From my perspective, Ashford wasn't really going for much substance in the role (though I too hear she is making significant progress.)
I got the impression that her main goal was to get cheap laughs and look cute in the process, which got old quite quickly. When the time came for the "progession" of the character in Act Two (or really the posibility of anything non-spastic in Act One), the emotion and maturity just wasn't there for me.
On the plus side, she has a gorgeous voice and very solid chemistry with Stephanie Block. I'm sure she'll get a firmer grasp on her portrayal with more time.
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.