Broadway Christines vs London Christines

[Dave19]

Posted: 4/9/13 at 11:59am

This is a thread about the big difference in "Christine casting" in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway versus London.

It seems to me they use very different types of people and also very different vocal types. (except from Sierra and Sarah) I have seen the show 3 times on Broadway and was disappointed every time. The Christine either felt too old, her singing was too heavy or had a too operatic vibrato and all 3 of them warbled above or below the notes, to a point where I was thinking of sending a complaint letter to the production. In terms of type, they looked like school teachers.
(By the way, also the Raoul's are very different. In London most of them sing with a relaxed, more mainstream sound, on Broadway they sound very forced with strained vibrato's that go above the actual note.)

I would like to use clips of the song "Think of me" to show you the differences.

Broadway- Sandra Joseph (watch the cadenza, when I saw her it was even worse):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-iMqm23Ygk

Broadway- Rebecca Pitcher:

http://youtu.be/XVsCek9S53M?t=6m

Broadway- Trista Moldovan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSzmPbovAeU

Broadway- Marni Raab:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5-pB7IQ2kg

Broadway- Elizabeth Loyacano:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI0L7g9_XfI

Broadway- Lisa Vroman:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCe8KrWCDWQ


While some are better than others, I feel like none of them is a real Christine.

Now, here are some clips of the London production. Some are better than others here too. But overall I feel like more of them have the right poise and sound for Christine.

London - Gina Beck:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIwKGmZ0YOY

London - Robyn North

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGELLRU8ER8

London - Rachel Barrell:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV-4hdzMX1k

London- Deborah Dutcher:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmTgSOGb79g


What are your preferences? And why do you think casting directors on Broadway have such a different view on the role?

















Updated On: 4/9/13 at 11:59 AM

[MCfan2]

Posted: 4/9/13 at 8:50pm

I've only seen one Christine on Broadway, Samantha Hill, and I thought she was excellent. Great voice and definitely not too old -- if anything, she came across as very young. I also saw one in London, but it was a very long time ago. I'd have to look up my old souvenir program to remember who played the role.

The best Christine I've ever seen was Teri Bibb, on tour. But Hill would be a close second, I think.

[PattyO'Furniture]

Posted: 4/9/13 at 9:03pm

When I saw Sandra Joseph on Broadway, she read very old to me on stage. However, even now if I see an interview featuring her out of costume, she seems so much younger than what I remember on stage.

[Movidude742]

Posted: 4/9/13 at 9:05pm

I don't think the video of Trista is a good reflection of her work. I liked her much more the 2 times I saw her in the role.

Also Sara Jean Ford did an excellent job as well, and was probably the best I have seen other than Sierra

[Plannietink08]

Posted: 4/10/13 at 8:19am

I've only seen the UK Tour twice but I saw a different Phantom and Christine each time.
Katie Hall was FANTASTIC and I'm not even her biggest fan. She had a great way of singing both typical Musical Theatre style-belting and not-forced operatic.
I saw the alternate a the second time and her voice was forced, her vibrato could have cut through steel - I wasn't a fan. I do think Christines should down their forced vibratos.

[Princeton Returns]

Posted: 4/10/13 at 8:53am

London has had plenty of bad Christines too. Gina Beck is far and away the best ive seen (she is also probably the strongest Glinda in Wicked too)

I wasnt keen on Robyn North, she had a hardness to her I couldnt warm to.

The other London Christine I really liked was Leila Benn Harris

I know im in the minority but I find Sierra very vacant as an actress,

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 5/22/13 at 10:44am

The best Christines I've seen in London have to be Katy Treharne and Anna O'Byrne. Claire Doyle and Katie Hall were both terrible.