next to normal UK

[abitoftap]

There seem to be productions of this great show everywhere in the world, apart from the UK.
Are the rights being withheld for the UK? Is no company interested?

[Mark_E]

It really says something about the state of the West End, the joint biggest place for theatre in the world with Broadway, that it can't get a production of this show and everywhere else in the world can.

[Michael Bennett]

The rights are currently held for an upcoming production in London

[abitoftap]

Any idea as to who's doing it?
A commercial West End producer, the Donmar, Menier....????

[GlindatheGood22]

Wherever it is, Kate Fleetwood should play Diana.

[broadwayboy222]

Even though shes a bit young i would LOVE to see Kerry Ellis as Diana, she certainly has the vocal chops!

[Musicaldudepeter]

Kerry Ellis is all wrong - you know she's not suitable for everything. Jesus.

If anyone should play this role, it's Siobhan McCarthy, this would get her her long overdue Olivier Award.

[abitoftap]

After her great performance as Momma Rose, I'd go with Caroline O'Connor.

[TBFL]

Caroline O'Connor can only stand and belt, she doesnt have of the depth or nuance needed for Diana, qualities i found lacking in her Mamma Rose. Id like to see Sally Ann Triplett do it. Great singer, great actress and the right age too.

[sparepart973]

Per some of the messages below, I feel that Siobhan is a little too old to play the role. Diana is pretty much a MILF, with some serious issues, at least this is how she is shown in the original Broadway version. Of course as many regional companies have done, the show could have a completely different vision if it opens in the UK and can be a completely original production rather than a replica of Broadway.

Caroline O'Connor is a beast on stage and I absolutely love her, but for some reason I don't see her do this.

I like the idea of Sally Ann Triplett. I also think Linzi Hately would be suitable, but I feel that the best choice would be Ruthie Henshall, who like Alice Ripley, has also battled with depression and similar bi-polar behavior in her family. Is Rebecca Lock working? I also think she would be quite suitable for the role.

[random person 112]

I love the idea of Henshall, though i would also enjoy Hannah Waddingham as Dianna.

[TBFL]

If Ruthie did it then i think it would be more Marin Mazie's Diana rather than Alice Ripleys. Personally not a fan of Ruthie, she always seems to nasally. I love Linzi Hateley, but dont see her as Diana... Although shes too old for the role now, Claire Moore would have been stunning.

The JR's - Joanna Riding and Jenna Russel would also be pretty good. The more i think aboout those two, the more i like the idea :)

[MusicalBoy]

Siobhan McCarthy would be amazing, but she wouldn't be able to handle the score I'm afraid.

Hannah Waddingham or Shona White (former Elphaba standby) would be fantastic, though maybe more so in a couple of years, and I'm not sure Jenna Russell can sound American to save her life (correct me if I'm wrong - I'm assuming it would have to remain USA based?).

[random person 112]

Could Rebecca Caine handle the acting?

[DeNada]

I don't think Rebecca Caine could handle the score properly. At least Marin Mazzie is more of a mezzo - Rebecca Caine is an operatic soprano, and although she could undoubtedly handle singing the notes the sound would just be completely wrong for the piece.

Some possible names:

- Sam Spiro?
- Jo Riding (more so than Jenna Russell, I think)
- Maria Friedman (personally I don't think she could handle it any more, but there was a time she would have been great)

I'd be more concerned about Dan than Diana, though. Forty-something year old men with pop voices and star quality don't spring to mind in the West End.

[broadwaybabytn]

David Bedella.

[danf902]

I think Anna Francolini should play Diana - one of my favourite British actresses. I think she'd have a good enough voice, too.

[DeNada]

Has David Bedella ever played anything other than a bad guy with a mellifluous bass voice? He doesn't exactly spring to mind as a Dan.

And yes to Anna Francolini - why didn't I think of it before, the queen of British chamber musicals would be AMAZING.

[broadwaybabytn]

In the concert of Chess, Bedella sang some tenor and countertenor notes, though that was a completely villainous part... In Road Show, he played Wilson, who doesn't really fit that category. In Hedwig, he played another character who doesn't fit your categories.

[DeNada]

I completely forgot about Road Show, and although I wouldn't really use Hedwig as an indicator of being able to play Dan Goodman you do have a point!

[Phantom of London]

DeNada, you took the wind from my sails, I am with you with Maria Friedman, only if the producers couldn't get Alice Ripley.

[broadwaybabytn]

My point was less that Hedwig and Dan are similar parts, and more that Bedella is incredibly versatile, and could handle the role.