COMPANY negotiating a spring 2020 transfer at a Shubert theater

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Every time I open this thread:

[RippedMan]

I liked her in The Band's Visit. Thought she was fantastic even. But I'm curious to see her do a big, belty number? 

[ljay889]

Her “Last Midnight” from the JRB/Sondheim event is absolutely sensational.

As ItsKatrina mentioned, the story currently floating around is that Rosalie couldn’t commit due to another project, and Sondheim personally chose Lenk for the role. Most likely, after working with her at the JRB event. We know Sondheim likes unique and daring performers, none of this is a surprise. It’s simply wonderful.

[Robbie2]

ItsKatrina said: "Stop playing these games.

You can go through Robbie2's posts and see that nothing they've claimed to have insider info on was actually true.

The show is cast and there will be an announcement soon.

It's opening at the Bernard Jacobs.
Katrina Lenk is Bobbi."

 

Oooooooooooook I already stated in a different or earlier thread that Company would take the Jacobs as my agent friend told me last month.

Lenk will be Fantastic...she was mesmerizing in TBV and OMG can't wait for her rendition of "Being Alive!"

[Mike Barrett]

Katrina is a fantastic choice if true. Would definitely pay top billing for her and Patti.

[QueenAlice]

broadwaybabywannabe2 said: "QueenAlice said: "Lenk would be an extraordinary choice. I hope it’s true."

WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!...Lenk is ABSOLUTELY THE WORST CHOICE for a role that is written for a very New York City man/woman!!...i know you all loved Katrina's work in The Bands Visit, but honestly is she right for this role?...NO NO NO...please stop these rumors and pure speculation...let's just wait and see who is REALLY going to play Bobbie...Lenk as Bobbie would not get me to fly to NYC to see this Spring arrival!!

"

I’m not sure I understand your response unless you are presuming Lenk is Middle Eastern like the character she played in THE BANDS VISIT. Lenk is in fact a midwestern American actress from Chicago (as is Jesse Mueller actually). I’m not sure what else wouldn’t make her qualified to play the role in your eyes. 

[SouthernCakes]

Was hoping it would take the Sondheim!

[QueenAlice]

BTW-if anyone knows where I might be able to hear Katrina Lenk’s “Last Midnight” is love to hear it!

[FosseTharp]

QueenAlice said: "broadwaybabywannabe2 said: "QueenAlice said: "Lenk would be an extraordinary choice. I hope it’s true."

WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!...Lenk is ABSOLUTELY THE WORST CHOICE for a role that is written for a very New York City man/woman!!...i know you all loved Katrina's work in The Bands Visit, but honestly is she right for this role?...NO NO NO...please stop these rumors and pure speculation...let's just wait and see who is REALLY going to play Bobbie...Lenk as Bobbie would not get me to fly to NYC to see this Spring arrival!!

"

I’m not sure I understand your response unless you are presuming Lenk is Middle Eastern like the character she played in THE BANDS VISIT. Lenk is in fact a midwestern Americanactress from Chicago (as is Jesse Mueller actually). I’m not sure what else wouldn’t make her qualified to play the role in your eyes."

 

 

Broadwaybabywannabe is clearly proving the point that Lenk will be extraordinary and is a brilliant actor as they so clearly believe that she is actually middle eastern... (of Eastern European decent, yes)....but she’s born and raised in Chicago. Unless they believe that the role should only go to a born and raised New Yorker? (It’s been a few years since I’ve directed a production; but I’m fairly positive that’s not mentioned in the libretto...).  But even if she was Middle Eastern, should that disqualify her from the role?  

 

Also, if Matt Doyle is Jamie (if that rumor is true, and it does fit with the hint given earlier)....that’s great casting— however, I can’t get Brandon out of my head for the role if not Bailey). 

 

Goddammmmmit I just want to know this full cast.  Casting announcements never pique my interest at the level this one is! 

 

 

[AlfieByrne]

I totally believe that Katrina Lenk is a captivating actress, but I'm totally getting Daphne Rubin-Vega in Les Mis vibes here... Hopefully Katrina won't shout-sing her way through Being Alive.

[DoTheDood]

AlfieByrne said: "I totally believe that Katrina Lenk is a captivating actress, but I'm totally getting Daphne Rubin-Vega in Les Mis vibes here... Hopefully Katrina won't shout-sing her way through Being Alive."

According to this thread, Sondheim himself picked her, so why would he pick someone who struggles through the music of his own show? Besides, listening to "Omar Sharif" and her cover of "If I Were A Rich Man" (leaving below because damn), she doesn't seem to struggle at all. She might still struggle through "Being Alive", I have no idea, just I do not think Sondheim would pick her above all the other equally wonderful actors listed in this thread if she couldn't do it. He's not scraping the bottom of the barrel, so Lenk will do no less than fantastic. 

 

[Jordan Catalano]

Lenk is a lot of things but she ain’t 35.

[YvanEhtNioj]

Jordan Catalano said: "Lenk is a lot of things but she ain’t 35. "

Ehh..I think she could pass for 35

[carolinaguy]

She's 44 and gorgeous. I don't think playing 35 would be any issue.

[Jordan Catalano]

Ok, yeah sure. But she isn’t going to sell tickets and this production would need a name who can sell the show and there’s a ton of people closer to 35 that could actually do that.

[OhHiii]

The men on this thread dictating who is and who isn't right for the role based on these actress' ages and not their abilities is exactly the reason this production is so relevant. Keep it up, boys.

[Jordan Catalano]

Oh, Jesus. Yeah I’m just gonna ignore everything I know about the economics about putting on a broadway show and go talk about wrestling and trucks.

[qolbinau]

So apparently if you are a man who thinks a woman who is not 35 doesn’t look 35 you’re now a sexist? Get me off this planet.

[ukpuppetboy]

Jordan Catalano said: "Ok, yeah sure. But she isn’t going to sell tickets and this production would need a name who can sell the show and there’s a ton of people closer to 35 that could actually do that."

I think that’s a very valid point to be honest. While Ms Lenk maybe applauded as a choice within the theatre community almost all of those who would be excited by this choice would probably fall into the ‘likely audience’ category if any number of suitable ladies were chosen. It’s already been laboured to death on this forum how Tony accolades in acting mean next to nothing at the box office; And that’s for the shows they’ve ACTUALLY been awarded FOR (looking at you Tootsie).

Arguably there are other roles in Company that could be (stunt) cast from outside of the theatre community to broaden the show’s appeal to a television/cinema crowd. I think you’d have to agree Bakeoff’s huge UK following is how Mel Giedroyc secured her place in the West End production. Perhaps Colbert has grown tired of Trump monologues for a short season.... (Haven’t we all?)

 

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

RippedMan said: "I liked her in The Band's Visit. Thought she was fantastic even. But I'm curious to see her do a big, belty number?"

AGREED 100%...and we all have a right to post our views on the subject at hand...but let's try not to disparage each other in so doing that...

[Zion24]

this thread is a paradigm example of the nature of internet conversation today.

first, i jokingly said above that Lenk is so good at becoming her characters, that in my head she has an accent (TBV, Indecent, Maisel). But people here seem to actually think this? Is it really possible for someone to think a Chicago-born American can't play a New Yorker because in between Chicago and New York she pretended to be in Israel? 

second, Neil Patrick Harris was born and raised in New Mexico/California. Raul Esparza was born in Delaware to Cuban parents and raised in Miami. I think Lenk the Chicagoan should manage to pull this off.

third, this thread is all about speculating as to company's transfer to broadway. if you dont like speculation and "rumors" you shouldnt open this thread and just wait until the cast is announced.

finally, while I think Lenk could pull off 35, i'm not sure its sexist to ask that question when its an explicit point in the script. its not like anyone is saying oh, shes too old to be attractive or sexually appealing. we're saying the role calls for X and she is objectively Y. How is that sexist? Esparza did the role at 36. He had he been 45, the same discussion would ensue. Grip needs to be got.

[QueenAlice]

The point with a woman playing the role isn’t that she is 35 on the button but at an age where she needs to decide if she is going to get married, have children, etc. For most women that age in this day and age is in the 35-40 range and Lenk who is gorgeous and desirable and looks fantastic certainly fits that. As someone who saw the production in London, I don’t think Lenk’s actual age is going to be a factor in the effectiveness of her abilities to be convincing in the role.

To Jordon’s other point about the economics of Broadway, unless they had cast a major movie star, I think the only two musical theatre actresses in the age range we are talking about who have proven their ability to be box office draws simply by their name alone are Kelli O’ Hara and Audra McDonald and frankly even that is very speculative.

It looks like the producers are going the “prestige” route/ casting respected stage actors in a Sondheim musical with a buzzy concept and hoping that will be enough to generate some interest and hopefully some Tony awards. But hey this is Sondheim and with the exception of Jake Gyllenhaal doing SUNDAY, this is kind of per the usual with how his shows are produced in NYC.

[ljay889]

QueenAlice said: 

It looks like the producers are going the “prestige” route/ casting respected stage actors in a Sondheim musical with a buzzy concept and hoping that will be enough to generate some interest and hopefully some Tony awards. But hey this is Sondheim and with the exception of Jake Gyllenhaal doing SUNDAY, this is kind of per the usual with how his shows are produced in NYC."

I completely agree with this. I would also add the Night Music revival which was successful and recouped. 

Sondheim gets his way with casting, if he wants Lenk over a star he will get her. In the Night Music revival he personally offered it to CZJ over the phone. He also asked Bernadette to take over as a favor when discussing the Follies revival. He definitely has total control over casting. Whether this is financially successful or not, I’m not surprised he went with Lenk at all. I do agree that the prestige factor and likely rave reviews may help it become a must see event. Opening in the spring will also be a major advantage. 

[Kad]

This will be a limited engagement of a known property, of which the real "star" will be the conceit of the production, and which will surely be a prestige piece. They don't need a name that will get ticketbuyers from Wichita to immediately fork over $300. 

 

[qolbinau]

Also. They have Patti. I know that is no film star but it means something. I suspect like War Paint and Follies the show will follow a similar trajectory though, as it just did on the West End: strong start, great reviews and then temper down and die off without likely making a profit. But at this point i think everyone is involved in enough Sondheim revivals to know that the chances of making money are slim so does anyone really care anymore? Lol.