42nd Street

Surprised you didn't like Leavel - I've always thought her voice was damn near perfect for that role.

What'd you think of Tom Wopat? I really loved him - am going back specifically for those two on Wednesday (I think). Wopat's definitely got the charm, the stage presence, and if he isn't one of the sexiest men alive....

Who is playing Peggy right now? Is it still Nadine Isenegger?

In response to the last two messages: Maybe Beth Leavel was having a bad day......I think her voice is shrill with a wobbly vibrato, and her comic delivery reminded me somewhat of JoAnn Worley which, in very small doses, is ok - but not in that major a role. I can easily imagine Christine Ebersole earning the Tony she won for it -- Beth was trying to hard to be funny, and talking so fast that a lot of her lines just got lost. As for Wopat....he got kind of chubby (not that there's anything wrong with that) and was adequate I guess, but nothing to write home about - I thought his spoken voice modulations were a little extreme - from shouting to speaking too softly. Yes, Nadine is playing Peggy Sawyer...a great dancer, albeit mechanical - and not particularly charismatic. I guess I expect too much - the saving grace is the tap dancing, although as I said, some of the really pretty songs were thrown away in the vocal department. What I think annoyed me was that they werent playing it straight - but as a satire. It's a period piece and doesnt need to try so hard for laughs - just a little heavy-handed in that regard. It has enough charm on its own without reaching so hard.

Yay...haha...I love 42nd street. We did the opening number at my dance recital this past June..I was the soloist- it was fun times. Haha. I must say that I didn't love Tim Wopat...Michael Cumptsy (is that his name? hehe) was much better in my opinion.

Anyone know what the name of the song is that plays when you open the shows website? http://www.42ndstreetbroadway.com/

I love that song! :)

It is a very catchy song. I like it.

Okay- there's really no reason for this post. I just had to post one more to become a Broadway Star, so this is it! Just thought I'd share that with everyone!

My school did 42nd street this past year, as its spring musical. It was truly amazing. It's such an all-over fun show to do. I'm planning to go up and see the Broadway show of it soon, I'm very excited.

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Saw 42nd Street and was dissapointed. Yes, the dancing was amazing, but Beth Leavel really had trouble singing and I was not impressed with Kate Levering except for the dancing. I would like to say it is a pointless musical, well I guess I just said it. Maybe it was me the day I went, but I don't think so.

I saw 42nd Street w/ Kate Levering & Beth Leavel. I thought Kate did an amazing job - her singing and dancing were both great and she kept the energy level up the entire show. Beth did OK - I wasn't disappointed, but from hearing the cast album, I kinda wish I had seen Christine Ebersole.

Isenegger is a wonderful dancer, but has no star quality, charisma, or anything else. In fact, her teensy features kind of disappear. Let's put it this way - when Gwen Verdon or Chita Rivera took the stage, you knew you were seeing a star! There is no way the fictional "Pretty Lady" show would make a star out of the fictional Peggy Sawyer as played by Nadine Isenegger. Wonder what the show would be like with somebody who really shines!

I've never seen any of the other Peggys (just Kate), so I have nothing to compare. But, I thought Kate was an absolute doll onstage - great stage presence, wonderful singing, facial expressions, and dancing that will blow you away.

I'm very glad to hear that other actresses are getting such great reviews as well - that's the great thing about Broadway and the sea of talent out there - even when one great performer leaves, the show doesn't die. So good luck to Nadine and all the Peggys to follow her! :)