QuiteSo, I've suggested Jessica Molaskey several times (including in this thread.)
She would be an ideal Diana.
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.
I think Megan Mullaly would be incredible as Diana... granted she's a little old, but I think she can read young enough to pull it off. Her voice is incredible and she's just a brilliant actress - listening to her on the Jeff Blumenkrantz podcast solidified my belief that, though she's a phenomenal comic actress, she has the emotional depth and ability to take on emotionally complex and challenging roles like this one. Plus, she'd bring in a whole new audience to see the show.
She can be a complete vocal power-house then turn around and absolutely break your heart. I can still remember my heart racing when she hit this incredible note in "Trying Not to Notice (reprise)" during the finale of The Woman in White. Lisa Brescia, breakin' hearts
I love America. Just because I think gay dudes should be allowed to adopt kids and we should all have hybrid cars doesn't mean I don't love America.
[turns and winks directly into the camera]
- Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) on 30 Rock
Val, I thought you really liked Alice's acting. I know you don't like her singing, but doesn't her acting make up for it even a little bit? Harvey Fierstein and Diana. Now that's an idea.
Not sure whether people will agree with this, but I'm convinced Helen Sjoholm would be perfect for this role (she's the Swedish performer who is about to sing the role of Kristina at Carnegie Hall).
She performs in English very well (and without much of an accent, I think) and could certainly handle the score. She's also a good actress. I can just imagine her singing the score and have a gut feeling she would be really good. The only drawback is that she's not a well-known name there - but is certainly well known in her native Sweden due to her theatrical talents. Anyone else agree/disagree?
I was listening to broadway sirius radio today, and reba mcentire did a beautiful rendition of a song from the Concert version of South Pacific at carnegie hall! I think she would be wonderful as Diana!
I adore Reba and think she could do amazing things with the score -- probably better than a lot of people think she could -- but honestly do not think she could handle the heaviness of the part or the intensity of the character.
Lise Brescia? Is everyone kidding? I must be getting pranked. Brescia is awful, and that voice--it's so squeaky and far from having any sort of control. I'm cringing at the thought of her playing Diana.
And Reba? Again, funny joke!
Andrea McArdle would be an AMAZING Diana. Her voice is stunning! Lachanze is another wonderful choice.
And since I just want to see Haven Burton play a leading role full-time, I'm gonna throw her name out there possibly as a replacement for Jenn Damiano. (I'm only partially kidding.)
Glad I could provide you with some entertainment, provocation. I personally find it laughable that anyone could think Stephanie J. Block would be a good Diana.