Hugh Jackman in The Music Man

[Skip23]

Kate or Kelli

[theatretenor2]

Audra McDonald would be perfect and she is closer to Hugh's age than some of the names being dropped here.

[SomethingPeculiar]

Audra would be a dream, but I really don't see her taking on Marian the Librarian at this stage in her career... but Scott Rudin is a very persuasive man, so anything's possible.

If Audra were to do it, I imagine we would not get an announcement of her involvement before Frankie & Johnny opens/closes, and she's the type of name you announce with your Harold, not as an afterthought. F&J will be a big test of her star-power in a non-singing role, and it would be easy for audiences to say "why would I see her in that when I could wait a year and hear her sing?"

[SweetLips22]

SomethingPeculiar said: "Audra would be a dream, but be easy for audiences to say "why would I see her in that when I could wait a year and hear her sing?""

 

You could always play her CD

So out would go her [Rosie] Irish Mother.

Betty from the Bloggs could play Marion as long as she looks pretty and can hit those notes. If you cast any of the females mentioned above[apart from Audra], they would't sell one extra ticket. The audience would be there for Hugh. Marion is the love interest but there is a lot of razzle dazzle when she's not on.

For all cast members, it would be an amazing boost for their careers.

 

[Fan123]

FWIW, here's Kate Baldwin playing Marian in Washington DC in 2012:

http://www.playbill.com/video/highlights-from-the-music-man-starring-kate-baldwin-and-burke-moses

Not sure how much it really matters, but technically Marian is meant to be young enough to have a kid brother. In those days people were more likely to have children over a wider span of years, so that's still quite a bit of leeway of course.

[CindersGolightly]

Marian is an odd fit for Sutton Foster, and yet I can somehow completely believe that rumor. I remember recently listening to a podcast where she was the guest, and she said that every appearance on the stage should feel like a completely new direction for her (I.E. - Reno Sweeney to Violet Karl to Charity Hope Valentine) - Marian seems to fit into that quite well. And might I also add that Foster had more nay-sayers than supporters when she wan announced to be taking on Reno Sweeney. If anyone can surprise, it's her.

If they went a celebrity route, Kristen Bell is a good choice. I'd also love a non-traditional Marian - Ashley Park, though she'd look grossly young next to Hugh, is an inspired choice. As well as Ruthie Ann Miles.

[TheSassySam]

Opening night October 22, 2020 according to the website https://www.musicmanonbroadway.com

[theatretenor2]

Well, it's definitely not Audra.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hugh-jackman-lead-broadway-revival-music-man-1194075?fbclid=IwAR3arN0NiGypSfaT4s9a6OHvtJN3Amg37ZGI9E1pgat8lE7uITRz1yPUMGs


"A leading New York stage star who has been absent from Broadway for the last few years is believed to be on board to play Marian and will be confirmed in the coming weeks."

Kristin Chenoweth?

[CT2NYC]

theatretenor2 said: "Well, it's definitely not Audra.

"A leading New York stage star who has been absent from Broadway for the last few years is believed to be on board to play Marian and will be confirmed in the coming weeks."

Kristin Chenoweth?"

Kad mentioned Sutton Foster several posts back.

[bjh2114]

theatretenor2 said: "Well, it's definitely not Audra.

"A leading New York stage star who has been absent from Broadway for the last few years is believed to be on board to play Marian and will be confirmed in the coming weeks."

Kristin Chenoweth?"

Well that description certainly also fits Sutton...

[theatretenor2]

"The revival will begin previews Sept. 9, 2020, ahead of an Oct. 22 official opening at a Shubert theatre to be announced, along with additional casting. Group ticket sales begin on June 9 this year, with single tickets available starting Sept. 15."

[ACL2006]

TheSassySam said: "Opening night October 22, 2020 according to the websitehttps://www.musicmanonbroadway.com"

 

announcing it a year and a half in advance. Nice way to drum up the hype & interest and demand high ticket prices. If you thought Bette Midler's Dolly or Hamilton's ticket prices are high, Hugh Jackman is ready to say "hold my beer".

[sharona39]

Would Jessie Mueller be in the running? She was amazing in the DC production. I loved the show in DC and i think Hugh is perfect!!

[BwayLB]

I already seen Davis Gaines as Harold Hill on Valantines Day five years ago in Long Beach Carpenter Center. But how Hugh pulls the roll off should be interesting.

[BroadwayNYC2]

Too early to start rumors who is replacing him?

[Mike Barrett]

While Mockinbird could still be running, Id have to believe this is taking the Shubert. Ticket sales a over a year out! Going to be a big production for sure, I cannot freaking wait!!! Also, is Meghan Hilty a bad casting choice for Marian? Sutton Foster fits the description perfectly, but Meghan does too. Just wondering 

[theatretenor2]

Sharona, She doesn't fit the messaging of a broadway star who hasn't been on Broadway in a few years.

[theatretenor2]

BroadwayNYC2 said: "Too early to start rumors who is replacing him?"

Far too early. That's not at least until October 2021.

 

[kade.ivy]

FWIW, I was at a q&a with Sutton a few weeks ago, and she said she had just auditioned for an exciting stage project. Not that she’d need to audition for this, but she has something in the fire.

[theatretenor2]

kade.ivy said: "FWIW, I was at a q&a with Sutton a few weeks ago, and she said she had just auditioned for an exciting stage project. Not that she’d need to audition for this, but she has something in the fire."

Can she sing legit soprano?

 

[Call_me_jorge]

This would’ve been great for Marin 

[nasty_khakis]

Fan123 said: "Not sure how much it really matters, but technically Marian is meant to be young enough to have a kid brother. In those days people were more likely to have children over a wider span of years, so that's still quite a bit of leeway of course."

Weeeeelll, it can also be interpreted (just interpreted I'm not saying it's in the text) that Winthrop is Marian's child with the miser who leaves her the library books and to save face they say it's her brother. This was a fairly common practice (see Jack Nicholson!).

[SomethingPeculiar]

The Shubert makes sense. Following himself in it is probably the only way he knows he'll have a theatre a year in advance. Now, when does Mockingbird close: Daniels has said he's in it for a year. For an actor of his stature, that could mean October (start of rehearsals), December (opening) or sometime in between. If they choose to replace him (Reed Birney??), it could run til July 2020, since Music Man starts previews September 9.

The other option is The Broadway, where the original run of Music Man concluded its run, and where they could sell 250 more seats a night. But depending on when KONG closes, it wouldn't have a proper tenant for a year+. 

West Side is also a factor: There were rumors that Rudin wanted the Winter Garden (where it played originally). If not that, then The Broadway or Imperial would be logical backups.

[kade.ivy]

theatretenor2 said: "kade.ivy said: "FWIW, I was at a q&a with Sutton a few weeks ago, and she said she had just auditioned for an exciting stage project. Not that she’d need to audition for this, but she has something in the fire."

Can she sing legit soprano?

"

I think so? She did insinuate that the project was new for her and unlike anything she’s sung before. Again, it’s quite probably something completely different, but a possible piece to this puzzle!

[FranklinDickson2018]

I agree that I don't hear Sutton (whom I adore) as a Legit Soprano (eg Cook, Jones, Luker, Chenoweth)  But maybe she has that range and just hasn't used it before.

But "My White Knight" really sits up there!