Unless the producers can get someone who's a genuine star name who's going to be able to carry the show AND sell tickets, it's totally a no brainer to hire Benko, who got all the word of mouth that Feldstein didn't, and who has already played many performances and would not require an extensive rehearsal period. Maybe they'll even give Benko a big star build up and turn her into the star headliner that Feldstein wasn't ever really able to become.
I just think Lea Michele was just too handicapped by how poorly her FUNNY GIRL storyline on GLEE was handled. Although, maybe that show is far enough in the rearview mirror that people don't remember it anymore.
Would Kazan, currently in her 80's, be up to a Broadway run? Would she be belivable as the mother of a 20 or 30-something?
I'm sure Kritzer would be great, but...she's no more a name than Benko. Actually, Benko has the advantage there because she's got the momentum of already having played it and gotten positive word of mouth.
O'Donnell is probably a good choice for the mother. She's roughly the right age, she's still a name, and she doesn't mind being a replacement. |
