I just was shuffling my iTunes today and rediscovered this unbelievable tuneful score and foundmyself wondering how such a wonderfully funny, joyful show with such an awesome star role has not been revived yet?
Am I the only one who would LOVE to see a revival of this wonderful show, with its gem of a Noel Gay score? And who would you cast? (big shoes to fill, Robert Lindsay's)
I thought: Bill Snibson - Christian Hoff or maybe even Andy Karl Sally Smith - Sutton Foster George S. Irving - Boyd Gaines Maria, Duchess of Dene - Marni Nixon Herbert Parchester, the family solicitor - Danny Burstein Gerald Bolingbroke - Paul Canaan Jacqueline Carstone - Annaleigh Ashford
I saw it at a high school this past year and really enjoyed it. Very fun show and I'd love to see a revival.
Plus, who can resist The Lambeth Walk?
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
This show was so much fun! It was the first production at the Marriot. It was like attending a cozy party in a mansion, and it was a very nice upbeat evening of theatre, in direct contrast to the heavy Les Mis. The fight that year between the My Girl cast and Les Mis over the Tony Award was quite memorable.
I love the show but my fear is that it is so cute and classic that it may not work well with the new jaded theater world of New York. Look at Curtains which was a sweet and lovely show and so much fun -- it was so hard to find an audience for it.
"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around."
I actually saw Sutton do it in Pittsburgh and she was brilliant, hence why I cast her.
Bill's really a HARD role to cast. Guy has to have the physical endurance of a horse, and generally be gifted at everything physical, not to mention be able to sing like ten songs and be wildly charming.
actually do it with JOHN BARROWMAN or Hugh Jackman and you have got yourself a chance at an amazing production.
"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around."
I went past a road called Lambeth Walk on a bus the other day. I've had the song stuck in my head ever since. They really knew how to write 'em in those days!
Sign me up! Love your casting but I second the motion that Hugh Jackman would be the best choice. He can sing, act and dance it, he can charm the audience immediately and would sell a lot of tickets, which would make up for the fact the show is old-fashioned as JRyka points out.
The meat is always leaner on somebody else's dinner plate!
I adore Annaleigh, but she's WAY too young to play Jaqueline. The role was played in the original by Betty Frankiss, who was basically the 30s British version of Angelina Jolie. Hot Hot HOT and much older. She is a cougar, not a tiger cub.
I'd love to see a revival of this show. I saw Sutton in Pittsburgh as well, and agree that she was absolutely brilliant!
I love the idea of Hugh Jackman. He's got charisma up the whazoo. For those who brought up age: I saw James Brennan do the role in Pittsburgh in 2002. He was 38 at the time, had been an understudy of the original production, and was FANTASTIC. I remember noticing his age, but mostly noticing the incredible performance he was putting on.
A brand new revival was produced in 2006 ahead of transfering in 2007 but its folded on tour despite good reviews and healthy houses.
However - the producers, who have recently had a massive hit with 39 Steps, are looking at opening it directly onto the West End in 2009/Early 2010 ... so who knows if its successful a Broadway transfer could be insight.