For anyone who saw the Kiss Me, Kate revival- Marin, Carolee, or Rachel?

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 11:04am

Who do you prefer in the role of Lilli/Katherine? Marin Mazzie, Carolee Carmello, or Rachel York (on the video)? Why do you prefer who you do?

[StephenSondheimWHOO]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 11:06am

Marin, all the way

[jewishboy]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 11:11am

I have not seen Carmello, but I venture to say Marin Mazzie was the best anyway. I was completely blown away by her excellent comic timing and beautiful lush voice. She really did wonders with I Hate Men and especially So In Love. Definitely got robbed for a Tony. Rachel York was a big disappointment for me on the video. But, I do think Brent Barrett was a better Fred Graham than Brian Stokes Mitchell in this role Updated On: 10/29/06 at 11:11 AM

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 11:22am

First (for ALL the obvious reasons), Marin Mazzie. A total gem in the role --she captured EVERYTHING required for Lily/Kate, and her first stage entrance during the overture in that black hat and Dior-inspired flared skirt still raises the hair on the back of my neck. Sheer sophisticated elegance. Wow! Her rendition of "So in Love" still remains my favorite interpretation.

Carolee was merely imitating Marin, but in her own right, she brought a bit of her own to Lily/Kate, though it did resemble (in a lower notch), Marin's Lily/Kate.

Rachel (per the DVD), is basically going thru the motions -- there's no magic, no electricity with her Lily/Kate. Maybe 'live' in the theatre it was different, but on 'video'/'film', it just didn't come thru.



Updated On: 10/29/06 at 11:22 AM

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 11:31am

Vocally- Rachel
Actingwise- Carolee
Overall- Marin

They were all amazing and pretty equal in all fields. The differences were so tiny that what I wrote above means next to nothing, since they were all incredible.

[Joshua488]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 11:42am

Wow, I thought Rachel York was absolutely electrifying on the DVD. I was and still am blown away by her performance every time I watch it.

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 11:57am

I didn't see the B'way mounting, so I can only go by the DVD, but I thought Rachel was terrific. In fact, that's the first thing I ever saw her in when it aired on PBS, and I was so impressed that I started hunting for other things she'd done. I immediately bought V/V and every CD I could find.

I thought that Rachel burned through the screen, her interpretations were fresh and surprising, and her emotions were absolutely palpable. Funny that BrodyFosse123 mentioned Marin in that Another Openin' entrance. I felt the same way when Rachel first took the stage. She just commanded attention, and you felt all the arrogance and insecurities wrapped up in one moment.

I have listened to the cast recording with Marin, and while her voice is splendid, I prefer Rachel's. There is just something about her singing that penetrates on a different level. I think both actresses are superb, but I seem to respond more to Rachel's work. I preferred her Mother to Marin's, as well, although, again, Marin was splendid.

I haven't seen Carolee in anything, although I have heard her on cast recordings. My loss, I'm sure. I enjoy her voice a great deal, too.

I really wish I had seen Marin in KMK. Everyone talks about her great comic turn. I bet she'll be fabulous in Spamalot. Doesn't she go into that soon?

lc

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 12:02pm

Linda Muggleston was excellent as well

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 12:07pm

Marin starts on Tuesday!

When did Linda go on? She was the understudy, right? How did she compare with the others?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 12:54pm

Rachel York!

[ShuQ]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 1:12pm

So Rachel never actually played the role on stage? Just on the DVD?

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 1:16pm

She played the role in the National Tour and in London(where the DVD was filmed).

[maybethistime]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 1:19pm

Rachel played to role on the tour and *maybe* in London, I think. I saw her live in Dallas and she was AMAZING. I was totally awed by her powerful performance. I think video takes away from anyones performance because her's was totally stunning in person. Though she is the only Kate I saw, when I listened to Marin's vocals on the CD afterwards, I was disappointed.

[jv92]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 1:22pm

I saw Rachel York on the DVD of the London production and she was quite fantastic. However, I saw Marin Mazzie on Broadway and she was absolutey spectacular and blew all of the other Lilli's away. (Well, I didn't see Patricia Morrison.) Absolutley wonderful! Updated On: 10/29/06 at 01:22 PM

[wickedfan]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 1:59pm

I've only seen Marin and Rachel York (I saw Carolee sing "I Hate Men" on the site that must not be mentioned and yeah, it's pretty much just a more laid back version of Marin's). For me, there's no question: Marin all the way. She was just...there are no words for how she was.
An BrodyFosse is right. Her entrance-I still remember it vividly. I remember that whole revival vividly. I was just in total awe of her.

[Josephine2]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 2:09pm

This may not fully answer your question (I realize that you are looking for a comparison). I saw the revival with Marin, and she was absolutely fantastic. I also enjoyed the chemistry between her and Brian Stokes Mitchell. They just seemed to have such a solid rapport that they could make the most of the comic elements. Marin's voice and acting were both wonderful.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 2:11pm

Definitely Marin. Rachel was okay, but nothing compared to Mazzie.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 10/29/06 at 5:17pm

Any more opinions?