Emmy winner Jim Parsons will star in Classic Stage Company's upcoming revival of the musical A Man of No Importance, directed by John Doyle and running October 11-December 4.
Based on the 1994 film written by Barry Devlin, and featuring a score by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, and a book by Terrence McNally, A Man of No Importance will be led by Parsons as Alfie Byrne. Further casting is still to be announced.
This is one I missed. I think I heard about it but at the time I was really out of the loop theatre wise. I just downloaded the cast recording and hoping to see this production.
ATerrifyingAndImposingFigure said: "I’ve heard Jim Parsons singing before, I don’t know how demanding this score is, but he can hold a nice tune."
I've been wracking my brain all morning –– where have I heard him sing? Onstage or screen? Because I feel like I've heard him sing too, remember he sounded pretty good, and I can't remember what the context was.
The part was originated by Roger Rees so it can't be THAT much of a vocally-demanding part (may he rest in peace).
Parsons occasionally sang on Big Bang Theory, but the most examples of his singing was when he voiced Buddy in the animated ELF TV special that was based on the stage musical. He has a pleasant voice.
Don't know if it would work age wise, but I would love for Mary Testa to play the sister (Faith Prince on the cast recording), although with their history I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out to be Judy Kuhn. I'd also like to see Steven Pasquale reprise his role from the original production. He sounds glorious on the recording. Can't wait to hear more casting and for tix to go on sale!!! Between this and PARADE with Ben Platt my November NYC trip is going to be epic!!!
I am going to be dragged for this, but he has a little bit of Jefferson Mays delivery in first few bars when he starts singing in this SNL skit. I could almost see him do Gentlemen's a few years later.
Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
"Joining the previously announced Jim Parsons in the production will be Alma Cuervo (On Your Feet!), Kara Mikula (The Cradle Will Rock at CSC), Tony nominee Mary Beth Peil (Macbeth at CSC), Thom Sesma (Pacific Overtures at CSC), Tony nominee A.J. Shively (Paradise Square), Nathaniel Stampley (Paradise Square), Jessica Tyler Wright (Allegro at CSC), and Joel Waggoner (School of Rock). Final casting will be announced in the coming weeks."
Member tickets on sale Thursday at 1pm; no date on single tickets ("in the coming weeks".
joevitus said: "So we see Jim Parsons playing Sheldon again. Because he plays every role like Sheldon. If he can sing passably, I guess that will be new."
I'm not super familiar with the musical (listened to the album a couple times, years ago), so I don't recall if this role resembles Sheldon.
But broadly speaking, I disagree that he plays every role like Sheldon. I actually think he's been attempting to stretch himself dramatically in his recent projects. It's just that his natural voice and mannerisms are so distinct, and we associate them with Sheldon more than we associate them with Jim Parsons.
joevitus said: "So we see Jim Parsons playing Sheldon again. Because he plays every role like Sheldon. If he can sing passably, I guess that will be new."
Examples of his more than passable singing have already been posted in this thread. And while some mannerisms of Sheldon may still linger in his acting (which is not unusual for any actor who played a character for such a long period of time), I don't think his subsequent efforts have come close to him simply playing Sheldon again.
What great news. It is a wonderfully moving musical. Parson's role, although the lead, does not require the strongest voice. It is all about the ensemble.
Would like to see this when I come to the city in October but the email I received (and the CSC website) only list dates but not specific performance times. I'd like to know what the specific schedule of performances will be - any chance there will be Sunday evening performances?
LarryD2 said: "Per a press release that just went out:
"Joining the previously announced Jim Parsons in the production will be Alma Cuervo (On Your Feet!), Kara Mikula (The Cradle Will Rock at CSC), Tony nominee Mary Beth Peil (Macbeth at CSC), Thom Sesma (Pacific Overtures at CSC), Tony nominee A.J. Shively (Paradise Square), Nathaniel Stampley (Paradise Square), Jessica Tyler Wright (Allegro at CSC), and Joel Waggoner (School of Rock). Final casting will be announced in the coming weeks."
Member tickets on sale Thursday at 1pm; no date on single tickets ("in the coming weeks"."
Nice to see Shively and Stampley land on their feet so quickly after the crap show of Paradise Square. Makes me think they either knew the show was closing or were going to bail off the sinking ship soon
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quizking101 said: "Nice to see Shively and Stampley land on their feet so quickly after the crap show of Paradise Square. Makes me think they either knew the show was closing or were going to bail off the sinking ship soon"
They're not stupid (and neither are their agents), they can see the writing on the wall even if it hadn't been announced to them yet. It would be shocking and unprofessional for any agent to advise their client that a show like PARADISE SQUARE might have still been running by the time rehearsals for this begin in September. And, money aside, a John Doyle revival can be a good career move that could lead to other things.