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Post by sph on Feb 4, 2022 1:14:43 GMT
Yes, especially given that Bonnie is younger than Megan Mullally who this revival was supposed to be for anyway!
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Post by inthenose on Feb 4, 2022 6:19:22 GMT
I like Kerry Ellis, don't get me wrong. She isn't one of my favourites but she is a solid hand in the right parts. Everything is telling me this is not the right part!
It is so far removed from everything she's ever done - has she even tap danced in a professional show before? Let alone carry an iconic musical comedy part?
Got to say, I'm pretty underwhelmed by that cast but I'll be going anyway - she might yet surprise us all.
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Post by inthenose on Feb 4, 2022 6:22:22 GMT
Don’t think any of Kerry’s previous roles have really had dancing at all, and she hasn’t really done comedy either. I’m happy for her getting another leading role seeing as she hasn’t had one for a while but I’m not sure if this is the right one. Her strength in Wicked was mainly her vocals I believe rather than her acting (correct me if I’m wrong, I never saw her, just going off what other board members and theatre fans have said). This is a part for a triple threat and Kerry’s strength is really her killer voice. You also have a triple threat who’s well known by a lot of the general public right there but you cast her as Evangeline?! Ok. I agree with Burly that Bonnie will be wasted in this part and it’s almost an insult to someone of her talent and calibre having this role. I liked Kerry in Wicked - but she replaced Idina which was a hard act to follow. I also saw Cassidy Janson in the original cast and preferred her too. The thing is with Kerry Ellis is she's very vocally secure, but I found her acting quite wooden. She didn't get the laughs the times I saw her - but then she'll absolutely nail something like "I'm Not That Girl". Dare I say, at times she lacks "theatricality". Just my opinion. |
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Post by alece10 on Feb 4, 2022 9:10:51 GMT
A lot of us have been saying for a while that Bonnie would make a great Reno so disappointed at the casting.
She is going to be standing in the wings every night thinking that she could do better. Only joking as Bonnie is a real pro.
Not sure I will go again.
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Post by TallPaul on Feb 4, 2022 9:18:41 GMT
It could be like 42nd Street in real life...except Kerry will be Dorothy and Bonnie will be Peggy. "She pushed me."
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 4, 2022 9:21:08 GMT
There’s time yet for Kerry to do a Meghan, realise she can’t do the dancing and bow out with an “injury”. Bonnie smoothly steps in to take over the role and kills it.
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Post by ladidah on Feb 4, 2022 9:22:31 GMT
Not a great role for someone as talented as Bonnie.
When I watched the previous cast, Mrs Harcourt sobs through 90% of her lines.
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Post by ABr on Feb 4, 2022 9:40:34 GMT
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Post by craig on Feb 4, 2022 9:57:36 GMT
Nicole Lily Baisden back too... Sheesh...
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Post by ladidah on Feb 4, 2022 9:59:19 GMT
That's interesting as I found her the weakest singer.
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Post by alece10 on Feb 4, 2022 10:01:38 GMT
Just looking at a FB post about this and I just said that I would have preferred Bonnie as Reno and someone has replied that Bonnie can't even sing!! I will not rise to the challenge as looks like the post is full of Kerry fans and I'll be slaughtered.
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Post by danb on Feb 4, 2022 10:42:21 GMT
There’s time yet for Kerry to do a Meghan, realise she can’t do the dancing and bow out with an “injury”. Bonnie smoothly steps in to take over the role and kills it. Now, how do we make this happen. |
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Post by Jan on Feb 4, 2022 10:49:00 GMT
Denis Lawson. Not sure. Not obvious casting for that role. Last saw him on stage in Mr Cinders (1983).
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Post by ceebee on Feb 4, 2022 11:02:39 GMT
I'm very happy with this cast across the board and can't wait to see them. I think Kerry Ellis will excel as Reno.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Feb 4, 2022 11:33:46 GMT
Nicole Lily Baisden back too... Sheesh... I suspect they had to offer it to all of the original cast first- so that explains that. It’s a shame as she really was the weak link. Could have done without Samuel Edwards too. Denis Lawson will be wonderful I think, and I’m very intrigued to see if Kerry can be funny, charismatic and dance the role. I suspect that some Of it will be reworked for her |
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Post by edelweiss on Feb 4, 2022 11:34:54 GMT
Very excited that Carly Mercedes Dyer is returning - she was fantastic in the 2021 run!
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Post by Being Alive on Feb 4, 2022 12:07:53 GMT
Kerry will certainly be able to belt the numbers, and whilst it might not look as effortless as Sutton or earthy as Rachel, but I think she'll make it work. She can dance!
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Post by anthony40 on Feb 4, 2022 12:45:36 GMT
I was very suprised to see Simon Callow joining the cast.
Not a name that I would immediately associate with such a musical.
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Post by Being Alive on Feb 4, 2022 12:47:50 GMT
I was very suprised to see Simon Callow joining the cast. Not a name that I would immediately associate with such a musical. Nor is Felicity Kendal but she was a hoot! |
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Post by ruthieh on Feb 4, 2022 13:09:43 GMT
When I first saw the photo last night I for a split second thought they cast Sir Ian McKellan! It was late, and I had had a fall whilst walking the dog…that’s my excuse!
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Post by Phantom of London on Feb 4, 2022 13:28:23 GMT
Let’s suspend our disbelieve and see what happens, we were lucky enough to have Anything Goes last year, which was the show that lifted us out of gloom and reminded us why we love theatre. It is a a win to have it back, it is not clogging up a mainstream theatre.
Denis Lawson was very good in La Cage Aux Follies.
Simon Callow did The Woman in White 17 years ago, I don’t think I’ve seen him on stage since.
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Post by Jan on Feb 4, 2022 14:50:08 GMT
Simon Callow did The Woman in White 17 years ago, I don’t think I’ve seen him on stage since. He was in that hopeless RSC musical version of Merry Wives too around that time. I think he’ll be fine in this. |
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Post by actorsinger on Feb 4, 2022 15:07:50 GMT
Kerry Ellis trained at Laines. A college with a strong emphasis on dance in musical theatre, renowned for producing incredible dancers. I think she’ll be ok.
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Post by inthenose on Feb 4, 2022 15:11:53 GMT
Kerry Ellis trained at Laines. A college with a strong emphasis on dance in musical theatre, renowned for producing incredible dancers. I think she’ll be ok. I've worked with several Laine grads who can't dance well... |
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Post by crabtree on Feb 4, 2022 16:03:12 GMT
And it looks like very short stops at each city. will we ge the full works or a pared down version?
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