#1
Posted: 8/19/05 at 2:07am
Sorry but I have to say it. I'm already prepared for all the wonderful hate replies I'm going to get disagreeing with me, but oh well. Here goes...
This past January I got the chance to travel to New York to take my best friend who had never been before to see some shows and catch the sights. We're from Chicago btw. Anyway we both decided to sit down and pick two shows we both really wanted to see as mutual choices, and then we both got to pick a show a piece that we wanted to see and got to go to whether the other wanted to go or not. We picked Avenue Q and Wicked as mutual choices, mostly because we both were really only going to New York because we wanted to see Idina during her last week in Wicked. Then for her choice she chose Rent, which I had already seen three times, but she had never gotten to ever. Lastly, I chose Brooklyn the musical, which she had never even heard of as my selection.
Now, the reason I chose Brooklyn was because I was up one morning around 2 AM and I was watching NBC and there was this one show that was doing a story about Eden Espinosa's life and rise to a leading role on Broadway. During the story and interview they went backstage for Brooklyn and show a clip or two. I immediately signed online and looked at info on the show, and decided to download "Once Upon a Time." The song touched me so much I bought tickets the next day as soon as I could in the morning. It was actually a risk for me because there were other shows I actually really wanted to see, but after listening to the song, Brooklyn just called to me.
Now, the trip was obviously a great success. Rent was the best I'd ever seen it, although I truly could have done without Drew Lachey. If he never does Broadway again I think it'll be a blessing. Avenue Q was the most fun I'd ever had in a Broadway show. Just superb, and my favorite show of the whole trip. Wicked, was Wicked. Idina was AMAZING, and in all reality I guess we actually got to see her very last full show, considering the next night is when she was hurt. Lucky for us I guess, and I still feel horrible that happened to her. BUT getting to the important part. Brooklyn blew both of us away, So much it was incredibly shocking.
Now, I can say, it wasn't my favorite show of that week, but out of all the shows I've seen on Broadway, which really is only for the last five years or so since I turned 17 and started visiting New York, it was definitely the biggest display of vocal power I'd ever heard. The five actors in the show were incredible vocalists, some of the best I'd ever heard live. But, then...there was Eden. Her "Once Upon a Time" on that Wednesday matinee literally brought me to tears. It was literally the most incredible live singing I'd ever heard. This is coming from the same week I heard Idina, and trust me before that I'd witnessed a lot of amazing shows/concerts that didn't come close to the way Eden sounded. Every song she sang that day in the show just floored me. It was just amazing to witness. I dare to say sometimes that listening to "Once Upon a Time" that day was probably the most magical thing I'd ever witnessed on a Broadway stage. The only things that come close were Idina singing Defying Gravity in Wicked that week, and Heather Headley and cast singing "The Gods Love Nubia" one performance of Aida I got to see (lol, I saw it I think like 8 times total).
What was even more amazing to me is the fact that after the show most of the cast, and the director, composers, and musical staff came on stage for a question and answer session because a large group of schools were there. I was walking out of the theater and literally someone from the show grabbed me and told me to stay and listen. I actually got to ask a couple questions to everyone on stage, and afterwards I was able to meet Eden and talk to her a little. She literally was the nicest person I met that whole week. Meeting people like Idina and John Tartaglia may have been bigger moments for me that week, but Eden was just so sweet and incredible. When you complemented her she honestly was so touched and humble, it was great to see.
Now, I guess the reason I post this is a way to say there's never really been someone out there who I've thought was just SO incredible, and then to hear all these people speak out on how bad they think she is just floors me. Honestly to me I put her in the category with Bernadette, Idina, Heather Headley and all the other Broadway stars I've idolized. In all honesty her voice is the one I've enjoyed the best out of those people on top of it. I will admit, Brooklyn wasnt brillant. I mean it touched me, but it wasn't a brillant brillant show. Ramona was fantasic, and there were some really great songs in the show, but alot of them weren't so good as well. It's a shame it folded up like it did, but in my opinion Eden didn't get half the credit she deserved.
At this point now I'd do anything to fly to San Fran to see her take on Elpahba. If she does take the role on Broadway I will go and see her in New York. My hope is that she won't though, and that hopefully a new show will swap her up soon. She definitely deserves it, and I think a very long future is in her path. She deserves to win a Tony somewhere, and really I think going back to Wicked after being the standby there would be a step back, even if she'd be a replacement for the role. My hoep to is she'll work out a solo album. It probably wouldn't sell well, but I think it'd be vocally amazing.
Just my opinion though. I know there is ALOT of hate for her on this website, and people are entitled to their opinions, but for me she's been one of the biggest inspriations for me, and literally that 3-4 minutes on stage singing "Once Upon a Time" was probably one of the most magical moments I'll ever witness on stage. Just wish more saw it my way I guess...
This past January I got the chance to travel to New York to take my best friend who had never been before to see some shows and catch the sights. We're from Chicago btw. Anyway we both decided to sit down and pick two shows we both really wanted to see as mutual choices, and then we both got to pick a show a piece that we wanted to see and got to go to whether the other wanted to go or not. We picked Avenue Q and Wicked as mutual choices, mostly because we both were really only going to New York because we wanted to see Idina during her last week in Wicked. Then for her choice she chose Rent, which I had already seen three times, but she had never gotten to ever. Lastly, I chose Brooklyn the musical, which she had never even heard of as my selection.
Now, the reason I chose Brooklyn was because I was up one morning around 2 AM and I was watching NBC and there was this one show that was doing a story about Eden Espinosa's life and rise to a leading role on Broadway. During the story and interview they went backstage for Brooklyn and show a clip or two. I immediately signed online and looked at info on the show, and decided to download "Once Upon a Time." The song touched me so much I bought tickets the next day as soon as I could in the morning. It was actually a risk for me because there were other shows I actually really wanted to see, but after listening to the song, Brooklyn just called to me.
Now, the trip was obviously a great success. Rent was the best I'd ever seen it, although I truly could have done without Drew Lachey. If he never does Broadway again I think it'll be a blessing. Avenue Q was the most fun I'd ever had in a Broadway show. Just superb, and my favorite show of the whole trip. Wicked, was Wicked. Idina was AMAZING, and in all reality I guess we actually got to see her very last full show, considering the next night is when she was hurt. Lucky for us I guess, and I still feel horrible that happened to her. BUT getting to the important part. Brooklyn blew both of us away, So much it was incredibly shocking.
Now, I can say, it wasn't my favorite show of that week, but out of all the shows I've seen on Broadway, which really is only for the last five years or so since I turned 17 and started visiting New York, it was definitely the biggest display of vocal power I'd ever heard. The five actors in the show were incredible vocalists, some of the best I'd ever heard live. But, then...there was Eden. Her "Once Upon a Time" on that Wednesday matinee literally brought me to tears. It was literally the most incredible live singing I'd ever heard. This is coming from the same week I heard Idina, and trust me before that I'd witnessed a lot of amazing shows/concerts that didn't come close to the way Eden sounded. Every song she sang that day in the show just floored me. It was just amazing to witness. I dare to say sometimes that listening to "Once Upon a Time" that day was probably the most magical thing I'd ever witnessed on a Broadway stage. The only things that come close were Idina singing Defying Gravity in Wicked that week, and Heather Headley and cast singing "The Gods Love Nubia" one performance of Aida I got to see (lol, I saw it I think like 8 times total).
What was even more amazing to me is the fact that after the show most of the cast, and the director, composers, and musical staff came on stage for a question and answer session because a large group of schools were there. I was walking out of the theater and literally someone from the show grabbed me and told me to stay and listen. I actually got to ask a couple questions to everyone on stage, and afterwards I was able to meet Eden and talk to her a little. She literally was the nicest person I met that whole week. Meeting people like Idina and John Tartaglia may have been bigger moments for me that week, but Eden was just so sweet and incredible. When you complemented her she honestly was so touched and humble, it was great to see.
Now, I guess the reason I post this is a way to say there's never really been someone out there who I've thought was just SO incredible, and then to hear all these people speak out on how bad they think she is just floors me. Honestly to me I put her in the category with Bernadette, Idina, Heather Headley and all the other Broadway stars I've idolized. In all honesty her voice is the one I've enjoyed the best out of those people on top of it. I will admit, Brooklyn wasnt brillant. I mean it touched me, but it wasn't a brillant brillant show. Ramona was fantasic, and there were some really great songs in the show, but alot of them weren't so good as well. It's a shame it folded up like it did, but in my opinion Eden didn't get half the credit she deserved.
At this point now I'd do anything to fly to San Fran to see her take on Elpahba. If she does take the role on Broadway I will go and see her in New York. My hope is that she won't though, and that hopefully a new show will swap her up soon. She definitely deserves it, and I think a very long future is in her path. She deserves to win a Tony somewhere, and really I think going back to Wicked after being the standby there would be a step back, even if she'd be a replacement for the role. My hoep to is she'll work out a solo album. It probably wouldn't sell well, but I think it'd be vocally amazing.
Just my opinion though. I know there is ALOT of hate for her on this website, and people are entitled to their opinions, but for me she's been one of the biggest inspriations for me, and literally that 3-4 minutes on stage singing "Once Upon a Time" was probably one of the most magical moments I'll ever witness on stage. Just wish more saw it my way I guess...
I would be in great shape when I got there though!!!
