Audra to play Aretha Franklin in upcoming biopic?

[all that jazz]

Posted: 3/27/13 at 10:17am

Here's the article:

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Audra-McDonald-to-Play-Aretha-Franklin-in-Upcoming-Biopic-20130327

Do you think this could happen? She certainly has an AMAZING voice, but has she given any indication before that she could do Soul?





Updated On: 3/27/13 at 10:17 AM

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 3/27/13 at 10:28am

Vocally she's all wrong for the role. She'd definitely have to "train" to sing in that style which is light years away from what she's used to singing.

Personally, Jennifer Hudson should be the front runner. She's got the looks and the pipes...

...or they can go with an enormously talented unknown and surround her with box office power houses.

The title of this thread is MISLEADING. She hasn't snagged the role yet.

Updated On: 3/27/13 at 10:28 AM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 3/27/13 at 10:35am

Her vocal style is wrong. Audra's is a legit voice, not a belter.

They should go with either Jennifer Hudson or the woman who plays Mercedes on Glee.

[all that jazz]

Posted: 3/27/13 at 10:37am

It was a bit misleading... thanks for pointing it out. Now it has a question mark.

I think I'd also rather have Jennifer, but I can't resist the idea of a major Broadway diva, getting her big break on Hollywood. It's the dreamer in me...

Amber Riley would also be fabulous!

Updated On: 3/27/13 at 10:37 AM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/27/13 at 10:38am

*Aretha

[Wynbish]

Posted: 3/27/13 at 10:39am

Vocally she's all wrong for the role. She'd definitely have to "train" to sing in that style which is light years away from what she's used to singing.

With the vocal problems she was having in Porgy and Bess, I would worry that this would irretrievably negatively alter that gorgeous legit voice she has.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 3/27/13 at 10:43am

^ Then if she gets the role they should just dub her because I can't fathom Audra getting down on "Rock Steady" with her "gorgeous legit voice" - she would send R&B/Soul and music purists in general howling with laughter from the movie theaters.

Updated On: 3/27/13 at 10:43 AM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 3/27/13 at 10:49am

If they want to cast Audra, they should do a biopic of Marian Anderson.

[Wynbish]

Posted: 3/27/13 at 10:50am

Now, that's a good idea

[Playbilly]

Posted: 3/27/13 at 10:55am

Love Audra, but this wouldn't be right.

[latitudex1]

Posted: 3/27/13 at 1:23pm

Audra belted an E in the Dreamgirls concert she did in 00 ("I have put up with your bitchin', I put up with your nagging, and ALL your screaming, too!"). She rarely goes higher than a C before switching into her "mixed" voice, but she does have the capacity.

Audra's got a big, chesty belt. Aretha's voice (much like Hudson's) is mixed throughout every inch of her range, with this smooth incorporation of her chest voice in every note. Yeah, like y'all, I don't think Audra can be the lead in a biopic about Aretha Franklin.

[OrdinaryJukebox]

Posted: 3/27/13 at 1:34pm

I adore Audra!! However, her as Aretha ... no. Her voice is ALL kinds of wrong (and not wrong in a bad way).

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 3/27/13 at 1:39pm

Audra belted an E in the Dreamgirls concert she did in 00 ("I have put up with your bitchin', I put up with your nagging, and ALL your screaming, too!"). She rarely goes higher than a C before switching into her "mixed" voice, but she does have the capacity.

Couldn't she barely speak the next day, at least according to Seth Rudetsky?