BWay on BWay on TV — Page 4

Interesting.. I would think that Kerry would be 2nd string in your ranking then. (And just thinking out loud here) but Kerry has been both Eponine in Les Mis and Belle in Beauty and the Beast and was extremely well recieved in Hairspray. Idina is without a doubt a formidable talent and has been in RENT and AIDA - two very visable shows - but I'm not sure I would categorize her and Kerry differently.

They are very different performers, mind you - but I would still have them in the same "category".

Now.. if you said, Nathan Lane (category 1), Idina or Kerry (category 2) and then perhaps Shoshana Bean (category 3).

Now before anyone rants - I think all the above people are extremely talented. I guess that's how I see the broadway food chain - based more on immediate marketability..

Nathan - well he really doesn't need "hype"
You can easily market Kerry as "Award winning performer from Hairspray" just as you can market Idina as "Award winning original cast member of RENT"

Third "string" is a little trickier because the show would have to take the sizzle (for Shoshana). But that's because she's been mostly in the ensemble. AMAZINGLY talented.. but hasn't broken out "yet"

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Updated On: 9/10/03 at 07:54 PM

and Kerry wasn't even nominated for HAIRSPRAY, Idina has been a billed above the title performer before, Kerry wasn't til LSOH. I stand by my view.

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you are understimating the amazing following RENT still has, and Idina is married to Taye Diggs, has been profiled in People and get's paid MORE, that's what counts on Broadway!

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I understand your view and being in the business I tend to judge things on how we talk about them behind the scenes and on a business level, on a casting level Idina generates more "heat" as they say...but I agree they are all very talented, and while I did not enjoy Kerry in LSOH, I have liked her in the past in many of her roles.

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trust me...Idina's make-up ain't green for nothing..haha, the girl get's paid.

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Why do people only recognize Idina for "RENT" and "Aida"? She also received a Drama Desk nomination for originating the role of Kate in Lippa's "The Wild Party" and, though it wasn't exactly on Broadway she played Shiela in "Hair" at the Encores and also originated the role of Dorothy in the CT out of town run of "Summer of '42". Now she's the title character in "Wicked".

Question for Sheekala - How do you know how much Idina gets paid? How do you know she gets paid more than Kerry?

OK.

I thought this year's Broadway On Broadway overall...disappointed. A lot.

Chicago ~ Brent Barrent was absolutely incredible. THAT's the kind of talent I expect. Melanie Griffith was terrible. Absolutely dreadful.

Phantom of the Opera ~ This guy obviously has a good voice, but it's nothing "special" either. Where was the character?

Avenue Q ~ I thought this was VERY ENERTAINING. One of the highlights of the show.

Taboo ~ Eh. It was OK. I'm getting sick of this kind of crap though. "I'm Gay! You don't understand!! Feel bad for the gay guy!!". I wish Raul performed..

Cabaret ~ Jon Secada. I honestly didn't think he was THAT bad. But there was no character. No accent. It was like I Don't Care Much on MTV. But. I still enjoyed the rendition but this guy isn't right for the part.

Hairspray ~ Excellent.

Rent ~ VERY excellent. Best version I ever heard.

Never Gonna Dance ~ A.K.A. Never gonna look at this again.

Little Shop of Horrors ~ Hunter was pretty good. But nothing SPECTACULAR. Kerry was okay. DEFINITELY nothing spectacular. I really HATE this cast. I REALLY REALLY REALLY HATE IT. This is Little Shop's time to shine on Broadway and we have this mediocore cast. I've seen SO much better in a community theatre production. SOOO much better.

Thoroughly Modern Millie ~ Sutton is wonderful. She looked absolutely gorgeous too! I really wish they didn't cut it off because it was one of the highlights of the show for me.

The Producers ~ DREADFUL. This Don Stephenson guy SUCKS!!!! No charisma, no nothing. Ugh. Absolutely horrible.

Nine ~ The woman had a great voice. I don't really have anything else to say about it.

I can't think of what else performed there right now.

But I thought Nathan Lane and Jane Krakowski were very annoying hosts and they weren't funny at all.

Eh...there's always next year!

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