Does anyone else think Christine Ebersole would be a fabulous Margaret in The Light in the Piazza? I think she's the only person other than Victoria Clark who could truly do the role justice.
Oh, wow. Why didn't I think of that?
Oh honey, I think we've all concluded in about 300 different threads by now that the fabulous group of talented 50-something divas on Broadway would all be PERFECT for every role they each have played. Rose, Margaret, Edie...
Not true. I can't see Bernadette Peters or Patti LuPone as Margaret or Edie, for example.
Well others can. And it's been discussed.
Here's a place to start:
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=924084
I guess I missed that thread when I searched. Yes, I did search.
While Ebersole has a gorgeous soprano, it isn't near strong enough for the "legit" singing required for a role like Margaret.
Oh, I think it is. And yes, she'd be fabulous as the OTHER wonderfully written female role of this decade. I'd love to see her reprise of The Beauty Is.
Yes yes yes yes yes
This production should have never left Broadway.
It should re-open in a permanent theater.
I think she's the only person other than Victoria Clark who could truly do the role justice.
Thats a little unfair, Patti Cohenour was OUTSTANDING and should have been offered Margaret for the tour, but alas she was only offered Signora for the tour and turned it down.
Cohenour was wonderful as Signora, however, I did not see her as Margaret. I'm sure she was wonderful though.
She was fantastic.
I have a friend who took voice lessons from her and he said she is very much about the acting in a song and the nuances of lyrics. She would have him analyze lyrics even more than sing them.
This really showed in her portrayal. She also has such a soaring operatic/musical theater voice. I "listen" to her Dividing Day on a regular basis, shes amazing.
Patti wasn't offered Margaret on tour? That's ridiculous. I would have loved to have seen her.
While Ebersole has a gorgeous soprano, it isn't near strong enough for the "legit" singing required for a role like Margaret."
Agreed. While Ebersole is a great actress and has a wonderful voice, I don't think it's strong enough sing Piazza.
I have to disagree, I think that Christine does have the voice for the (few) legit points of the score.
How about her singing the Aria going up the stairs? Or when she comes in during "The Girl Who Has Everything?" Sounds pretty legit to me...
Patti wasn't offered Margaret on tour? That's ridiculous. I would have loved to have seen her.
Patti told me near closing, and then at closing, that unless they offered her Signora she wouldn't tour. I believe the only offer was Signora for the tour.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/20/06
I really like them all.
Updated On: 8/6/07 at 04:31 PM
Broadway Star Joined: 2/18/04
Christine would be ideal as Margaret in both her acting and singing.
I also think Judy Kaye would be excellent.
~Kev (who was floored by Ebersole's very legit-sung "To Keep My Love Alive" in A Connecticut Yankee)
Aaaawww...I thought they were talking about Margaret White from "Carrie". Now that would be interesting.
bobby, that would be heaven!
And, Kev, I would have killed to see her sing that.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
Well, she'd doubtlessly sing it better than Christine Andreas, though it's not hard.
I'd have to hear her sing something more legit soprano. I can't tell just from Grey Gardens.
Edit: Wait, is that her at the end of "The Girl Who Has Everything"? That was pretty good.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/28/05
I think it would be amazing if Ebersole and Clark switched roles.
"I think it would be amazing if Ebersole and Clark switched roles."
I agree completely. And yes, she did do that high note.
I happen to think that Ebersole would make a lovely Margaret.
As would Audra... someday.
(And, if the keys were changed, Bernadette Peters could be stellar as Margaret. IMHO.)
The only problem with Bernadette is that she's TERRIBLE with accents. It's her one flaw.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/28/05
I actually listened to Audra's Dividing Day right before Vicki's today, and they were actually equally wonderful.
When did Audra record Dividing Day? Even though it wouldn'r make sense for the Johnson family to be black (unless the Naccarellis were also black), she would be great in about 10 years.
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