Alice Ripley's replacement in N2N? — Page 4

Haven Burton would also need to improve her mediocre acting skills and look about 10 years older. Saw her "star" in Legally Blonde and was not at all impressed. Don't really get the hype with her. She's got a killer voice, but she doesn't seem "star quality" to me.

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Updated On: 8/14/09 at 03:31 AM

I think this show could run past the original cast if it still sells well. After all, these performances are MUCH less iconic than the original Rent cast, but that show survived a long time.

Plus, this is Alice Ripley, in, NEXT TO NORMAL. not

Alice Ripley
IS
"Next to Normal"

"I just can;t believe that people are suggesting, not here but on other sites, that Stephanie J. Block should play this part."
Agreed.

"I mean, we need someone who can act! Stephanie doesn't really belong in that categorie."
Disagreed.

Updated On: 8/14/09 at 01:02 PM

"I'm not sure what Kelly2 means by saying that Kaitlin Hopkins has the voice Ripley lacks since Ripley gives a brilliant vocal performance in NEXT TO NORMAL. Her voice never fails to blow me away."
The one thing that people have to remember with Alice Ripley's voice is that it is VERY different and it is not for everyone. At first, I couldn't listen to her sing...but after a little while, I got used to the unique tones in her voice. I still don't find her to be pleasant to listen to, but I don't mind her voice at all. She's just one of those singers (like DRV) who splits audience members with her unique voice.

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"I just can;t believe that people are suggesting, not here but on other sites, that Stephanie J. Block should play this part."
Agreed."

I'm one of Stephanie's biggest fans, but I'm not so sure if I fell any pain for the character if I saw her sing "I Miss the Mountains."

Carolee Carmello!!!

I dont think they need to stunt cast. Exactly the opposite, they need to quality cast. Everyone thought the Original Cast of RENT was the second coming of Christ and no one could picture it without the originals. It did exceptionally well. I think the story is drawing people in. I think people are having strong emotional reactions to the story and they are relating deeply to aspects of it. I think it will continue to do well with a Diana who can sing the part and bring the emotions every night. Actually Dana Fuchs from Across The Universe comes to mind. She can sing the rock and bring the frenetic emotion. I think the actress needs to be comfortable with rock music and with edgy acting. I don't think Murney, Mullally or Carmello have the chops. I've seen Megan in concert and she could not sing the part of Diana 8 times a week. Her voice was strained from doing limited concert work. There is a reason she had 2 songs in YF.

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"As for SJB, she could definitely make it work. She's a phenomenal actress and her voice is unstoppable, but that is where the problem is for her and this role. She's unstoppable. This role, in my opinion, calls for an actress with a bit more vulnerability."

I felt she brought vulnerabiltiy when I saw her play Elphaba in 2005. I also felt she brought more when she performed alongside Sebastian during her Broadway run. However, I'm still not sure if she'd bring enough of it if she were to play the role of Diana.

Updated On: 8/16/09 at 03:18 PM

I'm sorry, but SJB is not a phenomenal actress. She would be a disaster as Diana.

Not sure why people think SJB would be good for this. She looks a solid 5 years younger than Ripley, maybe more, and her acting isn't something to write home about.

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SJB would be a disaster as Diana. I don't really get the hype about her...she over acts in everything.

A part of me would love to see LaChanze as Diana.

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