Hathaway/Firth for MY FAIR LADY?

[jacobsnchz14]

http://broadwayworld.com/article/Breaking-News-Clive-Davis-Wants-Anne-Hathaway-and-Colin-Firth-for-MY-FAIR-LADY-on-Broadway-20130219

As BroadwayWorld previously announced, Eliza Doolittle might be heading back to Broadway in the near future, as music industry legend Clive Davis recently announced plans to produce My Fair Lady in 2014. He told LAT: "I always wanted to produce a Broadway show, and I've never done it. I'm hopeful we will prepare and finalize everything this year to bring 'My Fair Lady' next year to Broadway with a stellar cast."

Now according to USA Today, Davis is eying LES MISERABLES star Anne Hathaway and Colin Firth to play Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins respectively. Firth has also starred in a big screen musical in the past, taking on Harry in 2008's MAMMA MIA. Neither actor, however, has yet starred in a Broadway production.

Davis also told USA Today that his top choice to direct the project is Tony winner Bartlett Sher, whose recent credits include: South Pacific, Golden Boy, and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.


Read more about Breaking News: Clive Davis Wants Anne Hathaway and Colin Firth for MY FAIR LADY on Broadway! by broadwayworld.com

[Jordan Catalano]

I'm so glad they're going with somebody who can't sing the score. I was worried for a minute!

[CarlosAlberto]

Those are damned excellent choices and they are both draws. It would be a major coup on his part if he succeeds in getting them for this.

I can just see it now: Dame Julie beaming as she watches her little Princess in the role that made her famous.

[The Josh]

I'd see it.

[Jordan Catalano]

LOL. Does anyone seriously think Hathaway can sing that score?

[SporkGoddess]

Wait, so this wouldn't be a movie? This would be an actual 8 shows per week production?

[CarlosAlberto]

That doesn't matter Jordan. She's a STAR! She's BOX OFFICE! Jeez, where have you been. Nowadays, you don't have to really sing-sing in a musical. You can kinda-sing. Haven't you seen the new movie Les Miserables?

[CarlosAlberto]

@SporkGoddess...yes it will be a real Broadway show. A revival...with 8 shows a week....that's including matinees.

[Jordan Catalano]

Live. In Person. Like she'll be on the stage. Trying to sing that 8 times a week. Like freels.

[CarlosAlberto]

You meant fa realz.

[Jordan Catalano]

No, I'm white. We say freels.

[SporkGoddess]

I wouldn't have even been happy about this for movie casting, haha.

[CarlosAlberto]

Oh that's right...I forget you're white. So sorry. Carry on.

[showchoirguy]

Will Derek Wills be directing?

[beautywickedlover]

They are very good choices if they agree to do it.

[ComingUpRoses2]

Well, Anne can sing for sure, but is she a real soprano? I could see her pulling it off on film, but 8 shows a week? I dunno.

Could be worse, though. Could be Taylor Swift.

[Jordan Catalano]

Why is Anne a good choice? Because she's famous?

[best12bars]

Maybe Ricky Martin can join them as Freddie!

Actually, I think Colin Firth would be a great choice. Now add Geoffrey Rush as Alfred, Julie Andrews as Henry's mum!

If not Firth, then Kenneth Brannagh.

As for Eliza, I'm hoping (against hope) for someone who doesn't sound like a 33 rpm record being played at 78 rpm.

[Jordan Catalano]

Robert Englund is playing Freddy. We've already established that.

[best12bars]

Except it's Robert England now. He's changing his name just for this show.

[EricMontreal22]

I'm not the biggest Anne fan, but I think she could do the score, yes 8 times a week, well enough...

Singing from Carnival at Encores: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNZ8uaw_dDE

And the Sondheim concert: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtVqjW8-t-c

Regardless, Firth is inspired casting...

[beautywickedlover]

I have a feeling that they may have a standby/alternate for the role of Eliza just in case. Andrew LLyod Webber's revivals of 'The Sound of Music' in Toronto and the West End had an alternate Maria. The recent Broadway revival of 'Evita' also had an alternate/standby Eva Peron

[Wynbish]

Here is audio of her singing "If I Could Only Dream This World Away" from ALW's Woman in White. To me, her high G's are some of the prettier notes sung compared with others in the song, and Eliza sings barely higher than a G.


Ain't nothin but a G-thang

[henrikegerman]

She may or may not pull this off well.

But she is a soprano.


Yes, My Heart

[latitudex1]

"LOL. Does anyone seriously think Hathaway can sing that score?"

If I remember it properly, she sang a high D above soprano C in her appearance on The Simpsons. This score taps out at the G below that, again if I remember correctly.

If she's actually going to do this, she's got the range. She's got the technique, if she remembers anything her mother taught her. She'll need to build up the stamina, but she theoretically has time to build that up.

To be honest, I'm more worried about her screen to stage transition than her voice.

[SporkGoddess]

Anne Hathaway doesn't have the greatest technique, though. She can hit those notes but her vibrato indicates that her breath support isn't great. I'm not sure her voice would hold out for 8 shows per week.

She has the natural soprano range but does she have the training? I'm not sure she does.