Daniel Daly

Much like every other project, Barry was second choice.

Originally signed to do the show was an actor named Dan Daly.

What Spotlight needed to succeed, much like the original Follies, was an actor who was so closely associated with the musicals of a bygone era that the audience could fill in the blanks of that character.

Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Howard Keel, Van Johnson, Bob Fosse, those were the people who should have played Jack Beaumont.

But eight shows a week did not seem to be appealing to these millionaires collecting royalties.

But it appealed to Dan Daly.

Dan Daly was the rugged leading man of There's No Business Like Show Business, It's Always Fair Weather, Panama Hattie, and seemed to be there when Donald O'Connor was unavailable, like he was for Spotlight.

Daly had been signed for the project and would bring that extra resonance to the role.

And

Dan Daly.

And even I know Chesty Poehler in the Navy, which let's be clear, the Marine Corps is in fact the Department of the Navy, but they don't have to harp on that fact.

The men's department.