Casting Coup Tuesdays: Follies!

Years ago, I heard Aaron Sorkin was writing a screen adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's Follies, to be directed by Sam Mendes. As I said, years ago. At the time, I'd never heard of the show. One of my friends called it the one with old people, so I was intrigued: as a fan of The Golden Girls, I felt that older was better,  and all too rare in entertainment. And yet, somehow...I never got around to knowing it. No CD, no libretto, nothing. I just didn't look for it.

It never left my mind, though. When I immersed myself once more in musical theatre during the summer, it went to the top of my list of things I needed to catch up on. Fortunately, my school's library had both the soundtrack and the libretto, so I was able to read along to the CD.

I loved it. The music was glorious, even if the book was bizarre. An old theatre is being torn down, and as it was once the site of the Weissman Follies, Weissman himself holds a farewell party for all the ex-showpeople. Chief among them are two couples, the Stones and the Plummers, filled with thirty years of regret and unrequited love. Throughout the night, while other stage vets reminisce with a song from the old days, the two couples dance, drink, fight, and carry on, all culminating in a recreation of a Follies show called Loveland. It's all very strange but beautiful. And since they already announced a movie version in the works, it didn't take much for me to think of one of my own...

Now, some things to know before you delve into this. I know everyone here is about ten years older than the characters in the play, but no one in the correct age range seemed right for these parts. Also, my source for songs and plot is the original libretto written by James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim. I understand that different versions have different songs or a different order, but I don't know those versions. Finally, because this is a show about the theatre, my usual awards rundowns on the actors includes Broadway honors; this is a one-time deal.

With that out of the way....

ROSCOE

Who is He: One of the old standbys of the Follies. Everybody knows him, everybody's worked with him. Even at his advanced age, he still has a beautiful voice.

Song: Beautiful Girls (2:25)

My Choice: Academy Award/Golden Globe Winner for Best Supporting Actor (Cabaret), Tony Award Winner Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Cabaret, Chicago), Drama Desk Nominee for Best Actor in a Musical (Goodtime Charley, The Grand Tour, Cabaret)

Joel Grey (Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, The Fantasticks)

At seventy-eight, he's two years shy of the character's age. And he is an old standby. More of a theatre star than a film one, but if you're going to start things out right, it's best to get an Oscar Winner. That's what I say. The man's still got it, too.

MAX DEEMS

Who is He: Husband of Stella Deems. They had a radio show after the Follies, but after an on-air outburst from Max, they quit and opened a store in Miami.

My Choice: Tony Award/Drama Desk Winner for Best Featured Actor in a Musical (The Producers)

Gary Beach (The Producers)

I can see him playing well opposite my Stella. He's a pleasure to watch, and I see him playing a pleasant fellow who tells it like it is. The only thing wrong with this casting is the lack of songs for Max. So there.


STELLA DEEMS
Who is She: Max's wife, who leads the other ladies in an energetic mirror dance.

Song: Who's That Woman



My Choice: Tony Award/Drama Desk Winner for Best Actress in a Musical (Evita, Gypsy), Drama Desk Winner for Best Actress in a Musical (Anything Goes)

Patti LuPone (Driving Miss Daisy, State and Main)
Stella's the youngest of the show-stoppers, so it's only right that we get that great not-old-yet grande dame of the stage, Patti LuPone! Her voice is just perfect for the song, too, and she'd sell it's comic moments.

SOLANGE LA FITTE
Who is She: Fabulous French chanteuse who now has a perfume for men...called "Solange", of course.

Song: Ah, Paris! (2:40)


My Choice: Tony Award/Drama Desk Winner for Best Actress in a Musical (The Rink, Kiss of the Spider Woman)

Chita Rivera (Sweet Charity, Chicago)
Totally should've played Liliane la Fleur, especially since they didn't even give Judi a chance to be un-Dench'd. Here, Chita gets to be fun and French once more, with those rrrrolling r's and sexy septuagarianty. Brief numbers need solid performers, and Chita is Solid with a capital S.


HEIDI SCHILLER
Who is She: German singer once known for her soprano. She was so popular, even Hungarian composer Franz Lehar wrote a song for her! She has my favorite number of the non-leads.


Song: One More Kiss



My Choice: Tony Award Winner for Best Featured Actress in a Musical (The Music Man) and Drama Desk Winner for Best One Person Show (Barbara Cook: A Concert for Theatre)

Barbara Cook (Thumbelina, TV's Hansel and Gretel)
Broadway star known for her lovely soprano. She can add a real sadness to this song; her "Losing My Mind" above is effective enough, isn't it?


HATTIE WALKER
Who is She: Five-time widow. Direct and funny, she also gets a signature tune of her own.

Song: Broadway Baby

My Choice: Tony Award Nominee for Best Actress in a Musical (Sail Away, Company), Best Actress in a Play (A Delicate Balance) and Best Featured Actress in a Play (Bus Stop), Drama Desk Winner for Best Featured Actress in a Play (A Delicate Balance), Best Solo Performance and Best Book of a Musical (Elaine Stritch at Liberty)

Elaine Stritch (September, Krippendorf's Tribe)
I mean, hello? Elaine Stritch is Broadway. It'd be nuts to do Follies without her.

THE WHITMANS

Who Are They: Emily and Theodore Whitman are an elderly couple that had a duo act in the Follies. Theirs is a sweet, treacly little tune, and they're a sweet little couple.

Song: Listen to the Rain on the Roof (1:05)

My Choice: She is a Tony Award Winner for Best Featured Actress in a Play (The Good Doctor, The Heiress) and Drama Desk Nominee for Best Featured Actress in a Play (Equus)

He is a Tony Award Winner for Best Actor in a Musical (La Cage aux Folles) and Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Sunset Boulevard) and a Drama Desk Winner for Best Actor in a Musical (La Cage aux Folles)

Frances Sternhagen (Misery, The Mist) & George Hearn (The Devil's Own, Barney's Great Adventure)
It'd be fun to see these two theatre stalwarts play off each other. It'd be short and sweet, but completely worth it. You'd get a sense of how long the Follies lasted and the talent it had.


DEMETRI WEISSMAN
Who is He: Why, he's the Weissman in Weissman's Follies, a cynical skirt-chaser who gets the gang back together for one last celebration of himself.

My Choice: Tony Award Winner for Best Actor in a Musical (The Rothschilds)

Hal Linden (Deathquake, Out to Sea)
Like Weissman, Linden is still strikingly handsome and remarkably spry at 79 years old. He has the sophistication required of the role, and he can do accents pretty well, too. This is a guy he probably knows all too well, too, having done theatre most of his life.


CARLOTTA CAMPION
Who is She: Star of the silver screen! She is a failed Follies girl; her one number was cut because it got too many laughs despite being a sad song. Carlotta "is the kind of woman who not only has seen everything but has liked the look of it". Still sexy thirty years later.

Songs: Who's That Woman, I'm Still Here


My Choice: Academy Award/BAFTA Award/Golden Globe Winner for Best Supporting Actress (Ghost), Golden Globe Winner for Best Actress in a Drama (The Color Purple), Tony Award/Drama Desk Winner for Best Musical (Thoroughly Modern Millie), Drama Desk Winner for Best One Person Show (Whoopi Goldberg)

(start 6:31)
Whoopi Goldberg (The Long Walk Home, Sister Act)
Carlotta needed to be sexy, funny, a little sad, and a STAR. And for this to work in a film, I wanted someone respected by fans of both the stage and screen. I flirted with the idea of Cher, or Bernadette, or Bette, but something didn't seem right. If Cher or Bette came along, it would be the Cher/Bette show; Bernadette, meanwhile, has been long forgotten by the casual filmgoer (not that this would be a movie for them anyway). No, I needed someone who was both an ensemble player and a legend. So I looked up the list of EGOT Winners, saw Whoopi's name right above Barbra and Liza and thought, "THAT'S IT!" I would kill to hear her sing "I'm Still Here". From Ted Danson to Frank Langella, Oscar to Razzie, comedienne to talk-show host, she's been through it all. And she's still here.


BUDDY PLUMMER
Who is He: A traveling salesman. He wasn't going to come, but he follows Sally when she catches a plane back to New York. Though he adores her, he's disappointed with their lives together, knowing that he's her silver medal. Buddy is also having an unhappy affair with a gal he met on the road, Margie.

Songs: Waiting for the Girls Upstairs, The Right Girl, Buddy's Blues


My Choice: Academy Award Winner for Best Supporting Actor/BAFTA Award Nominee for Best Actor (A Fish Called Wanda), Golden Globe Nominee for Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy (Soapdish, Dave, In & Out, De-Lovely), SAG Award Nominee for Best Actor (Life as a House), Tony Award/Drama Desk Winner for Best Actor in a Musical (The Pirates of Penzance) and Best Featured Actor in a Musical (On the Twentieth Century), Drama Desk Winner for Best Actor in a Play (Henry IV)

Kevin Kline (Sophie's Choice, A Prairie Home Companion)
I do think Kline and my choice for Ben could trade parts and still do a 100% effective job. I think I'd buy Kline's "The Right Girl" more, though. He's very effective at playing guilt. Man, I can't wait for that new Lawrence Kasdan film. I love Kevin Kline.


SALLY DURANT PLUMMER
Who is She: Former Follies showgirl, she was best friends with Phyllis. She also carried on an affair with Ben in the past. Now married to Buddy, Sally still believes she could have a future with her first love. In and out of mental clinics and alcoholic rehab centers, Sally is unhappy, choosing to live in a memory instead of the present. Gets the best overall solo, "Losing My Mind".

Songs: Don't Look at Me, Waiting for the Girls Upstairs, In Buddy's Eyes, Who's That Woman, Too Many Mornings, Losing My Mind


My Choice: Academy Award/Golden Globe Winner for Best Supporting Actress (Cactus Flower), BAFTA Award Nominee for Best Actress (There's a Girl in My Soup, Cactus Flower)

Goldie Hawn (The First Wives Club, Everyone Says I Love You)
Still beautiful and girlish. If you've seen Everyone Says I Love You, then you know Hawn can sell the hell out of a sad song without overplaying it. I wish she'd been nominated that year.


BENJAMIN STONE
Who is He: A successful author who roomed with Buddy when they were younger. He dated Phyllis, but when she wouldn't put out, he spent his nights with Sally. Benjamin is a bit self-absorbed, and throughout the night he considers running off with Sally, fights with wife Phyllis, and tries to bed Carlotta. He wonders what might have been, more in love with Young Sally than with Now Sally.

Songs: Don't Look at Me, Waiting for the Girls Upstairs, The Road You Didn't Take, Too Many Mornings, Live, Laugh, Love


My Choice: Golden Globe Nominee for Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy (Pennies from Heaven, All of Me, Roxanne, Parenthood, Father of the Bride: Part II), WGA Award Winner for Best Adapted Screenplay (Roxanne)

Steve Martin (The Jerk, It's Complicated)
Martin's a great singer, first off. Second, he's a phenomenal actor, whether he's playing an asshole, a nice guy, or someone in between. The man's incredible. It's a juicy role, this, and Martin has proven that when given a challenge, he meets it head-on. Handsome and sophisticated, he seems like he could be an author who dines with members of the U.N. He'd be the man.


PHYLLIS ROGERS STONE
Who is She: Formerly a shy showgirl, now a bitter housewife. Always biting and sarcastic, her marriage to Ben is a cold one, and she regrets marrying the only man she's slept with. Attractive and high-class, Phyllis's class is the result of hard work. She's perhaps the most perceptive of the group.

Songs: Waiting for the Girls Upstairs, Who's That Woman, Could I Leave You, The Story of Lucie and Jessie


My Choice: Academy Award Nominee for Best Actress (Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons) and Best Supporting Actress (The World According to Garp, The Big Chill, The Natural), BAFTA Award Nominee for Best Actress (Dangerous Liaisons), Golden Globe Nominee for Best Actress in a Drama or Musical/Comedy (Fatal Attraction, Maxie, 101 Dalmatians), Tony Award/Drama Desk Winner for Best Actress in a Musical (Sunset Boulevard), Tony Award Winner for Best Actress in a Play (The Real Thing, Death and the Maiden)

Glenn Close (Air Force One, Mars Attacks!)
She's got that high-class look, the singing chops, the stage experience, the wit, the pathos: she's got it all. Plus she'd get to share the screen with Kevin Kline once more, and that's always a plus. She'd nail the triumphant bitterness of "Could I Leave You" and the bitter wit of "The Story of Lucie and Jessie". It's a Glenn Close role, for Heaven's sake!

Casting Coup Tuesdays: Sunset Boulevard

I know it's been driving my girlfriend crazy, but ever since discovering it, Sunset Blvd. has been on repeat in my head. This ain't just the Billy Wilder film I'm talking about here, but the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical from the early 90s. Some people hate it, but then some people just plain hate ALW. I love him, and I love the musical (though I admit the titular song leaves much to be desired). As we speak, three songs from the soundtrack are among my iTunes' Top 25 Most Played -- Max's solo "The Greatest Star of All" at 13 times, the signature tune "With One Look" at 17 times, and Norma's triumphant Act Two solo "As If We Never Said Goodbye" at a whopping 27 times. I've watched YouTube clips of Glenn Close, Patti Lupone, Elaine Paige, and personal favorite Betty Buckley taking the stage as that great silent screen siren, Norma Desmond. I am, as they say, obsessed.

The movie version, of course, isn't far away from my mind...but how long must I wait? Since 2005, we've been hearing news that a film adaptation of the Tony-winning musical is in the works, but no movement has been made. In 2007, it was rumored that Meryl (of fucking course) was in contention for the lead, alongside Glenn Close (who won the Tony for this role) and Barbra Streisand. Naturally, whoever gets the role is probably a guaranteed an Oscar nom, so all the old divas are champing at the bit for this part. And surely, the role of Norma must be played by a STAR, a DIVA, a FACE.

But what of the others? What of cynical, handsome narrator Joe Gillis, the protagonist of the piece? What of ingenue Betty, a pretty girl with (gasp!) a brain? Or the mysterious Slavic manservant Max, fanatically devoted to Norma? What of the rest of the supporting cast? I've given it some thought, of course. I leave it to you to decide if I've made the right choice:

MANFRED

Who is He: The tailor Norma calls in to dress Joe on his birthday. A pompous, opportunistic guy.

Song:

The Lady's Payin'

My Choice: 

George Hearn (Flags of Our Fathers, The Pagemaster)

He won the Tony for originating the role of Max. This is the original George in La Cage aux Folles on Broadway, too, so he can bring out Manfred's showmanship. It'd be a fun cameo for everyone!


SHELDRAKE
Who is He: A studio executive who Joe tries to sell a screenplay to. It doesn't over so well. A scheming, cigar-chopping schmuck. He also is the one who wants Norma's car for a movie.

Song:

Let's Have Lunch (4:42 in)

Originally played by:

Fred Clark (Auntie Mame, Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine)

My Choice:

Barry Bostwick (The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Evening)
Bostwick has a thing now for playing those sleazy exec types. To see him singing with a cigar-chomping relish would be too delightful to pass up. Plus, it's a comic role that requires great timing, and Bostwick is a learned comic actor.


CECIL B. DEMILLE
Who is He: The man, the myth, the legend. Working on Samson and Delilah, he receives an on-set visit from old friend Norma Desmond, who hopes for a comeback with her favorite director. DeMille is not so keen on the idea, much as he loves her.

Songs:

Paramount Conversations, Surrender [Reprise] (3:00 in)

Originally played by: Academy Award Winner for Best Picture (The Greatest Show on Earth)

Cecil B. DeMille (Star Spangled Rhythm, The Ten Commandments)

My Choice: Academy Award Winner/Golden Globe Nominee for Best Actor [in a Drama] (American Beauty) and Best Supporting Actor (The Usual Suspects), BAFTA Award/SAG Award Winner for Best Actor (American Beauty), Golden Globe Nominee for Best Actor in a Drama (The Shipping News) and Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy (Swimming with Sharks), Indie Spirit Nominee for Best Actor (Swimming with Sharks), SAG Award Winner for Best Ensemble (American Beauty)

Kevin Spacey (Beyond the Sea, Moon)
With some makeup, why not? He's got a younger resemblance to the man, and he can sing. A cameo like this is in keeping with the effect the DeMille appearance gives anyway.


ARTIE GREEN
Who is He: An assistant director at Paramount. Artie is old friends with Joe, and is engaged to young writer Betty Schaefer. While the two work on a screenplay together, Artie is away on a set. He's a genuinely nice guy who hopes to marry Betty and raise a family with her. He hosts the New Year's Eve party that closes Act One.

Songs:

Let's Have Lunch, Every Movie's a Circus [Reprise], This Time Next Year (his part is at 1:16)

Originally played by:

Far R: Jack Webb (The Men, "Dragnet")

My Choice:

Jason Segel (Can't Hardly Wait, Knocked Up)
Well, I mean, he can sing pretty well. And look at him! I don't know of many actors that just proclaim Nice Guy the way Jason Segel does, while at the same looking old enough to know both Joe and the way the studio schmoozing works.


BETTY SCHAEFER
Who is She: A script girl who works for Sheldrake, she has dreams of becoming an actual screenwriter. She believes Joe is writing pieces that are below his abilities, and suggests a collaboration. The two work on a screenplay together, and eventually become more than just colleagues. She's a sweet girl, engaged to Artie, but surprised by her attraction to Joe. Don't worry, she's more than just an ingenue -- this dame's got spunk, and is willing to call crap crap.

Songs:

Let's Have Lunch, Every Movie's a Circus, Every Movie's a Circus [Reprise], Girl Meets Boy, This Time Next Year, Paramount Conversations, Girl Meets Boy [Reprise], Betty's Office at Paramount, Too Much in Love to Care, The Final Scene

Originally played by: Academy Award Nominee for Best Supporting Actress (Sunset Blvd.)

 Nancy Olson (The AbsentMinded Professor, Airport 1975)

My Choice: Academy Award/Golden Globe/Indie Spirit/SAG Award/Hollmann Award Nominee for Best Actress [in a Drama] (Rachel Getting Married), SAG Award Nominee for Best Ensemble (Brokeback Mountain)

Anne Hathaway (The Princess Diaries, Becoming Jane)
She's still young and wholesome-seeming enough to play Betty, but she's also smart and tough enough to play Betty. Because Betty is all things sexy and great. And she's a brunette, which means she doesn't seem slutty.


MAX
Who is He: Norma's devoted manservant/chauffeur, with a secret of his own. An awesome, sad secret. Best role.

Songs:

Greatest Star of All, Back at the House on Sunset, New Year's Eve, Paramount Conversations, New Ways to Dream [Reprise], The Final Scene

Originally played by: Academy Award/Golden Globe Nominee for Best Supporting Actor (Sunset Blvd.)

 Erich von Stroheim (The Grand Illusion, Alraune)

My Choice: Academy Award Winner for Best Supporting Actor (A Fish Called Wanda), BAFTA Award Nominee for Best Actor (A Fish Called Wanda), Golden Globe Nominee for Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy (Soapdish, Dave, In & Out, De-Lovely), SAG Award Nominee for Best Actor (Life as a House)

Kevin Kline (The Big Chill, French Kiss)
Of course, I don't expect Oscar to notice, since they already missed out on Soapdish and De-Lovely. Anyway. He can do accents, he can sing, and he can bring gravitas. I'd love to see him in this role, especially at the end.


JOE GILLIS
Who is He: The protagonist, who starts out shot to death in a swimming pool. He then narrates the circumstances that got him there: hack writer on the run from debt-collectors takes advantage of an aging actress...unaware that she brings her own special brand of crazy to the mix. He becomes a kept man, but starts to fall in love with his friend's fiancee, Betty. A cynic and opportunist.

Songs:

I Guess It Was 5 AM, Let's Have Lunch, Every Movie's a Circus, At the House on Sunset, Salome, Every Movie's a Circus [Reprise], Girl Meets Boy, Back at the House on Sunset, New Ways to Dream, Completion of the Script, The Lady's Paying, New Year's Eve, The Perfect Year, This Time Next Year, New Year's Eve [Back at the House on Sunset], Sunset Boulevard, Journey to Paramount, Paramount Conversations, Girl Meets Boy [Reprise], Who's Betty Schaefer?, Betty's Office at Paramount, Too Much in Love to Care, The Final Scene

Originally played by: Academy Award Winner for Best Actor (Stalag 17), BAFTA Award Nominee for Best Actor (Network) and Best Foreign Actor (Picnic)

William Holden (Executive Suite, The Towering Inferno)

My Choice: Academy Award/BAFTA Award/Indie Spirit/SAG Award Nominee for Best Actor (The Hurt Locker), Indie Spirit Nominee for Best Actor (Dahmer), SAG Award Nominee for Best Ensemble (The Hurt Locker)

Jeremy Renner (North Country, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford)
He's manly, he's young-looking, he can sing. He's also played complicated characters before, and can be mesmerizingly subtle in establishing whole character histories. What a great fucking actor.


NORMA DESMOND
Who is She: Siren of the silent cinema. Holed up in her mansion on Sunset Blvd., the lady's crazy, and has written a huge opus about 16-year-old Salome as a vehicle for herself...though she's over 50. Jealous and possessive, she keeps Joe for herself, employing him to help finish her screenplay...and falling crazy in love with him. Norma is a wealthy woman, and was even a great talent, but that can't buy you sanity. One of the most iconic screen characters in all of cinema history.

Songs:

Surrender (2:28), With One Look (5:43), Salome, New Ways to Dream, Completion of the Script, The Lady's Paying, The Perfect Year, New Year's Eve [Back at the House on Sunset], There's Been a Call [The Perfect Year - Reprise], Journey to Paramount, As If We Never Said Goodbye, Paramount Conversations, The Phone Call, The Final Scene

Originally played by: Academy Award Nominee for Best Actress (Sadie Thompson, The Trespasser, Sunset Blvd.), Golden Globe Winner for Best Actress in a Drama (Sunset Blvd.)

Gloria Swanson (Zaza, Father Takes a Wife)

My Choice: Academy Award/BAFTA Award/Golden Globe Winner for Best Actress [in a Musical/Comedy] (Cabaret)

Liza Minnelli (The Sterile Cuckoo, Sex and the City 2)
Yes, it absolutely needs to be a diva. And remember, people: Liza can frickin' act. Even on "Arrested Development", we could see that she'd lost none of her timing. Ten years too old? Fuck, just change the word "fifty" to "sixty". It's easy as that.