Eden E!- Page 3

[MusicPos2]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 9:06pm

I think Idina takes her own liberties on her good nights and does it amazingly well. Here's the thing that bothers me, why is the Tony Award Winner for Best Actress in a Musical so inconsistant? I know she'll perform sick, but that's really not good for anyone: especially her. She's going to hurt her voice if she doesn't maintain her health. It also isn't good for the audience, if she's too sick for the part. I think if she'd learn when to take off (the fact she doesn't is about the best fault to have: an amazing work ethic), maybe these posts wouldn't be happening. Eden should take care of her voice just as much as Idina, and in a way it's harder for her b/c she has to come into so much expectation: Idina is really loved. You really get to be an artist when you originate a role, and while no standby should perform as the normal actor, he/she doesn't get the liberties of truly doing something so new. So, they are both hard in different ways. Btw, what's with everyone saying that Idina is leaving at the end of her contract? Is there any official word that it won't be extended?

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 10:08pm

I think Idina's poor nights are usually those when she is not feeling well. I completely agree with you; I think she needs to learn when to take off, so she can keep her voice going 100% and be more consistent.

I don't think any of this makes her less worthy of the Tony win. I think what she did with the role is highly commendable. She dove into all the layers of that character and sees every complexity of her, and she has made this character completely come to life...and I don't think that a few inconsistent nights vocally should make her less worthy of the Tony. She has done incredible dramatic work in Wicked, and, probably more often than not she nails the toughest notes in that show. Look at the other options for the win this year. You have Stephanie D'Abruzzo, who supposedly does wonderful for the role she has, but her competition was too stiff. Then there's Tonya Pinkins, who many people on this site think should have won...but she is far more inconsistent vocally than Idina. There's also Donna Murphy, whose vocals in Wonderful Town fail to impress much. Then you have Kristin Chenoweth, who is beeautiful every night vocally, but her acting just doesn't hold a candle to the work of the other ladies. So if you are gonna judge based on vocals, I think Idina still is more worthy than the other ladies, of course, with the exception of Chenoweth, who as I said before, just wasn't as impressive of an actress.

And I think maybe some people are leaning towards Eden because they remember Idina on letterman, the Tonys, and on the CD...none of which do her performance justice.

And though Idina's contract ends January 2nd, it has not been announced as her last show. She could always extend it. For now, it is just assumed that she will not renew.

[testing123]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 10:16pm

Sorry, Broadway Girl... was not replying to you..just posting the web link... didnt even know it was up yet.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 10:17pm

Oh, ok. Oooops.

[MusicPos2]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 11:06pm

Well, the problem for me with the Tony was that Idina's singing (and her acting wasn't what it usually is either) really brought down everyone else's acting. A few bad nights, I'd agree, and when she's at her best, she's the clear winner. I disagree about Kristin though, I've never seen her acting be anything less than amazing. Even when she lost her energy that night, she was still right on: it just wasn't as great as usual. I'm so sick of people saying that she just plays herself b/c I don't think anyone here really knows the real Kristin Chenoweth. I agree with you that the other women don't hold a candle to either of the ladies in Wicked, and I agree it should've been Idina, but to say that Kristin acting isn't that special...She's one of the most consistant actresses and most convincing that I've ever seen. I was so shocked when she didn't cry during "For Good" this last time (it is actually prettier that way, but not as dramatic).

[Gypsy2]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 11:10pm

I really don't think anyone here wants to attack Idina. Idina's fabulous. I think the point of this thread is to say how fabulous EDEN is too. Some people like her better then Idina (as I do), that does not mean Idina sucks. They are two of the greatest singers around. By saying you like one better than the other, you are not saying the other is horrible and sucks, unless you come upfront and just say "So and So sucks." But this isn't really what it's about, because if so and so sucked, so and so wouldn't be on Broadway, would they?

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/8/04 at 11:11pm

I wasn't saying Kristin isn't a great actress, she is, and if that same performance was nominated in a less competitive year, she probably woul have won. I just don't think her role was not as demanding as Elphaba, Caroline...and maybe even Ruth... That's all. I think Kristin is stunning.

[wickedfan2]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 9:39am

Hold up guys.. I'm new to the board and just went surfing around after seeing Wicked 2 weeks ago. Idina was out and Eden Espinosa took her place. I was upset but found it amazing nonetheless. I have bought tickets to Aug 12 hopefully to see Idina. But are you guys telling me that I'm not the only one to Love Eden? I can't compare cause I haven't seen Idina yet but I thought she was Great. However, I bought the CD and after hearing Idina I can see she has a more "powerful" voice and it actually made my hairs stick up. What is Brooklyn? Is that a new show coming soon to star Eden? Sorry so many questions

[Gypsy2]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 9:52am

Brooklyn opens October 21, and Eden will be starring in it as the title role, Brooklyn. Previews start September 23, and I highly reccomend the show, everyone should see it.

[wickedfan2]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 10:19am

Gypsy - Eden starred in that original workshop production right? Is Brooklyn a musical or drama?

[Gypsy2]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 10:30am

Yes, Eden did star in the workshop AND in their 6-week trial run in Denver. It is a musical.

[Danny]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 10:37am

I saw Eden back in April and i think she's fierce. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Idina, don't get me wrong but Eden's top is so strong and her choices work better in alot of cases. I'm in no way knocking Idina, but I really enoyed Eden's vocal ad libs in her own numbers, although I know she gets in trouble for the one she does in No good deed, and I agree, it's to much! :) As for the post about Idina not being able to hit the notes Eden does at the end of gravity, that's false! :) They both sing the same high notes, just the riffs are different! And yes, Eden does sound cleaner cause she doesn't do it 8 times a week. idina MUST watch herself. She knows her voice and has great technique actually. It's just not worth hurting yourself!!! :) My dear friend had a zillion callbacks for Eden's cover in Brooklyn and the song Eden has to sing is OUT OF CONTROL!!! You'll LOVE IT FOLKS!!! She's gonna have quite a career I predict!!

[Gypsy2]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 10:48am

Yea, I really can't imagine doing all that Eden will do in Brooklyn 8 times a week. It really is insane, which is one of the things I love. Eden can do anything with her voice, I seriously believe that. If Brooklyn doesn't get her the Tony then I'll really start doubting that the Tony-Committee is playing fair. That show is really going to sky-rocket Eden to a very nice place. :) It's just such an amazing show with something new that a lot of shows just don't have. I also think it will bring a whole new crowd to Broadway, like people that don't really have an interest in seeing a play, because it's a show about a universal problem in the city that everyone knows about, but no one does too much to help it.

[wickedfan2]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 10:58am

From the heart of Brooklyn comes a band of soulful street-corner singers and storytellers. With a mix of pop and soul, they set their stage and tell a wondrous sidewalk fairy tale about a young girl searching for fame and the father she never knew. With just one clue to lead her, she lands in the city that bears her name…BROOKLYN.

Yeah.. found the info on it... Now...gotta see it... When are tickets going on sale??????????

[Gypsy2]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 11:03am

Sometime this month. Just be patient and keep checking.

[wickedfan2]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 11:14am

Thanks Gypsy - Will do... Can't Wait...!!

I'm so happy I saw her in Wicked then. Is she still the standby for Idina with all this going on?

[WiCkEd4LyFfE]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 11:38am

Is Brooklyn similar to RENT? I know it's the story about one girl,(Eden) but the plot of friends.

[Gypsy2]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 1:00pm

I would not compare it to Rent because the two are both very different.

[ponine24601]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 1:01pm

ok i think that i might have started this. i was never attacking idina by saying that i thought that eden's voice was stronger. i saw idina in the role twice and she was amazing! ok i'm sorry, i should have never said anything.

[Gypsy2]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 1:24pm

No no no, saying Eden has a stronger voice is NOT in any way saying Idina is ****. Don't worry.

[ponine24601]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 1:45pm

thanks. at least i know that some people have a heart.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 7:13pm

lol. Guys, we (or at least I) weren't saying any of you said that Idina was bad. We were just discussing why people might think that Eden is better...because MusicPos and I both seem to agree that Idina at her best is better than what we have heard of Eden, that's all.

And even us saying that is not saying Eden is bad. She has become one of my favorites and I would've been delighted to see her in Wicked.

[Toon]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 7:35pm

MusicPos2 I have two questions for you. You've said you haven't seen Kristin ever be inconsistant. I'm curious as to how many times you've seen her perform? Unless you are there 8 times a week then that's a hard statement to back up. Second question. Please tell me you aren't still beating this Idina dead horse of inconsistancy because of one supposed bad night last week? Please tell me you've gone on many, many occassions and she's disappointed over and over. Otherwise, you sound ridiculous in your accusations of inconsistancy and questioning her tony win. Just because she has a remarkable attendance record does not automatically make one assume she often performs sick. She goes above and beyond anyone I've ever seen as far as taking care of her health, body, and voice. To be completely honest you are one of the only people I've seen criticizing her performance to this degree by making it sound as if she's given a record number of bad performances and is constantly going on when she shouldn't. That is just not the case no matter how many threads you jump into accusing her of it.

[MusicPos2]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 8:36pm

Ok, first of all, if you've actually taken the time to read any of my posts, you'd know the answers to your question. I said that I have never seen Kristin perform poorly, which does not mean that she never has. Second, I've only seen one amazing performance by Idina, the first was only ok. Her performance at the Tonys, certainly makes me wonder, but I can certainly understand how nerves would play a role in something like that. However, on this board, there have been many posts of Idina playing sick, including one time where she had to sing "Defying Gravity" down an octave and have Eden replace her in the middle of the show. When she was out a lot either a month or two ago, she still performed in some shows, and my guess is that some of that time she would be sick since illness don't just randomly disappear and reappear with that number. So, no, I haven't seen all myself, but going by what other people have said, I would think that Idina has a problem knowing when to take a night off (especially if she went on so sick she couldn't do the part b/c her throat was sore). If any student of mine tried to do something like that, I'd throw a hissy fit b/c that's a great way to damage the voice. As far as my post on this board, my point was that since this can be an issue with Idina, maybe the people the like Eden better have never seen Idina at her best. Another point on this is the recordings (including the ones on the Eden site) show great acting ability, but vocally, she's often flat and tight. Now, since I have where those clips came from, I know it was her first performance as Elphaba, and between the poor quality and the nerves, I'd be willing to believe she's much better in person, but as good as Idina at her best? I just don't see it. Since I haven't seen her, I can't say for myself anything other than posing the question. Some seem to agree that Idina can be inconsistant, which could account for the reaction to Eden. I'm not saying that Eden isn't good, but to compare her to Idina, I can't see it. Although, that one night, I would've rather seen Eden, and I think Eden should've gone on.

[erikrokks]

Posted: 7/9/04 at 8:37pm

I really don't think that "BKLYN" has much in common with "Rent". I have a feeling that "BKLYN" will have much broader appeal. I know that many post-teen theater goers have gone to seen "Rent" and really enjoyed it, but when you see and hear an elderly couple (had to have been at least in their 70s) in the row in front of you sobbing when Eden sings "I Never Knew His Name", you can tell that the show will appeal to many types of people. There is so much to love about "BKLYN" that I truly believe there will be less people walking out of the Plymouth Theater saying "Yeah, it was ok." or "Eh, it was alright." than I have seen walking out of a performance of "Rent". And that takes a lot for me to say since I have loved "Rent" since it opened. There will be lots of people with "Brooklyn in the Blood" after October 21st!