Tuesday, February 8, 2011

CASTING: Anything Goes

My goodness, the talent that has trod the boards this season has been exceptional (even if the shows have not).  And the cast of Roundabout's Anything Goes revival is the perfect example: current Broadway stars, legendary Broadway stars, up and coming Broadway stars and Broadway debutantes make up this cast of 28, plus 2 swings.  This company makes this revival even more exciting!

The principal cast is made up of Sutton Foster (Tony-winner, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Drowsy Chaperone, Little Women, Shrek), theatre legend Joel Grey (Tony winner, Cabaret, George M!, The Grand Tour, Wicked), and relative newcomer Colin Donnell (Jersey Boys, national tours of Wicked and Mamma Mia!) as Reno Sweeney, Moonface Martin and Billy Crocker, respectively.


Foster, Grey and Donnell

The immediate supporting cast is equally distinguished: theatre legend John McMartin (5 time Tony nominee, and 2009 Theatre Hall of Fame Inductee: Into the Woods, Follies, Sweet Charity, Show Boat), stage and screen star Jessica Walter (Rumors, TV's Arrested Development), Broadway up and comer Laura Osnes (Grease, South Pacific, Bonnie and Clyde), London stage actor Adam Godley, and Broadway veteran and up and coming director, Jessica Stone (Grease! 1994, The Odd Couple).

Osnes, Walter and McMartin

Rounding out the supporting cast are: Walter Charles (41 years on Broadway, including Sweeney Todd, La Cage aux Folles, Me and My Girl, Cats), Robert Creighton (Chicago, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King), Andrew Cao (Broadway debut!), and Raymond J. Lee (Mamma Mia!).

The ensemble is equally accomplished.  It includes: Clyde Alves (Wicked, Hairspray), Ward Billeisen (Curtains, Fiddler on the Roof), Joyce Chittick (Cabaret, Grease, The Pajama Game), Nikki Renée Daniels (Promises, Promises, Lestat, Nine), Margot De La Barre (White Christmas, South Pacific), Daniel J. Edwards (Broadway debut!), Kimberly Fauré (Broadway debut!), Josh Franklin (Grease, Legally Blonde), Justin Greer (Shrek, Urban Cowboy, Seussical), Tari Kelly (national tour Little Shop of Horrors, The Boy from Oz), Shina Ann Morris (West Side Story), Linda Mugleston (Into the Woods, Young Frankenstein, Wonderful Town), Kevin Munhall (Broadway debut!), Adam Perry (Wicked, Promises, Promises), William Ryall (Grand Hotel, How to Succeed..., Amadeus), Jennifer Savelli (Guys and Dolls, The Boy from Oz), Anthony Wayne (Broadway debut!) and Kristen Beth Williams (Promises, Promises).

Given the material, the company, the creative staff and the producing theatre company, I sure have high hopes for this revival.  Still, I worry that we could have another Bye Bye Birdie on our hands, or that it simply won't measure up to the spectacular 1987 revival, equally star-filled and grandly produced by Lincoln Center.  I am confident, in the very least, that it will be a slick, nice to look at, highly professional production.  And there is always that fantastic Cole Porter score!


Are you looking forward to Anything Goes this spring?  Comments?  Leave it here, email me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com or Tweet me!
Jeff
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1 comment:

  1. I've never seen a professional production of this musical, so yes, I'm looking forward to it! Great cast!

    ReplyDelete

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