Dale Kristien in LA with Crawford. I believe she’s still the only actress to not have an alternate. Such a strong actress and an equally talented singer. And to leave such a lasting memory in Crawford’s shadow says it all. I also give props to Michael Piontek, one of the stronger Raoul’s I’ve seen. That cast was pretty special.
Oh, has anyone mentioned Rebecca Luker? She was pretty outstanding as well. She opened the 1st national tour in Chicago and I believe went to B'way shortly thereafter.
greensgreens said: "Dale Kristien in LA with Crawford. I believe she’s still the only actress to not have an alternate. Such a strong actress and an equally talented singer. And to leave such a lasting memory in Crawford’s shadow says it all. I also give props to Michael Piontek, one of the stronger Raoul’s I’ve seen. That cast was pretty special."
Apparently Dale and Crawford got along so well they asked r if she could do all the shows without an understudy and they complied. I still prefer Sarah as Christine but Dale and Michael had the best chemistry.
Princeton2 said: "For me Sarah Brightman is the pinnacle as she just has this unique other worldliness about her that fits the story so well
Aside Sarah Brightman for me its Gina Beck. She nailed every aspect of the role and her with Ramin Karimloo and Simon Bailey formed a very powerful trio that I've not seen better.
I know she has her fans but I dont get the Sierra Boggess appeal. To me she has a strong voice but doesnt have any light or shade in it and she cant act other than doe eyed"
Gine Beck but with John Owen Jones for me. The only 2 that have come close to making me feel like Crawford and his respective Christines did.
I will always have a fondness for Sarah Brightman because I was essentially raised on that album and I don't think anyone else has ever come close to the otherworldly ethereal quality she has, but I very dearly love Rebecca Caine and I wish the Canadian cast album included all the songs instead of just a selection of them. I saw Ali Ewoldt somewhat recently and she was very good as well (definitely had more of that younger quality than the other ones I've heard), and I was planning on seeing Meghan Picerno before the pandemic hit, so I hope that will still happen once Broadway eventually comes back.
greensgreens said: "Dale Kristien in LA with Crawford. I believe she’s still the only actress to not have an alternate. Such a strong actress and an equally talented singer. And to leave such a lasting memory in Crawford’s shadow says it all. I also give props to Michael Piontek, one of the stronger Raoul’s I’ve seen. That cast was pretty special."
I wonder how Dale managed to get them to let her do all eight shows a week.
Before February I would have said that Sandra Joseph was my favorite Christine. I loved the way she actually got angry at Carlotta when she called her an evil woman. Most Christines sing "how dare you you evil woman" as if they are saying "Good morning to you lovely woman".
But February 2020 I saw Meghan Picerno. Wow. Here is what I said the day after I saw her:
MEGHAN PICERNO though. Wow. Just wow. I am rarely impressed by a Christine, and this is my 74th time seeing the show at the Majestic. There are good ones, and sometimes even great ones. But Meghan? She has completely reinvented this role. When I think of Christine, I always think of some interview I saw years ago when an actress was asked if she would want to play Christine on Broadway and she said that that would be like being a in a trance for 2 hours. But, that is how many actresses play it: scene after scene, they just have a look of either shock or stress on their face and that's it. But not Meghan Picerno. Her Christine is mischievous and just as interested in being naughty as the Phantom is. I was floored at the way she flirted back with him and how she was basically enjoying having two men fight for her. Maybe it was just the undeniable chemistry she has with Ben. All I know is I can't wait to see her again and I sincerely hope she stays with the show for a long time.
Globefan said: "greensgreens said: "Dale Kristien in LA with Crawford. I believe she’s still the only actress to not have an alternate. Such a strong actress and an equally talented singer. And to leave such a lasting memory in Crawford’s shadow says it all. I also give props to Michael Piontek, one of the stronger Raoul’s I’ve seen. That cast was pretty special."
I wonder how Dale managed to get them to let her do all eight shows a week."
She and Michael Crawford lobbied for it together, so that likely helped
Phantom4ever said: "When I think of Christine, I always think of some interview I saw years ago when an actress was asked if she would want to play Christine on Broadway and she said that that would be like being a in a trance for 2 hours. But, that is how many actresses play it: scene after scene, they just have a look of either shock or stress on their face and that's it. But not Meghan Picerno."
Thanks for the report Phantom4ever. I saw Meghan Picerno as Christine in Love Never Dies when the US tour went through Boston. I was really drawn to her Christine throughout the production, and it was the first time I saw the role played with real agency. I've seen a couple of other Christines in the original at the Majestic (Sara Jean Ford, Eryn Lecroy). While they were both good, they definitely played it with the typical "trance" quality you describe above. It often feels like the events in Phantom just happen TO Christine, and she is shocked about it the whole time. Meghan's portrayal was definitely more three dimensional and kept me interested in the story from Christine's point of view (even in the flawed LND). Up until now, I thought this was a question of the direction in the original production, but it sounds like Meghan was able to bring that depth to POTO. I hope she continues with the show after the pandemic and I get a chance to see her play this version of the role. Definitely my favorite Christine.
greensgreens said: "Dale Kristien in LA with Crawford. I believe she’s still the only actress to not have an alternate. Such a strong actress and an equally talented singer. And to leave such a lasting memory in Crawford’s shadow says it all. I also give props to Michael Piontek, one of the stronger Raoul’s I’ve seen. That cast was pretty special."
I would've loved to see Dale or Rebecca Caine play Christine in the film version had it been made in the early 90s.
Phantom4ever said: "Before February I would have said that Sandra Joseph was my favorite Christine. I loved the way she actually got angry at Carlotta when she called her an evil woman. Most Christines sing "how dare you you evil woman" as if they are saying "Good morning to you lovely woman".
But February 2020 I saw Meghan Picerno. Wow. Here is what I said the day after I saw her:
MEGHAN PICERNO though. Wow. Just wow. I am rarely impressed by a Christine, and this is my 74th time seeing the show at the Majestic. There are good ones, and sometimes even great ones. But Meghan? She has completely reinvented this role. When I think of Christine, I always think of some interview I saw years ago when an actress was asked if she would want to play Christine on Broadway and she said that that would be like being a in a trance for 2 hours. But, that is how many actresses play it: scene after scene, they just have a look of either shock or stress on their face and that's it. But not Meghan Picerno. Her Christine is mischievous and just as interested in being naughty as the Phantom is. I was floored at the way she flirted back with him and how she was basically enjoying having two men fight for her. Maybe it was just the undeniable chemistry she has with Ben. All I know is I can't wait to see her again and I sincerely hope she stays with the show for a long time."
I haven't seen a lot, but Sierra Boggess and Sara Jean Ford were both excellent. I also saw Krista Buccellato (understudy) on the restaged tour and I thought that she was quite good.
Although I never got to see her, Rebecca Caine is one of the best and I will listen to the Canadian cast recording with her and Colm before any other version of the show.