Gaelen Gilliland on tonight as Judy- Page 2

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 6:52pm

I heard clips of her 'Get Out...' and was totally unimpressed.

[bybubble]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 9:26pm

Lisa Howard is in the ensemble and therefore, Gaelen will be in the numbers that Lisa is in. Much more than 3 minutes.

[KeepCool]

Posted: 8/5/09 at 9:46pm

I guess it depends on your definition of challenging. For a performer in good vocal health, the score isn't really all that challenging, especially compared to some of SJB's previous roles (Wicked and even The Pirate Queen were much harder). I'd think it's harder to do what Allison does and land the comedy bits of the show than to just go out and sing, but that's just me. Allison literally carries the show on her shoulders, and she hasn't been out once. I remember hearing a story about how she was sick once and drank Pedialyte in the wings between scenes and just pushed through. It's really inspiring that in a day and age where people will call out over a hangover, there are people like Allison and Orfeh, and Andy Karl, and apparently Megan who hasn't missed a show yet either, who you can rely on and book your tickets any time and know you'll get to see them if you're a fan. Nothing against people who have poor immune systems, I know plenty of them myself, but it's unfortunate for fans of certain performers to miss them in shows sometimes because of attendance issues. We all know, me especially, that understudies can be just as good and sometimes better but no one can deny that it's disappointing to spend money and sometimes travel to see someone in a show and miss them!

I personally had a hard time catching Sutton in a few shows, but luckily I live in the city, so I can try again, not everyone has that luxury.

[mikem]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 9:17pm

I don't think Stephanie J Block's attendance as Judy has been problematic. IIRC, she has been out for 4 shows (including this week's absence), but 2 of those were scheduled well in advance (and listed on broadwayunderstudies.com), so she has only been unexpectedly out twice in a run of about 4 months.

Updated On: 8/6/09 at 09:17 PM

[Soliantu]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 9:35pm

It would be interesting to hear what someone else can do with Get Out and Stay Out, I wonder if there's a recording of her doing it anywhere. I LOVE Stephanie so much, don't get me wrong. That's why I'm wondering what someone else would sound like at it,

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 10:18pm

check out "that site" but I warn you (and I am a big fan of Gaelen) it's not pretty.

[broadwayomgomg]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 10:21pm

What is "that sight" people always reference it and I don't get it. hahaha if you can't post it can someone just PM me? Thanks a lot :)

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 8/7/09 at 1:17pm

FWIW, Stephanie wasn't sick on Tuesday. She had a family matter to attend to.

and I saw Gaelen on Tuesday and I liked her. Her GOASO was ok..that was the one time where I really missed Stephanie.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 8/7/09 at 1:46pm

I always respect performers with perfect/near-perfect attendance. KeepCool is quite right, Orfeh and Andy Karl only missed performances for scheduled vacations in Legally Blonde, save for the one performance where the higher ups forced her to call out and thus, the debacle that was Leslie Kritzer as Paulette ensued. And speaking as someone who happened to be at the show when Leslie was on, I can definitely attest to Orfeh being missed. Anyway, it's amazing and great that Allison and Megan haven't missed yet, I imagine Allison being far and away the biggest draw and the biggest star in the show, it would be quite a disappointment to see someone else, though I'm sure her understudies are wonderful.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/7/09 at 1:53pm

Orfeh's talents were wasted in that piece of sh*t show. I felt so bad for her having to be up there night after night. She deserves something spectacular, something that showcases the powerhouse of a voice she has, not some D grade musical like that.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 8/7/09 at 1:55pm

Jordan, obviously I'm biased but I totally agree. I'd love to see her create an original role, a lead, in a show with a score that she could really go to town with, but more than that, I'd like to see her recording career take off. It seems to me that's what she's most passionate about and I know others may have a different view, but personally I love everything she's put out as a solo artist, and as a part of Or-N-More.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/7/09 at 2:02pm

Kelly2, I'm biased as well when it comes to her and that is why it upsets me to see her 8 times a week in something so far beneath her. Few women in theater or music in general have the pipes she has so when I hear something like "Ireland", I cringe.

I still want to see her in Evita and I don't give a damn how old she is. I want to see Orfeh's name in lights above a marquee, twice the size of the show's title with a line of people around the block hoping to get in that night. THAT is how much I like her as a performer and how much I desperately wish she would get the break she deserves.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 8/7/09 at 2:09pm

Well, it seems that this is something we can finally agree on. I was personally horrified when "Ireland" at first didn't even have an ending. Did you catch the show in previews, when instead of the great high note at the end, she had to shout "You've found somebody who loves you/Most of us never know how that feels/So go out there and go get some Ireland-- AND MAKE SURE YOU WEAR FOUR INCH HEELS!" Off into the wings. I was embarrassed that the creators would misuse her so deliberately and write such a shoddy ending for that song, let alone write it for someone with arguably one of the most powerful voices on Broadway today.

And I agree with you about EVITA, as well as your dream scenario. I have no idea why it seems to be taking most other people so long to catch on to what I thought was pretty easy to recognize: The woman is an undeniable star.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/7/09 at 2:15pm

Wow, we do agree about something.

And yes, unfortunately I had to sit through Legally Bland many times throughout it's run and way before previews even started I was shocked her one big song didn't let her belt out what she had. I actually considered it (and still do) disrespectful to her.

[bybubble]

Posted: 8/9/09 at 12:36am

"unfortunately I had to sit through Legally Bland many times throughout it's run and way before previews even started"


why did you HAVE to sit through someething you obviously hated? Gun to the head?
Updated On: 8/9/09 at 12:36 AM

[Coraline]

Posted: 8/9/09 at 12:50am

I just listened to her GOASO on that site, and it was only alright - but it lead to a clip of her as Paulette singing "Find My Way" and I wasn't even sure that she was awake.

And then I watched a clip of her as MM from Wicked, and again - very uninspired. Seems like a pretty dull performer to me.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 8/9/09 at 8:58am

"Of the three females, yes. In the grand scheme of things, "vocally challenging" ain't a phrase I'd use to describe this score. "


Have you seen/heard her sing "Get Out And Stay Out"? It makes my throat hurt just watching it.