Been pondering this for a while...A production of A Little Night Music with an all-Black cast.
Desiree Armfeldt //// Audra McDonald (obviously) Fredrik Egerman //// Brian Stokes Mitchell Ann Egerman //// Nikki M. James Henrik Egerman //// Jelani Alladin Petra //// Rashidra Scott Fredrika Armfeldt //// ? Madame Armfeldt //// Whoopi Goldberg Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm //// Norm Lewis Countess Charlotte Malcolm //// Anika Noni Rose
DMsquared2 said: "Been pondering this for a while...A production of A Little Night Musicwith an all-Black cast.
Desiree Armfeldt //// Audra McDonald (obviously) Fredrik Egerman //// Brian Stokes Mitchell Ann Egerman //// Nikki M. James Henrik Egerman //// Jelani Alladin Petra //// Rashidra Scott Fredrika Armfeldt //// ? Madame Armfeldt //// Whoopi Goldberg Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm //// Norm Lewis Countess Charlotte Malcolm //// Anika Noni Rose
Who would you cast?"
Would die to see Leslie Uggams as Madame Armfeldt.
As the OP said, Audra as Desiree is a no-brainer. And I can't think of anyone better for Frederick than Stokes, especially paired with Audra. Though I think Norm Lewis could also be good in that role.
For Madame Armfeldt, I also would have LOVED to see Eartha Kitt (though she died not too long ago, I never got to see her live and she is one of the top performers I would go back to see if I had a time machine - moreso than Merman, Olivier, or almost any other departed stage legends).
As for people still alive, I agree Leslie Uggams would be a great choice. Cicely Tyson would also be a marvel in the role, though I don't know how well she sings (not that Madame Armfedlt needs to have the voice of an angel).
And as for the rest of the cast, I like all of the suggestions thrown out there already, but here are a few more:
Anne - Lindsay Roberts (a standout in CSC's Carmen Jones), or Denee Benton
Desiree Armfeldt //// Angela Bassett or Vanessa Williams Fredrik Egerman //// Brian Stokes Mitchell Anne Egerman //// Denée Benton Henrik Egerman //// Christian Dante White Petra //// Renée Elise Goldsberry Fredrika Armfeldt //// Shahadi Wright Joseph Madame Armfeldt //// Leslie Uggams Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm //// Joshua Henry Countess Charlotte Malcolm //// Anika Noni Rose
Owen22 said: "Vocally, Audra as Desiree would be a waste."
She is a better vocalist than the role demands, yes, but acting-wise it would be a great role for her. And as far as I'm concerned, she is among the most technically skilled actors working onstage today - musical or otherwise. And by your logic, you could argue that that she is wasted in non-singing roles too, but she has played many non-singing roles and still had no trouble demonstrating her immense talent.
NOWaWarning said: "Desiree Armfeldt //// Angela Bassett or Vanessa Williams Fredrik Egerman //// Brian Stokes Mitchell Anne Egerman //// Denée Benton Henrik Egerman //// Christian Dante White Petra //// Renée Elise Goldsberry Fredrika Armfeldt //// Shahadi Wright Joseph Madame Armfeldt //// Leslie Uggams Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm //// Joshua Henry Countess Charlotte Malcolm //// Anika Noni Rose "
Renée Elise Goldsberry's version of the Miller's son is one of my favorites
DMsquared2 said: "Been pondering this for a while...A production of A Little Night Musicwith an all-Black cast.
Desiree Armfeldt //// Audra McDonald (obviously) Fredrik Egerman //// Brian Stokes Mitchell Ann Egerman //// Nikki M. James Henrik Egerman //// Jelani Alladin Petra //// Rashidra Scott Fredrika Armfeldt //// ? Madame Armfeldt //// Whoopi Goldberg Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm //// Norm Lewis Countess Charlotte Malcolm //// Anika Noni Rose
Who would you cast?"
The only changes I would make are:
Moving norm Lewis to Frekerick, Josh Henry as Karl, and madame Armfelt played by Jennifer Lewis.