So it was at MCC Theatre Company's annual benefit Miscast April 19. The celebrated signature musical revue directed by Scott Wittman (Hairspray) enlists Broadway's talents to sing the songs for roles in which they would never be cast.
Among this year's program were the following mismatched renditions:
Jai Rodriguez (Zanna Don't!) singing "Popular" from Wicked (as he mocked MCC co-artistic director Bernard Telsey for a "Queer Eye" Make-Over)
Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked) performing "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" from Dreamgirls
Debbie Gravitte and The Boys of Chicago singing the show's "All I Care About Is Love"
Daphne Rubin-Vega (Rent) warbling "Climb Every Mountain" from The Sound of Music
David Garrison doing an original medley entitled "No Sondheim Tonight"
Michael McKean (upcoming Hairspray) and wife Annette O'Toole ("Smallville") doing "Jet Song" from West Side Story
Christine Pedi (Forbidden Broadway) belting "Hand for the Hog" from Big River and "Two Ladies" (as Bernadette Peters) from Cabaret
Sarah Gettelfinger (Nine) debuted "Love Is Going to Cost You" from Catch Me If You Can, The Musical
Denis O'Hare (Assassins) and The Girls of Chicago crooned "Roxie" Guest stars included Roxanne Barlow, Jim Borstelmann, Jason Gillman, Deirdre Goodwin, Denis Jones, Joey Pizzi, Michelle Potterf and Angie Schworer.
The event took place at Bridgewaters (11 Fulton Street at the South Street Seaport in New York City) with a dinner and a presentation of the MCC Theater Award honoring arts supporters Stanley and Tracy Shopkorn followed by the performance.
Proceeds from the benefit go towards MCC's Playwright's Coalition (for new and emerging writers) and Education and Community Outreach programs. For more information on MCC, visit www.mcctheater.com.
