Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut- Page 4
Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
JennH
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/14/13
#75Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 2/14/18 at 12:21pm
yankeefan7 said: ""ut she can't act.I enjoyed her in Smash mostly because that"can't really act, but essence of green, sweet naivete" works for that kind of character. Jenna has seen some ugly ****, and I wonder about her ability to capture that. "
She is in her 4th season of "Scorpion" and I believe she has done a couple of movies also since "Smash". I think she is better actress now but I guess we will see if she can handle the role in April."
That's fair to say. I did watch some of those, but still wasn't wholly impressed so I didn't stick with them. It'll be interesting to see what she does with this.
#76Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 2/14/18 at 1:33pm
but can she sing 8 shows a week? Her voice seemed prepared for the studio but I wonder if she is up to the demands of a full weeks of shows?
#77Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 2/14/18 at 1:48pm
BuddyStarr said: "but can she sing 8 shows a week? Her voice seemed prepared for the studio but I wonder if she is up to the demands of a full weeks of shows?"
She's been singing for many years and has a past in the theater. While I'm sure she's going to have to be careful to make sure her voice stays in top shape, I'm sure she'll be fine.
#78Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 2/14/18 at 1:52pmYeah, this isn’t her first rodeo. I’m so happy that she’s finally making her debut. I think this role is perfect for her.
They/them.
"Get up the nerve to be all you deserve to be."
ethan231h
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/5/11
#79Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 2/14/18 at 3:07pm
Maybe during the month between Sara and Katherine we will be bless with Jessica Vosk. One can hope.
#80Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 2/14/18 at 3:33pm
Most of the reason why McPhee was awful in SMASH was that the character of Karen was awful. She'll be just fine, and she'll sound wonderful.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
#81Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 2/14/18 at 3:47pm
BroadwayConcierge said: "I think McPhee is great, but it's just funny to me thatWaitress' "name casting" continues to take the form of names that are still big but were bigger in 2008."
What big name of today wants to be the 5th replacement in a 2 year old musical? I don’t see this as a particularly prestigious career move.
re: her acting. I’d have concerns based on Smash but have we already broke the mould of a singer who can’t act well? I enjoyed Sara when I saw her (admittedly first stepping into the role early on) but couldn’t help but wonder if the role is better played/has more fragility if played by a ‘real’ actress.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#82Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 2/14/18 at 4:30pm
IdinaBellFoster said: "Most of the reason why McPhee was awful in SMASH was that the character of Karen was awful. She'll be just fine, and she'll sound wonderful."
Truer words have not been spoken in this whole thread. Karen was a painfully plain character in an otherwise complex and well-written show (I'm talking first ~10 episodes which were GOLDEN). Dev was probably the only character who had worse writing handed to him than Karen.
On the other hand (you're going to hate me, Cinders)... What if Megan Hilty and Katherine McPhee switched roles? I think I'd personally start rooting for Karen, however poorly written that character might have been. It's next to impossible standing next to Megan F'kn Hilty and fare better in an acting/singing role. Can we just do SMASH again with all roles played by Megan Hilty and Anjelica Huston?
Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
#83Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 2/14/18 at 5:08pmInteresting there's no word who's playing Jenna in between Sara and McPhee's month long gap. Wonder if the two u/s will just alternate?
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
#84Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 2/14/18 at 5:20pm
Valentina3 said: "IdinaBellFoster said: "Most of the reason why McPhee was awful in SMASH was that the character of Karen was awful. She'll be just fine, and she'll sound wonderful."
Truer words have not been spoken in this whole thread. Karen was a painfully plain character in an otherwise complex and well-written show (I'm talking first ~10episodes which were GOLDEN). Dev was probably the only character who had worse writing handed to him than Karen.
On the other hand (you're going to hate me, Cinders)... What if Megan Hilty and Katherine McPhee switched roles? I think I'd personally start rooting for Karen,however poorly written that character might have been. It's next to impossible standing next to Megan F'kn Hilty and fare better in an acting/singing role. Can we just do SMASH again with all roles played by Megan Hilty and Anjelica Huston?"
Well for me I also thought Megan Hilty's character was a bit of an unlikable bitch early on...it is only when it became clear that she was FAR more talented than McPhee and had some outstanding performances that I started to come around. Most obviously, it must have been devastating for McPhee to be so severely upstaged by Hilty when she sung "Don't Forget Me". This is surely the kind of move that would destroy off-stage relationships and egos.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#85Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 2/14/18 at 5:29pmYAY!!!
“6 AM. The sky glows. Somewhere a bird chirps. I want to shoot it.” ~ Jonathan Larson, Tick...Tick..BOOM
#86Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 2/14/18 at 5:57pm
Well for me I also thought Megan Hilty's character was a bit of an unlikable bitch early on...it is only when it became clear that she was FAR more talented than McPhee and had some outstanding performances that I started to come around. Most obviously, it must have been devastating for McPhee to be so severely upstaged by Hilty when she sung "Don't Forget Me". This is surely the kind of move that would destroy off-stage relationships and egos."
It’s apples and oranges. I actually much preferred Katharine’s voice to Megan’s (though I still think Megan is a fantastic talent).
#87Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 2/14/18 at 9:09pmI wish she was originating a role. I loved her in SMASH.
Just give the world Love.
JennH
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/14/13
#88Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 3/8/18 at 1:32pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=31&v=IsHjZRFJMlI
I never disbelieved she was up to singing 8 shows a week. Her voice is one the sturdiest I've heard. I have to say I'm not hating this at all. It still sounds a tad too pristine, but I buy it. Now...is it just me or does she sound quite a lot like Sara, except just with more squillo??
KathyNYC2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/2/10
#89Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 3/8/18 at 2:15pm
ACL2006 said: "Interesting there's no word who's playing Jenna in between Sara and McPhee's month long gap. Wonder if the two u/s will just alternate?"
The super duper fabulous understudy Stephanie Torns will be on for the four weeks. She has everything going for her....and the Drew/Stephanie combo is my personal favorite pairing. If one could cast shows without worrying about getting a name in the lead roles to sell tickets, she would be Jenna.
It will also be interesting to see Katharine's take on the role. Each Jenna has brought their own style and interpretation to the character and each has been quite different the others
#90Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 3/8/18 at 3:09pm
qolbinau said: "BroadwayConcierge said: "I think McPhee is great, but it's just funny to me thatWaitress' "name casting" continues to take the form of names that are still big but were bigger in 2008."
What big name of today wants to be the 5th replacement in a 2 year old musical? I don’t see this as a particularly prestigious career move.
re: her acting. I’d have concerns based on Smash but have we already broke the mould of a singer who can’t act well? I enjoyed Sara when I saw her (admittedly first stepping into the role early on) but couldn’t help but wonder if the role is better played/has more fragility if played by a ‘real’ actress."
Definitely. Jessie was amazing all around and actually made me cry every time I saw her in it (except the first preview with too many overzealous fans). I think Sara did the best she could, but her performance didn't give me the emotional punch that elevates the material to something more than a typical Broadway musical comedy.
#91Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 3/8/18 at 5:39pm
JennH said: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=31&v=IsHjZRFJMlI
I never disbelieved she was up to singing 8 shows a week. Her voice is one thesturdiest I've heard. I have to say I'm not hating this at all. It still sounds a tad too pristine, but I buy it. Now...is it just me or does she soundquite a lot like Sara, except just with more squillo??"
That was quite good. But why only release part of the song and not the full version? I have no doubt she'll able to sing the score and pull off 8 shows a week. But I'm still concerned about her acting abilities.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
#92Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 3/8/18 at 7:10pmIt’s honestly not that tough of a sing.
They/them.
"Get up the nerve to be all you deserve to be."
#93Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 3/8/18 at 7:20pm
Well that sounds a lot better than I would have imagined. RE: why only part of the song - I assume it's all just mainly marketing. They want a high level of engagement/sharing/virality of the song (especially for a potential new audience) so they don't want to bore people with a long, slow beginning. They wanted to cut to the chase.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#94Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 3/8/18 at 9:49pm
Well, that was pretty and boring...
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George
#95Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 3/8/18 at 10:30pmThat was a really good version of the song imo, Katharine has a very light and airy voice that fits Jenna. She sounds very similar to Jessie, too.
VintageSnarker
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/30/15
#96Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 3/10/18 at 12:58am
JennH said: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=31&v=IsHjZRFJMlI
I never disbelieved she was up to singing 8 shows a week. Her voice is one thesturdiest I've heard. I have to say I'm not hating this at all. It still sounds a tad too pristine, but I buy it. Now...is it just me or does she soundquite a lot like Sara, except just with more squillo??"
Is it just the quality of the recording or is it a little difficult to understand the lyrics? I think Sara ruined me for this part a little. McPhee sounds a little thin to me. The high votes and the volume are there but with none of the weight or soulfulness.
#97Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 3/10/18 at 7:38pm
There’s currently some clips in her insta story of her rehearsing “It Only Takes a Taste” and “Opening Up”. She sounds great.
Updated On: 3/11/18 at 07:38 PM
yankeefan7
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/14/12
#98Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 3/11/18 at 3:50pm
"Most of the reason why McPhee was awful in SMASH was that the character of Karen was awful. She'll be just fine, and she'll sound wonderful. "
What was even worse was they stuck her with that awful boy friend in Season 1 and they had absolutely no chemistry.
#99Katharine McPhee Broadway Debut
Posted: 3/15/18 at 3:37pm
ET Online just premiered a music video to "What Baking Can Do" with Katharine.
http://www.etonline.com/watch-katharine-mcphee-perform-what-baking-can-do-from-waitress-exclusive-98423
