The Broadway Season I’d Like To See
by Larry O'Connor
The horrifying news that Susan Sarandon will make her Broadway debut this Spring (because Broadway isn’t left ENOUGH?) has gotten me to thinking… Instead of Ms. Sarandon, and Rosie O’Donnell and Alec Baldwin & Jessica Lange (in the SAME play, no less) why can’t a Broadway season contain actors who are not so excruciatingly annoying? I’m not even saying actors who are center/right in their politics — but how about actors who just focus on acting and, when off-camera, acting with class?
Here’s my wish-list for that season, in a perfect world…
Tom Selleck in The Man Who Came to Dinner – He has an easy dignity, wit and poise perfect for the character of Sheridan Whiteside.
Kelsey Grammer in A Man For All Seasons – That voice, saying those lines…. wow!
Patricia Heaton in Gypsy - Few actress are able to capture Mama Rose’s relentlessness and sarcastic wit and still make her likable. Heaton has the magic to do it.
Gary Sinise in Mister Roberts – He’s already done a Henry Fonda role on Broadway, and the publicity still of him in uniform would sell-out the entire run.
Bruce Willis in On The Water Front – He has the raw intensity of Brando and he’s such a big personality the audience will watch his every twitch.
Robert Duvall in King Lear – ’nuff said.
And one more… I don’t think this guy’s center/right and I don’t know whether he’s ever voted for a Republican, but, Tom Hanks is our generation’s finest actor and the fact that he is so inoffensive about whatever his politics might be makes him a stand-out even if he is on the left side of the scale. Also, I have always dreamed of him playing THIS part:
Tom Hanks in Harvey (Hanks is OUR Jimmy Stewart and he needs to be on stage like RIGHT NOW!)
If you think of some more, or some better roles for the actors and actress I listed, please put them in the comments….
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50 Comments
TEHSTUPID: Is there anyone so aptly named?
Robert Duvall in anything would be season enough for me, but that’s quite a dream team you have there.
Duvall would be great as Lear.
I’m having a harder time seeing Selleck as Sheridan Whiteside. (And who would play the Bette Davis role?)
Finally, while I think Hanks would do well as Elwood P. Dowd, I can’t see any compelling reason to redo “Harvey”, when we have Jimmy Stewart’s performance on film.
Susan Sarandon in a play is “horrifying”? I don’t agree with all of her politics, but she is a very talented actress and I don’t recall ever seeing her stop in the middle of a performance to make a political point. The actors you list are all talented and successful. What does the way they vote have to do with anything?
I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who’s wanted to see Hanks do Harvey, either on stage, or film.
Excellent recommendations. I would LOVE to see Kelsey Grammer in just about anything, though. The best part of American Carol was hoe prominently he was featured.
ALWSDAD
I don’t disagree that the way actors vote should have nothing to do with how they perform on stage, but it seems to me that the majority of them (read: those that are liberal) deem it necessary to shove their political philosophies every chance they get when not on stage. Although, some go as far as to do it while they are on stage as well…mostly concert venues. I don’t really want to know what their polictical views are, just get on the screen and do your job. After I fix someone’s email server, I don’t delve into a full blown conversation on how poorly the Clinton administration failed on numerous points. Of course I don’t have a camera infront of me either…maybe the frequency at which camera strobes occillate activate the polical nerve center in the brain.
Tom Hanks has always been on the top of my actors list for the very reason he keeps his opinions to himself when asked and is an extrodinary actor and humanitarian. On and off screen.
SNARLINGCUR – doesn’t matter anymore. The whole point of this lame blog is for conservatives to cultivate their pathetic memes in which they are persecuted. It is an attempt to destroy Hollywood as an institution as they have done to so many other American institutions: politicize everything and everyone while whining endlessly about bias until huge numbers of malleable conservatives become convinced beyond the point of ever being swayed again by reality. They lose all faith in the institution, rendering it impotent.
The byproduct of this of course is hilarity – the “tough” guys who want to kill, main, bomb, torture and humiliate their enemies run around like quilt-knitting Marys, crying and bellyaching how unfair life is because the liberals control some stuff.
The Hollywood conservative “blacklist” is as phony and invented as the “War on Christmas”.
Stop it, StageRight, you’re making me drool! (My mom doesn’t like New York very much, but if Duvall and Selleck were both onstage, wild horses couldn’t drag her away.
)
TEHSTUPID
Your rant is hilarious and simply more proof that liberalism is a mental disorder.
Now, retrieve to ‘your’ blogs and get back to trying to figure out who the ‘real’ mother of Palin’s son is.
I would like to see a Broadway show called The Impeachment of Bill Clinton.
Politically she may be a nincompoop, but Sarandon’s a good actress, and sexy, too. I would have liked her to have appeared as Mrs. Robinson in the Broadway-play version of THE GRADUATE, in which Mrs. R. (originally played by Kathleeen Turner when her body was good, and later by the voluptuous Lorraine Bracco) appears nude right on stage. I have a feeling that by this time Ms. Sarandon’s “charms” may be somewhat saggy, but I wouldn’t mind visual confirmation.
TEHSTUPID,
Did you even read what SNARLINGCUR posted?
Or is this just a cut-and-paste rant that you were sanctioned to post at every conservative blog you come across.
Do you get paid for this?
After all, President Barry did promise to create 87 million jobs (or some such nonsense).
All fair points about Susan Sarandon as an actress… and my description of her Broadway debut as “horrifying” was meant more in sympathy for those on the crew and on the production teams having to deal with her… I suppose I was imagining myself in their place and having to bite my tongue at any given moment…
But let me be clear: My opinion is based less on an actor or actress’ ability to act and more at how annoying they have become due to their off-screen/off-stage rants. Some actors, like Ms. Sarandon, have become so shrill and unappealing that I admit to a built-in bias whenever I see them appear.
Some are so good that they win me over… example: Alec Baldwin’s turn on “30 Rock” continues to entertain me and, I think he is starting to calm down a bit off-screen too, coincidence?
Ummm, you could have seen an unbelievable actress play Mama Rose in Gypsy last week. Her name is Patti LuPone and she’s ten million times better than Patricia Heaton.
Pssst: I just want to see her in the costumes… shhhhhhh.. – SR
I SHOULD be paid to school your morono-fascist behinds bc I am the fcking champ at it.
Stage Right, why do you think that the crew and production teams would have to fear working with Susan Sarandon? She has never had a reputation as being disruptive on movie sets or needlessly combative with the crew. I think the worst quality of this blog is that it is fostering the belief that if a person disagrees with what they perceive to be the politics of an actor, then it must mean that the actor is a bad person.
Madelyn, the only people still talking about Palin’s son on blogs are right wingers who are repeating the lie that left wing blogs are somehow fixated on this topic. We’re not. We never believed it. Andrew Sullivan isn’t a left winger by the way. Bitch at him.
I would also caution you guys about using the phrase “shoving their beliefs in my face” so reflexively. The majority of politically active actors really aren’t as shrill and “in your face” as you perceive them to be. And if they have points of view you disagree with, so freaking what? It’s a free country, no? However, during the civil rights days, racist Southerners ALSO accused politically active actors of “shoving their beliefs in their faces” about segregation.
The persecution complex on this board is astounding and really not very persuasive.
I would agree with Tom Hanks in the Jimmy Stewart role in Harvey, but I think Gary Sinese would make a GREAT Mr. Smith. He has that quiet intensity that would make him a great pick. And I hope Mr. Hanks discovers this site, because I agree that he is one of the most gifted actors to come out of Hollywood in a generation. He can (and has!) played every type of role, and they all are believable characters. And even if his politics were liberal, I can’t see him insulting anyone else with with his political viewpoint.
Oh, and regarding Tehstupid – This is a troll, probably high school age (at least mentally) who surfs conservative blog sites and spews any vitriolic hatred that comes into his head. In fact, the first post was word for word something that he posted at Towhall.com. I have little tolerance for ignorant, immature people, so I don’t even acknowledge posters who spew hate without facts to back it up.
What would Heaton’s costumes look like?
TEHSTUPID: Noun, One who resorts to using [purposely] misspelled cuss words as filler in rants, due to a lack of other appropriate vocabulary to correctly convey ideas.
Has nothing to do with being from either political party, just a sign of angry due to being not very smart; and knowing it.
And with that I leave one of my favorite quotes…
“Please speak loudly and clearly when you say stupid things. It makes it easier for the rest of us to identify you, and then; walk around you.”
TEHSTUPID: Thanks for loudly exemplifying what we righties stand for: freedom in all forms, including speech.
(gently and politely takes sputtering TEHSTUPID to the side)
The fact that you can goose-step your way into this forum and start blasting your hate at all in the room without impediment is because we on the right continue to fight and die for everyone’s freedom; including yours. Do you feel better having thrown your grenade into our forum? Good. Now excuse us, we’re going back to our conversations. Do you need cabfare home? Take care. God bless. Thanks again.
(TEHSTUPID goose-steps out the door, screaming something about how Bush bombed Pearl Harbor)
Please excuse that outburst, ladies and gentlemen. Now where were we?
“I would also caution you guys about using the phrase “shoving their beliefs in my face” so reflexively. The majority of politically active actors really aren’t as shrill and “in your face” as you perceive them to be. And if they have points of view you disagree with, so freaking what? It’s a free country, no? …. ”
Yes, it’s a free speech country and now that the right is speaking up, you sound a bit concerned. IMO, the politically active actors ARE shrill and in your face. If you don’t like MY free speech, go away or listen 2 both sides. Don’t caution me please.
Doesn’t matter who is on Broadway, very soon the audience will not be able to afford to show up.
Could have been worse, Sarandon could have been Waiting For Godot.
Hate? I called you whiners out for crying like schoolgirls because big mean gay Hollywood supposedly won’t give your superAmerican actors work. I don’t see where I was the least bit hateful. I don’t respect you or your politics but that ain’t the same thing as hate fella.
Oh you righties were not the least bit supportive when I was expressing myself in 03 or 04 so spare me the roleplaying as though you are somehow my protector. You people think you’re Captain America or something. Get over yourselves.
And seriously, using cuss words somehow diminishes what I have to say? Go read Gary Graham’s “salvos” and then come back. Are you an adult? You’ve never heard salty language before? What a crock.
Dear TEHSTUPID,
I don’t think that this site is about crying about how the Hollywood left won’t hire someone. After all, most of the Hollywood people who post here seem to be employed.
As disappointing as it must seem to you, there are two sides to these issues, and you are on one side, while most of the posters here are on the other. I am sure you are welcome to post here, but it would be nice if instead of attacking us you instead posted the positives for your side.
Surely there are things you believe that you are proud of, aren’t there? Then speak up for them, rather than attacking everyone who doesn’t agree with you.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Have a nice day!
Tom Hanks is left of left (gave money to Franken’s campaign), though a good actor, but not in the same league of a Jimmy Stewart. Think of these three roles and ask yourself: Could Hanks play them? Philadelphia Story, Winchester ‘73, and Rear Window. No, he couldn’t.
“oooh. Salty talk.” TEHSTUPID watches Sponge Bob. (As do I.)
I’d watch Matthew Mcconaughey as Harvey. Or in Cary Grant’s role in Arsenic and Old Lace. Or in almost any role. I don’t mind actors and actresses having political opinions that differ from mine. As long as they don’t sell me a ticket to see them, and then preach to me on my dime.
Miss Maple,
I’ll have a civilized discussion with you if you please. I just don’t know how a liberal reads Gary Graham’s “salvo” as he calls it and thinks that the visitors here are interested in anything short of a knife fight.
I hope you understand that considering how I was treated the last 8 years while making spot-on assessments on a lot of major things, I’m a little bitter.
What I want is a little contrition and humility. I want conservatives to stop making excuses for enormous failures and admit something, anything for once. All I see around here is people digging in even further and creating some clique in which the realities of the rest of the world are not welcome.
It just seems to me as though a lot of the commenters here have all but seceded from the union.
TehStupid?
And who the hell might you be to warrant a lil contrition and humility?
WTF ya running on about being treated for the past eight years making spot on assesments where are these assements you write about, and who exactly mistreated you?
And what American institutions have been ruined by conservatives do tell?
I mean seriously sweet jesus WTF are you talking about?
As for me even though I am a conservative salty language just turns me on.
TehStupid is a lifeform known as a forum troll. Recommend setting phasers to “Ignore”.
TEHSTUPID,
I am sorry if you have been treated badly on other sites. Perhaps you don’t have conservative relatives and have a difficult time conversing with them. I, on the other hand, have a lot of liberal relatives. My brother is a union electrician with a “Get out of the Bushes” bumper sticker on his truck. The irony is that he is mad at his union and wants to start his own small business when he retires, something that will be far more difficult with the laws I think the democrat Congress is going to pass.
I am assuming you love this nation and want the best for her. So do the people on this site. We cannot succeed as a nation if the two sides are constantly at war. We don’t have to agree on issues, but we certainly should try to disagree in a civil manner. Maybe we could learn something from you, and maybe you could learn something from us. Calling names gets us nowhere, whether from the left or the right.
I didn’t find this article particularly incendiary. It listed stars which the author would like to see play roles on Braodway. What bothers you about that? I am sure there are plays and actors from a liberal point of view you would like to see as well. Heck, someone even suggested Tom Hanks for a role, and all of us know he is a liberal!
America is at war with Islamic terrorists and our economy is in dire straits. It seems to me that, as Franklin said, “We must all hang together or we will surely hang separately.”
I hope you will think about what I have said and reconsider the way you present your ideas here. Nice talking to you, and I hope to see you around in the future!
Susan Sarandon, Rosie ODonnell, Alex Baldwin, Tim Robbins have basically ruined any chance I will enjoy their movies. I know most actors are liberal and I can handle that when they keep it to themselves, but when they become angry and in your face about it like the ones listed, then I can’t separate them from the characters they play. It’s just a fact for me. I don’t like to hear that actors are lefties. I lose some respect for their good sense, but I can handle it and enjoy their work.
I find the probability that TEHSTUPID was spot-on in any assessment made these last eight years highly dubious. While ordinarily loathe to correct others spelling (typing) there are times when it is a useful exercise:
You left the “u” out of two consecutive words, fella, although I notice in the second one you at least hit the “a” key in its place.
As for the “morono-fascist” label (BTW, do you always view others as groups rather than individuals? How Fascisitic) I very much doubt anyone here (with the possible exception of yourself) is sufficiently fascistic to endorse Obama’s economic policies.
I’m with you, STAGE RIGHT. The less that I know about an actor’s or actress’s political leanings, the better. I can’t look at Susan Sarandon in a movie anymore without thinking about her diatribes against anything even remotely conservative (or moderate, for that matter). Same goes for her husband (which really sucks, because Shawshank? Best movie ever).
While I’m glad to know that some of the thespians that I like to watch are right of center/center (or rather, not obnoxiously judgmental, such as Hanks whom I believe is a liberal), I’d still rather be ignorant about ALL of them. I’d enjoy movies a lot more.
Patricia Heaton sings?
Ignoring dimwits like TEHSTUPID, drives them crazy. You can’t reason with an emotional cripple so why waste your time.
Don’t feed trolls like tehstupid.
He/she/it succeeded in diverting the conversation away from what was starting to be a fun exchange.
The tactics of the fevered left are all the same – ad hominem attacks against conservative bloggers because they are usually intellectually unable to formulate rational responses on the actual topic that anyone with half a brain might find compelling.
As one or two others said above, ignore them or let Ron White deal with them the way he claims he did with opponents on his high school debate team.
Personally, I would like to hear more from those knowledgeable about Hollywood and acting about what other conservative actors would be good in which roles.
Can we get back to the topic?
In 1926, when Jack Warner’s brothers were trying to convince him to take
their studio into the “sound age,” he famously retorted:
“WHO IN THE HELL WANTS TO HEAR AN ACTOR TALK!”
Never more true than today…
I do not agree with one single thing Jane Fonda says or stands for.
But LOVE her acting.
I do not agree with one single thing Peter, Paul and Mary say or
stand for. But LOVE their singing.
I do not agree with one single thing (fill in the blanks), but LOVE…
I always, ALWAYS, separate the talent from the politics. One thing
has absolutely nothing to do with the other.
Kudos on the website. I love the columns and the freedom of expression. Having said that I thought that this, which should have been a fun column (I’d like to see Tom Selleck in 12 Angry Men) pretty well degenerated into rabid name calling and some pretty mean and repetative insults. Have to agree with Tom Noonan about the arrival of a few liberal drive-by commentators who try to hijack the column and ruin the fun.
Sad comment on the state of discourse in this country.
Anyway, hope the website stays up.
Thanks for bringing the subject back… I like everyone chiming in with their suggestions…
I agree that Jimmy Stewart’s film version of Harvey is perfect, but there is something about theatre.. there’s something about being in a room with 1,000 people and seeing an actor like Tom Hanks fill the space with his voice playing that part. It takes nothing away from the film… it would be its own type of perfection. That’s why we do theatre.
How about Jon Voight? He did a production of “The Seagull” about ten years ago.. what should HE do on Broadway now?
How about Dennis Miller?
What part should we give to Stacey Keach?
And, where are the women? I don’t think Bo Derek could do live theatre could she?
How about Janine Turner in “Wait Until Dark”?
Gary Sinese and Angie Harmon in the Tom Cruise & Demi Moore roles from “A Few Good Men”!!!
Are we back on track?
Everybody knows that the only reason Bo Derek has not had Meryl Streep’s career is because she is a Republican. Ditto Angie Harmon and Patricia Heaton. If they were liberals, they’d have been stars of TV shows.
Robert Duvall in King Lear! I would risk a trip to New York and a suitcase nuke for that!
Sorry TGB, Bo Derek is, and never has been, as talented as Meryl Streep, whose heydey arguably was when we had Republican presidents. And Heaton starred in an incredibly successful sitcom that ran for what? A decade? Angie Harmon had a series last season called “Women’s Murder Club,” apparently not enough people watched it. I’m not arguing with the basic premise of the thread, but I think Derek is a poor example. Sinise would be wonderful as Mr. Roberts. I assume by Fonda role you mean that well-known conservative writer John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath?” I’ve seen the taped version of Sinise as Tom Joad and he was great. Also in the film of “Of Mice and Men” with John Malkovish as Lenny. Duvall as Lear would be fantastic. Kelsey Grammar bombed recently as Macbeth so you might not get him back on stage too easily. I don’t see Bruce Willis as a stage guy, and Selleck seems WAAAAYY too young to be Sheridan Whiteside.
Monty Wooley was 53 when he played the role on Broadway in 1939. Tom Selleck is 63
Bruce Willis was in Sam Shepard’s Fool For Lovein the 80’s
Yes, Sinise as Tom Joad was a seminal theatrical experience. That production was at The Cort Theatre… same house that will host Will Ferrell as George W. Bush for the next month… irony, thy name is theatre.
-SR
Didn’t realize the age comparison–Wooley had white hair and beard, so his whole persona felt older to me. (wait–holy crap! Tom Selleck is 63??) I totally forgot about Fool for Love…was he any good? I like Willis, but as my sainted mom (and lifelong Brando fanatic, ye, even in “The Score”) would say, he is no Brando. Cheers!
oh–and Selleck seems to nice to be Whiteside. Saw the movie again recently and found the character to be almost unbearable, and not in an amusing way. Ditto Nathan Lane’s stage version a few years back, but I also saw it taped and not live.
Bo Derek sucks. Why else would anyone have put her in a movie?
I saw Bo Derek a couple of years ago. She’s still a real babe. Twenty years or so and I think she still rates at least a “9″.
Gina…
Regarding the latest word from Tom Hanks….
I can only quote Kevin Kline’s character, Otto, in “A Fish Called Wanda”…..
DISAPPOINTED!!!!!!!!!
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