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Post by erik24601 on Dec 2, 2024 12:39:20 GMT
Oh, do WE?! Well you'd be wrong. That's on you. I think she's a great entertainer, but not much of an actor. As many people are agreeing on here. And Billy Porter is, well, just Billy Porter. Oh I agree, she’s no actor. Twice I’ve seen her, once during a Waitress matinee where I put her lack of acting down to it being a matinee. Then I saw her in Hairspray on a Saturday night quite early in the run and it was the same. But that aside, the girl can SING. And I’m fascinated to see what she does with the role. I'd rather see a Sally that can act, than belt. |
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Post by lolaluffneggle on Dec 2, 2024 12:42:08 GMT
I can’t help but think with the way the production has been going over the last year or so that this was the opposite of what it needed
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Post by Being Alive on Dec 2, 2024 12:49:04 GMT
Oh I agree, she’s no actor. Twice I’ve seen her, once during a Waitress matinee where I put her lack of acting down to it being a matinee. Then I saw her in Hairspray on a Saturday night quite early in the run and it was the same. But that aside, the girl can SING. And I’m fascinated to see what she does with the role. I'd rather see a Sally that can act, than belt. If your Sally can't act, your production falls apart - this role is definitely more suited to an actor who can sing than a singer who can act - Marisha falls into the latter category for me... |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Dec 2, 2024 12:52:05 GMT
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Post by distantcousin on Dec 2, 2024 13:05:06 GMT
I think on paper it's quite exciting casting, but knowing the show, it feels all too apparent that Frecknall isn't interested in the show at all anymore. But then again, putting your narrator to the sidelines maybe confirmed that from the get-go. As in Clifford Bradshaw? (I still haven't seen this production, so unsure of what you mean) |
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Post by pineapple4you on Dec 2, 2024 13:37:04 GMT
It is really disappointing the reaction to this casting by some on this thread. To write off a cast before they've even started rehearsals.
Just because the casting doesn't conform to your preconceived idea of what the character should be/look like doesn't make it automatically bad. Equally, big swings in casting for a long running show is certainly keeping it interesting and us talking about the show. There will be a new cast after this if it's not to your taste.
My biggest question is whether she will using an British or American accent.
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Post by lolaluffneggle on Dec 2, 2024 13:43:30 GMT
It is really disappointing the reaction to this casting by some on this thread. To write off a cast before they've even started rehearsals. Just because the casting doesn't conform to your preconceived idea of what the character should be/look like doesn't make it automatically bad. Equally, big swings in casting for a long running show is certainly keeping it interesting and us talking about the show. There will be a new cast after this if it's not to your taste. My biggest question is whether she will using an British or American accent. It has absolutely nothing to do with what the character should be/look like… especially look like. It has everything to do with the track record of their previous work and how they may fit into these roles in terms of acting, singing etc. |
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Post by Matt on Dec 2, 2024 13:47:23 GMT
It is really disappointing the reaction to this casting by some on this thread. To write off a cast before they've even started rehearsals. Just because the casting doesn't conform to your preconceived idea of what the character should be/look like doesn't make it automatically bad. Equally, big swings in casting for a long running show is certainly keeping it interesting and us talking about the show. There will be a new cast after this if it's not to your taste. My biggest question is whether she will using an British or American accent. No one mentioned looks. |
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Post by aloysius on Dec 2, 2024 13:58:54 GMT
I'm genuinely baffled at the suggestion that Marisha Wallace can't act - I saw her first at the Young Vic in Oklahoma and she and Patrick Vaill were the best actors on stage. I thought she was mesmerising in Guys and Dolls - I saw at first preview and was awe-struck, though maybe I was just overwhelmed with the novelty of the staging. As for Billy Porter, never seen him on stage but thought he was very powerful in Pose. Probably not the most subtle actor out there but perfectly capable of bringing layers and emotional depth to the work. I've not seen Cabaret since the Redmayne/Buckley previews but I'll be returning for this cast.
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Post by erik24601 on Dec 2, 2024 13:59:51 GMT
It is really disappointing the reaction to this casting by some on this thread. To write off a cast before they've even started rehearsals. Just because the casting doesn't conform to your preconceived idea of what the character should be/look like doesn't make it automatically bad. Equally, big swings in casting for a long running show is certainly keeping it interesting and us talking about the show. There will be a new cast after this if it's not to your taste. My biggest question is whether she will using an British or American accent. It has absolutely nothing to do with what the character should be/look like… especially look like. It has everything to do with the track record of their previous work and how they may fit into these roles in terms of acting, singing etc. Exactly. You wouldn't cast Judi Dench in that role now, just because she would sell tickets. She would be as wildly inappropriate for the role as Marisha is, in my opinion, based on her career experience, which has all been about belting and less about acting, which IMO is what this role requires. And don't get me started on Billy Porter. At 55, isn't he one of the oldest performers to take on this role in this production? Talk about shoe-horning him in just 'coz'. That's not the production that the director originally created, so it all just seems extremely odd. |
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Post by ThereWillBeSun on Dec 2, 2024 14:28:54 GMT
I'm genuinely baffled at the suggestion that Marisha Wallace can't act - I saw her first at the Young Vic in Oklahoma and she and Patrick Vaill were the best actors on stage. I thought she was mesmerising in Guys and Dolls - I saw at first preview and was awe-struck, though maybe I was just overwhelmed with the novelty of the staging. As for Billy Porter, never seen him on stage but thought he was very powerful in Pose. Probably not the most subtle actor out there but perfectly capable of bringing layers and emotional depth to the work. I've not seen Cabaret since the Redmayne/Buckley previews but I'll be returning for this cast. I saw original cast, then Rebecca Taylor / Jake Shears. I would book to see Marisha as she’s always been phenomenal in everything I’ve seen her in. Genuinely so happy for her ❤️ |
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Post by max on Dec 2, 2024 14:40:35 GMT
It has absolutely nothing to do with what the character should be/look like… especially look like. It has everything to do with the track record of their previous work and how they may fit into these roles in terms of acting, singing etc. Exactly. You wouldn't cast Judi Dench in that role now, just because she would sell tickets. She would be as wildly inappropriate for the role as Marisha is, in my opinion, based on her career experience, which has all been about belting and less about acting, which IMO is what this role requires. And don't get me started on Billy Porter. At 55, isn't he one of the oldest performers to take on this role in this production? Talk about shoe-horning him in just 'coz'. That's not the production that the director originally created, so it all just seems extremely odd. The original MC, Joel Grey, last played the role in the 1987 Broadway revival - he was 55 at the time. So Billy Porter probably would join him as one of the oldest performers in that role - but what a person to join. Is the role age-specific? A lascivious commentator appearing to enjoy both the death spiral and the party on the way to it is ageless. Judi Dench returning to the role, could be made appropriate, 'an old soul' etc. But yes, that's more than a stretch! Less of a stretch is the idea Marisha Wallace might be aware she's known as a belting diva, and would love to show something different. I thought she was great in 'Oklahoma!' (the standout alongside Patrick Vaill, as another poster has said); I'd like to see her in this. |
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Post by erik24601 on Dec 2, 2024 15:20:25 GMT
Exactly. You wouldn't cast Judi Dench in that role now, just because she would sell tickets. She would be as wildly inappropriate for the role as Marisha is, in my opinion, based on her career experience, which has all been about belting and less about acting, which IMO is what this role requires. And don't get me started on Billy Porter. At 55, isn't he one of the oldest performers to take on this role in this production? Talk about shoe-horning him in just 'coz'. That's not the production that the director originally created, so it all just seems extremely odd. The original MC, Joel Grey, last played the role in the 1987 Broadway revival - he was 55 at the time. So Billy Porter probably would join him as one of the oldest performers in that role - but what a person to join. Is the role age-specific? A lascivious commentator appearing to enjoy both the death spiral and the party on the way to it is ageless. Judi Dench returning to the role, could be made appropriate, 'an old soul' etc. But yes, that's more than a stretch! Less of a stretch is the idea Marisha Wallace might be aware she's known as a belting diva, and would love to show something different. I thought she was great in 'Oklahoma!' (the standout alongside Patrick Vaill, as another poster has said); I'd like to see her in this. My point about Billy's age was referring to THIS production though. The director chose the original cast members for this production and cast everyone around them based on that. |
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Post by distantcousin on Dec 2, 2024 15:37:37 GMT
It has absolutely nothing to do with what the character should be/look like… especially look like. It has everything to do with the track record of their previous work and how they may fit into these roles in terms of acting, singing etc. Exactly. You wouldn't cast Judi Dench in that role now, just because she would sell tickets. She would be as wildly inappropriate for the role as Marisha is, in my opinion, based on her career experience, which has all been about belting and less about acting, which IMO is what this role requires. And don't get me started on Billy Porter. At 55, isn't he one of the oldest performers to take on this role in this production? Talk about shoe-horning him in just 'coz'. That's not the production that the director originally created, so it all just seems extremely odd. Didn't Joel Grey do it again in the 1987 Broadway revival? Not sure of his age then. |
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Post by erik24601 on Dec 2, 2024 15:46:02 GMT
Exactly. You wouldn't cast Judi Dench in that role now, just because she would sell tickets. She would be as wildly inappropriate for the role as Marisha is, in my opinion, based on her career experience, which has all been about belting and less about acting, which IMO is what this role requires. And don't get me started on Billy Porter. At 55, isn't he one of the oldest performers to take on this role in this production? Talk about shoe-horning him in just 'coz'. That's not the production that the director originally created, so it all just seems extremely odd. Didn't Joel Grey do it again in the 1987 Broadway revival? Not sure of his age then. Still not relevant to THIS production though  |
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Post by budd on Dec 2, 2024 16:53:22 GMT
The Emcee is a lot more athletic in this production. Much more dancing involved. And I'm not sure Joel's production even had as many songs. I know that added in I Don't Care Much for the 87 revival, but did they have Money? Think that may have been a Mendes addition.
But look, even if Billy is in prime health, I do not want to watch him act this, especially the second act.
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Post by kpop on Dec 2, 2024 18:10:46 GMT
There is nothing that specifies the age for the Emcee. he's a timeless character and can be played so many different ways. That's why it's an iconic & amazing role, I'd like to see him 70 and 18. IMHO, I personally like seeing older gay men play the role rather that than some straight man or netflix kid.
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Post by erik24601 on Dec 3, 2024 9:25:47 GMT
There is nothing that specifies the age for the Emcee. he's a timeless character and can be played so many different ways. That's why it's an iconic & amazing role, I'd like to see him 70 and 18. IMHO, I personally like seeing older gay men play the role rather that than some straight man or netflix kid. You’re all very much missing my point. Anyway, clearly Rebecca Frecknall has agreed to this re-casting choice so perhaps that point is null and void anyway. |
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Post by cornish on Dec 3, 2024 10:12:50 GMT
The Emcee is a lot more athletic in this production. Much more dancing involved. And I'm not sure Joel's production even had as many songs. I know that added in I Don't Care Much for the 87 revival, but did they have Money? Think that may have been a Mendes addition. But look, even if Billy is in prime health, I do not want to watch him act this, especially the second act. That’s easily solved - don’t go 🤷🏽♂️ |
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Post by Being Alive on Dec 3, 2024 11:15:40 GMT
There is nothing that specifies the age for the Emcee. he's a timeless character and can be played so many different ways. That's why it's an iconic & amazing role, I'd like to see him 70 and 18. IMHO, I personally like seeing older gay men play the role rather that than some straight man or netflix kid. You’re all very much missing my point. Anyway, clearly Rebecca Frecknall has agreed to this re-casting choice so perhaps that point is null and void anyway. Id argue this casting shows Frecknall has little to nothing to do with this production anymore... |
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Post by midge on Dec 3, 2024 11:19:30 GMT
You’re all very much missing my point. Anyway, clearly Rebecca Frecknall has agreed to this re-casting choice so perhaps that point is null and void anyway. Id argue this casting shows Frecknall has little to nothing to do with this production anymore... 100%. I'd be very intrigued to know which stars she'd say/has said no to. |
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Post by ceebee on Dec 3, 2024 11:26:40 GMT
Is this the same Olivier award nominated Marisha Wallace?
Thought so.
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Post by erik24601 on Dec 3, 2024 11:55:51 GMT
Is this the same Olivier award nominated Marisha Wallace? Thought so. For a VERY different role. |
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Post by erik24601 on Dec 3, 2024 11:56:23 GMT
You’re all very much missing my point. Anyway, clearly Rebecca Frecknall has agreed to this re-casting choice so perhaps that point is null and void anyway. Id argue this casting shows Frecknall has little to nothing to do with this production anymore... I was looking on the positive side of things but yes, I'd be intrigued. It certainly doesn't reflect the original casting of this production. |
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Post by cornish on Dec 3, 2024 11:57:29 GMT
Is this the same Olivier award nominated Marisha Wallace? Thought so. For a VERY different role. It’s called acting. I once saw Tom Hanks in a film play a soldier. Another time I saw him as a simpleton |
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