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THEATER TALK: Casting Chaos!

Katie Buenneke |
November 1, 2011 | 5:17 p.m. PDT

Theater Editor

 

In the past few days, a plethora of casting news has been released.

Eddie Redmayne, who is starring in the upcoming "My Week With Marilyn," will be playing Marius in the upcoming movie adaptation of "Les Miserables," alongside the aforementioned Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman. Redmayne has a considerable background in stage work, and he won the Tony for Best Featured Actor in a Play in 2010 for his work in "Red" alongside Alfred Molina. However, his singing chops are as-yet unproven in the mainstream media. It would seem that he did some singing in his college years at Eton, though. (He can be heard as the soloist on this version of "Ave Maria"). His voice is pleasant, so hopefully he will bring some charm and personality to Marius and "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables."

John Larroquette will be leaving "How to Succeed in Business" along with Daniel Radcliffe on Jan. 1. He will then appear alongside Candice Bergen, Angela Lansbury, Michael McKean and James Earl Jones in the spring revival of "The Best Man," by Gore Vidal. The play is about about a presidential campaign, and Larroquette, who won a Tony for his role as J. B. Biggley in "How to Succeed…" will portray one of the candidates. Jones (a two-time Tony winner) will be the departing president, and five-time Tony winner Lansbury will be an influential Washingtonienne.

Beau Bridges ("The Fabulous Baker Boys," "Stargate") will be replacing Larroquette in "How to Succeed..." on Jan. 3, joining Darren Criss, and, later, Nick Jonas. Larroquette's success in the role was greatly due to his ability to riff on jokes, so hopefully Bridges will be able to bring some comedic gold to the role.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, whose new musical "Bring It On" will premiere its national tour at the Ahmanson next week, will be joining the City Center Encores! production of "Merrily We Roll Along" in February. "Merrily" is one of Stephen Sondheim's lesser-known works, but the score features some truly great songs, such as the title song, "Not A Day Goes By," "Opening Doors," and "Old Friends," among others.

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