Roles they DIDN'T get....

[North2009]

Doris Day lost out on SOUTH PACIFIC film due to her then husband's outrageous salary requirement.

[CarlosAlberto]

Nancy Kwan in the proposed film version of NO STRINGS.

Diahann Carroll won a Tony Award for her performance in the Richard Rodgers musical NO STRINGS in 1962.

Shortly after her win it was announced that Warner Bros in association with Ray Stark and Seven Arts Productions cast Eurasian actress Nancy Kwan in the film version.

Carroll was furious. She felt it was one thing not to get to play the part on film, but it was inconceivable to her that they chose Nancy Kwan over another African American actress for the part.

It was a big scandal and it was very well documented.

Ultimately the film was shelved amidst all the controversy.

[Buck]

I remember reading in "Variety" many moons ago that "A Doll's Life" was set to star George Hearn and Patti LuPone.

Someone also told me that Kander & Ebb really wanted Patti to star opposite Chita Rivera in "The Rink". I have no idea why she turned them down.

I guess you could file the above under "roles they turned down".

[best12bars]

"DOUBT began principal photography about a month after MAMMA MIA! wrapped -- not the other way around. In other words, Meryl did NOT do MAMMA MIA! after DOUBT."

Beg pardon on the chronology. I had them in reverse order. They were released in the same year. I still think Meryl chose Mamma Mia over Sweeney because it was lighter and "fun." She has a good business sense, as well as being a brilliant actress, and her comedies are what make her a box office darling, not the dramas, which earn her kudos and awards. She knows to strike a good balance between the two. That way she has popularity and prestige. And from a business POV, I think she made the right choice. Mamma Mia's grosses blew Sweeney Todd away at the box office. Plus I would hate to think the sole reason she turned it down was because of the singing.

And CarlosAlberto---That's fascinating about "No Strings." On the flipside of that scenario, African-American actress Dorothy Dandridge turned down the Asian role of Tuptim in "The King and I," so the part went to Latin actress Rita Moreno. I'm glad they didn't film "No Strings" with Kwan. She's not even a singer (but she's a terrific dancer). They dubbed her in Flower Drum Song. But she was very popular in movies in the late '50s, and she could carry a film as a leading lady. I'm sure that's why they wanted her.

[best12bars]

I suppose, while we're at it on the "turned down wagon," both Barbra Streisand and Jane Fonda turned down Sally Bowles in the movie "Cabaret" before it was offered to Liza.

[wickedfan]

Per Jerry Mitchell: In Hairspray, Matthew Morrison was in the ensemble and James Carpinello was originally Link. In the first week, however, Carpinello was either fired or chose a more lucrative job, and Jerry Mitchell (having worked with him on Rocky Horror) suggested Morrison get bumped up from the ensemble and play Link.

[BrodyFosse123]

James Carpinello was the original Link in HAIRSPRAY but left the production prior to its Seattle pre-Broadway tryout when he was cast in the film THE GREAT RAID. Matthew Morrison, who was his first understudy, was promoted to the role.

The very first press photo done for the upcoming Broadway production of HAIRSPRAY was for Entertainment Weekly and James appears in the full cast photo as Link. Behind-the-scenes photos of this photo shoot were posted online in various Broadway related sites. I probably still have the photos somewhere on my computer. If I find them, I'll post them. He was one of the most delicious Links.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

"Doh!":
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/great_raid/

[jovie27]

Robert Morse was in Wicked...just later replaced!

[FlamingGiraffes]

Jennifer Coolidge has talked about auditioning for Paulette in Legally Blonde in London.

[Younger Brother]

Thought I'd bump this thread.

I read on another message board Celia Keenan Bolger was up for Nellie in the Sher South Pacific revival.

Da'Vine Joy Randolph was up for the either the role or understudy of Hetaira

Megan Hilty was up for Audrey in Little Shop Of Horrors

Carolee Carmello made it to the final rounds for Mother in Ragtime (Could she still play it?)

[Visceral_Fella]

Annaleigh Ashford was involved with Carrie for a while. I'm guessing as Chris. Thank goodness that didn't work out.

[MusicalBoy]

Didn't Audra audition unsuccessfully to play an item of cutlery in the Beauty and the Beast ensemble before getting Carousel?

[Marcellus2]

Martin Short was Mel Brooks' first choice for Leo Bloom, but Short did not want to move his family to New York for a year. He ended up playing him in LA

[Plum]

Zachary Levi wasn't the only one to abandon Young Frankenstein for television - I think Kristin Chenoweth left to do Pushing Daisies. Which a) was a wonderful show, and b) got her an Emmy, so I'd say it paid off.

[SondheimFan5]

In regards to the '05 Sweeney revival, it's always good to have options. In case Patti had to drop out during contract negotiations, or if they needed a star replacement (or decided to do an LA or London production, etc)

[SondheimFan5]

Anyone know everyone who was considered for the Les Miz film? I know big names were considered for Eponine and other roles.

[songanddanceman2]

Amy Spanger was supposed to play Susan in the first workshop reading of Desperstely Seeking Susan but backed out last minute

[brettarnett]

I love this thread! I can't believe Bernadette Peters screen tested for Sweeney or that Angela was originally offered Phyllis. Didn't Angela do some sort of musical that was a bomb out of town about a woman who becomes and alcoholic/prostitute or something of the likes. Prettybelle, I think. Anyone else have other stories?

[Johnnycantdecide]

I remember hearing that the producers desperately wanted Joseph Gordon-Levitt to replace in the recent How To Suceed revival....

[Johnnycantdecide]

And that John Goodman was offered Edna in Hairspray multiple times and always said no.

[Younger Brother]

Bump
Tichina Arnold played Oda Mae Brown in the workshops of Ghost The Musical

[PennybankBill]

Kevin Spacey was originally going to play Mackie The Knife in THREEPENNY '06 as well as
Edie Falco as Mrs. Peachum and Wallace Shawn (who also did the horrendous translation!) as Mr. Peachum before Ana Gasteyer and Jim Dale filled those roles.

[My Oh My]

Sorry if this has already been mentioned but Gloria Estefan was set to take over as Fantine in the Broadway production of Les Miserables back in either '94 or '95. It was actually confirmed on local news (I have that segment recorded on some video tape somewhere), so I was surprised when someone else ended up in the role.

I know I have asked and have since learned as to why she didn't end up doing it, but that was years ago and have forgotten. Something tells me it was because she got pregnant? Or was it because of that awful accident she was in? But didn't that happen years prior? Am I making that up? lol.

Would've been interesting, even if I had doubts she'd have the chops for the role at the time. Everyone and their mother belted the crap out of that song to the back of the house and she isn't really a strong belter.

[keb2]

Gavin Creel and Matt Bomer were both Melchior in workshops of Spring Awakening.

Eric Millegan (who later went on to be on the TV show "Bones") was Moritz opposite Gavin Creel, and Nikki M. James was Martha in that workshop. Michael McElroy played the Masked Man (a role that was later cut).

Lea Michele turned down Eponine in the Les Miserables revival to play Wendla (http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/article/103763-DIVA-TALK-Chatting-with-Spring-Awakenings-Lea-Michele-Plus-News-of-LuPone-Kritzer-and-Gravitte)

Frank Wood and Mary McCann played Adult Men & Women, respectively, in workshops.

[SondheimFan5]

David Hyde Pierce did Biggley the workshops of the recent How to Succeed revival. Was he offered the role on b'way?

I know there had been talks about Jude Law, Harry Connick, and Hugh Jackman doing Pal Joey before the recent Roundabout revival happened.

Leslie Uggams was offered Solange both in DC and NY for last year's Follies revival but turned it down. (And John Dossett, Maria Friedman, and Kim Cattral were also approached but for one reason or another didn't go through with it)

Judy Kaye auditioned for Fanny's mother (I believe) for the Funny Girl revival but Randy Graff got it over her. (And then the production was cancelled)

Was Bea Arthur ever offered Mrs. Meers in MILLIE? She did the workshops (along with Kristin Chenoweth)
Bea Arthur "I Want to Be An Actor Lady" from ...MILLIE