Best Fantine on record...

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 5:14am

Just wondering what everybody thinks- I've got a couple of "Les Miz" c.d.'s, and I kind of like what Debra Byrne does with it on the symphonic recording. Oh, I don't know...

[CastAlbumFan]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 5:32am

Randy Graff will always be my favorite Fantine. She's the first Fantine I've heard on a recording, and I've always liked her work in other shows like CITY OF ANGELS.

[JoMarch]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 6:05am

Anyone but LuPone. She sounds like she's on valium on the OLC recording.

[stage_door76]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 6:11am

ah...

is there really any competition here?

clearly, ms. ruthie henshall takes the cake as the most vocally capable fantine. not to mention her stunning acting performance. she is a sure fired star.

definitely the best fantine. ever.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 6:20am

I agree, Ruthie Henshall.

[stage_door76]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 6:29am

yes, i agree with me too


RUTHIE IS THE BEST!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 8:31am

I also agree. It's definitely Ruthie. She's my favorite overall Fantine as well, and I never even saw her live.

[Jon]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 8:40am

I agree with Henshall. Graff is to Broadway brassy, LuPone is just a mess.

[Elizabeth_DeBris]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 9:12am

Ruthie Henshall, but in all fairness: I've never seen any of them perform live (I have the Tenth Anniversary Concert DVD, though, for Henshall).

[lamentingenvelope]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 9:20am

RUTHIE LOVE!!

With Debbie Byrne a second. However Debbie is without a doubt my favorite Grizabella in Cats.

[Gingersnap]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 9:36am

Count this as another vote for Ruthie! So far, she's my favorite...and one of the few I've bothered to remember by name.

Patti LuPone...though I like her in other things...did nothing for me as Fantine (and Fantine is my favorite female character in the show)...she didn't seem fragile enough.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 9:40am

Also gotta go w/ ruthie. I also haven't seen the big ones live, but in terms of who is my fav to listen to, it's definitely her.

[hannahshule]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 10:13am

Ruthie

[Benzy92]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 10:33am

RUTHIE.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 10:41am

Fantine was my favorite when I first got into Les Mis. I had the OBC so my first was Randy, whom I later saw in Fiddler but didn't get to talk to her about it , but Ruthie is great as well.

[SayWhyNot]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 10:47am

Sorry. Gotta say Patti LuPone. She was the first _I_ had heard and I was floored by the song and the voice. I guess it's a lot about the first time we hear (and re-hear and re-hear) a particular voice in a particular song. 'Never heard Ruthie Henshall, but I can only imagine . . . . .

[Elphie]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 10:58am

Ruthie Henshall!!!!

[Teeny Todd]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 11:25am

yeah, me too. ruthie henshall.

[softershade]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 12:41pm

Jumping on the bandwagon here: Ruthie!

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 12:48pm

In English? Ruthie, by a long shot.

Otherwise, Louise Pitre on the Paris cast is my favorite.

[Sant]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 1:25pm

Ruthie Henshall.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 1:38pm

Ruthie. (as on Record)

not on record Joanna Ampil, Jayne Paterson and Carmen Cusack as phonomennal(sp?) as well

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 2:02pm

Patti

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 2:05pm

You gotta go with the actress Cameron Mackintosh chose for the dreamcast himself: Ms.Ruthie Henshall! Both of her major songs "I Dreamed a Dream" and "Fantine's Death" are so touching!

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 2:10pm

Rose Laurens.