Shoshana Bean's voice is so damaged at this point I sincerely doubt she could manage Evita 6 times a week...I heard her sing with JRB at 54 Below not too long ago and her upper register sounded really rough.
While I would love to see Olivo or Gonzalez do this, I also wouldn't be surprised if it just closes on January 26th. Similar to PROMISES, PROMISES, remember when they were searching for new stars too?
They think they've got someone now, but in the end, a deal won't pan out, and this show will go quietly into that good night after Martin, Roger and Cerveris are gone.
^ I hope not. I know that this show may have it's issues, but I do like the show itself and even though it may not live up to what it used to be, it's all we have at the moment. I'd like to enjoy it for as long as possible.
g.d.e.l.g.i., they'd have to have replacements signed, sealed, and delivered already if they're really planning on keeping the show open, since I'd gather the three new leads would have to go into rehearsal very soon to begin performances at the end of January.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
“I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.”
``oscar wilde``
Anneliese Van Der Pol gets my vote! Please make this happen! I spoke with Eden on skype a few weeks ago, for a charity thing, and she, in not so many words, said though she would love to play the role, it's not right for her at the moment. Of, course this was before the announcement the stars were leaving, so we shall see! Van Der Pol would get me there, have debated on seeing this every time I go to the city, have always decided not to, not a fan of any of the Evas, though serviceable, I prefer a belter for the score. Would love to see Max take over, doubt he will, the show does need a name to survive. Idina, in no way could sing this 6 times a week! She's out in my book, though she may fill some seats to her loyal fans. I liek the idea of Marc Anthony, no to Enrique- if you dont' like Ricky, I doubt Enrique could do better in this vehicle! Just my opinions of course, doubt any producer is reading this, though sometimes they should!
I love Eden's voice, and I'd love to hear her sing this show, but, and in no way am I being cruel, she has gained quiet a bit of weight, which unfortunately would probably take her out of the running unless she lost it. Her size has no barring on her talent, but Eva is a tiny woman, and Eden is not right now.
Also, isn't Eden pretty tall? I think she looks fine, but Eva is not that tall. I don't know how tall Annelise van del Pol is, but I think she would be marvelous.
"I saw Pavarotti play Rodolfo on stage and with his girth I thought he was about to eat the whole table at the Cafe Momus." - Dollypop
Eden is at least 5'8", judging by my height and meeting her at the stage door, lol. Again, as of a few weeks ago, on Skype, she was sitting and looked rather slim, in the face especially- I too have seen the videos and acknowledge the weight issue, which agreed is no judgement as to her talent, that's not up for debate. However, if we're dicussing weight, which, I too mean in no way to be rude, being a plump singer myself, while Sara Ramirez isn't overweight, she isn't exactly the type either- though she'd blow the roof off the Marquis! And Andrea McArdle seems to be booked, and is a little long in the tooth, she's still got it though! Excited and hopeful for a stellar replacement that will get my butt in that theatre!
Lest everyone here forget that Eva really has to dance in this production, which is what gave Elena Roger a huge advantage during the competitive casting process for the initial West End revival the first time around.
People like Anneliese van der Pol and Eden Espinosa may be able to sing the crap out of the score, but I don't know if either has the chops to pull off Rob Ashford's exhausting choreography (which is the same issue I mentioned that would challenge someone like Karen Olivo too.)
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Wait, wasn't Olivio, a Tony winner for the traditionally dance heavy role of Anita in West Side? Didn't see it, but I know, any way you slice it, that's a heavy dance show! Chita Rivera anyone? Choreography is often dumbed down for the marquee idols they bring into Chicago, no real reason the same couldn't be done here, Evita is a vocally demanding role, not traditionally dance heavy, and many people's chief complaint of Rodger seems to be her inability to navigate the score- I guarantee if an actress with greater vocal prowess was cast, she would have given Audra a run for the Tony- or at least be nominated! I want to hear the score sang as it should be, that's all.
I didn't find the choreography in this show hard at all. I don't think that Decicco necessarily made it look easy, but it didn't seem like something that couldn't be grasped after running it several times. I would say that this choreography is much easier than choreography in West Side Story. Then again Olivo's dancing was a little painful in WSS. If she could stumble through that I'm sure she could work her way through this.
