Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

It Takes A Woman: Four Times Non-Traditional Casting Made Us See The Role In A Whole New Light

It Takes A Woman: Four Times Non-Traditional Casting Made Us See The Role In A Whole New Light
Rosalie Craig as Bobbie in Stephen Sondheim's "Company" at the Gielgud Theatre on October 15, 2018 in London, England. (Robbie Jack/Corbis via Getty Images)

Nothing can refresh a canonical work of theatre like an inventive and unexpected casting choice. When directors purposely color outside the lines in the actors they employ, interactions between characters and the overall implication of the piece can infuse it with brand new immediacy while giving actors the thrilling challenge of embodying a character that audiences wouldn't normally associate with them. These are some of our favorite casting choices of females in male roles that defied convention and added another layer of storytelling.

Now, without further ado...


Rosalie Craig as Bobbie in Company

Though Company's protagonist Bobby is usually played by a male actor, one production at the Gielgud Theatre in London has cast a woman, Rosalie Craig, as the leading character—now named Bobbie. Also starring Patti LuPone, the production has been receiving rave reviews, and even got the stamp of approval from the show's composer, musical theatre legend Stephen Sondheim. In addition to making Bobbie a woman, the genders of Bobbie's lovers are switched as well, giving this 1970 musical a whole new interpretation.

Patina Miller as Leading Player in Pippin

Though the leading player in Broadway's Pippin was originally played by Broadway star Ben Vereen—and subsequently almost only played by men—Patina Miller took on the role for the 2013 Broadway revival. Not only were Miler's vocals thrilling, but her acrobatic skills were on full display as well for the circus-themed take on the show. Miller's hard work paid off when her performance won her the Tony for Best Leading Actress in a Musical.

Maxine Peake as Hamlet in Hamlet

The title role of Hamlet is arguably one of the most nuanced and challenging roles in all of theatre, but that didn't stop English actress Maxine Peake from rising to the task for Royal Exchange Manchester's production. What's more, audiences adored the longtime stage denizen for her interpretation, with The Guardian referring to her as a "delicately ferocious Prince of Denmark."

Vicky Vox as Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in London put a whole new spin on its production of the cult classic Little Shop of Horrors. The show's antagonist—the bloodthirsty alien plant Audrey II—is normally achieved with a male baritone providing the voice for an elaborate plant puppet. The Regent's Park production, however, used the talents of Drag Queen and Singer Vicky Vox who brought Audrey II to life with her voice and a series of sickening floral themed looks.

Glenda Jackson as King Lear in King Lear

After her Tony-winning performance in the Broadway revival of Edward Albee's Three Tall Women, Glenda Jackson will return to New York to take on the leading role in one of Shakespeare's most legendary tragedies, King Lear. The 80-year-old Jackson earned rave reviews during the London run of the gender blind production. She's set to take the stage in America this Spring.

Did we miss any? Comment below and let us know!

More from News

Kid Rock
Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

Kid Rock Dragged After Donning A Truly Over-The-Top Outfit For His White House Visit

Singer Kid Rock was slammed for wearing a loud patriotic costume inside the Oval Office as Republican President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday against ticket scalping.

The rocker's outfit consisted of a red, white, and blue jacket emblazoned with two eagles facing each other above the American flag with the number 250, a nod to America's upcoming 250th anniversary, and white stars on his sleeves.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Bill Cassidy
CNBC

MAGA Senator Just Said The Quiet Part Out Loud With Epic Freudian Slip About Medicare

Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy was widely mocked following his inconvenient slip of the tongue during a CNBC interview as he mused about finding ways to "cut" Medicare before quickly correcting himself.

The exchange occurred after host Rebecca Quick pressed Louisiana Republican and former physician Bill Cassidy on how his party intended to fund the “trillion-dollar tax cuts” sought by President Donald Trump.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Tim Sheehy
CNN

GOP Senator Gets Blunt Reality Check After Comparing Trump Tariff 'Pain' To Home Renovation

Montana Republican Senator Tim Sheehy was criticized after he tried to compare the "short-term pain" of President Donald Trump's tariffs to home renovation, a claim so ridiculous that CNN's Kaitlan Collins quickly pushed back on the analogy.

Trump has repeatedly referred to April 2 as “Liberation Day,” pledging to impose tariffs—taxes on imports—to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign goods. He has framed these tariffs as “reciprocal,” aiming to match the duties other nations place on American exports.

Keep ReadingShow less
Susan Crawford; Elon Musk
Scott Olson/Getty Images (left and right)

Liberal Wisconsin Judge Calls Out Elon Musk In Victory Speech—And It's Everything

Liberal judge Susan Crawford called out billionaire Elon Musk in her victory speech after winning a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, basking in successfully beating her Republican opponent Brad Schimel and ensuring that the nonpartisan court’s narrow 4-3 liberal majority remains intact despite Musk's efforts to sway the race.

Musk fueled the high-stakes race, having poured more than $20 million into supporting Schimel, according to state campaign records. That includes $3 million to the state Republican Party—$2 million of which was donated just last week. Due to state election laws, large contributions must be funneled through political parties before reaching candidates.

Keep ReadingShow less

People Describe The Worst 'Bonus' They've Ever Gotten At Work

Most of us have worked at one problematic workplace, with reasons ranging from toxic coworkers to terrible bosses to unlivable pay. Sometimes, it feels like a joke that the employees are even being paid at all!

But the biggest joke of all might be the end-of-year bonus, or lack thereof. They're at times so laughable, they take the cake for horrible work conditions, or are quite literally, a slice of cake.

Keep ReadingShow less