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.
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.
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.)
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?
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.
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!
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.
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!
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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joined:12/5/12
Posted: 12/17/12 at 05:04pm