No, I'm not starting this thread to ruffle the feathers of many a Rent-head, but I just don't get the appeal of this woman. Her voice can best be described as a dying cat. I just watched a performance of her "I Dreamed a Dream" and it was one of the most dreadful things I've ever heard. I can't get through Berarda Alba due to her. I just don't get it. Does she keep getting cast because she carries the Rent sticker on her resume?
I've tried my best to give in for 10 plus years with this woman. Unless she gets acting lessons and vocal surgery, I doubt I'll get giving in anytime soon.
Have you seen her live? I agree that her voice was not right for Les Misérables, but I think she was the best-acted Fantine I've seen. Loved her in Bernarda Alba and Rent (well, from the not so legal footage I've seen of it). I actually quite like her voice; it's definitely not typically "pretty," but it can be really beautiful and expressive (which I think is better than "pretty" anyway). I think she's a very passionate and vulnerable performer. Updated On: 6/25/07 at 06:52 PM
No, I'm serious. I'm not saying you're not allowed to dislike her [you're more than welcome to!] but stop acting like your opinion of her is the only valid one.
Clearly, not everybody thinks she sounds like a dying cat, or she wouldn't be popular [although I can understand why her voice isn't to everyone's tastes: I actually hated her at first, although now I love her]. Also: in my opinion [and the opinions of many others], she is an excellent actress.
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You just have to accept the fact that people see something in her that you don't. Thats all.
I think she is fine actress. I still remember how smouldering she was in Anna in the Tropics.
I don't "get" Neil Patrick Harris. His work has never impressed me much.. and sometimes his performances down right annoy me. Still, people pay to see him work. Go figure.
I actually really love her. I can see what bothers you about her, but it doesn't affect me at all. I think she has a great, unique voice and sings and acts with passion. IMHO, she was perfect for the role of Fantine. When Fantine gets to "I Dreamed a Dream," she's a broken woman. I always hated the ones who could still stand center stage and belt out a pretty tune. Hers was the only performance of that role that's ever made me cry. And no, not tears of pain, you sarcastic bitches
Seriously though, Big Fat Blonde has it exactly right. You have every right to hate her performances and I have every right to love them :)
It's just a message board. Let's not take it too seriously.
Well, to be fair to keely, Bobby was acting as if this was common opinion.
Also, he said he "just watched" the performance, which means it must been one of "those" videos, which means his opinion on that performance is invalid. If you didn't see it live, it's not fair to comment on it.
It's just a message board. Let's not take it too seriously.
Her work needs to be experienced live. Her worked in Bernarda was breathtaking and she was the first person who finally played Fantine real and hurt and raw - I loved it. So few people "got" her performance.
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
To Kill A Mockingbird
There are performers whom i don't get, either. I don't get Natalie Portman--why does she get work? Bridget Moynahan, too? That scary-looking dude in that new "Burn" or whatever miniseries on cable? Laura Bell Bundy, geez, she scares the holy crap out of me.
I don't get why there has to be more than one thread about the same issue created by the same person. Daphne Rubin-Vega has a very unique voice. No, it's not to everyone's taste and that's okay. But to say that it's absurd she keeps getting work is well...absurd. She has the ability to make a song her own, to add her touch to every note she performs, and she doesn't sing, she performs. When you hear her do a number she always sounds 100% committed to each lyric and to the music as well. That is why she keeps getting worked. If you've listened to her heart-wrenching Martirio in BERNARDA ALBA or to her fun "Out Tonight" (and I am one of RENT's biggest detractors so it has nothing to do with being a Rent-head), you would know why she keeps getting cast in New York shows.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
Well she keeps getting roles, so she is obviously doing something right.
Exactly. I'm not really a fan of hers (but not anti-Daphne, either), but that's what you have to think when there's someone successful out there who you don't care for.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt