Company Previews Thread- Page 26

[Kad]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 9:56am

Dylan Smith4 said: "RippedMan said: "Cannot wait to hear the official reviews. I LOVED this but thought Lenk was miscast. Great actress and her vibe was right, but why in 2021 cannot have someone who can SING the score is beyond me. Especially after having a Lupone kill "Ladies Who Lunch." "Being Alive" just sinks."

No disrespect to Katrina Lenk, I think she is a very talented actress, but I agree that she was miscast as well. This role was not meant for her. Personally, I don't know why Rosalie Craig never crossed the pond for her long-awaited Broadway debut. Considering that she was the first EVER female Bobbie, I honestly thought she would come to NYC with Patti. The West End has so many talented actors that NEED to come to Broadway! I honestly thought after the way Elaine Paige was shut out of Broadway that producers would have learned better. There are so many West End actors that I can name off the top of my head that need to come to Broadway!"

And I can think of an endless list of American actors who deserve to be on Broadway. And let’s face it- the exchange between Broadway and the West End is typically very one-way, unless it’s a major star. 

[Hamilfan2]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 10:29am

fashionguru_23 said: "Random question, according to IBDB,Anisha Nagarajan is the only Joanne cover. Do we think there is someone not named?"

I’ve heard Jenn Simard is an unlisted Joanne cover.  Which I think would be brilliant, I hope she gets to go on at some point.

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 10:32am

fashionguru_23 said: "Random question, according to IBDB,Anisha Nagarajan is the only Joanne cover. Do we think there is someone not named?"

My fantasy is Simard.

[OhHiii]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 10:35am

Hamilfan2 said: "fashionguru_23 said: "Random question, according to IBDB,Anisha Nagarajan is the only Joanne cover. Do we think there is someone not named?"

I’ve heard Jenn Simard is an unlisted Joanne cover. Which I think would be brilliant, I hope she gets to go on at some point."

This was true pre-shutdown at least. Not sure if it's still the case, but I hope she goes on. THAT I would run to see.

[windowwaving]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 10:46am

I have the same thoughts about Lenk. She acts this role PERFECTLY. I fell in love with her, I wanted to go on this journey with her. She reminds me exactly of my friends who are in this age group and going through the same thing - so acting-wise she knocks it out of the park. It's just the singing that threw me off. I lost interest in her big solo numbers and it just sounded like she was struggling anytime she had a difficult note (for which this role has a lot of). 

I'm still rooting for her though. 

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 11:43am

I still think it’s a disservice that they didn’t seem to pick optimal keys for her. I bet if she sang Being Alive in Bernadette’s key, she’d knock it out of the park.

[SophiaPetrillo]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 4:01pm

Am I the only one who didn’t have a problem with Lenk’s singing? She’s not a vocal powerhouse, but I thought she sang the score very nicely. The only issue I noticed was her weird accent during Marry Me a Little.

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 4:11pm

im with you, Sophia. I feel like im losing it because I thought Katrina sang the score beautifully and with ease. I'm particularly partial to Being Alive, one of the most beautiful songs in the canon if you ask me, and I thought she nailed it, transitioning from weeping to a crystal clear closing belt. 

i DO understand thinking she is miscast given that she doesnt exude warmth/charm. i disagree-- and as I noted above, i dont think Esparza hardly came off as cuddly. but whether shes "right" for the role is a matter of opinion and i understand where people are coming from. But her not singing the score adequately? I must be nuts.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 4:31pm

I’m with you both, but I’m a broken record at this point. Her vocals have grown a lot. Her “Someone Is Waiting” is sung flawlessly. Her solo in the title number has greatly improved since 2020. Her “I’m ready NOW” in MMAL is strong and pitch perfect, although I will agree, I’ve heard her strain a little on the final “I’m Ready”(s) of the song. Her singing in “Barcelona” is clearly a stylistic choice as the character is just woken up. I adore her “Being Alive” although I will say that her final note isn’t always perfect. They have tinkered with the key of this number. 
Her singing is very divisive and I think it will continue to be. I am curious what the critics will say. 

Updated On: 12/3/21 at 04:31 PM

[binau]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 4:46pm

Any word if Patti is on tonight?

[SophiaPetrillo]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 5:04pm

JDonaghy4 said: "im with you, Sophia. I feel like im losing it because I thought Katrina sang the score beautifully and with ease. I'm particularly partial to Being Alive, one of the most beautiful songs in the canon if you ask me, and I thought she nailed it, transitioning from weeping to a crystal clear closing belt.

i DO understand thinking she is miscast given that she doesnt exude warmth/charm. i disagree-- and as I noted above, i dont think Esparza hardly came off as cuddly. but whether shes "right" for the role is a matter of opinion and i understand where people are coming from. But her not singing the score adequately? I must be nuts."

Completely agree with all of this. I guess we’re both nuts lol.

[orlikethecolorpurple]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 5:07pm

binau said: "Any word if Patti is on tonight?"

I’m also on the edge of my seat; have a ticket for tonight as well.

[orlikethecolorpurple]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 5:28pm

She’s out.

[bekk99]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 5:31pm

FWIW, they removed the sign in the lobby that said she was out of the show by the time the box office opened at 10 (it was there while we were in line).

[orlikethecolorpurple]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 5:32pm

Just got the email from Audience Rewards. She’s out.

[fosterfan2]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 5:36pm

ljay889 said: "I’m with you both, but I’m a broken record at this point. Her vocals have grown a lot. Her “Someone Is Waiting” is sung flawlessly. Her solo in the title number has greatly improved since 2020. Her “I’m ready NOW” in MMAL is strong and pitch perfect, although I will agree, I’ve heard her strain a little on the final “I’m Ready”(s) of the song. Her singing in “Barcelona” is clearly a stylistic choice as the character is just woken up. I adore her “Being Alive” although I will say that her final note isn’t always perfect. They have tinkered with the key of this number.
Her singing is very divisive and I think it will continue to be. I am curious what the critics will say."

Well,I guess that makes 4 of us now. :)  I am curious about the critics' reaction too. I hope they're not unkind to her (don't know if that's the right word),but many performers get less-than-stellar reviews at some point. Ben Bradley,who adored Kristin Chenoweth,didn't give her a good review for Promises,Promises. Whatever happens,I am still a fan of Katrina and I just hope she is happy and has a good run.

 

Updated On: 12/3/21 at 05:36 PM

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 5:39pm

So say Patti did test positive for COVID… in this case, would opening night be pushed back to 12/12 because she is an above-the-title name and the overwhelming favorite to win Featured Actress in a Musical next year? 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 6:36pm

Jordan Levinson said: "So say Patti did test positive for COVID… in this case, would opening night be pushed back to 12/12 because she is an above-the-title name and the overwhelming favorite to win Featured Actress in a Musical next year?"

Can we please just not even put that out into the universe right now?

 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 6:50pm

Let’s hope and pray Patti is resting her voice and recharging her energy to really slay while the critics are there.

It’s been an extremely emotional week.

[lovebwy]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 6:51pm

I was actually a little worried about Patti earlier this week when I heard a radio interview she did post Sondheim passing. Of course she sounded mournful. Talked about regretting missing drinks with Sondheim after the preview he attended. There was a profound, deep sadness there, though. It seemed beyond grieving a friend. It wouldn't surprise me if these are mental health days for her before the opening.

I am making a pilgrimage to see La LuPone in Company on the 22nd. Flying in from LA. I fear this may be her final show, and I gotta be there!

[lovebwy]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 6:51pm

Duplicate post. Sorry.

Updated On: 12/3/21 at 06:51 PM

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 7:05pm

TotallyEffed said: "Let’s hope and pray Patti is resting her voice and recharging her energy to really slay while the critics are there.

It’s been an extremely emotional week."

As you said, she probably is just resting up for Opening Night. She is very dedicated to what she does and would only miss shows if she is sick or on her scheduled vacation. She does not like to disappoint her fans. Not to mention she wants to perform after not doing it for 600+ days. One night off is ok every once in a while. Plus, we MUST support the understudies and the swings as they are hard workers. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 8:05pm

From the new production photos released earlier today: 

Katrina Lenk and full cast performing "Company"



Christopher Sieber, Jennifer Simard, Katrina Lenk, and Patti LuPone performing "The Little Things You Do Together"



Katrina Lenk and Patti LuPone performing "The Ladies Who Lunch" (you may consider updating your profile pic to this one, bwayphreak234)



 

 

[lovebwy]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 8:09pm

For me, Patti is the greatest performer I've ever witnessed live. When I was 18, she blew me away in Anything Goes. She elevated my heartbeat, literally. It truly saddens me that she's coming to the time when she will no longer be on Broadway. Then, she'll pass into legend like the great Ethel Merman. Young people hearing the obc and seeing tape of Evita will lament never getting to see her live. I feel so lucky to have seen her in her prime. There is no one else like her.

I know she takes her obligation to her fans seriously, and have no doubt that whatever's wrong, she's doing what's best for herself in service of the show. I'm truly sad for the people who have tickets for today. Hopefully, you can exchange. 

Viva La LuPone!

 

[lovebwy]

Posted: 12/3/21 at 8:09pm

For me, Patti is the greatest performer I've ever witnessed live. When I was 18, she blew me away in Anything Goes. She elevated my heartbeat, literally. It truly saddens me that she's coming to the time when she will no longer be on Broadway. Then, she'll pass into legend like the great Ethel Merman. Young people hearing the obc and seeing tape of Evita will lament never getting to see her live. I feel so lucky to have seen her in her prime. There is no one else like her.

I know she takes her obligation to her fans seriously, and have no doubt that whatever's wrong, she's doing what's best for herself in service of the show. I'm truly sad for the people who have tickets for today. Hopefully, you can exchange. 

Viva La LuPone!