Follies

I haven’t actually ever heard Bonnie Langford do any singing, despite her musical credentials, but if she isn’t still in Eastenders she’d be more than capable of dancing and acting, in my opinion, the role of Phyllis. In many ways it would have been really interesting to have seen her play the part recently opposite Zizi to see how the personal family connection influences both performances.
But thinking about, we are so lucky to have such a wide spectrum of incredible ladies who could play this part, and any of the leads in Follies.

She’s on the OLC recording of Cats. She played Rumpleteazer and can be heard on Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, as well as other solo lines throughout the recording. (A distinctive voice, a bit shrill back then, more a ‘character’ singer but that was in the early 80s!) 

Bonnie Langford can sing - I remember being very surprised at her voice when she played Mabel in Broadway Pirates at Drury Lane (back in the day). She never quite lived down the child performer thing and it took her appearance on Dancing on Ice (I think?) to revive her musical career.

But agree with above posters she isn't right for Follies.

I would love if they could cast this show with all the West End Divas of the 80s and 90s

Sally: Maria Friedman / Joanna Riding / Kathryn Evans
Phyllis: Ruth Henshall / Rosemarie Ford (What Happened To Her?) / Caroline O'Connor / Hannah Waddingham
Carlotta: Patti Lupone / Elaine Paige
Heidi: Claire Moore / Sarah Brightman
Stella: Sonia Swaby / Bonnie Langford

Unfortunatly i don't know the show well enough however from when i saw it at the National felt it lacked a little something it wasn't all I wanted it to be however can't say i was fond of either Imelda or Janie. It could do with some of our 80s / 90s powerhouse performers maybe throw in Marti Webb / Clare Burt / Gay Soper into the mix

Would also be nice to see some great American performers over too Donna Murphy / Audra McDonald / Marin Mazzie etc

Not really related but Imelda is on Graham Norton tonight, she probably won't mention if she will be in Follies again but am very excited she will finally be on the sofa, let's hope none of that audience have brought food along.

Marin Mazzie sings one of the best Losing My Mind, it's a shame she never played the role on stage. Hopefully she will. Especially if her Phyllis is Donna Murphy, it would be a lovely Passion reunion. 

Feels right in this thread to acknowledge the passing of Jan Maxwell, who played Phyllis in the 2011 Broadway production opposite Bernadette. Very sad.

Why is everyone assuming the entire principal cast will be replaced? I'm sure most of them will revive their roles especially Tracie Bennett, Josephine Barstow etc. I'd imagine Janie Dee will reappear too especially if she wins a couple of trophies for her performance. The only questions really are Staunton (won't she be doing Gypsy on Broadway?) and Quast who said he's done with theatre... Unless I missed some press release about an entire cast change (?) I'm open to correction!

I see. Well hopefully most of them return (most especially Bennett because frankly I can't imagine anyone else doing that role within the framework of this particular production; she was perfection. The only person that may come close is someone like Sally Dexter, who actually bears a resemblance to the original Carlotta, Yvonne DeCarlo. I'd imagine she'd have a field day with I'm Still Here.) 

If there's no Quast I'm not interested. I saw him play Ben. If that was his last musical theatre role it left me very happy.