Alice Ripley out of N2N Monday night, 11/16/09- Page 2

[AC126748]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 4:16pm

The far less experienced, much younger, Meghann Fahy was excellent the first time she went on as Natalie.

She also knew weeks in advance that she was going on that first time. Jessica found out day-of.

And I agree about Spencer: last week he was barely whispering his songs and walking through the book scenes.

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 5:44pm

Now we all know that if adamgreer sees one bad performance from someone he will constantly bash them every chance he gets. Jessica Philips is the best example(after seeing her the night after the Tony's back in June) and there are certain Elphaba's in Wicked that he is always bashing(Dee Roscioli,Kerry Ellis,Marcie Dodd are the best examples).

[Here I Am]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 7:39am

Okay, I was trying to stay out of this argument but I can't. First off, I will say that I am a huge fan of the show and have seen it quite a few times. Secondly, I will admit that I am the hugest Alice supporter out there. Lastly, I have NOT seen Jessica in the role. I have, however, heard her in several clips and while yes, she has a very pretty voice, it's just not the right style for Diana. She is also WAYY too young. I have seen her in person and she looks like Natalie's older sister. But since I have not seen her I cannot judge her performance. I can't imagine anyone even touching Alice's performance, but I'm glad that people enjoy her understudy and I hope to see her one day in the role. I'd like to see a different take. It would be interesting I think.

How ANYONE can say that Alice is bad in this show... I simply cannot wrap my mind around that. How can that performance not touch you on so many deep emotional levels?? I just don't get it. Yes, Jessica's performance can touch you as well. But how can people feel absolutely nothing for Alice?? You are allowed to enjoy both you know. But hey, EVERYONE is entitled to their own opinion. That what makes the world so interesting.

Also, and this was my main reason for posting here... there is ALOT of Jessica love on this thread, and that's great. I am a performer myself and respect and positivity is a wonderful thing. However, some of you are being VERY hypocritical saying "How can you bash Jessica??!" and going off on adamgreer and others for bashing Jessica and then you go and bash Alice to no end. It works both ways! Am I wrong? That is EXTREMELY hypocritical. Show some respect for the art of theatre.


Updated On: 11/18/09 at 07:39 AM

[bjh2114]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 8:04am

However, some of you are being VERY hypocritical saying "How can you bash Jessica??!" and going off on adamgreer and others for bashing Jessica and then you go and bash Alice to no end. It works both ways! Am I wrong? That is EXTREMELY hypocritical. Show some respect for the art of theatre.

I don't believe I or anybody else ever "bashed Alice to no end" in this thread, but feel free to believe what you will. And for the record, Here I Am, Jessica is not too young. In fact, she is the perfect age. Diana is supposed to be 40 at the oldest (22 when she has the baby; 18 years later would make her 40). Jessica is 38, and reads 38-40. She is supposed to be a young mom relative to her children's ages. Alice is 45, but reads 45-50. And yes Jessica looks young on the street, but she definitely acts her age on the stage.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 8:07am

She sounds beautiful in that youtube clip, BUT there is no passion behind her voice. I want to hear a woman desperate to have that life back she once had. I don't hear that in Jessica's performance. All I hear is a pretty voice. Granted, she is not doing the show during that clip, but still....no matter where you sing it, you need to have that passion. So, overall - great voice, no connection to the song.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 8:12am

Again, that clip is from long ago, and from a concert. It was a whole different ball game at the Booth on Monday night. She definitely had passion.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 8:13am

Oh, she probably did. I've never seen her so I was just giving my opinion on that clip

[SNAFU]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 1:22pm

Personally I didn't care for the show and feel it was because of Alice Ripley's over the top batsh*t craziness which remained at the same level the entire show.
I might venture forth and see it again with someone else playing Diana.

[Here I Am]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 8:20pm

Wow, had NO idea that Jessica was 38. She looks 28 in person lol. And to me, Alice does not read 50 at all. But then again sometimes I get carded and sometimes I don't. I guess it's just the perception and interpretation of the person looking at you.

[steven22]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 10:19pm

at the stagedoor last week...Jessica could have easily pass as a 28yr old

she looks very young, BUT I feel her interpretation of the Diana could work, I have yet to see her go on though

[aliceidinabernadette]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 11:58pm

AC126748: Sorry to go back to your comment here, but it just bugged me. Sure, an understudy who knows about their performance date can be physically preparing, taking vocal health precautions, etc., but isn't the role of an understudy to be prepared for whenever, from the day the show opens up to an audience. No, I have not seen Jessica or Meghann, so I cannot comment on their performances, but I do know that it is not an excuse for an understudy. Some understudies find out even half an hour before, but they can whip out a great performance. Its about knowing your material, exploring on your own time, and being in the moment; no amount of time should change any of those things for a responsible understudy. Of course she has gotten better, and I am not saying Jessica is bad, because I haven't seen her, but I do believe that the comparison of her to Meghann was completely fair.

Also, Alice does not read 50 to me at all. She definitely reads around 40.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 11/19/09 at 12:08am

I do believe that the comparison of her to Meghann was completely fair.

I still do not. Again, the circumstances were completely different, and the role is much more demanding. It's hardly comparable. What would be comparable would be if Linda Balgord got only a few hours notice that she was going on for Patti the day after she won the Tony for Gypsy. Not Meghann Fahy getting weeks of notice for a normal everyday performance.

[binau]

Posted: 11/19/09 at 12:48am

I agree it was/is by no way a fair comparison.

Even if it is the understudy's fault that they were under rehearsed it doesn't change that they were under rehearsed!

So obviously comparing an under rehearsed first-time performance with the pressure of Alice just winning a Tony is not in any way comparable to a definitely well-rehearsed and prepared performance of another understudy for a smaller role with less pressure.

Updated On: 11/19/09 at 12:48 AM

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 11/19/09 at 7:24am

"at the stagedoor last week...Jessica could have easily pass as a 28yr old"

Sunday night she could have passed for Jennifer's slightly older sister.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 11/19/09 at 5:13pm

I would love to see Jessica in the role! Just saying...

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 11/29/09 at 12:09pm

Finally saw Jessica last night and I actually really liked her. Love Alice to death but I have to say I liked Jessica's portrayal more.

Jessica's on again this afternoon

[THDavis]

Posted: 11/29/09 at 12:12pm

That's good to hear. I don't know if this has been discussed, but when people talk about how Jessica makes "I Miss the Mountains" sound like a country song, the marking in the written music is country/folk pop... I'm just saying.