Anyone See Janine LaManna As The Spider Woman?

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 11:02pm

Janine LaManna was Chita's standby in KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN.

I assume this was on tour?

Did anyone see her go on? If so, how was she?

I think she would be fabulous in this role. If a revival does come someday, I wish she could headline it.

So anyone see LaManna as the Spider Woman?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 11:25am

I try so hard to get the appeal of Janine LaManna. I found her stage presence to be cold as ice. She's servicable but I don't think she has a spark.

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 11:34am

I feel Janine can play witty and sarcastic QUITE well. Her Nickie was excellent in the Charity revival as was her Parquet in Candide.

But i don't know if i could see her in a serious role!

I'd love to see her play Madame Thenardier in the Les Mis "revival".

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 12:04pm

Ljay your assuption is correct. She told me she did the tour.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 12:04pm

I think LaManna has one of the best voices out there. Stunning voice. Her vocal versatility from SEUSSICAL to CHARITY is quite marvelous. It does not even sound like the same person.

And though she is a WONDERFUL dancer (look at the dance roles she's played) - she considers herself a singer first and foremost.

I know some people don't have some nice things to say about her, but I think she's great.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 4:27pm

I love her. As Aurora though, not really.

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 6:10pm

Janine LaManna doesn't have the star power and stage presence required to sell the role of Aurora. It's of course a role that needs a skilled triple threat (and La Manna is a very skilled triple-threat), but since in a way the show is a star vehicle, it needs someone with real presence. La Manna was just OK in Sweet Charity but at no point someone thought she was going to win the Tony for this role like Bebe Neuwirth or get a nomination like Hellen Gallagher, she just really lacks that gusto and vibrant energy that makes an actress a star. Remember Aurora is a magnificent celebrity, a legendary woman, an eternal beauty, and look at the three major Spider Women: Chita Rivera, Bebe Neuwirth, and Vanessa Williams; if there was a revival of the show I only see La Manna being a stand-by for the role again, not the actual star.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 6:18pm

Unless you've seen Janine in the role the first time around when she was standby, than it's not really right to assume she wouldn't be good in the role.

I've heard she was a killer Evita when she played it regionally. And that's a far more challenging role than Spider Woman.

I think she'll be a bonafide headliner soon.