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Post by carouselkathy on Sept 14, 2017 14:31:06 GMT -5
Peck's accent was subtle.
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jo
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Post by jo on Sept 16, 2017 6:49:13 GMT -5
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Post by mamaleh on Sept 26, 2017 9:55:38 GMT -5
Hugh is nowhere associated with this now, but I can dream: Announced today, a musical version of PRETTY WOMAN is coming to Broadway with Samantha Barks (LES MIZ movie) and Steve Kazee (ONCE, 110 IN THE SHADE). I think the role of the rich guy who's ultimately "rescued" by his hired "date" would be great for HJ: he wouldn't have to shoulder all the burden of the show, and the character has shades of gray. www.playbill.com/article/samantha-barks-and-steve-kazee-to-star-in-broadway-bound-pretty-womanEllen |
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Post by hughmanity on Sept 26, 2017 19:22:37 GMT -5
Funny, I thought the same thing when I heard this announcement on the radio this morning...that Hugh would be perfect...but alas, reading this, it was only wishful thinking! Hugh is nowhere associated with this now, but I can dream: Announced today, a musical version of PRETTY WOMAN is coming to Broadway with Samantha Barks (LES MIZ movie) and Steve Kazee (ONCE, 110 IN THE SHADE). I think the role of the rich guy who's ultimately "rescued" by his hired "date" would be great for HJ: he wouldn't have to shoulder all the burden of the show, and the character has shades of gray. www.playbill.com/article/samantha-barks-and-steve-kazee-to-star-in-broadway-bound-pretty-womanEllen |
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Post by JH4HJ on Sept 27, 2017 0:17:20 GMT -5
Same thought here. Hugh would be dazzlingly charming in that sort of role.
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jo
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Post by jo on Sept 27, 2017 21:33:16 GMT -5
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Post by jo on Sept 27, 2017 21:35:55 GMT -5
At this point, I would really like to see Hugh in an intense drama on Broadway, so he can get his other TONY for that aspect of stage acting. Atticus Finch, please, especially after Aaron Sorkin has rewritten TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD for a stronger dramatic arc for the character!
Hugh is also especially good acting with kids!
Jo
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Post by carouselkathy on Sept 27, 2017 23:41:05 GMT -5
Exactly right, Jo!
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Post by jo on Sept 28, 2017 18:05:02 GMT -5
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Post by mamaleh on Oct 3, 2017 9:17:41 GMT -5
Isn't Bartlett Sher also slated to direct Lincoln Center's long-awaited revival of MY FAIR LADY next spring? I'd be hard pressed to choose between Atticus and Henry Higgins as an ideal role for Hugh. I'd love to see him as either iconic character. I hope Sher has HJ on his shortlist. Ellen Rumors are abounding today that Robert Downey, Jr. has been offered the Higgins role. Time will tell. I have mixed feelings on this. Was hoping for either of two Hughs (HJ or Laurie) or Colin Firth. Ellen |
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Post by jo on Oct 3, 2017 12:48:48 GMT -5
Sorry... but Downey, as speculated by Musto, seems all wrong for the part. He doesn't have the near-aristocratic English bearing for the role ( maybe I am biased for the iconic portrayal done by Rex Harrison, although I understand the stage role was first offered to Noel Coward). Can he do the proper English accent for the entire live performance, day in and day out? Professor Higgins is a phonetics teacher, if I remember right. He sings only 2 - maybe 3 songs in the play if I recall right...and speaks most of the time. It would be different if this is a film rather than a stage performance.
It has also been pointed out that RDJ is also slated to start filming Doctor Dolittle soon ( the role was played also by Rex Harrison -- was this what prompted the supposed offer for the role of Prof Higgins?). Also, the casting of Eliza is important to the casting of Higgins. There was a strong rumor that it will be played by an actress in her late-30's, Lauren Ambrose. I have not read the original Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw from which it was based -- but shouldn't the casting lean towards someone in her 20's? Julie Andrews was in her early 20's when she was cast in the original stage musical.
Is My Fair Lady something that would have a contemporary appeal? Not too sure about that...although it has Lerner and Lowe writing some beautiful, catchy music ( On the Street Where You Live sung by Freddy Eynsford-Hill, Rain in Spain, I've Grown Accustomed to Your Face, Wouldn't It Be Loverly, etc). It is unlike Hello Dolly whose current appeal in not surprising because the setting is early 20th century in northeastern America.
Jo
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Post by hu4601 on Oct 3, 2017 15:21:46 GMT -5
Sorry... but Downey, as speculated by Musto, seems all wrong for the part. He doesn't have the near-aristocratic English bearing for the role ( maybe I am biased for the iconic portrayal done by Rex Harrison, although I understand the stage role was first offered to Noel Coward). Can he do the proper English accent for the entire live performance, day in and day out? Professor Higgins is a phonetics teacher, if I remember right. He sings only 2 - maybe 3 songs in the play if I recall right...and speaks most of the time. It would be different if this is a film rather than a stage performance. It has also been pointed out that RDJ is also slated to start filming Doctor Dolittle soon ( the role was played also by Rex Harrison -- was this what prompted the supposed offer for the role of Prof Higgins?). Also, the casting of Eliza is important to the casting of Higgins. There was a strong rumor that it will be played by an actress in her late-30's, Lauren Ambrose. I have not read the original Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw from which it was based -- but shouldn't the casting lean towards someone in her 20's? Julie Andrews was in her early 20's when she was cast in the original stage musical. Is My Fair Lady something that would have a contemporary appeal? Not too sure about that...although it has Lerner and Lowe writing some beautiful, catchy music ( On the Street Where You Live sung by Freddy Eynsford-Hill, Rain in Spain, I've Grown Accustomed to Your Face, Wouldn't It Be Loverly, etc). It is unlike Hello Dolly whose current appeal in not surprising because the setting is early 20th century in northeastern America. Jo I seem to recall a non American playing the leading man,a quintessential American cowboy,in the award winning West End production of Oklahoma in the early nineties. His Aussie backgound didn't prevent him from being a more than credible Curly and winning an Olivier award for his efforts.(He also managed to play a Chicago cop successfully on the Broadway !! ) |
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Post by jo on Oct 3, 2017 16:54:37 GMT -5
On the other hand, Hugh Jackman is going to be fine! *First, he has the natural gift of looking very masculine and can have an aristocratic bearing ( SCOOP, Lord Cadlow in THE PRESTIGE, and M Le Maier Madeleine in LES MISERABLES). Must be partly because of his physicality ( looks and height) and how he carries himself. *English accent/culture -- he will be fine! He grew up in an English household ( according to Hugh himelf, because his Dad did not lose his original English upbringing when he moved to Australia) even if Hugh became more Australian than English. The Australian culture is heavily influenced by the country's British cultural background, hence he did his gap year in England ( where he was also supposed to have taught drama to his English students) and even dreamt of being in a subsidized UK national theatre! He ended up in the Royal National Theatre for OKLAHOMA!...and while he never played any role onstage with a show originated by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Hugh ended up playing the lead in a film adaptation of a RSC original musical ( called Les Miserables). His acknowledged mentor is British director Sir Trevor Nunn ( who directed him in Sunset Boulevard and Oklahoma! and who was artistic director for the RNT and the RSC in separate periods)... and he did play the role of Professor Higgins in his high school musical ( My Fair Lady)  His Mum lives in Norwich and his ties with things British continues. Btw, he does carry a second passport -- a UK passport ( according to him). He does or used to play cricket -- isn't that proof enough of his Britishness  Re the accents -- Jess Platt has guided him there most of the time. Many are amazed at how good his American accent is as Wolverine ( actually Canadian, but fans say he sounds American). Re Steady Rain -- er...some critics were not too happy with his lapses from the Italian-American Chicago accent that he is supposed to have put on. *Sadly, he did not win the Olivier for OKLAHOMA! He did get a nomination but lost out to Robert Lindsay ( Me and My Girl). Er... it was Robert Downey that I would not be comfortable with in the role of Prof Higgins  Although he has played another quintessential English character from literature -- Sherlock Holmes! But Professor Higgins was a professor of phonetics and led a very English life ( Ascot and all )...and the upcoming project is the stage revival of MY FAIR LADY, where he would be expected to put on a flawless English accent performance after performance, live! He is a good actor and can sing ( rather softly)...so I guess that is why he is also rumored for the part. He will be a box office draw for sure. Jo |
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Post by jo on Oct 5, 2017 6:27:27 GMT -5
According to a production info site -- Robert Downey Jr. is supposed to start filming THE VOYAGE OF DR. DOOLITTLE in February 2018 in the UK.
If MY FAIR LADY is supposed to open in the spring of 2018 on Broadway, it is unlikely that he can do the stage production. Shows have to open on Broadway sometime in early/mid-April to meet the TONY awards nomination requirements... and even revivals, especially for musicals, usually have a preview period, after usually a 2-month rehearsal period.
Unless they will wait for him until he completes the movie filming... in which case it will become an entry to the 2018/2019 season.
Jo
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Post by mamaleh on Oct 5, 2017 21:08:53 GMT -5
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Post by jo on Oct 5, 2017 21:52:40 GMT -5
Haddon-Paton is supposed to be something like 2 years younger than Ambrose. I guess his British background won him the role. Norbert Leo Butz could be the standout as Alfred Doolittle ... as Eliza's zany father and with two catchy songs " A Little Bit of Luck" and " Get Me To The Church On Time" . Ok -- so what's our next speculation for Hugh Jackman Jo |
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Post by carouselkathy on Oct 5, 2017 22:15:46 GMT -5
I'm still hoping for TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Hugh would be perfect for "Atticus".
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Post by jo on Oct 5, 2017 23:56:50 GMT -5
Yes, Oui, Si, Ja, Of course Jo |
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