Posted by dyland 2012-12-17 17:04:51
How is going to replace her in Drood, since she just got cast in "The Last Five Years". Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by Kelly2 2012-12-17 17:08:22
Just guessing, but I imagine Janine DiVita will probably cover the role for the final week or so when Betsy is unavailable.
The only way I could see them casting a replacement is if Betsy leaves earlier than when previews begin for The Last 5 Years and they have a month+ to deal with, as I don't think they have enough swings to cover in case multiple people call out on the same night.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by ACL2006 2012-12-17 17:09:20
of course, if Drood extends in June as rumored, they'll need to replace her.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by AC126748 2012-12-17 17:10:45
The Last Five Years begins rehearsals February 5. Wolfe will almost certainly be leaving on or before the original closing date of February 10.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by Kelly2 2012-12-17 17:10:56
Again, this is just a rumor, but I have heard that her departure is the nail in the coffin on a further extension because of the process of recasting.
That is very thirdhand info though so take it with a grain of salt and I truly hope I'm wrong!
AC, I wouldn't say that's necessarily true. Andy Karl performed nightly in Jersey Boys while rehearsing for Drood. Actors do not always leave because of that.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by somethingwicked 2012-12-17 17:11:28
Since DROOD was originally supposed to end on February 10th, I imagine that's when Wolfe will leave (THE LAST FIVE YEARS starts rehearsal on February 5th, so she'd have to do double duty her last week.)
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by Kelly2 2012-12-17 17:13:19
Not to jump the gun or anything, but I think Abby Mueller (yes, sister of Jessie Mueller) would make a lovely Rosa. Possibly Katie Rose Clarke? Hmm. Savannah Wise?
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by somethingwicked 2012-12-17 17:19:22
I think someone like Erin Davie is much more likely.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by frogs_fan85 2012-12-17 17:20:40
If they extend past March 10th, wouldn't they have to come off the substandard contract that Roundabout operates under for the initial runs of their productions? I don't see how that increased running cost is justifiable against the grosses that the show is currently pulling in now against lesser competition than it would be facing in March-June.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by Kelly2 2012-12-17 17:36:04
Frogs, yes, if they extend past the 10th they have to move to a standard production contract which would substantially increase their running costs.
Erin Davie would be lovely, great idea.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by givesmevoice 2012-12-17 22:32:15
I would LOVE to see Erin Davie as Rosa.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by Phillytheatreguy10 2012-12-18 08:18:37
Kelly- My knee jerk reaction when I saw this thread was also Katie Rose Clark! I also think Jennifer Laura Thompson would be good! But, she is committed to Nice Work currently, yes I realize she is older now, but she looks the part and was very funny in Urinetown! Also, an unorthodox choice- Eden Espinosa!
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by Phillytheatreguy10 2012-12-18 08:19:29
Oh, or even Kate Rockwell! She'll be done with Bring it On! by then.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by Kelly2 2012-12-18 09:10:05
To me, I don't buy Kate Rockwell as a woman of the 19th Century. To me, she's got a very modern look and way about her.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by NakedMaid 2012-12-18 09:18:17
Kate Rockwell is replacing Ashley Spencer as Sherrie in Rock Of Ages. Ashley's last day is January 20.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by little_sally 2012-12-18 09:24:22
My goodness, Jennifer Laura Thompson would be a perfect Rosa Bud.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by BwayBaby18 2012-12-18 09:28:47
JLT would have been a good Rosa Bud like 90 years ago... She reads sooooo much older on stage...
Jill Paice is free again...
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by little_sally 2012-12-18 09:41:20
JLT doesn't read that old on stage. Be nice now.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by AC126748 2012-12-18 09:50:16
Hyperbole aside, Jennifer Laura Thompson is too old for Rosa. Having a Rosa who is the same age as Jasper completely erases the necessary sexual dynamic between them. JLT would have been a wonderful choice were a revival mounted ten years ago, but not today.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by Phillytheatreguy10 2012-12-18 10:09:26
Kelly- I see your point with Rockwell, as far as the newer talent on Broadway, I think she gives a nuanced performance, i.e. doesn't go over the top- and she is a perfect choice for Sherrie, excited to her that!
AC- Ok, JLT may be a little older now, but her talents are suited for the role, even if it would've been 10 yrs ago.
Here's two more- Leslie Kritzer, is she committed to anything coming up, I thought I heard she was? Or, Amy Spanger, don't know how long she is committed to Chicago though, she's always been a favorite of mine- love her in Reefer Madness! Def. has the chops for this!
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by Kelly2 2012-12-18 11:41:16
Kritzer and Spanger are both old, no? Rosa is identified in the show many a time as being a child bride, barely a woman. That aside though, I believe Kritzer is working on the Honeymooners workshop anyway, and I believe Spanger is still going to be doing Chicago.
What about Becca Ayers, Jenn Gambatese, Patti Murin, Hayley Podschun, or Erin Mackey? Erin Mackey won't be busy after Chaplin closes...
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by somethingwicked 2012-12-18 11:46:20
Kritzer and Spanger are both Helenas, not Rosas, though you also can't call them "old" and then turn around and suggest someone like Becca Ayers. Kritzer in particular reads practically the same age as Betsy Wolfe does.
I like the Erin Mackey suggestion, and she certainly has a relationship with Roundabout after having done ANYTHING GOES. Jill Paice is just so nauseatingly boring in everything she does that I would hope they'd get someone more interesting than her.
Is Laura Michelle Kelly still here in the states? She would be divine.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by Kelly2 2012-12-18 11:47:56
Somethingwicked, fair point re: Becca Ayers. :) I just like her.
I found some information on Twitter that would suggest that Janine DaVita will cover the role for a few days and then a replacement will step in after February 10th. Grain of salt, people.
LMK would be great. I could see them going with Jill Paice based on her look but I agree with you that she's not an interesting performer.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by somethingwicked 2012-12-18 11:52:53
I like her too, Kelly. I was actually very surprised she didn't end up in the ensemble covering Edwin Drood. There used to be an audio clip floating around of her doing "The Writing On The Wall" from when she did a regional production somewhere and she sounded absolutely fantastic.
If Janine DaVita is filling in, Betsy may be leaving on February 3rd so she doesn't have to do double duty once THE LAST FIVE YEARS starts rehearsal on February 5th. I imagine that would be hard to do with a two person show, both for the performer and for the team at Second Stage.
Elena Shaddow is another interesting ingenue who would be a stellar Rosa, and she also has a history with Roundabout from back when she covered Laura Benanti in NINE.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by Kelly2 2012-12-18 11:57:00
She would've made a fantastic Drood cover, for sure.
Some teaching organization Janine has worked with claims she will be going on for Rosa on February 8th, 9th, and 10th. As she is the only cover for Rosa listed in the Playbill, could Betsy be leaving on the 7th? That would be a Thursday but I guess odder things have happened.
Elena Shaddow is lovely, I would be interested to see her take on Rosa as well. I'm just glad signs would indicate they are going to find a proper replacement. With so few swings and only one true cover for Rosa, I'm not sure it's wise for them to use Janine for a month.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by givesmevoice 2012-12-18 13:18:27
Elena Shaddow is another interesting ingenue who would be a stellar Rosa, and she also has a history with Roundabout from back when she covered Laura Benanti in NINE.
How could I have forgotten about Elena Shaddow? After her pitch perfect turn in Fanny at Encores a few years ago, I'd see her in pretty much anything.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by CurtainPullDowner 2012-12-18 13:59:13
They HAVE to recast, you can't run with one less Actress and if they replace the understudy then they have to teach the new actress in several roles.
Many of the names mentioned could never sing ths role. Kritzer??? (love her, but...)
Isn't the role a legit, very high soprano?
Wolfe is delightful, and reads younger, but she ain't no teenager.
Jennifer Hope Wells?
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by Kelly2 2012-12-18 14:20:27
Rosa is supposed to be 18 within the context of the show, correct? Wolfe is 29 or 30, I believe.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by brettarnett 2012-12-18 15:43:25
I have never seen the show but know the recording. Is the role an appearance of a bland ingenue but a truly a quirky/ great comedienne? If that's the case then, the impossible choice but ideal Laura Osnes , although I don't know how she handles comedy. A young Chenoweth would be good as well.
I'm having a hard time coming up with a contemporary choice.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by dreaming 2012-12-18 16:06:56
That is correct, brett. You need someone who's a soprano that appears to be a bland ingenue but is actually very funny (if you've listened to Rosa's Confession, you'll get the idea).
I have no idea who I can see in this role. Allie Mauzey would be terrific but she's in Wicked at present. A lot of ladies who've played Glinda of late would work in the role.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by Kelly2 2012-12-18 16:53:00
But also the person needs to look "period". Some of the actresses mentioned on this thread have a very modern look to them. I think what makes Betsy look so beautiful in this part is that she has a very classic beauty, pale skin, a shapely figure, etc. To cast a Kate Rockwell or an Ashley Spencer type isn't right, IMO.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by CurtainPullDowner 2012-12-18 17:00:12
No offense to Osnes, but how can she be the "ideal" choice for a quirky commedienne if you don't know if she can do comedy?
True about the period look Kelly, but that can be handeled with make-up, wigs and Ivy Long's great costumes.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by shrekster224 2012-12-18 17:19:12
Hayley Podschun and Katie Rose Clark are great suggestions.
Also FYI, Janine DiVita is actually on for Drood during those February dates, Block may have a short vacation.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by perfectlymarvelous 2012-12-18 20:06:30
Neither Leslie Kritzer nor Amy Spanger could sing Rosa Bud. Also the last time I saw Amy in Elf a couple of years ago her voice sounded ROUGH (and it was, once upon a time, great) and she looked kind of old (though that could have been the horrible wig they gave her)...but even 10 years ago she wouldn't have been right for it.
I think Elena Shaddow or Erin Davie would both be wonderful. I also would like to see Betsy Morgan's take on Rosa Bud, she was a gorgeous Luisa in The Fantasticks a few years ago and I think she'd be interesting and a slightly different choice. Along those lines, I think Sara Jean Ford could also be very good.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by Phillytheatreguy10 2012-12-18 21:10:28
Ok, Katie Rose Clark for the win! NO, NO, NO, to Mackey, have you seen her handle comedy to the response of crickets- check her "Popular" videos on youtube! Talk about bland, saw her in Anything Goes, nothing special.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by little_sally 2012-12-18 21:21:54
I thought Erin Mackey was very charming in Chaplin, and she has a beautiful voice. She wouldn't be a bad choice by any means.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by CurtainPullDowner 2012-12-18 21:45:05
Considering KRC's impressive notices for GIANT, DROOD would be lucky to get her. I feel great things are about to happen for her.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by somethingwicked 2012-12-18 21:55:55
CPD, Katie Rose Clark wasn't in GIANT.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by CurtainPullDowner 2012-12-18 22:38:57
oooops, who am I thinking of?
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by little_sally 2012-12-18 22:40:13
Katie Thompson, perhaps?
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by CurtainPullDowner 2012-12-18 22:45:03
Yeah, thanks.
She's not a Rosa Bud at all.
Too Many Katies!
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by bjh2114 2012-12-18 23:29:04
Evita will be over, so how about Christina DeCicco? She can definitely sing it, plus she could manage the comedy.
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by notzach2 2012-12-19 02:07:26
How about Leigh Ann Larkin?
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by CurtainPullDowner 2012-12-19 02:26:28
"Whatever happened to her-er?"
Betsy Wolfe's Replacement in DROOD?
Posted by bjh2114 2012-12-19 12:52:21
Oooh, Leigh Ann is an excellent suggestion.
