The Official Adam Pascal Love Thread, part ten- Page 80

[Chloe]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 10:59pm

Have you seen the news about Daphne being cast in Les Mis? I don't know enough about the show to have an opinion on that, but it's a chance to see her live.

Posted: 6/5/06 at 11:03pm

Are you going to see Les Mis, Chloe? I've seen it twice, and either Les Mis or Chess is my favorite musical. I know everyone says this, but it truly is a masterpiece in every way. Maybe we can plan a thread trip to the show this fall.

Personally, I can't see her in the role (Fatine, her role, is my favorite character in the show); she seems a bit too rough around the edges. However, maybe she'll surprise us, a la Adam in Cabaret.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 11:05pm

I saw Les Mis before it closed, and.... to this day I feel like an intellectual invalid for just not getting what the big deal is. I feel like I totally missed the boat. I'm going to give it another chance.

Posted: 6/5/06 at 11:07pm

I don't think it makes you an intellectual invalid at all -- after all, even if most people acknowledge the show as a great work, it doesn't mean that everyone does -- but you should still definitely give it a second chance. It can't hurt; I HATED Ragtime but now like it quite a bit.

[Chloe]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 11:07pm

You and Nia are both big fans of this show. I was thinking of trying to see it, so maybe a bunch of us can go. I'd like to see Daphne too. I can't believe I haven't made it to any of her shows.

Posted: 6/5/06 at 11:09pm

Yeah, nia and I tend to like the same shows.

If nothing else, I think she'll put a unique spin on the role. Even though Fatine is considered a "star," she's really not in the show for that long, but Daphne will still get considerable stage time.

[Chloe]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 11:15pm

The remarkable thing about Daphne to me is how she can seem young and old at the same time. Her voice has a very girlish quality and also all that roughness and raspiness. Someone once wrote that Daphne was the only actress who really played Mimi as if she were 19, with a sort of immature approach to sexuality.

I have no idea if any of those qualities are applicable to Fantine. What's the character like?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 11:17pm

Yeah. I definitely do want to give it a second chance now that I'm older and more open to things that aren't necessarily straight up my alley.

[Amber_C2003]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 11:18pm

Don't worry, I also have never understood the...fervent passion of Les Mis fans...

(I just bought what must be the ugliest shoes known to man...let's hear it for "restaurant approved shoes" *gag*)

[Chloe]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 11:27pm

I hope they're comfortable at least, Amber.

I'm always more willing to check out something that people feel passionate about than something like The Producers, that just seemed to have a kind of snowball effect as a hot ticket, rather than being a show people really loved.

Was that coherent? I'm getting tired.

Posted: 6/5/06 at 11:28pm

I'm trying to think of adjectives that would describe the character of Fantine well, although none are really coming to mind other than strong (emotionally speaking). While Daphne is certainly able to project emotional strength, I think of her strength as a little less innocent than the strength I associate with Fantine.

The character of Fantine is a factory worker who had a child with a man who left her. The child is now living with an innkeeper and his wife who demand large sums of money from Fantine every month. Once her secret child is exposed, she's fired from her factory job and ultimately turns to prostitution. She dies of TB (I think) a bit after that, and the main character of the show promises her that he will care for her child. Of course, you probably don't associate prostitution with a sort of innocence, but she only turns to it out of utter desperation.

Again, it's really hard for me to put my finger on it, but I don't generally think of Daphne when I think of Fantine's character traits. I also can't really imagine her voice in the role, but I'm still very much looking forward to seeing her in it. It'll be interesting if nothing else.

[Amber_C2003]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 11:31pm

I understand ya Chloe...

She always surprises me when she's in new projects (mainly because she'll forever be Mimi to me)...her voice certainly isn't what I'd automatically associate with Fantine, so I'll be interested to hear about it.

Posted: 6/5/06 at 11:34pm

Also, as I just mentioned to a few others, I think the best description as to why I can't see her in the role (other than her voice) is that she's not subtle enough. She's too... out there to play the role.

[Chloe]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 11:37pm

Fantine sounds very 19th century, while Daphne has a very modern urban sensibility. It sounds like quite a stretch for her, but I think she's very talented, and probably much smarter than people generally give her credit for.

Posted: 6/5/06 at 11:41pm

Yes, exactly. Like I said, I'd like to see if she can pull it off, but she can't change much with regards to her voice, which I see as a problem as well. We'll see, though. I'll try not to let my mind wander too much about this and go in with a general curiosity rather than set expectations. I wasn't trying to comment on her intelligence, though -- I too feel that she's a generally smart woman.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 11:44pm

I've had issues with the musical of Les Miserables for years, so I have no attachment whatsoever to the stage character portrayals and song performances. I just wanna see Daphne onstage.

[Chloe]

Posted: 6/5/06 at 11:45pm

No, I know you weren't, but I'm often struck by her take on things.

I can't stay up any longer. That's what happens when I actually do some work.

Feel better, Lexi, and good night Amber and Emcee.

Posted: 6/5/06 at 11:47pm

Goodnight, Chloe. What else have you seen her in? (You can answer tomorrow. )

[Alix7272]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 12:41am

I really hope I'll be able to see Les Mis. It's such an exciting and eclectic cast! Daphne in the role of Fantine will be really interesting, and I'm also really excited about Norm Lewis. He's...well, splendid is the word that comes to mind. He's amazing!

Posted: 6/6/06 at 12:43am

Have you seen him in anything else, Alix? I've seen him in Chess and I was underimpressed, but he didn't have such a great role, nor do I think I should judge him one a one-night benefit performance. He does seem to have a rather velvet-y voice, and people generally sing his praises in general, so I'm hoping we have a good Javert to look forward to. Javert is such an intriguing character.

Posted: 6/6/06 at 12:43am

(double post) Updated On: 6/6/06 at 12:43 AM

[Alix7272]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 12:49am

I saw him in Two Gentlemen of Verona at Shakespeare in the Park last summer. That's one loopy musical. I love his voice and he has such a presence on stage.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 5:02am

I can't sleep. But I just discovered that Michael Cerveris was born right nearby where I live.

[Jyn326]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 5:53am

oh man, you have no idea what a huge Les Miserables fan I am. I've been enamored with it since I was introduced to it about 10 years ago. Finally got to see it on tour 5 years ago. My romanticized dream of a trip to New York always included ice skating and seeing Les Mis. Then they took it off Broadway and I was so dissapointed. I never thought they'd bring it back so soon. I'm going to have to scrimp and save but I finally get to make my dream come true (probably going in Feb. or March. My dad is going to order my Les Mis tickets as a birthday present (which is in December) and of course I'm paying for everything else. Which wouldn't be so bad except I already paid for my 2nd tour group trip to New York (which is in 2 weeks!)

Sorry for all the backstory. As you can see, I've been emotionally invested in the prospect of this revival for a while now. As for the announced cast, I'm excited to see Jenny as Mme. Thenadier. Like so many people on the main board have said: my jaw dropped when I saw Daphne's name. It wasn't a negative reaction, just truly unexpected. That thought never crossed my mind as a possible casting choice. I think she'll definately bring a different side to Fantine. I'm not particularly a fan of her voice, just not my style is all. So I'm having a hard time imagining her singing "I Dreamed a Dream" (my second favorite song) but I'm sure she can pull it off and make it her own. I think it will definately be a role that stands out in this cast rather than being bland and drifting into the backround.

oh wow, this post is long enough... please forgive! just wanted to share my thoughts on the subject since it's one I'm so passionate about.

[To The Stage!]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 5:09pm

That's great Jyn! I am so excited for you to see Les Mis! I really hope you enjoy it when the time comes.