As I mentioned earlier this month, production is about to begin on "Beagadoon!" an new version of the classic story of a New York lad who falls for his Scottish lassie (not Lassie. She was too expensive and a bit too long in the tooth).
Joseph Stains will play the role of my best friend, Jeff Douglas. (Now, no worries, Eric Square Dog is still my bestest friend, but Joey will be tackling that role onscreen. You'll understand more later...) Even though Joseph lives in Arizona, he's a Yankees fan, loves pizza and can trash talk with the best of them. In other words, a native New Yorker.
Next up is the highly contested role of Meg Brockie, a "vendor with a taste for gentlemanly companionship."
Lacie seemed like a natural if not a bit of type-casting. With her recent illness, she has had to back out of the production. Instead, the boy-crazy Scots lass who set her eye on Jeff Douglas will be played by a true celebrity
Sophie Brador who has graciously volunteered to share her trailer with all the men in the cast.
Meg's employer Angus McGuffie will be played by Ben Rotti and a new role of his wife Sally McGuffie has been written for Khyra. (We're counting on Ben to also serve as Khyra's voice coach.)
Archie Beaton, a "seller of wools and tartans" (that's "plaid" to you Yanks!) will be played by Gooberstanian royalty Stanley. A minor role, Stanley nonetheless is a key figure in a pivotal and very dramatic scene.
His son, the moody Harry Beaton who is in love with Jeannie MacLaren, will be played by
Taffy. His part was decided after his sister
Molly's endorsement "Taffy is hot tempered and irascible...he wouldn't even have to act if cast as Harry Beaton."
The patriarch of the MacLaren Clan will be played by
Snoop of Dughallmor Beagles. There was some confusion that the part was going to this Snoop dog.
While some agree that he is a hound dog, we preferred to stick with canine casting and instead went with Rosie's older brother.
Snoop the beagle seems very easy to work with - his only request was that his trailer be close to the catering truck. Or even in the catering truck.
Additional roles for two wise-ish MacLaren Aunties have been written for sister
Martha and Bailey Basset. Think of the Redgrave sisters Lynn and Vanessa....
...or slightly heavier Olsen twins, Martha Kate and Bashley.
Needless to say, the lead female role of Fiona MacLaren will be played by my Scottish love
Rosie.
We've already practiced some of the kissing scenes. We're really good at it!
A new role of Rosie's sister has been written for Gabbi. And younger sister, Jeannie MacLaren has been cast by Toffee. While Jeannie doesn't have many lines, she must be an excellent dancer, which Toffee admirably demonstrated in London over Valentine's Day.
However, this role calls for Toffee and Eric Square Dog to perform a very different kind of fling! Speaking of which, the role of Jeannie's fiance Charlie Dalrymple goes to Eric Square Dog. While Eric has a posh accent that makes him sound like a toff (hmmm, maybe that was the attraction to Toffee?) he has promised to keep repeating "Wiry Square Terrier Eric" over and over to practice rolling his "rrrr's." Marvin the Hollow Hound has also taken on the role of dialogue coach. (He's like the Meryl Streep of dog accents.)
Wise village sage Mr. Lundie will be played by veteran Scotsman Hamish Westie.
Hamish will be going to visit the Dughallmor Beagles this weekend to begin rehearsals. (Or at least that's what we think he said. His accent is a bit thick. Och ie!)
After seeing her
screen test,
Stella of Gooberstan seemed a natural to play the role of dancer Maggie Anderson who is in love with Harry Beaton. ("Why?" asked his sister Molly.) A small part, but she has a very dramatic solo dance at the end of the first act. Plus, we'll have
Stan on set to subdue the two Lakelands!
The final role of Jane Ashford, Tommy socialite girlfriend in New York, could only go to Asta Urbanista. Although it's a small part towards the end of the show, Asta immediately called Lacie who rallied from her sickbed to go on a spree for the perfect costume.
With her wiry gracefulness, Asta will also serve as the dance coach for the film - a crucial role with the big Bonnie Jean Ballet number for the girls and the Sword Dance for the boys.
The Sword Dancers will be Marvin, Alfie, Dexter, Scampi, Noah and Sparky.
The Bonnie Jean Ballerinas are Tess, Willow, Lucie, Niamh, Suzuki, Mason Dixie, Teka Toy, Asta and Ruby Bleu. Bae Bae will have a solo on a dresser so she doesn't get stepped on during the dance!
Since we were afraid of Mango in a kilt, we have asked him to be my Assistant Director.
So start memorizing your lines, rolling your "rrr's," and practicing your highland leaps!
I'm sorry ladies and gentlemen, it seems as if Tan Torkelson has switched films on us. While visiting his older brother Joe Stains on the set, he spent an exorbinant amount of time in Hair and Makeup with Lacie (assistant to the wardrobe mistress Lorenza) and a certain Scottish gentleman named Johnnie Walker. Apparently, you can put it into a blender — where Lacie found an international converter we can only guess. Anyhow, this is the result....
I'm sorry ladies and gentlemen, it seems as if Tan Torkelson has switched films on us. While visiting his older brother Joe Stains on the set, he spent an exorbinant amount of time in Hair and Makeup with Lacie (assistant to the wardrobe mistress Lorenza) and a certain Scottish gentleman named Johnnie Walker. Apparently, you can put it into a blender — where Lacie found an international converter we can only guess. Anyhow, this is the result....
