Broadway and Beyond

[fanatic]

Jensational I have the same problem. I've never wanted to see Joseph and the Amazing... because I think Kelly Rabke is heaven and I don't want to be let down. Oh, and yes, I was sad seeing Miss Saigon and not hearing Lea's voice.

[tamaradixon]

I just read that the composers behind "Avenue Q" (which I LOVE) are going to compose songs for an episode of "Scrubs" this year! Can't wait.

[goggle]

I found out that previews for the revival of Company start a week before my birthday, and the amazing Raul Esparza is playing the lead role. As soon as tickets go on sale I will try to get some for my birthday, because that might be the best birthday ever.

[jynni]

Yay - a Broadway thread!

My sentimental fav is ALW's "Phantom of the Opera". Actually, I like quite a bit of ALW stuff. I'm one of like five people on the planet that really likes "Cats" and I adore "Jesus Christ Superstar" as well as "Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. As much as I love "Phantom", I do believe JCS is his best score.

I am dying to see "Wicked". Here's what I think will be an unpopular opinion. I don't think Idina Menzel is all that good. Every time I've seen a live clip of her singing, she's been off key or her voice cracks or both.

[oxygen1234]

I love Andrew Lloyd Webber's stuff too, jynni and Phantom is my favourite. It was actually in my hometown this month and I managed to see it twice last weekend. (I bought a ticket for Friday and my friend's sister-in-law couldn't see the Saturday show.) After I saw the production I watched the movie and was surprised to find that Emmy Rossum didn't seem to be special enough for the role. I think her voice is acceptable, but I felt she was missing something. I will always think of Sarah Brightman as the best Christine. Then again, I haven't heard that many versions of the musical.

I haven't listened to JCS since jr high, but I think I'm going to see if I can get it from the library.

[Deleted]

I just read that Daphne Rubin-Vega (original Mimi from Rent) will be returning to Broadway to star as Fantine in the Les Miz revival. My ears are bleeding just thinking about it.

[iceblink]

Les Miz is already in previews, and friends of mine who've seen it have said she's even worse than you'd think, too.

[starskin]

Sigh. Do they really think Daphne Rubin-Vega has the market cornered on the heartbreaking-hooker-with-a-heart-of-gold angle just because she was Mimi? Don't get me wrong, I liked her as Mimi, but how on earth can she do justice to "I Dreamed A Dream*?" "Take Me Out" it ain't.



*Ruthie Hernshaw will always own that song, IMO.
/snob

[iceblink]

I liked Ruthie a lot too; I never saw her actually play the role on stage but did see her in a concert version (like the 10th anniversary concert that was shown on PBS) and she was fabulous.

[Deleted]

iceblink said:

Les Miz is already in previews, and friends of mine who've seen it have said she's even worse than you'd think, too.

Ah, I didn't know it was that far along--a friend sends me stories but I guess some of them are old

Hell, she might be a great actress, I don't know but I always skipped through her songs on the Rent CD becuase she hurt my ears so badly. I just can't picture her doing "I dreamed a dream" justice.