I don't think she sounds more pretty than anyone else who I've seen/heard play the role (save for the woman in the Doyle revival) at all. She's brilliant, the best thing about the recording.
I love how saying Audra sounded TOO PRETTY is an insult to some fans. We never said she didn't sound good enough. She just sounded too beautiful on the recording to come off as a crazy hag. She sounds like a Beggar Woman that went to Juilliard, it's not a bad thing. Just not my taste for the Beggar Woman. I thought Vicki was a little better, shoot me!
HOLY ****, THAT WAS VICTORIA CLARK?!
Seriously, I'm shocked!
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
I'd love to have Audra as Dot in "Sunday..." but I suppose color blind casting wouldn't work in that show.
Audra played dot at Ravinia. Audio floats around. She was pretty good.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
Uhoh, looks like I'll be on the look-out. I thought I had heard of her playing the role, but wasn't sure.
Ahhh Broadway, one of the few places where being trained is a downfall...
I don't know if it's necessarily the training that's the downfall, but how people are able to feel and connect with emotion in the song. I think Audra has an unbelievably beautiful voice, but I have a difficult time really connecting with her performance. I've been guilty of saying she sounds "too pretty" or "too much like Audra," and I don't think that's really conveying my reaction to her performance. she sings all of her roles beautifully, but, to me, there's a certain element of distance between her and the audience. when I saw her in 110 in the Shade, I thought she had a wonderful presence and she sang the score beautifully, but I didn't always feel it.
now, someone like Victoria Clark, who is also trained and also has a beautiful voice, is someone I connect to emotionally. I listen to her sing and I feel with her and her character. Her performance in Follies this past February blew me away. I find that she can sound a little more raw than Audra, which makes her more human and easier to connect with. Audra has that intangible goddess thing going on for me, or like she's in a glass case and isn't able to break out.
anyway, I love listening to Audra's Beggar Woman, but Vicki is definitely my favorite Beggar Woman ever of all time.
I disagree with the "pretty" thing.
Even though Audra has one of the most classically trained voices (with Juilliard and all) she always to me has seemed to have this thick character that is distinctly "Audra" to her voice.
I do agree with givesmevoice, she seems to be a bit intangible, and I can see how that would work in a way for the beggar woman.
...though would she not be an AMAZING Lovett?
Broadway Star Joined: 3/18/05
I would disagree about Audra being a intangible goddess. I have been obsessed with her for some time, and I 110 was the 1st time I'd ever been in the same room with her, let alone see her perform.
Beyond the build up to her entrance, by the end of "Love, Don't Turn Away," I was watching Lizzie, not Audra. I have always thought she's come across as down to earth and real, even for someone who idealizes her as much as I do.
I think she conveys so much emotion in her singing voice, and her way with lyrics has always transcended my ipod or computer screen.
Audra's voice is just amazing to me. Her solo recordings all convey emotion, playfulness, and really showcase her brillance. Her voice is too pretty for a crazy old hag though, lol. Maybe in a few years
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