AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

#1

AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

Posted: 7/28/08 at 7:29pm

So I was listening to the AIDA soundtrack the other day, and I kind of thought that it seemed like a pretty demanding score for Heather to do 8x a week. There have been multiple threads about the demanding scores for the leads in shows like Legally Blonde, Wicked, etc. and the damage/deterioration it did to the voices of actresses like LBB and Idina Menzel at the time. Did similar things happen to Heather Headley back during her run in AIDA? Or was she pretty consistent?

#2

re: AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

Posted: 7/28/08 at 7:52pm

she did have a standby, but i never saw her live, just seen and heard a bunch of stuff on youtube, and as much as i love her on the CD, it seemed to me that she was not all that consistant vocally live, not because it seemed demanding, but she sometimes took the riffs a step too far.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/27199361@N08/ Phantom at the Royal Empire Theatre

#3

re: AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

Posted: 7/28/08 at 7:55pm

I recall that Deborah Cox had an alternate who performed matinees, Saycon Sengbloh.

#4

re: AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

Posted: 7/28/08 at 7:58pm

As far as I know, Cox is the only one who required one. Headley, Days, and even Toni Braxton survived without it.

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http://www.youtube.com/huskcharmer

#5

re: AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

Posted: 7/28/08 at 8:30pm

but she sometimes took the riffs a step too far

A "step too far", eh? Eh?

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Notes from the Earlham Street Gutter

#6

re: AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

Posted: 7/28/08 at 9:09pm

husk_charmer, that's not actually true.

All three of the "star" replacements (Deborah Cox, Michelle Williams, and Toni Braxton) used a matinee alternate.

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Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

#7

re: AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

Posted: 7/28/08 at 9:54pm

This brings up another question: where is Heather, and when can Broadway have her back?

#8

re: AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

Posted: 7/28/08 at 10:08pm

When Broadway writes her a great new show.
I saw her well into her run and yes she riffed
but she riffed like no one else and she was a force of nature.
Loved her.

#9

re: AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

Posted: 7/28/08 at 10:21pm

"This brings up another question: where is Heather, and when can Broadway have her back?"

I remember a few years ago, she said in an interview that Broadway was a stepping stone to get to a solo music career and Hollywood. I don't know if she thinks differently now though.

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"Chicago is it's own incredible theater town right there smack down in the middle of the heartland. What a great city! I can see why Oprah likes to live there!" - Dee Hoty :-D

#10

re: AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

Posted: 7/28/08 at 11:05pm

Shoot. An understandable attitude, but a disappointing one nonetheless. I know she was nominated for some Grammys a few years ago, but I haven't heard anything about her since then, really. I hope she comes back; I'd love to see her in something, since I never saw Aida.

#11

re: AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

Posted: 7/29/08 at 12:06am

I didn't care much for ANY of the 'star' replacements, but then again, I didn't like Headley either. She was alright at best.

If you're wanting a vocalist who could easily handle the score 8x a week and riff the hell out of it, then you should have seen Simone as AIDA. She was in the touring company as the lead for about a year before heading to Broadway. Just incredible.

Deborah Cox had the vocal chops, but not the acting skill. She was the best of the 'names' they brought in...



BN

#12

Posted: 7/29/08 at 12:10am

Updated On: 5/2/09 at 12:10 AM

#13

re: AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

Posted: 7/29/08 at 12:16am

Headley sung the **** out of that AIDA score.

But there was always something missing... oh yeaah. that thing called "acting"

#14

Posted: 7/29/08 at 12:21am

Updated On: 5/2/09 at 12:21 AM

#15

re: AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

Posted: 7/29/08 at 12:24am

LOL LePetite!

yes, that dialouge is soo awkward. and Adam Pascal has the ability to make it even more awkward

#16

re: AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

Posted: 7/29/08 at 12:54am

I saw Deborah and was thoroughly blown away by the way she sang the score, utterly terrific. I'd have loved to see Heather too and kind of wish this show was still around now. It had a good run and was a decent show in any case.

#17

re: AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

Posted: 7/29/08 at 8:39am

I saw Paulette Ivory on tour first, had to get over her accent and the way it sounded as though she sang all her dialogue lines. but she was good, although she did not hit the high note at the end of dance of the robe (some singers just dont go up that extra note on "it's enough")

then I saw Deborah Cox and i totally loved her, I found her acting to be quite good and she seemed very natural in the role (except for her weave) the last person I saw was her understudy Ty'rea Campbell (sp) who was ok, I was too distracted in that performance by Cheyenne's totally gay version of Radames. (he was on for Pascal)

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/27199361@N08/ Phantom at the Royal Empire Theatre

#18

re: AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

Posted: 7/29/08 at 11:33am

I actually worked at the Palace during the run of AIDA and heard Heather at least 4 or 5 times a week. She was very vocally consistent during the show and most days sounded almost exactly like the recording. She was also very strict about maintaining her vocal health and taking care of herself. She has even commented about how her DR. was very impressed with how well her voice had held up during the run.

#19

re: AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

Posted: 7/29/08 at 9:56pm

I saw Simone, Will Chase, and Lisa Brescia and they were all wonderful!

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"Everytime you step on that stage it is somebody's first Broadway show and somebody's last Broadway show. Make it count."

#20

re: AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

Posted: 7/29/08 at 10:00pm

I saw Heather Headley twice in Aida and she was outstanding both times. She really needs to come back to Broadway!

#21

re: AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

Posted: 7/29/08 at 10:06pm

uh Simone didn't have the acting chops either... i saw her several times on tour and while she vocally sang the shi* out of those songs her acting left A LOT to be desired!

#22

re: AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

Posted: 7/29/08 at 11:58pm

I thought Deborah did a fine job with the acting.

#23

re: AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

Posted: 7/30/08 at 12:30am

Heather Headley WAS Aida. No one gave a performance like she did in the role. Paulette Ivory was quite good, brought out the femininity in the character rather than the strong-willed dignified approach a la Headley.

Deborah no doubt sang the sh** out of the score, but unfortunately didn't equal the impact with her acting.

Singing the sh** out of the score half the time causes those in awe to overlook acting skills. Shoshana Bean in Wicked anyone?

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I don't WANT to live in what they call "a certain way." In the first place I'd be no good at it and besides that I don't want to be identified with any one class of people. I want to live every whichway, among all kinds---and know them---and understand them---and love them---THAT's what I want! - Philip Barry (Holiday)

#24

re: AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

Posted: 7/30/08 at 12:33am

She has had a mildly successful music career. A gold album or two.

Her song "I Wish I Wasn't" is pretty amazing.

#25

re: AIDA and Heather Headley (more of a question than a thread topic)

Posted: 7/30/08 at 12:40am

"the best moment on the CR is Adam Pascal's "I'll never take you sailing." I always imagine him on the deck of a yacht in an Izod polo and khakis, with a sweater tied around his neck and pastel deck shoes." TRULY FUNNY!!!

And almost makes up for this thread starting with "AIDA soundtrack."