I saw the understudy on Thursday (I also read that Audra had appeared live on The View earlier that day, and she didn't seem to be sick? So perhaps she just needed a break from it all.)
Tryphena was quite good as Rose. Sang very well (in the typical belty fashion Rose is usually sung). She also had a very charismatic stage presence, which, unfortunately, took a bit away from what a monster Rose could've been.
I also saw Audra the previous weekend, and Audra's Rose is definitely way more fearless, manic, and pathetic. Her Rose's Turn is the definitive interpretation for me. Terrifying and heartbreaking. I've always thought previously that Rose's Turn is overrated/overhyped as an 11 o'clock number. Bernadette's was fine, if not boring. Patti's was quite thrilling (when I saw her front row in 08 ), but a little flat in the depth emotions she explored aside from anger. But wow. Audra's interpretation came from Rose's soul, and I finally felt like I truly I understood Rose.
I've heard from others that Audra has gotten a lot more adept with the changes in the vocal registers she uses, and I wasn't bothered at all that her Rose was in a totally different key.
This production did make me miss the over-the-top portrayal of Leigh Ann Larkin's June, the more commanding presence of Laura Benanti as Louise, and the absurdly hilarious Elektra by Marilyn Caskey in the 08 LuPone revival.
Updated On: 4/5/25 at 09:35 PM