Sutton Foster in YF hypothetical
Sutton Foster in YF hypothetical
jmacisawesome
Understudy Joined: 8/12/06
#1Sutton Foster in YF hypothetical
Posted: 12/5/07 at 7:38pm
I saw Young Frankenstein the other day, and I'd been hearing wonderful things about some of the cast, Sutton Foster included. But I came out of the show finding nothing special in her performance. It felt like she didn't fit in the role and tried too hard.
So, I have a hypothetical question.
If Sutton Foster were not the NAME that she is (Tony winner for Millie, Broadway sweetheart, etc.), if she were not famous, and played the role exactly as she is now, do you think she would have garnered the positive reviews that she has?
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
jake6970
Broadway Star Joined: 9/21/07
#2re: Sutton Foster in YF hypothetical
Posted: 12/5/07 at 7:56pmHow do you think she got famous in the first place? Great reviews.
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#3re: Sutton Foster in YF hypothetical
Posted: 12/5/07 at 7:58pmShe worked for it like everyone else. It's not like 'Millie' was her debut.
jake6970
Broadway Star Joined: 9/21/07
#4re: Sutton Foster in YF hypothetical
Posted: 12/5/07 at 8:03pmLots of people seem to think it was...but she worked very hard in the chorus before that in Les Miz, Grease, etc.
jmacisawesome
Understudy Joined: 8/12/06
#5re: Sutton Foster in YF hypothetical
Posted: 12/5/07 at 8:05pm
I'm not saying she was bad in EVERYTHING she's been in.
I liked her in Millie, and I adored her in Drowsy. I'm talking about Inga. As a stand-alone role.
#6re: Sutton Foster in YF hypothetical
Posted: 12/5/07 at 8:30pmno, i agree. She had some funny moments in YF but i could see someone else do better in the role. And I loved her in Millie and Drowsy.
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#7re: Sutton Foster in YF hypothetical
Posted: 12/5/07 at 8:37pmi think she did a great job - i blame Inga's short-comings on Mel Brook's ego.
gumbo2
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/21/05
#8re: Sutton Foster in YF hypothetical
Posted: 12/5/07 at 9:46pmYeah, I thought she did a great job with sub-par material. I'd say the show is at fault, not her. I don't think I would've enjoyed anyone else's performance more than hers. And boy can she yodel (well, I thought so...I'm not an expert on yodeling).
mauriposa
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/14/05
#9re: Sutton Foster in YF hypothetical
Posted: 12/5/07 at 9:53pmI agree with Gumbo. I haven't seen the show in its entirety yet, but from what I have seen, she isn't given a whole lot to work with in this show.
#10re: Sutton Foster in YF hypothetical
Posted: 12/5/07 at 10:08pm
I have to go with a maybe. I LOVE Sutton. She was fantastic in Drowsy, and is just an all around really sweet person to speak with, but she didn't spark in YF like she did in Millie and Drowsy. I know this is dumb, but her accent bugged me. I adore the movie and the campy over the top german accent is an integral part of Inga's character for me.
Sutton can sing and dance with the best of them, but I'm not sure the balance of her campiness was in check with the show.
On another note: anyone think that the first two songs of the show could be completely cut? I felt like they just dragged on. (and no scalpel in the thight?!?! That's one of the best parts of the movie!)
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#11re: Sutton Foster in YF hypothetical
Posted: 12/5/07 at 10:15pmI have to agree...I love Sutton Foster, but she fell short for me in this show. Yes, she was an awesome yodeler and might have done her best with the amount of material Inga has in the show. But, I just think someone else could have done better.
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CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#12re: Sutton Foster in YF hypothetical
Posted: 12/5/07 at 11:29pm
I thought she was Hands Down the best damn thing in that show.
Yes, the material could have been better but she elevated it and charmed my sox off.
Is it the movie Inga? Hell no, but that is part of why I liked her so much, she made it her own.
mc1227
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/07
#13re: Sutton Foster in YF hypothetical
Posted: 12/5/07 at 11:39pm
The funny part of YF for me was that other than Christopher Fitzgerald, I thought everyone else's parts were fine, but not sensational. IMO, he was the strongest performer of all. When I attended last week, it wasnt' until Fitzgerald's curtain call that part of the crowd got on their feet. I guess that's what Brooks was going for, the show being able to survive without major star power.
Of all the roles, Foster's will be the easiest to replace, followed by Bart's. Bart does not have a strong voice or dancing ability, but his comedic timing is strong but can be replaced by a dozen or more actors. Guess Brooks has the last laugh!!
The only review of a show that matters is your own.
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#14re: Sutton Foster in YF hypothetical
Posted: 12/6/07 at 12:37am
Yeah, there are lots of yoddlers out there?
I know a lot of cock-eyed comedians.
mc1227
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/07
#15re: Sutton Foster in YF hypothetical
Posted: 12/6/07 at 8:30amGood singers can be taught to yodel. Great comedic actors cannot be taught. No knock to Sutton, but the yodel was all she really does in this show but she does it well. Fitzgerald carries the comedy throughout. That's what made the show work for me. It's a Mel Brooks show, the comedy is foremost, it's not a Swiss Miss commercial. If that number were to be cut from the show, it wouldn't make much difference. If Fitzerald is cut, it changes the entire complexion of the show. That's the difference.
The only review of a show that matters is your own.
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