Casting Coup: Anything Goes

*This was only the third one within a four-month span, so I don't know why I call it a monthly or bi-weekly feature. I guess by this time, I knew what was going to happen. This is also the first musical to be cast. New pics have been used, since the hot-linking habit did not serve me well. Also, I did this play the summer before this post, so there's a lot of references to people involved in that production.*

So, now we come to my monthly casting session. Maybe it's bi-weekly. I really don't know. Today, we have a look at the Cole Porter classic, Anything Goes.

First is the cameo role, Reverend Henry Dobson.



Played here by Richard Briers. Briers has played a priest seventy-five times, and is a regular in Branagh's Shakespeare films. When not doing supporting roles for Branagh, he does cameos in other films.

Then, of course, there's the purser, originally played by Jason Haft.



Now played by Seth Meyers (American Dreamz, Saturday Night Live). He's tall, skinny, wiry, great at physical humor and facial expressions. In fact, he's the perfect complement to the captain:



That's right. Jon "not the one we know" Lovitz! A short, tubby guy with fantastic comic timing would work great with a tall, skinny guy with fantastic comic timing.
Songs for these two include: Group numbers.

THE SUPPORTING CAST

IRMA
Sings: Buddie Beware, Group Numbers



My choice: Amy Spanger (Reefer Madnes: The Movie Musical, The Wedding Singer: Original Broadway cast). This may be typecasting, but we know she can play the part. And also, she's got the voice. And also, she's hot. So there.

ELISHA WHITNEY
Sings: The Crew Song, Group Numbers



My choice: Academy Award Nominee Elliott Gould (Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, The Ocean Movies). This kind of role is a walk in the park for Gould. Can he sing? Probably not, but if you know the show, you know this doesn't require much.

EVANGELINE HARCOURT
Sings: Group Numbers



My choice: Duh. Rue McClanahan (The Golden Girls, Out to Sea)! Even the costume notes say "Golden Girls". So there.

THE LEADS

LORD EVELYN OAKLEIGH
Sings: The Gypsy in Me, Finale, Group Numbers



My choice: Ewan McGregor (Down with Love, Trainspotting). Oh my God, think about Ewan singing about how can't wait to get the stage all set so he can let the gypsy in him yet. Cue swoons.

MOONFACE MARTIN
Sings: Be Like the Bluebird, Friendship, Group Numbers



My choice: Academy Award Winner Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote, Boogie Nights). Of course he can sing. Haven't you seen his Jesus Christ Superstar in Along Came Polly?

HOPE HARCOURT
Sings: Goodbye Little Dream Goodbye, It's De-Lovely, Finale, Group Numbers



My choice: Academy Award Winner Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line, Rendition). She has a beautiful voice, and she shits doves. Besides, if Raye can't play it, Reese would be second-best.

BILLY CROCKER
Sings: You're the Top, All Through the Night, It's De-Lovely, Finale, Group Numbers



My choice: Christian Campbell (Reefer Madness). Yeah, he's got that charming, boy-next-door quality that's perfect. Yeah, he's got the voice for it. Yeah, he's perfect.

And finally, the moment you've all been waiting for.......

RENO SWEENEY
Sings: I Get a Kick Out of You, You're the Top, Friendship, Anything Goes, Blow Gabriel Blow, Finale, evry other song in the show



My choice: Academy Award Nominee Toni Collette (The Sixth Sense, Little Miss Sunshine). She's hot, she's brassy, she's ballsy, she's that perfect combination of tough-as-nails and sex kitten that Reno needs. And she has a beautiful voice.

Comments? Disagreements? Satisfaction?