Eden Espinosa

[AberJ01]

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...

[meagan9848]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 2:11am

ok.

[Tiny-Toon]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 3:08am

I agree with everything you said. Eden is an AMAZING performer and Brooklyn was a great show. I don't feel bad about the closing in NY anymore, because it now goes on tour, and to Korea, Japan, London and Las Vegas. BKLYN lives!

[Tap16]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 3:11am

WOW whats a mini novel!

[Pinguin]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 5:22am

I can understand where you're coming from, but I think Eden is inconsistent. I've heard her do fairly well in several recordings of Brooklyn, Wicked, and even a clip of her singing Pocahontas stuff for a disney theme park show, but when I saw her in the SF Wicked, she was sub par.

But in any case, no one's going to "hate" you for liking her. They'll just strongly disagree. I would hope you understand the difference.

[Mini_Mimi17]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 10:47pm

Eden is the greatest performer ever! no doubt about it! She was outstandingly good in BKLYN! I mean I love her soo much I cant even type how much i wuv her haha!

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 10:53pm

I am also an Eden Espinosa fan. Saw here in SF Wicked and loved her. Love the Brooklyn cast recording.

[EVIE]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 12:25am

I saw Wicked last night in SF and thought Eden did a fine job. She seemed to be holding off on her belts though, or it could just be that I'm used to Idina on the cast recording and my memories of the SF previews...I dunno. Kendra seemed much more animated then I was expecting based on some of the reviews I've read of her...well, maybe not animated, but ok, I mean this in a nice way, but have any of you seen the old MAD TV sketch where the UPS man has like ADHD? That's who Kendra's Galinda reminded me of, not that that was a bad thing, I actually enjoyed it very much. For me though, the best voice belongs to Jenna as NessaRose. I was SOOOOOO upset that her parts are so short. I would LOVE to see her as Elphie!

[SimpleJoysHaveSimpleVoice]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 12:32am

I got a chance to see Eden do Elphie in Los Angeles...and I was very impressed with her voice, top notch talent. She is a belter though...but that is what I love most about broadway singers.

[Pinguin]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 1:11am

EVIE -I found that also to be true of Eden, she was totally holding back and swallowing her notes until she got to the big notes at the ends of songs, which was totally weird.

And Kendra definitely played it like a Molly Shannon character.

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 3:59am

I've never seen Eden but I really wish I could!!! She sounds amazing on everything I've heard her sing so...most recordings don't lie!! :)

[carlobarlo]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 4:03am

I saw Brooklyn as well with a couple of friends in December of last year... At that time Idina was sick or something so Wicked wasn't as powerful as it could have been and the other show we saw was Little Women(I LOVE Sutton!!) so Brooklyn was the best show we saw while we were there, I was sad when It closed, but can totally understand why. The story is cheesy, but It amazed me that Eden could keep such stamina 8 times a week... when I saw the show she sounded EXACTLY like the CD... and now there are a bunch of peeps in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago that are totally hooked on Eden Espinosa. A bunch of them want to fly to San Fran to see her to Elpheba, but I am a poor starving artist and would have to walk I would be in great shape when I got there though!!!

[OrdinaryJukebox1]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 8:22am

Stephanie, you and I finally agree on something!!! hehe

-Vincent

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 11:08am

I also really enjoyed seeing Bklyn, I still can't understand why it wasn't nominated for best costumes. I mean okay Piazza one but I can find clothes like that EVERYWHERE! Where can you find a dress made out of smiley face bags?! Loved the show, please no hate on this board.

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 11:11am

For the people who saw Brooklyn and enjoyed it - how does the Cast Recording hold out? I know it's live, but does it leave everything in intact?

[PJ]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 12:26pm

I'm not fan of the show, I won't lie, but the cast recording is just okay. I don't like how Eden sounds on "Once Upon a Time." She sounded much better live.

[Born2cthelightsofbway]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 1:25pm

I am not a fan of Brooklyn, I didn't really enyoy it, but, WOW, Eden was amazing. She blew me away!

[Sarah2]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 1:51pm

AberJ01, I completely agree with you...thanks so much for that wonderful post! I saw BKLYN twice (first row both times) and it was an amazing experience, I loved being so close to the cast! Eden blew me away both times...when I saw BKLYN for the first time she instantly became my new favorite singer/actress and she's still my favorite! Ahhh there isn't enough Eden love on this board.

[mad4music]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 7:15pm

I am here with MAJOR EDEN LOVE!!!!

Just saw her in SF Thursday.... and OMG was I totally amazed. I never thought someone could ever sound as good live as Idina did on the Wicked CD but EDEN DID.

I honestly cannot fathom how she could get a negative review from her SF run. Swallowing notes? Never heard a peep of it! Screeching? NOT AT ALL! I really don't understand where people come up with these things.

Eden was amazing. Period. The End.

AMAZING!!!!

[Pinguin]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 7:18pm

eh, maybe I saw her on an off-night...but she definitely sounded better on recordings I've heard than she did live -she did NOT do a good job in the performance I saw her in.

[mad4music]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 7:29pm

ya... I guess everyone has their off nights... but thursday was definitely ON!

I have never heard an actual professional recording of Eden... I did hear some clips from WICKED when she u/s for Idina which I thought were good... not great... but good. However, when I heard her live it was like "screw the stupid clips! this is TEN times better!" Call me crazy but Eden live just totally blew me away!

btw Pinguin- when did you see her?

[Pinguin]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 7:39pm

I saw her on the matinee sun/aug. 14th. I've heard her do better.

[Sarah2]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 7:54pm

Yeah, Pinguin, you must've just seen her on an off-night. I think she sounds even better live than on recordings, as opposed to some people who sound great on recordings and then are terrible or not so good live...but obviously its good that she sounds better live than on recordings, this is broadway after all.

[Aigoo]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 7:55pm

She sounds great on the HAIR Benefit concert CD and on BLBC. She's talented yes, but like Idina, she can get a tad...erm...annoying at times.

[Broadway Style]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 9:54pm

I must tell you an intersting comment I overheard at intermission between two middle-aged ladies about Eden "Well, she has a beautiful voice but she's just not one of those back of the balcony belter-types." I found that to be highly amusing.
Anyway, I agree with Pinguin in that she holds her notes in the back of her throat until the end. Overall, I think she was the most believable Elphaba I've seen, but there were definitely "serious" moments in the second act that I think came off as very melodramatic and actually caused me to laugh.
I love her enthusiasm for the role, but her voice for some reason is not terribly impressive to me and I have had the privilege of being about 10 feet away from her when she is singing without the help of the sound man in the back.
I don't think she is the perfect Elphaba b/c she doesn't have enough stage presence, but she is the most believeable I've seen out of her, Shoshana, and Idina. Wicked is not my Absolute favorite show to begin with but Eden and esp. Kendra did make it highly entertaining.