I actually thought Rebecca did a really nice job. I had of course seen lots of Jessie Mueller hype and appearances on TV and online so I has high hopes and was a little bummed that she wasn't going to be on.
However, I quickly forgot she was the understudy. She has a really nice voice and did well in the character. Everyone around me that was bummed before curtain was beaming at intermission which is the best sign of success for an understudy. Now when I listened to the cast recording and saw Jessie in the role after her I sort of saw what I had been missing. Jessie's a stronger presence in the more dramatic acting parts. I do distinctly remember though that Rebecca did a really nice job in the Act I finale of "One Fine Day" which is a big moment.
For what it's worth I met her at the stage door after Jessie's last show on Friday and she was very sweet and gracious and I let her know I had seen and liked her in the role. She's also pretty active on twitter and replies to mentions, etc.
My sister and her husband saw the show on Super Bowl Sunday and they saw Sara King. They said she was excellent. They quickly got over their disappointment that they missed op to see Jessie.
I don't think Sara understudies for Carol just Cynthia
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
I was there that same day. I believe it was Sara Sheperd who was on.
^Could have been Sara Sheperd.
Broadway Star Joined: 7/12/07
Anyone catch Jessica's first performance tonight? Jarrod Spector was out this weekend so it was his first time with both Chilina and Jessica!
Yes, Sara Sheperd. My bad.
Updated On: 3/12/15 at 12:01 AM
Wow-both look so much like the originals!
Thoughts?
BWW TV: Watch Highlights of Chilina Kennedy in Broadway's BEAUTIFUL!
Mueller had a more authentic sound (that's not to say Kennedy doesn't sound good). But Kennedy makes a prettier Carole (sorry Jessie).
Regardless that footage is well shot, directed and edited.
Updated On: 4/3/15 at 03:41 PM
She sounds amazing.
Jessie is more powerful, but Chilina sounds more beautiful.
I really didn't care for Chilina in JCS, but she looks great here. I might see this again.
Dare I say, Chilina nails the unique vocal stylings of Carole King even better than Jessie?
I have to be honest...I was bored out of my skull by Chilina's performance. I could see the potential for her to be a good Carole, but she just did not seem into it at all. She sang it well enough, but overall I was disappointed.
Jessica was an absolutely hilarious Cynthia. She plays it very different, but it works so well.
Josh Davis (who's in the ensemble) has posted a video on Facebook of an impromptu Carole King performance backstage after last night's show (which she also watched).
BUMP
Does anyone know when Chilina's contract is up or when she is going to be Leaving?? I would love to see her one more time but will not get back to NYC until December.
I believe she's in for a year.
Saw this tonight via standing room - they didn't have a rush today. The standing was in the mezz which offered an awesome view.
I didn't see Mueller which I'm bummed about, but I actually really enjoyed the show. I thought Kennedy was great. She made no impression on me in JCS, but I thought she was great tonight. Her accent wasn't overwhelming or weird to me at all. The girl from Heathers was great. As soon as she came on, I thought she sounded like one of the Heathers, read her bio, and was like oh yeah. Spector really wowed, I thought. His lines were great, his singing was gorgeous. The guy who played her boyfriend...not so much. I don't know if it's just the role or what, but the acting felt very surface, and the singing felt very forced.
The set was really gorgeous. I loved all the layers and whatnot. I thought the book was pretty great, but I thought the show finally kicked in after Carole's big speech about how she's going to do it on her own! The audience clapped, and that felt like when the show should have kicked in, but instead it was near the end. I was more interested in Carole going out on her own, etc. But that seemed to not be the focus.
Also, weird side note: But the first scene where Carole meets Geof where they're in college, and their is randomly a piano in the hallway? Huh? Weird. But still I thought it was pretty successful show.
When is Anika supposed to be back in the show? Or is her maternity leave now a permanent leave?
She was allegedly gonna come back next month but who knows now. I think jarrod is also doing the bandstand at papermill in October and I think he's leaving next month as his contract is ending
"When is Anika supposed to be back in the show? Or is her maternity leave now a permanent leave?"
She was never coming back before mid-September, so I see nothing that indicates that's changed so far.
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