ray, I dream of a world where Kate Winslet and Ewan McGregor star in a film adaptation of SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE.
To be clear, Tomei wasn't fired from SWEET CHARITY. After she signed on, Walter Bobbie got in a big fight with Barry Weissler about selecting the remaining members of the creative team, which ultimately led to him walking away from the show. By the time Bobbie and Weissler patched things up and he came back on board, Tomei was no longer available, which led to Christina Applegate's involvement.
Jane Krakowski also wasn't fired. She did a workshop of the show and elected not to continue with it after voicing concerns to Neil Simon that she felt many aspects of the book were misogynistic. It was Jenna Elfman who was dropped because of performance concerns, which are the very same reasons she didn't end up in NINE once she went into rehearsal to replace Krakowski as Carla in that show.
Job, there's also a rumor that Krakowski complained about finding a part of the script sexist when they were workshopping the script--one that was largely criticized by critics when the revival opened--and apparently she was fired on the spot by Simon. It sounds like she dodged a major bullet on that one though.
ETA: Somethingwicked, thanks for the really informative post! I find the whole SWEET CHARITY case so fascinating. It's nice to read some clarification on the rumors about Tomei and Krakowski, I remember reading something at the time Krakowski was signed that she was replacing Tomei or Elfman that one of them was fired, I think I just got Elfman and Tomei mixed up. It's also nice to read what actually happened with Jane Krakowski, an urban legend on BWW at the time the revival opened was that Krakowski said: "I won't say this, this is sexist" and Simon responded with "you won't have to," which sounds really juicy but clearly it's not true. Krakowski would have been perfect as Charity but I really wonder how Tomei would have been, it'd be a dream to see her in a musical, she's almost always top notch. Also, I think I just wet myself at the idea of a Winslet/McGregor SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE!
I'd really like to see the baker and his wife played by somewhat younger actors than the 40-somethings being proposed here. I feel like young and childless is much more compelling.
I have been very impressed by Messing's acting recently. I have not heard her sing other than little clips here and there but she sounds like she has a voice. Both of them have a certain grounded quality that I think would be very effective as the Baker's Wife.
I hadn't even thought of Tomei! What a wonderful idea! I remembered hearing that she never got to do Charity, which is a shame. She'd have been perfect for the role, although I quite liked Applegate. It was the production that stunk.
The production of Charity was awful, but it's a show where I wonder if it ever can really work outside of Fosse's iconic staging (at least the video I've seen of his 80s revival...)
Still, I wonder if Krakowski ever had any words about the material David E Kelley gave her in McBeal..
50 may be too old, but I don't like the idea of very young Baker/Wife. They are meant to, IMHO, be a generation or so older than all the younger cast members.
Just having checked out kieranbec's youtubes of Kate-- I don't get her as the Baker's Wife at all frankly. It's very hard to replace the image and voice of Joanna Gleason in my mind, but doesn't the Baker's wife have to be first and foremost a great comedienne? I think Kate can do many things superbly, but being deliciously funny isn't one of them.
Scanning over the choices of Oscar winners, my eye goes to Francis McDormand immediately. Anyone know if she can sing?
I also have trouble picturing anyone other than Gleason in the role. My suggestions are just who I think would bring something new to the character. Not sure if McDormand can sing, but she might be an interesting choice.
Sandra Wont do it so my Next choice for Baker's wife is CZJ and Than Kate.
What do you Visualize this movie looking like? I love the idea of this Movie But I feel Like Into The woods does not Lend it self to the screen.Would it be a summer blockbluster or a Serious Oscar contender? Could this be Les Mis all over again ??
I still think that Melissa McCarthy would be fantastic....her singing I do not know about though. Toni Colette would KILL it! Knock it out of the Park!! Her performance in THE WILD PARTY is still one of my favorites of all time, and I pray that she will someday come back to NY in another great piece. Gwyneth Paltrow is actually capable of being very, very funny. She was very impressive on SNL several years ago. And the mention of Maya Rudolph was also an inspired idea. I bet that she could be pretty fantastic as well.
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joined:4/29/05
Posted: 10/10/12 at 04:43pm