I cannot fathom Rudin opting for a Susan Lucci. Per my points above, she is not remotely in the Rudin "event" equation for this production. And Lucci, merely passable in summer stock terms in that particular "Annie Get Your Gun," (I saw it) couldn't deliver the sort of performance Peters gives in Dolly. Neither the high comedy nor vocal demands are a good match. While we're on Lucci in musical theater: she would be fine in something like "Woman of the Year," (perhaps better than fine). But the period trappings and classical old school elements of "Dolly" are not a sensibilities match. She lacks the gravitas.
I believe Buckley is a strange choice for the road, but at least she tracks with the casting of this production. An event star, and then musical theater royalty. Hard to believe that Rudin would suddenly fill the role with TV personalities or the like. |
