand" and loved her, too bad the show did not last. I thought it was pretty decent show and deservered to run longer than it did especially when you see some the the god awful shows opening lately.

[ntrackbar]

I completely agree. It breaks my heart that the show couldn't last a little longer. It was not given a fair shake, IMHO. And Laura's performance was so surprising. I miss that show - so glad they made it into a Fathom event though.  

[natashalost]

(This might not be explained the best but hopefully people understand what I mean!) What I've noticed when Disney casts the leads in their musicals, they typically go with people who are not big-name established stars and/or don't have a mainstream following. While Caissie and Patti were both Broadway veterans they didn't really have mainstream followings or any major award recognition. 

However, Laura Osnes does have a big following and has 2 Tony nominations. She's an established Broadway name. That might be why they didn't go for her?

[JennH]

I can’t imagine she didn’t audition for it, but just because she at least reads the right age doesn’t mean she’s right for the role. Anna.is.quirky. This is a truth of the character. Laura has NO spunk, quirk, grit, or the comic timing needed for this. She’d have been the most bland choice. I do hope Laurie Veldheer gets to do it as she has everything needed for this role...

[yankeefan7]

"I completely agree. It breaks my heart that the show couldn't last a little longer. It was not given a fair shake, IMHO. And Laura's performance was so surprising. I miss that show - so glad they made it into a Fathom event though.  "

Yep, I went to see it when it was Fathom event and had wonderful time.