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Tammy Blanchard | Entertainment News, Photos, and Videos

'Mamma Mia!' Casting Directors Reveal 17 Actresses Who Auditioned for Amanda Seyfried's Role of Sophie, Including Three Stars Who Turned It Down

It has been 15 years since the movie musical Mamma Mia! hit theaters and the film’s casting directors are opening up about the actresses that auditioned for the lead role of Sophie.

Amanda Seyfried ultimately landed the role as she “could not only sing but also looked so much like Meryl [Streep].”

Casting directors Priscilla John and Ellen Lewis chatted with Vogue for an oral history of the movie. They revealed 17 women who auditioned for Sophie and didn’t get the role, including three women who actually passed on the job offer.

Musical director Martin Lowe said, “Hollywood is not my world. Thankfully, I didn’t really know anything about those A-list girls at the time. I’ve subsequently looked back at my lists of people we saw and been shocked to discover some of the people that I apparently met.”

Browse through the slideshow to see who auditioned for the role…

Jonathan Groff's 'Little Shop of Horrors' Now Has a Cast Album - Listen Now!

Jonathan Groff is currently starring in the off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors and a cast album was just released!

The 34-year-old Tony-nominated actor plays Seymour in the beloved musical alongside Tammy Blanchard as Audrey and Christian Borle as Orin Scrivello, D.D.S.

The cast album is now available on all digital platforms and a physical CD will be released in the future. You can download it now on iTunes or stream it below via Spotify.

Jonathan will be starring in the musical through January 19 and then Gideon Glick will take over the role.

Jonathan Groff Celebrates Off-Broadway Revival of 'Little Shop of Horrors'!

Jonathan Groff, Tammy Blanchard and Christian Borle flash a smile together while attending their meet the press event for the Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop Of Horrors held at Common Ground Bar on Tuesday (September 3) in New York City.

The three leading stars were joined by their co-stars Ari Grover, Salome Smith, Joy Woods, Stephen Berger, Chris Dwan, Kris Roberts, Chelsea Turbin, Eric Wright, and Teddy Yudain as they all took part in the press conference.

The musical adaptation of the famously low-budget 1960 horror film features a score by Menken and a book and lyrics by the late Ashman; the two have described their score “the dark side of Grease.”

Directed by Tony winner Michael Mayer, the production will feature choreography by Ellenore Scott, sets by Julian Crouch, lighting by Bradley King, costumes by Tom Broecker, sound design by Jessica Paz and puppets by Nicholas Mahon.

The production is only getting a brief limited run, so make sure to get your tickets now. Preview performances begin on September 17, the official opening night is October 17, and the closing date is November 24.

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Jonathan Groff to Star in Off-Broadway Revival of 'Little Shop of Horrors'

Jonathan Groff is heading back to the New York stage in a new production of the classic musical Little Shop of Horrors!

The 34-year-old Tony-nominated actor will be playing Seymour in the Off-Broadway revival alongside Tammy Blanchard as Audrey and Christian Borle as Orin Scrivello D.D.S.

The production is only getting a brief limited run, so make sure to get your tickets now. Preview performances begin on September 17, the official opening night is October 17, and the closing date is November 24.

If you’re going to the show specifically to see Jonathan, make sure to note that he is not performing from November 5-17, according to Telecharge.

Here is the show’s synopsis: Seymour is a down-on-his-luck florist with a crush on his co-worker Audrey. When he discovers a mysterious – and voracious – plant, suddenly Seymour and Audrey are thrust into an epic battle that will determine the fate of the entire human race.

Allison Janney Gushes Over Co-Star Ellen Page: 'She's An Extraordinary Person'

Ellen Page and Allison Janney flash a smile together while attending the special screening of their latest film Tallulah held by Netflix at Landmark Sunshine Cinema on Tuesday (July 19) in New York City.

The two ladies were joined by their co-stars Evan Jonigkeit and his girlfriend Zosia Mamet, Uzo Aduba, and Tammy Blanchard, writer-director Sian Heder, as well as Sophie Simmons and Marin Ireland.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Ellen Page

“Love getting to work with Ellen Page again, we have a lot of fun together,” Allison expressed that same day on the Today show. “It’s so funny, I play her mother in this but off camera I swear she is my mother. She is just so divine, so pleasant and connected to so many things. She’s an extraordinary person.”


Allison Janney – The Today Show

FYI: Uzo is wearing a Ted Baker London dress. Ellen is wearing a The Kooples jacket. Zosia is wearing a kate spade new york dress and shoes.

25+ pictures inside of Ellen Page, Allison Janney and others at the special screening…More Here! »

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Ellen Page Says Hollywood's Diversity Issue is 'So Upsetting'

Ellen Page has a laugh with her Talullah co-star Allison Janney and the movie’s creator Sian Heder on Saturday (January 23) at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

The 28-year-old actress joined industry voices speaking out against Hollywood’s lack of diversity in an interview with The Wrap the day before.

“It’s awful, and I think what just happened in regards to the nominations two years in a row is a reflection of the industry itself, and the lack of diversity in all positions,” Ellen said. “I feel like we all have to be doing what we can to make a change, because we’re supposed to be telling stories that reflect human experience, and we can’t just be showing one group of people.”

Also pictured: Tallulah stars Charlotte Ubben, Tammy Blanchard, John Benjamin Hickey and Evan Jonigkeit arriving at the film’s Sundance premiere.

15+ pictures inside of Ellen Page laughing with co-stars at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival

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Meryl Streep is Bewitching at the 'Into the Woods' Premiere

Meryl Streep rocks head-to-toe black while arriving for the Into the Woods premiere on Monday evening (December 8) in New York City.

The 65-year-old actress was joined by her co-stars Christine Baranski, Tammy Blanchard, and Billy Magnussen at the red carpet event.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Meryl Streep

Earlier that same week, an audio clip of Meryl singing “Stay with Me” from Into the Woods was released.

Listen to her rendition of the song below!


Meryl Streep – Stay With Me (From “Into the Woods”) (Audio)

FYI: Meryl is wearing an Issey Miyake jacket and skirt, Dolce&Gabbana bag, and L.K. Bennett boots.

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