That's an oddly specific assumption.

Benedict Wong has mentioned in various panels/interviews that the writers chose to rewrite the stereotypical parts of his character in order to create a more well-rounded/complex one.

I doubt NBC would ever put two Broadway stars in lead roles, but I'd be happy with Christian Borle and Laura Benanti (both have been in NBC musical productions before) as the leads in the Music Man.

I've thought about this too (the age thing), and I think you're right that Christopher Walken's personal fitness brought down his performance. Still I think there are quite a few actors out there (a little younger/older than Walken) who still manage to do theatre/film very well… Timothy Dalton, Tommy Lee Jones, Ian…

It really is a shame, but NBC has a history of shunting Broadway talent to the side in favor of poor stunt-casting.

Not sure if you know about this, but PBS' Live from Lincoln Center aired wonderful performances of South Pacific and Carousel.

^ This.

Yep, I'd say it's a toss up. He was the Jackman bordering on Bonham Carter (re Burton's Sweeney Todd) of the night.

Well if he ever gets cast in the role hopefully a good director will help him fix that. As far as stunt-casting goes he'd be my stunt-cast choice for Nathan.

Sure, NBC have gotta attract more viewers and all that jazz, and stunt casting can work when it's done well. I actually felt both Walken and Williams were Crowes (Williams moreso than Walken). Also I expected Walken to do a lot better than he did on the night. He's done some theater, he has some iconic roles under his…

To be fair Robert Preston was a damn boss as Harold Hill… there's no chance Seth could top him imo! Here's a taste of Seth's Harold Hill…

No doubt! ;)

Haha, well consider Levine out… perhaps Patrick Wilson would be a good replacement? ;)

Haha perfect! Hank can be Smee. :P

…and now you have my hopes up re Jessie and Jason getting cast in the Music Man. ;)

Well they gave it their best shot… aside from Walken. It’s almost as if the guy was still in full rehearsal mode, half-heartedly performing (to save energy for the big performance)… and completely forgot he was actually on TV.

I love Laura, but I completely agree with you about her modern training (imo she would've made a wonderful Pan). How about Jessie Mueller? Her rendition of 'Mr. Snow' from PBS' live airing of Carousel was pretty sublime!

I gotta say no to Justin Timberlake in The Music Man. He and Jessica Biel are a package deal… and the idea of seeing them act together rings alarm bells in my head.

IA… yeah he's pretty divisive, but he's seriously wonderful singer. I think he'd be great in Guys and Dolls too!

*Quinn silently shakes his head and suddenly Chris Brody enters holding a sniper* Wow all those hours without my unstable dad who dickmatized Carrie + endless hours playing Kuma/War all alone really paid off. And STFU Carrie… you'll make a shitty parent just like my dad! *Exits and drives into the sunset*