Casting What Could Have Beens- Page 3

[sbflyfan]

Posted: 7/30/19 at 9:49pm

Betty Buckley as The Witch in "Into The Woods"
Gavin Creel and Benjamin Walker each performed the role of Melchior in a 2001 workshop and 2005 reading of "Spring Awakening"
Patti supposedly receiving an offer to play Fosca in "Passion" just as she was leaving for "Sunset Blvd" in London
Steve Harley as The Phantom instead of Michael Crawford
Roger Moore as George in "Aspects of Love"
Dame Judi Dench as Grizabella (sans "Memory" )
 

Updated On: 7/30/19 at 09:49 PM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 7/30/19 at 10:31pm

sbflyfan said: "Didn't one of the actors playing the father in "August: Osage County" do something similar? He didn't appear in the curtain call for "August" because he would leave the theater after his scene every night and go perform in another show? Perhaps I'm remembering it incorrectly."

John Cullum, and at age 79 no less! But it was only for 7 weeks out of his 7-month run in AUGUST.

[brettarnett]

Posted: 7/30/19 at 11:15pm

The Distinctive Baritone said: "
With Betsy Wolfe in Carousel, no reason ever became public though, right? Basically, Scott Rudin just woke up one day and wanted someone else or something."

Rumor: I believe she had some contractual obligation with Jason Mraz coming into Waitress, rehearsals maybe, and wasn't able to participate in the Carousel pre-broadway lab. Which occurred during the fall before the spring opening. I don't know if the rumors were ever substantiated.

 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/30/19 at 11:27pm

sbflyfan said: "Patti supposedly receiving an offer to play Fosca in "Passion" just as she was leaving for "Sunset Blvd" in London."

It would have been neat to see Patti to do Passion on Broadway, and she could have avoided the Sunset Boulevard fiasco all together if the offer had come sooner, but ultimately Donna Murphy was magnificent and Patti did get a pool and eventually got to play Fosca in concert so it all worked out.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 12:06am

Re: John Column and Cynthia Nixon:

Beverly is in only the first ten minutes of August: Osage County. I guess if that was a 7:30 curtain and the other show started at 8:00, it was totally doable.

Cynthia Nixon had an even more unique situation. Her character in Hurlyburly was in only one scene in the beginning and one scene in the end of a long play, and her character in The Real Thing was in only one scene in the middle. Mike Nichols was also the director for both plays and had the power to allow it. Truly an unusual situation.

[Followspot2]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 3:29am

Re: John Column and Cynthia Nixon: 

West End late 90's. 

Ruthie Henshall* was playing Ellen in Miss Saigon and for a couple of nights during flu season had to emergency cover Fantine in Les Mis at the same time. So after her Death as Fantine she rushed from the Palace to Royal Drury Lane and after curtain call rush back to the Palace and do the Finale of Les Mis. 

 

*might also have been Gunilla Backman, not 100% sure. 

Updated On: 7/31/19 at 03:29 AM

[JBradshaw]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 3:43am

Eden Espinosa in the “Hair” revival.

http://www.playbill.com/article/wickeds-espinosa-to-be-part-of-hair-cast-broadway-perfs-begin-march-6-com-156543

Also Mya as Velma in “Chicago”

http://www.playbill.com/article/grammy-winner-mya-to-join-broadways-chicago-com-147567

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 3:27pm

Followspot2 said: "Re: John Column and Cynthia Nixon:

West Endlate 90's.

Ruthie Henshall*was playing Ellen in Miss Saigon and for a couple of nights during flu season had to emergency cover Fantine in Les Mis at the same time. So after her Death as Fantine she rushed from the Palace to Royal Drury Lane and after curtain call rush back to the Palace and do the Finale of Les Mis.
 

But isn't Ellen onstage at the end of Miss Saigon? I guess Les Miz is longer so it would work out. Fascinating if it's true!

[raddersons]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 3:53pm

While Kristine Neilson was very good, I can't help but think of how out of the park Gary would have been with Andrea Martin. 

[Stephen75]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 5:13pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "With the "could have been" conversation, it's important to differentiate between who was justOFFEREDa role (or were considered/auditioned/did a reading), vs. people who were committed do doing it and dropped out late in the negotiation process.



Announced but never happened: Jake Gyllenhaal inBurn This, Josh Radnor inShe Loves Me,Cate Blanchett in All About Ivo,Stephen McKinley Henderson in a cut role inTo Kill A Mockingbird,Rosemary Harris instead of Holland Taylor inThe Front Page,Bartlett Sher'sFunny Girlrevival (Lauren Ambrose, Bobby Cannavale, Randy Graff), Roundabout'sLips Together Teeth Apart(Mullally, Patton Oswalt), Cloris Leachman as a replacement inYoung Frankenstein(it closed before she could join the cast).

Christine Baranski inHay Feverat Roundabout last year.

Audra in a Sam Gold/Scott Rudin production ofStreetcar(opposite Adam Driver) and inAmerican Son.

Roger Bart was in rehearsal to take over for Brooks Ashmanskas inShuffle Along(because Brooks had an out to doThe Promin Atlanta) when the show announced its abrupt closing. Bart was also fired from the producer/Hookrole inFinding Neverlandout-of-town; Michael McGrath took over, and then they replaced himwith Kelsey Grammer.

Norbert Leo Butz as King George in Hamiltonafter Brian D'Arcy James left to doSomething Rotten.

Manoel Felciano didn't move to Broadway with Anastasia(as Gleb),theRagtimerevival (as Tateh), andMothers and Sonsafter doing the pre-Broadway regional run of all 3.

MartinMoran did the first Public production ofFun Home(the Cerveris role) and the Alliance production ofThe Prom(as Mr. Hawkins) but didn't continue with either.

Faye Dunaway inTea At Five(eyyyyyy)"

Audra was attached to that Streetcar? Since when? Very good casting. My dream is for Michelle Williams go to be Blanche opposite Driver. 

[Hot Pants]

Posted: 8/1/19 at 9:01am

Stephen75 said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "With the "could have been" conversation, it's important to differentiate between who was justOFFEREDa role (or were considered/auditioned/did a reading), vs. people who were committed do doing it and dropped out late in the negotiation process.



Announced but never happened: Jake Gyllenhaal inBurn This, Josh Radnor inShe Loves Me,Cate Blanchett in All About Ivo,Stephen McKinley Henderson in a cut role inTo Kill A Mockingbird,Rosemary Harris instead of Holland Taylor inThe Front Page,Bartlett Sher'sFunny Girlrevival (Lauren Ambrose, Bobby Cannavale, Randy Graff), Roundabout'sLips Together Teeth Apart(Mullally, Patton Oswalt), Cloris Leachman as a replacement inYoung Frankenstein(it closed before she could join the cast).

Christine Baranski inHay Feverat Roundabout last year.

Audra in a Sam Gold/Scott Rudin production ofStreetcar(opposite Adam Driver) and inAmerican Son.

Roger Bart was in rehearsal to take over for Brooks Ashmanskas inShuffle Along(because Brooks had an out to doThe Promin Atlanta) when the show announced its abrupt closing. Bart was also fired from the producer/Hookrole inFinding Neverlandout-of-town; Michael McGrath took over, and then they replaced himwith Kelsey Grammer.

Norbert Leo Butz as King George in Hamiltonafter Brian D'Arcy James left to doSomething Rotten.

Manoel Felciano didn't move to Broadway with Anastasia(as Gleb),theRagtimerevival (as Tateh), andMothers and Sonsafter doing the pre-Broadway regional run of all 3.

MartinMoran did the first Public production ofFun Home(the Cerveris role) and the Alliance production ofThe Prom(as Mr. Hawkins) but didn't continue with either.

Faye Dunaway inTea At Five(eyyyyyy)"

Audra was attached to that Streetcar? Since when? Very good casting. My dream is for Michelle Williams go to be Blanche opposite Driver."

Absolutely in love with this idea. I hope it happens before too long. I’d also love to see Lupita Nyong’o as Stella and Jake Gyllenhaal as Mitch

Updated On: 8/1/19 at 09:01 AM

[David10086]

Posted: 8/1/19 at 8:50pm

What a great topic to discuss! 

My choices focus on one of my favorite musicals : SUNSET BOULEVARD.

ALW had always said he saw Angela Lansbury in the role, from when he first started on the musical, and offered her the role before the musical was finished. She wasn't interested in a Broadway musical  - if only it worked out for Lansbury! 

Then there was talk he was negotiating with Shirley MacLaine to star on Broadway, before the show was staged in Syndmonton. MacLaine wasn't interested, either. Would have loved to see MacLaine!

Before he offered the role in LA to Dunaway to replace Close, he was negotiating a deal with Diana Ross - but she only wanted to do the weekend shows, so that fell apart. (Would have been thrilled to see Ross in the role).

And of course, there was the negotiations with Cher to star in the musical when Buckley left (Fall, 1996) but as Cher later explained why it fell through, "He couldn't afford me." 

 

[magictodo123]

Posted: 8/2/19 at 7:57am

David10086 said: "What a great topic to discuss!

My choices focus on one of my favorite musicals : SUNSET BOULEVARD.

ALW had always said he saw Angela Lansbury in the role, from when he first started on the musical, and offered her the role before the musical was finished. She wasn't interested in a Broadway musical- if only it worked out for Lansbury!

Then there was talk he was negotiating with Shirley MacLaine to star on Broadway, before the show was staged in Syndmonton. MacLaine wasn't interested, either. Would have loved to see MacLaine!

Before he offered the role in LA to Dunaway to replace Close, he was negotiating a deal with Diana Ross - but she only wanted to do the weekend shows, so that fell apart. (Would have been thrilled to see Ross in the role).

And of course, there was the negotiations with Cher to star in the musical when Buckley left (Fall, 1996) but as Cher later explained why it fell through, "He couldn't afford me."

"

Thank you! I'm always so curious about this. Whenever I see a movie, I go on IMDB after and look up the Trivia section and sometimes it says actors who were considered for lead roles and such, and it got me thinking about this concept for Broadway. 

 

As a huge Waitress fan, I have to know and maybe someone could answer this...was Laura Osnes really considered for Jenna? Anyone know?

[wiggum2]

Posted: 8/2/19 at 8:12am

David10086 said: "What a great topic to discuss!

My choices focus on one of my favorite musicals : SUNSET BOULEVARD.

ALW had always said he saw Angela Lansbury in the role, from when he first started on the musical, and offered her the role before the musical was finished. She wasn't interested in a Broadway musical- if only it worked out for Lansbury!

"

 

I thought Angela was the thought when Sondheim was trying to adapt the movie... interesting to hear she was in ALW's head as well

 

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 8/2/19 at 9:27am

Roger Bart was replaced by Chris Kattan during previews of The Frogs.

[alex814]

Posted: 8/2/19 at 10:03am

Haven Burton had supposedly participated in an early workshop or reading of Spring Awakening as Wendla.

Phylicia Rashād was Sheryl Lee Ralph’s understudy in Dreamgirls. When Ralph left the show, the producers brought in Linda Leilani Brown instead of promoting Rashād. This decision reportedly created some tension between Rashād and Michael Bennett. Rashād [quit/was fired from?] Dreamgirls and went on to star in The Cosby Show.

Does anyone know the story of why Mitzi Hamilton didn’t end up originating Val in A Chorus Line? I believe she was the first or second replacement.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 8/2/19 at 10:11am

No it was the other way round: Kattan was replaced by Bart.  Are we allowed to recall exactly why?

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 8/2/19 at 10:23am

Someone mentioned Betsy Wolfe in CAROUSEL - didn't we all but confirm she was dropped from the production due to WAITRESS conflicts? Rudin was holding the month-long workshop at the same time that the WAITRESS producers wanted Wolfe to rehearse with Jason Mraz.

[LarryD2]

Posted: 8/2/19 at 10:24am

Kattan gave a fairly frank interview to the LA Times right after he was fired. You can read it here:

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jul-18-ca-baum18-story.html

Speaking of SUNSET BLVD. in LA, I was told that Kathleen Turner was the first person approached to replace Glenn Close when she left for Broadway. Turner declined because she wasn't confident in her singing. That led to the whole mishegas with Faye.

[David10086]

Posted: 8/2/19 at 11:11am

wiggum2 said: "David10086 said: "What a great topic to discuss!

My choices focus on one of my favorite musicals : SUNSET BOULEVARD.

ALW had always said he saw Angela Lansbury in the role, from when he first started on the musical, and offered her the role before the musical was finished. She wasn't interested in a Broadway musical- if only it worked out for Lansbury!

"



I thought Angela was the thought when Sondheim was trying to adapt the movie... interesting to hear she was in ALW's head as well

"

From what I recall, he wanted her from as early as 1990-91 (I still remember reading an interview with him when 'Aspects' opened on Bway, and he said he was working on SB and wanted Lansbury to star in the musical).  For different reasons, he couldn't get Lansbury - though she said she wasn't interested, there was speculation that she didn't want to leave her hit television show 'Murder She Wrote' which then ran until 1996.

After Lansbury said 'no', that's when he turned his attention to Shirley MacLaine. 

 

As for the movie, way back in the mid 90s he said he always wanted Streisand to star. 

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 8/2/19 at 11:11am

And exactly one line of that interview gets at what really happened...

[zainmax]

Posted: 8/2/19 at 11:23am

alex814 said: "Haven Burton had supposedly participated in an early workshop or reading of Spring Awakening as Wendla.

Phylicia Rashād was Sheryl Lee Ralph’s understudy in Dreamgirls. When Ralph left the show, the producers brought in Linda Leilani Brown instead of promoting Rashād. This decision reportedly created some tension between Rashād and Michael Bennett. Rashād [quit/was fired from?] Dreamgirls and went on to star in The Cosby Show.

Does anyone know the story of why Mitzi Hamilton didn’t end up originating Val in A Chorus Line? I believe she was the first or second replacement."

You're right about Haven. I'm curious what happened.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/3/19 at 11:21am

Judy Garland as MAME

[devonian.t]

Posted: 8/4/19 at 5:24pm

g.d.e.l.g.i. said: "And exactly one line of that interview gets at what really happened..."

"Sex drugs and rock'n roll"?

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 8/4/19 at 7:21pm

A blind item about Kattan at the time certainly emphasized the second word in that phrase, yes.