Emma Stone // Sally Bowles

Emma Stone to Star as Sally Bowles opposite Alan Cumming 

in 2014 Broadway Revival of CABARET

It was announced on April 24 that Cabaret is returning to Broadway with Alan Cumming reprising his role as the Emcee. Anne Hathaway had been in talks to play Sally Bowles, but luckily it looks like she's being replaced by Emma Stone [according to Playbill]. I wish they wouldn't cast a Hollywood actress, but she's better than most. Playbill did a poll of their readers as to who should be our next Sally. The top 10 contenders [in order] were Nina Arianda, Anna Kendrick, Carey Mulligan, Daisy Eagan, Megan Hilty, Jessie Mueller, Lady Gaga, Sutton Foster, Krysta Rodriguez, & Idina Menzel. I do think Ms. Stone will be able to pull off this iconic role, but she won't hold a candle to my favorite Sally ever: Susan Egan (best known as the original Belle in The Beauty & The Beast, & Meg in Hercules). But back to Ms. Stone. I never saw The Help, but I believe the rave reviews. I did like her silly movies The House Bunny &  Easy A. She is known for her raspy voice, which makes sense for Sally, & seems to be developing into a highly respected actress. And apparently she can carry a tune! Here's a little clip from Easy A [her break-out role] that proves it:

Our 2012 Tony Host Is...

I realize this choice of host is not the most exciting or unexpected, but I still love it. NPH is a natural-born Master of Ceremonies; he is charming, humble, engaging & articulate. He has hosted the Tony Awards twice (2009 & 2011); other hosting credits include the Emmy Awards (2009) & SPIKE’s Video Game Awards (2010). He also made a surprise appearance at the 2010 Academy Awards when he presented the opening musical number. Most recently (and most unrelated), he served as the co-host on Live! With Kelly from Nov. 28-Dec. 2, 2011. I watch Live! With Kelly religiously while getting ready for work in the morning (no judgment); she has had a variety of hosts since Regis left & NPH has hands-down been the best so far [with Nick Lache as a distant runner-up. Weird, I know]. NPH has only played the best of roles on Broadway, my favorite being his 2003 portrayal of The Emcee in Broadway’s revival of Cabaret (opposite Deborah Gibson & Tom Bosley). His critically-acclaimed performance earned him the title of Top-Drawing Headiner by GuestStarCasting.com [beating out John Stamos & Alan Cumming]. This honor just reaffirms his capability to captivate a crowd & truly master a ceremony.

Other noted stage credits...
*Tobias Ragg in concert performances of Sweeney Todd (2001)
*Hal in Proof opposite Anne Heche (2002)
*Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald in Assassins (2004)
*Mark in a touring production of Rent [which he parodied on SNL in 2009]
*Bobby in Company with Patti LuPone & New York Philharmonic (2011)
He also directed a production of Rent that ran at Hollywood Bowl in August 2010. It featured Vanessa Hudgens as Mimi, with whom NPH worked with on the film Beastly.

...as well as notable roles on television:
Since fall 2005, NPH has played Barney Stinson on the awesome CBS ensemble comedy How I Met Your Mother (earning Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in Comedy Series in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010). And the obvious, awesome, & universal appeal of Sir Neil Patrick Harris. Before ER, Meredith Grey, & Dr. House, there was Doogie Howser, M.D, the trailblazer of the medical TV trend.