Do you hate Daphne as an actress, or do you simply hate her in this role? What else have you seen her in? I enjoy her as an actress myself, though I freely admit that Fantine is probably not a good vocal match for her.
(Although his death "tableau" was a little hokey, IMO--it actually inspired some giggles in the audience)
Wow. Well, I'm glad you liked him, anyway.
http://www.beintheheights.com/katnicole1 (Please click and help me win!)
I chose, and my world was shaken- So what? The choice may have been mistaken,
The choosing was not...
"Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
"And when Idina Menzel is singing, I'm always slightly worried that her teeth are going to jump out of her mouth and chase me." - Schmerg_the_Impaler
I've always like Daphne in the past. And some of her acting choice are interesting in this role. However, the part requires the audience to "fall" for her very quickly. She hasn't been able to quite do that yet...
"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
His body hangs there, but the current set is much more rickety and wiggles while it turns and he hangs there jiggling. As it's just a device to let the other actors exit the barricade, it seems to take WAY too long to turn and seems contrived. I get the idea of the "image", but it just didn't play as powerfully as before.
"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
The fact that 90% of the talk on this board is about Daphne indicates that there's a problem. Especially since most of it isn't positive. That shouldn't be..... Something about first impressions....
And if someone saw the show, they all are entitled to their opinions, good or bad.
I really didn't like her, but will be going back after the opening to see if the show has improved or not.
Ahh . . . so those of us who love Daphne just have to keep repeating how wonderful she is. Every time Ken posts something negative, all of us Daphne supporters will have to jump in with a positive.
"I wrote a book: "How to Be Popular". Now I've put together a top ten list of how to help you:
-Elphie, everyday... shower. I mean, who knows? Maybe some of that green is gonna come off!
-Deodorant Elphie. No body likes a stinky witch!
-I think we've covered the hair, we'll get to that.
-Clean underclothes. That's all I'm gonna say.
-Look at your posture. That's no way to be popular!
-Bed made, room straightened. We've done that.
-Colors blended. Oookay.
-But the most important thing to have, to make yourself popular, is to keep your beautiful smile."
~Kristin Chenoweth in her last performance of the song "Popular"
Sorry, didn't read the whole thread ... but did they lower the song for her in the last 10 days? That, plus recovering from flu, is rumored to be a help in her recent improvement. I read that here or at the Other Board.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
I know that they were lowering it for her in preparation for her final audition. I remember thinking at the time that it must make "But the Tigers come at night..." pretty low
Other than that, did you enjoy the play Mrs Lincoln?
In response to the part about the Enjolras death: I sometimes find it funny when the actor freaks out, shouts, and climbs up the barricade. It's just that freak-out moment which can be funny. I've only seen a few actors do this.
IMO, if they had to lower the key for her just so she could sing IDAD decently, that’s pretty bad. And before you say anything, imagine Bring Him Home in a lower key.
I’m not a believer in adapting songs/choreography to accommodate a performer. There are plenty of people out there who can do the stuff as written.
Hum- I think that view is a little myopic. While I think that the Lowering IDAD is a little weird, I don't think that Adjusting Keys is a bad thing at all. Keep in mind that when a show is created, songs are usually adjusted to suit the vocal quality of the performers that were hired. Colm wilkinson, when talking about taking on Valjean in the ver beginning said that they originally were looking for a baritone for the role, but they kept raising the keys for him. Now I am not advocating changing things so drastically that Bring Him Home turns into a song for Michel Bell, but little tweaks are quite common. There are whole alternate sets of Orchestra books written in different keys that are kept on hand. It would be like saying that everyone who plays Glinda should be 4'11 because that is how it was originally cast. That being said, it seems that LOWERING IDAD is strange. Now Raising it...that might be interesting
Other than that, did you enjoy the play Mrs Lincoln?
Yes, they changed the key to suit Colm’s voice, but that became the “set” key for all Valjeans hereafter. Unless the Fantine understudies also sing IDAD in a lower key, they are catering to one actress’s limitations. I just don't see why that is necessary with all the talent that's out there.
Updated On: 11/7/06 at 01:45 PM
Interesting review. I've seen a few of those performers on tour, and I disagree with some of his points. (If anyone had worn out a role, it was Diana Kaarina.)
Whatever I guess. Maybe it’s my passive absolute pitch, but key changes (even by a half step) usually drive me crazy.
I'll be happy to post again after seeing Daphne a second time - maybe she HAS changed for the better! I really hope she has! Some indicate a miracle HAS occured! I'll be thrilled if it has!
I do have a relatively open mind, I only post on what I've actually seen/experienced (unfortunately it was bad), and of course it's always just my opinion - your mileage may vary...
And yes, Hail Celia (hopefully SHE hasn't changed!)