Ashlee Simpson, has she been reviewed?- Page 4

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 9/30/06 at 12:30am

"I'm just finding it amusing that everyone is saying "she can pull it off." Like Roxie Hart is a role you can just pull off. This is like saying she can pull off Momma Rose. Of course, Roxie Hart is not Momma Rose, but my point is that both roles were originated (and re-created) by some of our most talented musical theatre actresses. Let's evaluate who has played Hart in the original production: Gwen Verdon, Liza Minnelli, Ann Reinking...and now Ashley Simpson in the revival? Good for her, she can "pull it off." Please..."

Amen, brother!

[newsieboy23]

Posted: 9/30/06 at 1:35am

LJay, I understand what you are saying about both Brooke and Paige. I did not see Brooke, but am suprised (and glad) that she did all of the choreo. How were her Jete's in Baby? I saw Paige. I absolutely adore her. You know I was pushing for her to be Charity and she was begging for it as well. She would have been PERFECT. Unfortunately she was a horrible Roxie becasue she was performing Roxie the way Charity would have been played. Cute and sweet. She also did not do all of the Choreo (no Jete's of course, no suprise).

And yes, Ashlee is certainly too young. On that note, that blonde Velma (who could be AMAZING, i have no idea) is not very attractive and FAR too old.

Just 2 more of my cents.

[Londonskyguy]

Posted: 9/30/06 at 8:35am

Actually the "blonde"who plays Velma in London is Amra Faye Wright,, shes been doing the role for quite some time, Ive seen her on several occasions, and shes actually amazing. right up there with Bebe.Speculation can be entertaining I suppose, but to be honest, and im not referring to anyone imparticular, but gernerally speaking, why are we so quick to criticize something we havent even seen?
Updated On: 9/30/06 at 08:35 AM

[soapguy17]

Posted: 9/30/06 at 9:02am

I'm glad to hear she's doing well. If this was just some nameless faceless performer, a big group of you lashing insults would not be here. There be a few, she's too young and that would be all. From what I've seen on the site that shouldn't be named is that she is pretty good. I don't know how she'll handle the acting, but as far as singing and dancing goes she's a fit. I plan to go of to college and major in vocal performance, while it saddens me that I I'll be passes up for some roles becuse I'm no attractive enough, or I'm not skinny enough, or maybe Justin Timberlake or Usher want the part.

I'm sure someone has already pointed this out, but Ashlee is not a "popular" in Europe as she is here. My guess that over there this hardly counts as stunt casting. It's more like casting a somewhat less talented better known name.

It happens all the time! Do you think there might have been someone better to play the original Elphaba than Idina, or that maybe someone could have better handled Kelli's role in The Pajama Game. Okay, this post is way too long so I'm going to stop.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 9/30/06 at 10:30am

" Karen Ziemba is on the site we won't mention doing "All That Jazz" and she goes to stage right and Bebe Neuwirth enters to join her (huge applause). Now Karen is very, very talented, but beside Bebe, you see the number done spot-on perfectly (Bebe) and done very well (Karen). They do the rag together (in almost perfect unison) but Bebe looks like pure Fosse and Karen - who is in her own rights a Broadway star - just is not as perfectly formed as Bebe. Even someone with all Karen's talent isn't necessarily a perfect match for Bebe."

That's not All That Jazz, that's Nowadays into Hot Honey Rag, from the Leading Ladies at Carnegie Hall concert. I don't know where the clip starts on YouTube, but Karen gets some pretty massive entrance applause of her own. She's not as Fesse-esque as Bebe, her training is different and apparently Bobbie didn't think it was necessary to change her style. The best part of that clip is how they perform together - I defy you to find a Roxie and Velma of the past 10 years who have that kind of chemistry.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 9/30/06 at 11:20am

You are absolutely right. Of course it is "Nowadays". (Brain freeze). That being said, you are also right that you can't find a Roxie and Velma with that much sympatico, nowadays. It's sad, isn't it? And of course, I do not mean to diminish the talent of Karen but connect the dots. From Bebe and Ann to Karen to... Ashlee? Maybe this show has run its course. When the talent pool goes from amazing to fabulous to... "pull it off" there is a serious dimishment of the value of the show.

I wouldn't pay Broadway or West End ticket fees to see a show where the lead actor can "pull it off." I really do want the razzledazzle.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 9/30/06 at 11:25am

When I saw your post, I immediately went to The Site, hoping All That Jazz was up there! When I saw Ziemba in CHICAGO, Neuwirth was out, and now, having seen the Leading Ladies performance, I kick myself for not having gone back to see them together.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 9/30/06 at 12:21pm

I am SSSSSOOOOOOO sorry. I write all day and read online at nights. Mistakes are made....

[allofmylife]

Posted: 9/30/06 at 12:28pm

I checked my archive of .flv files (downloads from thesitewewillnotname) and I discovered I have "All that Jazz" with Bebe and Chita. Close but no chickita....

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 9/30/06 at 1:45pm

Oh I loved Chita and Bebe doing "All That Jazz" at the Kennedy Center Gala (I believe it was the Kander & Ebb homage in which Alan Cumming and Joel Grey did "Willkommen" together as well).
Bebe Neuwirth actually was directed and choreographed by Fosse himself when she did Sweet Charity so I assume that is one of the reasons her Fosse style is so engrained in her dancing in Chicago. Ziemba did not have this advantage, yet she is careful to apply the Fosse-style to her body as she performs Reinking's choreography. I agree this is the best pairing of Velma and Roxie that I've seen (alongside with Ruthie Henshall and Ute Lemper).

[clarky]

Posted: 9/30/06 at 1:46pm

Now Folks, do you guys really think the average theatre audience knows what a "fosse point" (or whatever) is?

They go to the show, because, they want to be entertained. And if Ashlee Simpson or whoever is on that stage, can make them enjoy the show, that's all it matters.

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 9/30/06 at 1:58pm

Ummm, some of us actually see a masterpiece like Chicago as art and actually care about the "Fosse point" and what it does to add to the significance of the show. So yeah, it does matter.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 9/30/06 at 2:01pm

well, i think Ashlee looks great, and i applaud her for her effort
:)

Updated On: 9/30/06 at 02:01 PM

[newsieboy23]

Posted: 9/30/06 at 3:02pm

There are lots of Fosse terms, but "Fosse Point" is not one of them.

:)

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 9/30/06 at 5:16pm

"Fosse point" and what it does to add to the significance of the show. So yeah, it does matter."

Yes, people do need to be glossy Fosse'd. :-}
Updated On: 9/30/06 at 05:16 PM

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 9/30/06 at 5:25pm

I love how she calls them Broadways.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 9/30/06 at 8:52pm

I am so frustrated. I just wrote a HUGE explaination of what I meant and the damn computer crashed. Too tired to do it all again. Suffice to say, I admit to making up the word. I was reaching for a phrase to explain my view of Fossee's work.

I see his choreography as a series of interconnected "perfect points" the perfect step, the perfect swoop, the perfect turn, (raise hat with pinky extended). What I meant was that you can freeze Fosse numbers on tape and every frame is perfect. It's like "Barry Lyndon" the movie by Stanley Kubrik. Freeze and frame and you have a classical painting.

Some of us do look at Fosse (and Bennett and Sondheim's) work as art. I just want to see it performed at Broadway prices, by Fosse dancers, not talented amateurs or well-meaning moviestars.

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 12:09am

Newsies.

Actually, Ann Reinking choreographed 3 versions of ME AND MY BABY, as she knew not every Roxie would be able to perform it with the jetes or to be simple - the leaps. So I've learned that there are 3 choreogprahed versions of the number ranging from easy, medium, to hard. Brooke I believe performed a level 2, no leaps. Most of the Roxies perform a level 2. The extensively trained Roxies will perform the level 3, the hardest. So I assume Bebe will perform the level 3 this winter. Then there is Melanie Griffith who couldn't handle any of them, and had to have special pre-school choreography just for her.

[newsieboy23]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 12:32am

Good to know, LJay

[allofmylife]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 2:24am

Try to convince me the The American Ballet, The Kirov or the Royal would have three versions of the dances for the principal ballerinas. Try to show me where The Met has a "beginner level" for Wagner's Ring Cycle ("The role of Brunhilda tonight will be performed by the star of TV's Las Vegas, Nikki Cox...")

well, on reflection, Nikki in a steel corset MIGHT get me out to the Met...

But what I mean is, the ballet, opera both require a certain level of talent for their lead roles. Perhaps we are cheapening the requirements for our art.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 3:42am

How many operas or ballets are running in any city at any given time? You have, usually, one of each. Plus, a lot of their business is done by subscription.

On the other hand, how many pieces of theater are running at any given time in NYC? All competing with each other for business. It's apples and oranges.

[newsieboy23]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 12:46pm

I prefer oranges.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 10/1/06 at 11:37pm

Ah well, it's been fun keeping Ashlee Simpson's name on the first page of the forum for many more days than she deserves. Like a cat, I've grown tired of this ball of string....

Bye bye Ashlee. Enjoy London. Try to see some of the sites on your day off.

Updated On: 10/1/06 at 11:37 PM

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 10/2/06 at 12:22am

Is it just me or does she look horribly young for the role?

[Londonskyguy]

Posted: 10/2/06 at 12:56am

So many people grabbed onto the fact that in my very minimalist review i said that Ashlee "pulled it off',, ! Its so intersesting how things get lost in translation.

Ashlee,, was FAB. Vocally ,, Fab, As a dancer FAB,, was she Anne Reinking,, ? Of course not, but then who is.. but Ashlee brought an honest performance, was flawless in her dancing, honest in acting, vulnerable, and very charasmatic,, again I will say that I was never a fan of hers , nor did I ever hate her,, I never really gave her much thought,,,, but to tell the truth,, I am now a huge fan,,,
I hope she brings this to New York,, you cant fake live Theater.. And from what I saw on what was just Ashleee's 4th performance,, she will be right up there with the best of them!


Updated On: 10/2/06 at 12:56 AM