Printer Friendly - Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by darquegk 2011-07-16 23:27:34
The anecdote that Elvis's career could have been saved and his life prolonged indefinitely if only he had taken that role in the West Side Story movie made me think... What are some other casting ideas that WOULD have been brilliant if the person were alive today, or if they were younger (or older) at the right moment?
Call me crazy for this one, but especially on film, I think Bill Murray at the appropriate age would have been a FANTASTIC Bobby in Company. This is a guy who would get the comedy and be conceivably likeable despite Bobby's many character flaws, and yet still have elements of the "sad sack/alcoholic" Bobby that we have all come to know and love in recent productions.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by husk_charmer 2011-07-16 23:30:17
Reba McEntire as Miss Sally Adams.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by givesmevoice 2011-07-16 23:35:03
She would've been the right age and I know she wanted to play the role, and I think LuPone would've made a fantastic Peter Pan.
I also wish Reba McEntire could've played Nellie in a full production of South Pacific.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by madbrian 2011-07-16 23:51:09
Love Debra Monk, but when I saw Curtains I really thought the role of Carmen must have been written for Elaine Stritch.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by henrikegerman 2011-07-17 00:00:01
Ann-Margret as Mame and Desiree Armfeldt
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by madbrian 2011-07-17 00:01:49
Dick Van Dyke as Leo Bloom
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by The Josh 2011-07-17 00:03:51
Bea Arthur as Madame Armfeldt.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by defyingravity11 2011-07-17 00:42:43
Betty Buckley as Elphaba
Audra McDonald as Marian Paroo
Sutton Foster as Princess Winnifred
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by littlegreen2 2011-07-17 00:49:20
Julia Murney as Diana, Next to Normal
I mean, she would STILL be perfect. I just wish it happened while the show was on Broadway.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by HistoryBoy2 2011-07-17 06:35:23
Julia Murney on Broadway.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by AC126748 2011-07-17 06:42:07
Bea Arthur as Madame Armfeldt.
Talk about someone who's even more miscast than Stritch. Bea Arthur as the former mistress of the King of the Belgians? My ass.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Lottery Addict 2011-07-17 11:38:28
Anne Bancroft as Maria Callas in Master Class. The role would have fit her like a glove.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by husk_charmer 2011-07-17 12:11:51
Sutton could still do Mattress, she's barely into her early 30s and still reads in her 20s.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by henrikegerman 2011-07-17 12:21:13
Couldn't agree more with you, Lottery Addict.
There is no one who was a better fit for Callas than Bancroft, and I say this as someone who was in awe of Zoe Caldwell's performance.
On another note, while I don't think she would have been an ideal Mrs. Lovett, far from it, I truly wish Garland would have lived to have sung Not While I'm Around. The thought of it breaks my heart.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by henrikegerman 2011-07-17 12:30:28
AC1, since, with all due respect to the lady, Camilla Parker Bowles is the long term mistress turned wife of you know who, I think we can suspend any ill-advised disbelief that women like Bea Arthur, Hermione Gingold (both in ALNM and in Gigi) and even Margaret Hamilton (a very fine Mme. Armfeldt as well as it turns out but famously not even a reasonably attractive woman) could have been in her league as bigtime courtesans
History is filled with famous playthings of the regal and rich who were not commonly seen as hot.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Q 2011-07-17 13:01:56
Garland singing Lovett would have been interesting - Garland being Mama Rose would have been definitive.
And Bancroft as Callas gives me goosebumps.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Jon 2011-07-17 13:02:31
Back in the 1970's, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds as Buddy and Sally Plummer.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by AC126748 2011-07-17 14:12:01
Henrik, it has nothing to do with physical attraction. Neither Gingold nor Hamilton--nor, really, Regina Resnik or Zoe Caldwell, other actresses who have done well by the part--were exceedingly beautiful. But the understood the character, her ethos, her life choices. Stritch, Lansbury--and, purely on conjecture, Arthur--didn't or don't come off that way. She's not salt of the earth, she's not eccentric, she's not relatable. Sure, the fact that even as a young woman Bea looked like a GI doesn't help, but her attitude and performance style alone seem so wrong for Madame A.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by AngusN 2011-07-17 16:22:57
Wow, the thought of Judy Garland as Mama Rose just gave me goosebumps.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by henrikegerman 2011-07-17 16:50:54
Gotcha, AC, although I disagree with you about Stritch not understanding the character - that's what makes horseracing, or with respect to Mme. Armfeldt, whores-racing.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by perfectlymarvelous 2011-07-17 17:54:01
I think Donna Murphy would have made a brilliant Fanny Brice in Funny Girl.
Also, because I'm still mad she didn't get to do it on Broadway, Marin Mazzie would make an incredible Desiree in Night Music.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by starspangledjenny 2011-07-17 19:04:03
Mandy Patinkin as Sweeney, it could still happen.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by ljay889 2011-07-17 19:09:10
The ultimate missed opportunity will always be Elaine Stritch in GYPSY. It almost happened. Such a shame!
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Matt2 2011-07-18 00:30:47
There are so many parts I wish Judy Garland would have been able to do but, for whatever reason, never did. I know she was supposed to go on as a replacement as Nellie Forbush during the original Broadway run of South Pacific-- but backed out at the last minute. And of course most people know that she wanted very much to play Mame, but simply wasn't hired largely because she wouldn't have been able to cope with the strain of performing eight shows a week in such a demanding role. It was probably for the best Lansbury was cast, but I would have liked to see what Judy would have done with the role as well. Another interesting idea would be her as Dolly Levi. I think had she been in better health, she would have been much better suited to the role when it came to film the show than Barbra Streisand.
I would have killed to see her interpretation of Mama Rose, either on stage or on film. It would have been a complete 180 from her previous characters and would have certainly resonated considering she had her own "Mama Rose" as a mother.
Had she lived longer, I would have loved to see her as Joanne in Company. Judy would have killed with "The Ladies Who Lunch." I also think her Desiree in Little Night Music would have been a wonderful casting decision, and wouldn't have made too many many demands vocally.
It really amazes me that Judy Garland never performed in any book musicals on Broadway. Just concerts. The only character Judy Garland ever played was Judy Garland. And I think that was a shame, because she really had the acting chops to match her vocal prowess.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by givesmevoice 2011-07-18 00:35:58
Also, because I'm still mad she didn't get to do it on Broadway, Marin Mazzie would make an incredible Desiree in Night Music.
So much this.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Q 2011-07-18 02:13:55
"The only character Judy Garland ever played was Judy Garland."
I assume you mean on Broadway . . .
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Q 2011-07-18 02:14:08
Double.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by TimesSquareRegular 2011-07-18 09:19:04
Vanessa Williams in a revival of IRMA LA DOUCE
Harry Connick Jr in PAL JOEY
Joe Mantegna as Billy Flynn in CHICAGO
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by random person 112 2011-07-18 09:20:36
Julie Andrews as mrs. lovett in sweeney todd.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by madbrian 2011-07-18 09:29:05
John Cullum as Sweeney Todd
Kathy Bates as Rose in Gypsy
Anne Hathaway as Anne Egerman in A Little Night Music
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by AC126748 2011-07-18 09:45:15
Wasn't Harry Connick Jr rumored, at one point, to be interested in playing Pal Joey?
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Elphaba3 2011-07-18 11:37:16
Sutton could still do Mattress, she's barely into her early 30s and still reads in her 20s.
She's 36. As much as I love her, I don't think looks in her 20s.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by madbrian 2011-07-18 12:12:06
Kelly Bishop as Joanne in Company
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by husk_charmer 2011-07-18 12:16:38
Sutton's 36? Well she still reads as young, and Winnifred doesn't have to be a 25 year old. Carol Burnett certainly wasn't pretty, just funny and charming.
Bishop could probably still play Joanne regionally.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Wilmingtom 2011-07-18 12:18:29
Cyndi Lauper as Princess Winnifred
Lady Gaga as Fanny Brice (not actually a missed opportunity yet!)
Gwyneth Paltrow as Nellie Forbush
Mickie Rooney as Peter Pan
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by addiemizner 2011-09-04 12:56:50
For some reason, I believe Robert Morse would have made a pretty good Buddy in FOLLIES. That's all.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by gvendo2005 2011-09-04 13:03:07
Two major revivals of rock musicals were planned in the Eighties that never got off the ground. The billing for one always made me smile:
DIVINE
in
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
She's the sweetest transvestite of them all!
The producer was about to start talks with Mr. Milstead's manager, but the day they were to meet, Divine turned up dead.
Also apparently booted about was a major revival of JCS in the Eighties with Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson as the leads, but that's only ever been heard as rumor*. (I think it would've been great, personally.)
* I can confirm the Divine casting, as I work for/with the producer in question.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by BeingAlive2 2011-09-04 13:18:46
Patti Lupone and Julie Andrews as Elphaba and Glinda
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Jon 2011-09-04 13:28:24
The 1994 Central Park production of KISS ME KATE with Kevin Kline that never happened.
And my fantasy - what if in 1997, after the closing of STEEL PIER, Karen Ziemba and Kristin Chenoweth could have reunited for a revival of WONDERFUL TOWN?
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by addiemizner 2011-09-04 13:30:57
After hearing that, I realised Kevin Kline would make a perfect Ben Stone!
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Patronus 2011-09-04 13:51:51
Brian Stokes Mitchell as Javert
Norbert Leo Butz as George Seurat
Philip Seymour Hoffman as Mercutio
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Overkill 2011-09-04 17:27:11
"Sutton could still do Mattress, she's barely into her early 30s and still reads in her 20s."
"She's 36. As much as I love her, I don't think looks in her 20s."
Sutton always reads younger to me. She'd be a great Winnifred, but I'd rather see it go to Leslie Kritzer. Also, I feel she kinda already played the part in SHREK.
Also, she's NOT too old! Tracy Ullman did the movie, and she's was in her forties. Denis O'Hare was Prince Dauntless. They don't have to be young kids, it can be played either way.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by redmustang 2011-09-04 17:33:44
Liza as Mama Rose about the time Daly did it.
Or 30 years ago, Chita as Mama Rose and Liza as Louise.
Or how about when Lupone is ready to exit Evita, Meryl Streep agrees to a 6-month run before she films the movie.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by SondheimFan5 2011-09-04 18:17:11
Nathan Lane as Hanratty -- I loved Butz but Lane would've been excellent as well. he did it in workshops.
Angela Lansbury as Phyllis or Carlotta
Natasha Richardson & Vanessa Redgrave as Desiree and Mme Armfeldt (in a full production)
Norm Lewis as Coalhouse
Chita in Dear World
Beth Leavel as Mrs. Meers
Rachel York as Victor/Victoria --- coming full circle!
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by 3bluenight 2011-09-04 18:41:16
KIM STANLEY in a delicate balance - so close. and actually maybe vanessa Redgrave as agnes.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by ComingUpRoses2 2011-09-04 19:18:03
Liza would have made a terrific Madame Rose back in the day. Her "Some People" and "Rose's Turn" are sensational!
It still hurts me that they didn't end up getting Judy Garland and Ann Margret for Rose and Louise for the 60's film version.
Kelly Bishop as Joanne? Where do I sign? I love that woman. It could still happen, right? Please?
The Kevin Kline/Julie Andrews Sweeney Todd film I once heard about simply fascinates me. Mary Poppins as Mrs. Lovett? Once again...where do I sign?
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by AEA AGMA SM 2011-09-04 20:53:37
Going with the songs/parts we can only lament Judy not singing/playing - "I'm Still Here"/Carlotta. I also think Ann Margret would have knocked that part out of the park at one point.
I would have loved to see Alice Playten take on Hattie in the current revival of Follies. She would have been a bit younger than most other Hattie's, but she truly was a Broadway baby (look up her performance of "Poor Little Person" on the Ed Sullivan show).
Going along with the current production of Follies, Eartha Kitt as Solange. Would love to have heard that throaty growl of hers on "Ah, Paris!"
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by AC126748 2011-09-05 06:08:42
Vanessa Williams as Phyllis Rogers Stone or Desiree Armfeldt
Donna Murphy as Maria Callas (MASTER CLASS)
Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson in ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
It doesn't warrant a full production, but I've always been surprised that Encores! or some other limited revival company never mounted HALLELUJAH, BABY! for Audra McDonald.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by givesmevoice 2011-09-05 09:59:40
It doesn't warrant a full production, but I've always been surprised that Encores! or some other limited revival company never mounted HALLELUJAH, BABY! for Audra McDonald.
It could still happen, couldn't it?
I was thinking that Victoria Clark could've have made a fantastic Amalia Balash.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by henrikegerman 2011-09-05 10:17:51
I want to get back to the anecdote about Elvis's career getting saved by taking the role of - I guess Tony - in West Side Story? Huh? Leaving aside how successful he would have been in the role, his film career certainly didn't die in the early 60s. In fact most of his movie successes - Viva Las Vegas et all - were after West Side Story. Not before it.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by henrikegerman 2011-09-05 10:21:00
I want to get back to the anecdote about Elvis's career getting saved by taking the role of - I guess Tony - in West Side Story? Huh? Leaving aside how successful he would have been in the role, his film career certainly didn't die in the early 60s. In fact most of his movie successes - Viva Las Vegas et all - were after West Side Story. Not before it.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by random person 112 2011-09-05 20:06:50
Still possible but unlikely
Faith prince as sally or hattie in follies with sherie rene scott as phyllis they would be way more age approiate but given how great this cast is who can complain.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by jonartdesigns 2011-09-05 20:53:49
Brian Stokes Mitchell as Lawrence in DRS (He did the workshops)
Bea Arthur as Madame Morrible- now there's a "Wiiiiiicked Witch!" speech that would scare the hell out of all involved.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Brick 2011-09-05 21:21:53
I second Vanessa Williams as Phyllis Stone
And as good as Donna Murphy was, I think Patti was superb casting as Fosca. And oh, if she could have avoided the SUNSET nightmare awaiting her...
And Natasha not being able to do NIGHT MUSIC was such a tragedy on top of a tragedy.
I also wish Brittany Murphy had indeed done CABARET, like she was supposed to.
And I'm going to get killed for it, but I would have loved to have at least seen Madonna attempt it, like she wanted to.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by givesmevoice 2011-09-05 21:25:42
And as good as Donna Murphy was, I think Patti was superb casting as Fosca. And oh, if she could have avoided the SUNSET nightmare awaiting her...
I'm so glad Donna Murphy played her on Broadway, but I also wish Patti had done a longer run of Passion.
Another LuPone casting idea: I think she would've been incredible as Aldonza in Man of La Mancha.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by random person 112 2011-09-05 21:29:56
I almost agree with madonna i think if she agreed to go to strenous acting and music training classes she would do great especially with maybe this time.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by AC126748 2011-09-05 21:39:45
Love the idea of Patti as Aldonza.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by SondheimFan5 2011-09-05 21:58:20
YES why have I never thought of Patti as Aldonza?? That role fits her like a glove...
I'd actually love to see/to have seen Mandy Patinkin as Don Quixote/Cervantes, I think that he could have done some really great stuff with the role (even though he's technically a tenor).
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by AC126748 2011-09-05 22:02:09
Patinkin recorded the role of Sancho about twenty years ago, with Placido Domingo as Don Quixote/Cervantes and Julia Migenes as Aldonza/Dulcinea. I can't see him as Quixote at all, though.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by givesmevoice 2011-09-05 22:18:23
YES why have I never thought of Patti as Aldonza?? That role fits her like a glove...
I've been on a Man of La Mancha kick lately and was thinking she would have been perfect. Of course, if someone wants to mount a senior citizen revival, she could play Aldonza opposite George Hearn.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by AC126748 2011-09-05 22:20:44
I'm sure it's been suggested dozens of times on these boards, but Sara Ramirez as Aldonza, anywhere, please.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by steven22 2011-09-05 22:28:09
Second Julia Murney as Diana in NEXT TO NORMAL. Also, Lisa Brescia as Diana in NEXT TO NORMAL. Lisa got offered the standby Diana track after Jessica Phillips left but took Donna in Mama Mia instead.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by random person 112 2011-10-06 21:50:06
A young kristin chenoweth in south pacific as nelly forbush yay or nay?
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Overkill 2011-10-07 03:29:47
I think Cheno would've been great as Nellie!
Billy Porter auditioned for The Baker for the Into the Woods revival. He said Sondheim said he had too much "pizazz" and had him audition for The Witch instead. His "Last Midnight" is BREATHTAKING. Ugh, it would have made the revival actually worth watching...
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by geudupe 2011-10-07 10:07:27
Suzanne Pleshette as Desiree Armfeldt
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Jon 2011-10-07 13:49:43
Elvis was also offered the role of Jimmy in the film version of The Rainmaker. Earl Holliman eventually got the part.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by E.Davis 2011-10-07 19:49:38
The Natasha Richardson stuff just makes me sad.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by random person 112 2011-10-07 20:32:31
bernadette as audrey in little shop of horrors.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by henrikegerman 2011-10-11 09:41:55
Gene Wilder as Tevye
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by f13overture 2011-10-12 01:05:28
I second Bernadette as Audrey
Julie Andrews as Glinda! (I think she would be hilarious & brilliant...and wouldn't go overboard with the character)
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by gvendo2005 2011-10-12 01:11:47
I'm the only one who will say this probably, but... with some keys adjusted...
Michael Jackson as the Phantom
I think Webber's an idiot who only figures out how best to promote his work in hindsight.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by OtherDaryl2 2011-10-12 13:31:44
Back in the late '70's I regularly fantasized about a few Cassies - Shirley MacLaine, Ann-Margaret, Liza.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Michael Bennett 2011-10-12 14:07:43
I always thought Sandy Duncan would have made a great Cassie. And it would have been fun to see Betty Buckley play Evita.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by SonofRobbieJ 2011-10-12 14:12:35
Wasn't Goldie Hawn going to do the film version of Chicago with Liza back in the 70's.
Now THAT. That is a missed opportunity.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by broadwaybabytn 2011-10-12 14:15:29
Nathan Lane as Tevye
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by f13overture 2011-10-12 17:39:14
Christine Ebersole as Diana in N2N
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Overkill 2011-10-12 21:04:54
LOVE the idea of Gene Wilder as Tevye! That would have been amazing.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by random person 112 2011-12-25 12:46:44
Victoria Clark or Alice Ripley as Dot in Sunday in the park with george.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by steven22 2011-12-25 13:54:23
Kate Shindle as Elphaba!!
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by TheatreFreak05 2011-12-25 20:26:02
Carol Channing as Ms. Tottendale in The Drowsy Chaperone. I wish this happened 
Also Alice Ripley as Nancy in Oliver!, Florence in Chess, and Drood in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. She had SUCH a gorgeous voice. Its so sad that its completely shot now.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Trekkie2 2011-12-25 23:20:58
Matthew Broderick & Alice Ripley- Baker/Baker's wife in ITW. Don't ask me why, but I can't get the thought out of my head...
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by GlindatheGood22 2011-12-25 23:26:47
I read in Vivien Leigh's autobiography that she was given the chance to replace Uta Hagen in the West End's original Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? What a coup that would have been.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by jayinchelsea 2011-12-26 00:49:42
Lee Remick as Desiree. She would have been magnificent. She had been announced for the LA production around 1990, but became too ill, and died in 1991 at age 55. Her great beauty often overshadowed her great talent. After ANYONE CAN WHISTLE closed, she did an amazing ANNIE GET YOUR GUN at Westbury Music Fair. A great loss, still missed and remembered today.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by gabrieljwickedone 2011-12-26 01:13:50
Meryl Streep as The Witch in Into The Woods
I also agree with Julie Andrews as Mrs. Lovett
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Drunk Chita Rivera 2011-12-26 07:44:31
Beth Leavel as Fanny when she was younger.
Haven Burton as Sheila in Hair, she still has time in another production.
Natalie Weiss as Nina in In The Heights.
Gavin Creel as Jesus in Godspell, if only that production actually ever happened.
Mandy Gonzalez as Evita, she still could do this production after Elena.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by EponineAmneris 2011-12-26 10:13:47
Antonio Banderas as Gomez and Idina Menzel as Morticia in THE ADDAMS FAMILY...
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by random person 112 2011-12-26 11:50:33
Anyone else think Marin Mazzie would have been a great christine in phantom of the opera, she's way better than the show but she'd just Kill it.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by darquegk 2012-01-05 15:55:04
Neil Patrick Harris as Finch in How To Succeed. Would have been, and I'm sorry to sink to this punchline, but I must, legendary.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by emida 2012-01-05 16:10:20
Never thought about it... by you're right, it would've been a great casting! I can totally see it.
Also, I would've loved to see Kristin Chenoweth as Ado Annie and Bernadette Peters as Cora Hoover.
The biggest missed casting opportunity for me though will always be Judy Garland as Mama Rose. Makes me want to cry sometimes. At least I can listen to her sing Some people and Together, Wherever We Go.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by gvendo2005 2012-01-05 16:19:09
Shawn Phillips as Jesus in the original Broadway cast of JCS
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by theeatah 2012-01-05 16:35:01
Dolores Gray in MAME. If she did it in London, we'd likely have the London cast recording that's allegedly in the vaults.
Liza Minnelli instead of Midler in the Gypsy remake. She was in good shape in the early 1990s.
Much as I like Jan Maxwell, Phyllis in Follies is even better suited to Bebe Neuwirth's talents.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by givesmevoice 2012-01-05 16:43:24
Bernadette Peters as Cora Hoover
I admit I was half-expecting her to be in the Encores! production.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by AC126748 2012-01-05 22:28:06
Victoria Clark or Alice Ripley as Dot in Sunday in the park with george.
Clark played Dot as a replacement/understudy in the original Broadway production.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by gabrieljwickedone 2012-01-05 23:16:27
Robin Williams and Goldie Hawn as The Baker and Baker's Wife in ITW
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by henrikegerman 2012-01-06 09:13:14
Gene Wilder as Tevye
Leslie Caron as Coco
Anne Bancroft as Maria Callas
Lilian Gish as Blanche Dubois (didn't Williams write it with her in mind?)
Anna Magnani as Serafina Delle Rose on stage (Williams definitely wrote it for her, of course she won the oscar for it)
Bette Midler as Madame Arkadina (with the right director!!!)
River Phoenix as Trofimov
Jane Lapotaire as Fraulein Schneider and Madame Hortense (these could still happen, why not?) and as Irma la Douce
Cherry Jones as Saint Joan
Ed Norton as Thomas Becket
Bea Arthur In Mother Courage
Paul Sorvino as Tony in The Most Happy Fella
Lynn Redgrave as Mrs. Anna, Mame, Mama Rose, etc., etc., etc.
And let's not even start thinking about Natasha Richardson or we will never stop crying.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by random person 112 2012-01-17 15:52:24
Betty White as sally, at the time of the orginal production she would have been perfect just listen to her, she even has operatic traning under her belt.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by henrikegerman 2012-01-17 17:16:55
^ Holy Cow, Random, you weren't kidding. And she would have been wonderful and heartbreaking as Sally. I never had any idea she could sing at all, let alone so beautifully.
If anyone has any doubts after hearing on "It's A Good Day," just listen to this:
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by ComingUpRoses2 2012-01-17 18:24:50
Wow! Betty's got a GREAT voice! Now, her as Sally is right up there with Judy Garland not playing Madame Rose in terms of missed opportunities. What a treat that would have been. She'd have been deliciously giddy, hilarious, and heartbreaking!
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by undercoveractor 2012-01-17 19:11:02
Bette Midler as Mama Morton in the CHICAGO film
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by AC126748 2012-01-17 19:19:36
Natasha Richardson as Lyubov Andreyevna in THE CHERRY ORCHARD.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by afaye11 2012-01-17 20:13:56
What about Dick Van Dyke as Buddy Plummer? I think he would dance the hell out of "The Right Girl" and could sing the score pretty well. His Follies number would be great too.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Overkill 2012-01-18 00:31:57
Dick's "Buddy's Blues" would have been amazing. Totally agree.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by slmlbl 2012-01-18 00:48:43
I was thinking today.... Megan Hilty as Elle Woods.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by fingerlakessinger 2012-01-18 01:32:06
Most likely going to catch flack for this but...
Patti LuPone as Elphaba. I'm sorry she would have ripped those songs to shreds.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by random person 112 2012-01-18 08:09:58
Patti could rip any songs into shreds, and i know she was offered this but i want it anyway. Patti As Fanny Brice.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by random person 112 2012-01-18 11:13:32
Andrea Burns as Aldonza/Dulcinea.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Dave19 2012-01-18 11:57:22
Coleen Sexton as Belle in Beauty & the Beast
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by random person 112 2012-01-19 22:55:45
I would have never thought of bette as mama morton, but your right it should have happened, and no offense to latifah but it seemed like half the time she didn't know what she was singing about.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by random person 112 2012-01-29 16:24:05
If only she were younger. Joan Cusack as Dianna in next to normal, with voice lessons she would have been thrilling in a movie version.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by marcslope 2012-01-31 16:48:45
Charlotte Rae as Agnes Gooch. Imagine her knocking "Gooch's Song" out of the park
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by darquegk 2013-01-04 14:24:36
A few decades back... imagine Jessica Lange as Diana in Next to Normal. If only she were younger and n2n was older!
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Brave Sir Robin2 2013-01-04 14:50:02
I still wanted to see Sierra Boggess as Eva Peron...
Audra McDonald as Christina Daae and Lilli Vanessi/Kate ("Kiss Me Kate")
Idina Menzel as Lucy Baker ("Jekyll and Hyde") with Marin Mazzie as Emma
Brittany Murphy as Sally Bowles
Judi Dench as Madame Morrible - possibly for the film?
Julie Andrews as Glinda
Michael Jackson as Legs Diamond
Sara Ramirez as Eva Peron
Natalie Weiss as Eponine and Elphaba
Lady Gaga as Fanny Brice - maybe in a concert?
Has Kristin Chenoweth played Audrey in "Little Shop" before?
EDIT: Idina Menzel as Nancy and Fanny Brice
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Brave Sir Robin2 2013-01-04 14:57:51
I'm gonna add:
Betty Buckley as Fantine
Patti LuPone as Mme. Thenardier
Idina Menzel as Eponine
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by g.d.e.l.g.i. 2013-01-04 15:24:17
Already threw in Divine in Rocky Horror, and a Freddie Mercury/Michael Jackson pairing in JCS, a couple years ago. Returning with more recent ideas from the more recent scene:
* Adam Lambert as Judas in the just-past JCS revival
He's been actively campaigning for this role every time a revival or remake possibility comes up. He's got the voice; he's got theater experience. And he was the "X" factor that could have bumped up ticket sales for this otherwise unremarkable production and kept it open longer, especially with Des McAnuff's "new" Judas-as-jilted-lover angle... plus, what the f#¢k else is he doing lately?
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Kelly2 2013-01-04 15:49:12
I thought Josh Young as Judas was the best part of the revival, and Adam Lambert's shrieky voice does nothing for me.
Megan Hilty was a serious contender for Elle, I wish she would've gotten it, I think she would've been amazing.
Jessie Mueller as Fanny Brice.
Mandy Gonzalez as Eva Peron.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by g.d.e.l.g.i. 2013-01-04 15:50:49
I thought Josh Young as Judas was the best part of the revival, and Adam Lambert's shrieky voice does nothing for me.
Well, la-di-da for you. It's a missed casting opportunity, and he fit the role. We don't have to agree. On with our regularly scheduled thread!
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Kelly2 2013-01-04 15:54:15
Do you really think he's never been considered? He's a name and he could do it, on a technical skill level. I'm sure the reason he hasn't is $$$. Anyway, just wanted to reaffirm how amazing Josh Young was. <3
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by all that jazz 2013-01-04 16:08:26
Adam lamber would be absolutely spectacular as Judas!!!
I love Idina, but Patti would have melted souls as Elphaba.
I agree with everyone on Judy being Mama Rose. It also gives me chills to imagine her as Evita. She would have killed Raibow High and Don't Cry for Me Argentina would've been her second Over the Rainbow.
Also this may sound unlikely but I fantasize about lady gaga as Norma Desmond. She would be astounding!!!! I would also LOVE to see her as the witch in into the woods. I wish they would give her the part in the upcoming movie.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Jane2 2013-01-04 16:43:25
"Already threw in Divine in Rocky Horror, "
In which role?
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by brettarnett 2013-01-04 16:48:27
This isn't really missed as it is future possibility but what about Celia Keenan-Bolger as Sally Durant Plummer in Follies? She is short and has the youthful cutsie look.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by g.d.e.l.g.i. 2013-01-04 16:50:09
"Already threw in Divine in Rocky Horror, "
In which role?
Frank, of course. I actually happen to know that this was supposed to happen. A colleague was about to start meetings with Divine's manager on the subject the day before Divine passed.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by shrekster224 2013-01-04 17:03:50
Right now I would see Jessie Mueller in anything. As Eva Peron if the revival was going to last and didn't need a star vehicle in the role, as Sally if a Cabaret revival pulls through, even as Elphaba.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Jane2 2013-01-04 17:07:41
"Frank, of course"
Of course? well, ...anyway, thanks for the reply.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Kelly2 2013-01-04 17:09:20
Shrekster, I'm so with you there. I believe she's actually gone in for Elphaba but I guess for whatever reason it didn't happen.
She'd make a great Eva or Sally.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by SonofRobbieJ 2013-01-04 17:17:35
How is Audra McDonald as Lili Vanessi/Kate a missed opportunity?? She can (and should) still play it.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Mister Matt 2013-01-04 17:27:08
Sara Ramirez as Elphaba
Betty Buckley as Diana
Sherie Rene Scott as Clio/Kira
Fuschia Walker as Caroline (I hope she still gets the chance to play the role somewhere)
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Gothampc 2013-01-04 18:16:14
Thanks to whoever bumped this thread.
Brenda Blethyn as Amanda in The Glass Menagerie
Cleo Laine as Carlotta in Follies (the song's on her cd)
Loretta Devine as Big Mama in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Bette Midler as Mame (enough with elegant Mames, let's see some Mames with balls)
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by AEA AGMA SM 2013-01-04 18:26:08
If you want a Mame with balls then why not Charles Busch?
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Gothampc 2013-01-04 18:52:21
"If you want a Mame with balls then why not Charles Busch?"
Didn't he already do a production of the non-musical version?
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Younger Brother 2013-01-04 19:00:48
Loretta Devine as Oda Mae Brown in Ghost
Emily Skinner as Mother in Ragtime
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Musicaldudepeter 2013-01-04 19:12:02
Patti in the 1992 revival of Guys and Dolls as Adelaide
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by broadwaybabytn 2013-01-04 19:36:24
Patti LuPone in a full production of Passion while she was age appropriate, or as the Witch in Into the Woods, of as Florence in Chess, or in Funny Girl. She could have done many things. Bernadette Peters might have lost out on her opportunities to play Mrs. Lovett at this point. I would almost say that they should have done Follies, as Phyllis and Sally, respectively, in the early to mid 90s.
Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews in She Loves Me. This almost happened and should have. Dorothy Collins in She Loves Me as well, or did she do it in stock? Dick Van Dyke in The Music Man at City Center should have been filmed.... Damn. Julie Andrews should have made the movie of A Little Night Music.
Kevin Kline as Sweeney Todd, and many other roles.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by EgermanArmfelt 2013-01-04 20:38:01
Don't know if it is on here but Barbara Streisand as Elphaba and Julie Andrews as Glinda in Wicked
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by givesmevoice 2013-01-04 21:32:33
I feel like Virginia Vestoff could have made an incredibly lovely Desiree.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Brave Sir Robin2 2013-01-04 23:20:34
Ooh Sherie Rene Scott would have been fabulous as Kira in XANADU! And then in that case let's get Audra in KISS ME KATE! Maybe opposite John Barrowman?
And yes to Patti as Fanny Brice!
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by JBroadway 2013-01-05 03:16:52
Carolee Carmello in pretty much every role that she hasn't already played is a missed opportunity. Particularly many of Sondheim's roles. She still has time to play good roles though. I'd love to see her as Mama Rose or Sally Durant or Joanne in Company.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by CHOOKA2 2013-01-05 05:29:29
I know not a missed opportunity, but Patti could and should play Mamma Morton-would keep Chicago going another 10 years.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Will42 2013-01-05 07:24:52
Angela Lansbury as Violet in August: Osage County.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by PTOPhan 2013-01-05 15:09:34
Some of these are still possibilities:
Nathan Lane or Harvey Fierstein as Tevye (if Fierstein can resist the urge to camp it up; Nathan Lane would be perfect and may have played the role).
Gerard Butler or Jeremy Irons or Patrick Stewart as Henry Higgins. (Theres still time for Gerry, but the other two have gotten too old, despite the current tendency to cast actors in their sixties as Higgins, instead of their forties).
Johnny Depp or Sacha Baron Cohen as Alfred P. Doolittle.
Sierra Boggess as Eliza Doolittle or Queen Guinevere.
Any of the tall, good-looking Raouls (e.g., John Cudia, Sean MacLaughlin, Kyle Barisich, Patrick Wilson) as Freddy Eynsford-Hill, Sir Lancelot, Frank Butler, or Billy Bigelow.
Hugh Jackman or Mandy Patinkin or Colm Wilkinson (twenty years ago) as Emile de Becque.
Julie Andrews (way back when, if she could have mastered the accent) or Kristin Chenoweth as Nellie Forbush.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Musicaldudepeter 2013-01-05 15:21:21
Lane of course was offered Tevye in the 2004 revival but didn't want to do it because he had just done a Zero Mostel role in 2001 with The Producers & didn't want to do another one
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by SondheimFan5 2013-01-05 20:04:36
Michael Crawford as Higgins in My Fair Lady
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by SondheimFan5 2013-01-05 20:09:43
Michael Crawford as Higgins in My Fair Lady
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Brave Sir Robin2 2013-01-05 22:39:27
Sherie Rene Scott and Notbert Leo Butz as Mack and Mabel.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by ILuv2shop531 2013-01-06 00:58:02
Hasn't Harvey Fierstein played Tevye already?
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Cupid Boy2 2013-01-06 01:05:50
^^Yes, he has. He was a replacement for the last Broadway revival as well as the national tour that launched in 2009.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by ILuv2shop531 2013-01-06 01:31:53
That's what I thought, just wanted to correct PTOPhan
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Wynbish 2013-01-06 01:35:37
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by EgermanArmfelt 2013-01-06 02:28:16
Rachel York as Fanny Brice
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by sondheimboy2 2013-01-06 10:29:35
To go back in time with my ideas:
Bert Lahr as Pseudolus in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum"
Barbara Harris or Dorothy Loudon as Sally in "Follies"
Catherine Deneuve as Desiree Armfeldt in "A Little Night Music", though now she would be a fantasic Madame Armfeldt.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by CarlosAlberto 2013-01-06 11:23:42
Piet Arion as Fantine in Les Miz
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by SondheimFan5 2013-01-06 13:24:12
Hal Prince wanted Jack Cassidy to replace John McMartin as Ben out-of-town in the original Follies. (Sondheim wanted McMartin).
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by random person 112 2013-01-19 21:30:44
Patsy Cline as Nelly Forbush in South Pacific.
Patsy Cline as Julie in Show Boat. (she was going to record Can't help lovin' dat man for her next album.)
Patsy was thinking about recording an album of show tunes and standards before she died and it's just terrible that she didn't get the chance.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by darquegk 2013-01-22 21:34:38
Tim Curry as Pilate in Superstar
David Bowie as Javert opposite Freddie Mercury as Valjean in concert
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by backwoodsbarbie 2013-01-22 23:20:26
Sherie and Norbert- The Baker and his wife (could still happen)
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Brave Sir Robin2 2013-01-22 23:27:33
^ that's perfect.
Also, Patti as Lucy and Victoria Clark as Emma in Jekyll and Hyde
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by backwoodsbarbie 2013-01-22 23:34:30
Victoria Clark as Maria, Anna, or any R&H leading lady.
Donna Murphy as Dot/Marie
Brian Stokes Mitchell as Che
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by darquegk 2013-01-22 23:51:30
I can't stop thinking about a hypothetical 1987 "concept album" treatment of Les Mis.
Jean Valjean- Freddie Mercury
Inspector Javert- David Bowie
Fantine- Linda Ronstadt
Thenardier- Alice Cooper
Marius- Rex Smith
Cosette- Kylie Minogue
Eponine- Cyndi Lauper
Enjolras- Billy Idol
Bishop- Paul McCartney
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by random person 112 2013-02-16 16:19:05
Shirley Maclaine as Mame in the stage play or musical.
Brilliant Missed Casting Opportunities
Posted by Wishing Only Wounds 2013-02-16 16:50:33
Stephanie J. Block as Mary Poppins
