Not sure what to search for, so asking here, sorry.

Does anyone know if there will be a series like "I'd Do Anything"/"Any Dream Will Do" again this year?

This year was the eurovision thing (was that this year or last?)- anyway this year he is busy with Phantom 2. The next project reportedly is Wizard Of Oz - which is a pity as a couple of Marias /Nancys have already played Dorothy and got good reviews for it. Can't see it being the Tin man or wizard being cast so it would also be odd to do 3 girl shows to one boy series - but that was the report.

I can see it now.
The new series 'Not In Kansas' the search for a new Toto.

Thanks for replies =)

ALW confirmed yesterday on FNWJonathan Ross that it'd be Wizard of Oz, looking for a Dorothy, just on her own, as he felt looking for more than one character was detremental to the concept.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z2Z45I7kBo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs7W9N3i994

Bit silly really. Helena did it to great reviews a couple of years ago . Rachel did it before IDA. Both of those two were good enough to get nominated for acting awards last year. Nancy Sullivan did it with the RSC too. Thats three people he's already shown who have done it well already. He's also got Leanne, Sam, Niamh and Jessie in the right age range (vocal range??) and a few other Nancy's who look young enough. Then there's all those Liesls from SoM and Grease graduates .........

More I think about it odder it is. The argument for not voting for the Olivers was so that they didn't face a public vote or judges on stage - that rules out young Dorothys unless they change their mind. If they go for someone a bit older are they really going to exclude all the people who have just had one first job and all the people who did earlier shows? Add the Liesls and Grease stars and there's probably enough really good young females on stage in just Oliver and Little shop of Horrors to fill most of a show and there's all the other shows and the Marias and Nancys on top. Reading Sarah Lark's CV in the Oliver programme she's another one to add to the list of people who have already played Dorothy too .

I'm with you on this it is a bit odd. If I was Niamh Perry or Leanne Dobinson I'd be at the front of the queue for those auditions. The likes of Sarah and Rachel may not want to do the role again, and there maybe some who would never go through that process again (I'll bet Fran wouldn't).

The problem is they want a prime time pre-watershed show and they need a popular musical that appeals to all ages. That limits what they can use. I'd have loved them to put Singing In The Rain on the stage and look for a Don Lockwood, but that's just me. I can't think of any family musicals that have a male lead.

Actually personally I would put the show on after the watershed and look for a Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show, or EmmCee in Cabaret.

Btw, which Maria played Dorothy?

Helena. Did very well evidentally.

http://entertainment.timesonline.co....cle1265088.ece

Helena was the Maria that sprung to my mind but wasn't sure if I'd read that or just thought she would be good for the part.

There's piccies too on helena's (rather impressive) internet site.

http://www.helenablackman.com/index....d=36&Itemid=77

She looks like such a sweet Dorothy.

I wonder what type of Dorothy ALW will want. He wanted a tomboy Maria, a Justin Timberlake like Joseph, and a Nancy who was like Amy Winehouse. Maybe he'll want a Britneyesque Dorothy or Miley Cyrus!

Whatever he wants he will probably get a Judy Garland anyway- unless he lets someone sing the song at auditions and he gets an Eva Cassidy people latch on to

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8hAB...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUwTd...eature=related

Jessie's already done it too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leisY...eature=related

I think it's a shame he's opted for Dorothy. I'd have liked to have seen them do Annie for the younger girls and Daddy Warbucks as the latter character could be played by a male lead of varing ages which could make a very interesting audition process.