Anika Larsen

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/18/09 at 10:00pm

...is the best Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut in AVENUE Q's history.

That is all.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/18/09 at 11:14pm

Did you see the show tonight, yankee?
Or recently? Updated On: 10/18/09 at 11:14 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/18/09 at 11:16pm

The other day. Still one of the best shows around. Sound design isn't very good.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/18/09 at 11:34pm

How's the cast overall? I saw it with the OBC and liked but didn't love it and then again two or three years ago and it felt totally stale, mainly due to a bland cast. I kinda wanna see it again...I feel like it'll play so much better in a smaller setting.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 10/18/09 at 11:35pm

If you want to see a fresh cast, Rocks, then see the tour cast. They are all perfect for their roles.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/18/09 at 11:48pm

This cast is fresh enough...Larsen is really the stand out. Updated On: 10/19/09 at 11:48 PM

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 1:32pm

I saw her yesterday and towards the end of the Broadway run. She is definitely one of the best if not the best in the role. Would she be eligible for a Drama Desk for this? I wonder how they would deem it...

Three of the Off-Broadway cast are from the final Broadway cast (in addition to Anika Larsen, the actors playing Brian and Gary Coleman, Nicholas Kohn and Danielle K. Thomas) and I think they benefit from the intimacy of the New World Stages theatre. I thought they both got swallowed up at the Golden. The rest of the cast is solid, except I didn't really care for Seth Rettberg as Princeton. His Rod is fine, but he has this odd character voice for Princeton that almost makes him sound like Nicky. Also, he didn't quite land all of his jokes. For me, no one has surpassed John Tartaglia in charm and humor; he was perfection in the role.

I saw Ben Brantley lingering by New World Stages and picking up a ticket yesterday. I wonder if he too was watching Avenue Q and possibly reviewing it since it's opening on Wednesday.

~Steven

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 1:38pm

And by the way, Avenue Q fits beautifully Off-Broadway. I was sitting in the mezzanine and it felt like I was onstage with them. It felt so intimate and it now feels like the audience is part of it and on the street with them since the set takes up the entire stage. And they have waiters taking drink orders if that's your thing. And ticket prices are cheaper for the same show that was playing just one avenue over. Nothing is lost from transferring it back Off-Broadway; in fact, everything is gained! Bravo to the producers on such a bold move. I hope it stays there for years and years.

I did have problems with the spot op, but that's about it. :)

~Steven

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 2:02pm

She blew me away in Zanna Don't. I guess I need to see this again!

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 3/19/10 at 3:09pm

I saw Anika as Kate Monster while on Broadway. She was amazing! Has anyone seen her on the Xanadu tour?

[sbflyfan]

Posted: 3/19/10 at 3:20pm

I saw her on the "Xanadu" tour several times in Cleveland, and must say she's a FANTASTIC Kira. She has absolute control over her voice, and can can get a laugh from doing the little "Olivia-isms," but without coming across as annoying or distracting you from the moment. She's really found a perfect balance!

Updated On: 3/19/10 at 03:20 PM

[Contributor]

Posted: 3/19/10 at 3:41pm

Did you all read BWW's interview with Anika last year?

https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=62377

[I'mNOTthatGIRL72]

Posted: 3/19/10 at 3:45pm

I completely agree. I saw Anika at the end of July last summer in NYC. I loved her better than Stephanie from the soundtrack (even though I think Stephanie is also very good). I was completely overwhelmed at Anika's version of Fine Fine line, the vocals alone in that song would make her worthy of a Drama Desk Award. I found her Kate to be very sweet, very lovable. It was my first time seeing the show live after listening to the album for three years, and in a lot of ways I love the closing Broadway cast more than the singers on the cast album (except John Tartaglia, he is my favourite thing ever!) :) I love Anika!

[Steve2]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 4:25pm

I thought I would bring some Anika Larsen love to this thread.

I just saw the Xanadu tour 3 times in Orlando and she just blew me away. So funny and a great singer. I certainly wish her the best.

Also enjoyed Max von Essen as Sonny. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed Xanadu when it was on Broadway

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 7/27/10 at 1:41am

Just thought I'd share this :)
Obsessed!: Anika Larsen Only Steals From the Best