Sunset Boulevard (ENO)

Ooh that is a very good shout. He was the surprise stand-out from Beauty and the Beast for me.

While I love both actresses, I think this score demands a whole different level of singing. "Too much in love to care" is a very difficult composition to sing. 

I don't think I will be able to stand another one of those "speak/moan 4 words and hold the 5th with a shaky vibrato because that makes it so totally raw and real" again.

Les Mis was an action movie to me. One big fight of actors struggling with notes. They never reached the stage of acting. Especially not through song.

Kendrick was the first name I thought of as Betty. She's a big enough name for a movie like this - everyone seems to be dream-casting this on the assumption this is going to be the biggest, most high-profile movie musical ever made, when I don't think there's anything to suggest it will be anywhere near as high profile as Les Mis, for example.

If you assume they will pay the bucks for the biggest of names, then Streep and Stone might be a possibility. I suspect Close and Kendrick is much closer to the level they will actually get though.

oh my


...what were we talking about again?

I know many people are not fond of her, but I think Lea Michele would make a great Betty. She looks the part, she could pass for the naive, enthusiastic writer, she can play clever and confident, deliver jokes and witty and sharp lines, she has the right poise and can deliver the sincerity the part needs in my opinion. Wholesome, yet witty. But most of all I think she can play the interaction with Joe very well, with the balance between the flirting and the serious side and the dramatic scene with Norma too (on the phone) and she has a terrific singing voice, Betty's songs are not easy. I couldn't come up with better names at the moment (except for a few unknowns). And yes, she is a fairly well known tv name.

The actor playing Joe needs a certain kind of poise, feel as well, and while I agree they need at least someone of Luke Evan's singing calibre, I doubt he is the right type. Maybe Jeremy Jordan? Of the bigger names I don't think anyone can sing the part.

No Anne Hathaway!!!!!!!!!

I have listened to Jake's voice on YT. Nothing special. But at least he could play dissoute down on his luck. Not really a Luke Evans part. But its one thing for a 30 year age difference on stage and another with film. Unless they film the entire role through a filter.

Let's bear in mind Miss Schaefer is only supposed to be 22 - are we ageing her up with everyone else too?

Eh? She must be pushing 40.

A couple more more years and shed be in line for Norma! 

Having seen Jake Gyllenhall in Sunday in the Park with George, I think he would do an amazing job as Joe Gillis. But I'm wondering if they'd go back to the Australian Sunset alumn Hugh Jackman?

Indeed, at least  two of the people mentioned above,   have voices that  are shot. Glenn is fine, and its not as if she has to get it right first time. They need someone who can  sing and act it, and the voice has  to match the role being acted - so she's not meant  to sound nice, solid,  and 100% on the  note.

They may need a big male name as lead, but they would be dim to repeat the error of Les Mis,  and just have one person who could  sing their  role really well- Sam Barks just showed the rest up .  They  don't want the equivalent of someone twittering away as Cosette,  when we  have just seen the pretty much definitive version in the 02 concert, or a Javert who can't sing.

Siobhan and Fred Johanson are pretty much perfect in their roles. he's got a tone that can't be matched by any known actor, and Hollywood doesn't have sopranos that can  sing her role as well. He looks right, and if the requirement is for the Betty to look pretty , Siobhan looks damn pretty.  There's a close group atmosphere in all the videos of the  cast that suggest Glenn works well with people she knows and trusts, and there's also youtubes where she and Siobhan sing from the  show together      - must help having someone  who can sing the songs as well if not better to practice with. Siobhan is still in New York by her twitter,Michael seems to be  doing someting else on broadway, Fred is  currently home.

its going to come down to whether the dreaded,  and often dreadful, name casting wins, or Glenn asks for who she wants, or ALW insists on someone that can actually sing the notes, as well as play the roles.

The male lead isn't that difficult to sing -they could  pick any big film or Tv star who can sing it,  Its just a somewhat creepy role for a young star  to play,  bedding Glenn. And Glenn and an older lover,and older Betty wouldn't look good either. Betty,  though needs a top soprano to sing it, and Max has a very distinctive voice . I just don't think they have those loitering around Hollywood. They  need to write out 100 times, a musical  aint a normal  film.

I agree ALW hasn't always succeeded in picking the best casts for his major TV or film ventures  - as he seems ot be creating a viible legacy of his works . The Phantom 30th  DVD was better than  the film, but still not the best cast  available,  But he probably does want someone  who can  reach the  notes, and won't be lost with a big orchestra. There's also   plenty of scope for guest names in the minor roles -  like the  film producers.