I actually liked her Ragtime performance better than Mazzie's in some ways, though she seemed the slightest bit strained on the really big notes. And she was the biggest bright point in Dessa Rose, a show I really didn't enjoy.
haha, love--thank you for using the Sulphur Springs paper as a source of reviews :-P. That makes me laugh. I have lots of friends there, so that's just kind of funny to me.
Anyway--back to Rachel and her amazingness!
"If it walks like a Parks, if it wobbles like a Parks, then it's definitely fat and nobody loves it." --MA
I enjoyed "Camelot" when it came by. I don't know why some didn't care for it. True, Rachel was the best thing about it. I deeply admire her acting skills as well as her voice--she seems so natural. And she is beautiful.
I have not seen or heard any of her other performances; however, she was my least favorite Christine in DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS. And I've seen her, Sherie Rene Scott, and Laura Marie Duncan all live.
Read one of my posts Eponine...I went on about Scarlet
"If there was a Mount Rushmore for Broadway scores, "West Side Story" would be front and center. It snaps, it crackles it pops! It surges with a roar, its energy and sheer life undiminished by the years" - NYPost reviewer Elisabeth Vincentelli
All this Rachel love inspired me to go back and watch her Seth's Broadway Chatterbox interview again. I am soooooo glad Seth sells these on DVD. In addition to nailing "I Dreamed a Dream" as WRQ said (with no warm-up and right after laughing and telling jokes and doing impressions of Julie Andrews and Liza Minnelli), she was also absolutely adorable telling stories about her childhood and all the shows she's done. Her Les Miz story about how Javert would cover going up on his lines was hilarious! And her V/V story, OMG. Priceless.
Amazing to have so much talent in such a beautiful package - and be so humble at the same time.
Hands/lips off Eponine!! You may admire from afar. :-P
Ooh, did you listen for me this time, lc? I'm sure I was nervous and shaking as I filled in the lyrics, so for one of the few moments in my life, you may have not been able to hear me :-P
Thinking back to it, it really was a treasure to be able to be there for that interview/performance.
A must-have for all you Rachel fans out there if you don't have it yet, the chatterbox dvd! And if you hear someone mumbling Les Miz lyrics she couldn't remember, that's me
"If there was a Mount Rushmore for Broadway scores, "West Side Story" would be front and center. It snaps, it crackles it pops! It surges with a roar, its energy and sheer life undiminished by the years" - NYPost reviewer Elisabeth Vincentelli
Please, Ms. York, please forgive me for not posting here sooner. You never replied to my fanmail but that's okay, you're amazing and I love you anyway.
"I have this mental image of Patti barreling down the street and pushing tourists out of her way." -colleen_lee
I recently watched the videos on Victor/Victoria and Kiss Me, Kate back to back with my friends, they couldn't believe it was the same actress playing Norma and Kate, even her singing voice seemed completely in character.
I know what you mean, Boq101. My friends say the same thing! That was also my reaction when I rented (then bought) Victor/Victoria after seeing Kiss Me, Kate. She disappears into the character. Even her face changes. She's like a chameleon.
I have loved Rachel York in almost everything I've ever seen her in (including the mess of a production that was the recent "Camelot" national tour.)
I do agree, however, that she wasn't at her best during "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." They really should have gotten Lauren Kennedy or Jennifer Laura Thompson to fill in during Sherie Renee Scott's extended absence.
Alas, York is indeed a fierce talent.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Boq, that's what made me fall in love with her. For me, it was seeing her live in Dessa Rose and Ragtime, and then watching the tape of Victor/Victoria, I was just like...HOW is that the same person??
That's why I say the word "versatility" thousands of times when discussing Ms. York.
I'm convinced the prayer will be answered, as well. And I don't pray! Ha.
I'm planning to watch City of Angels next time I go to Lincoln Center Library...the debut of such a magnificent star. Hehe.
Cannot wait for October x a million!
"If there was a Mount Rushmore for Broadway scores, "West Side Story" would be front and center. It snaps, it crackles it pops! It surges with a roar, its energy and sheer life undiminished by the years" - NYPost reviewer Elisabeth Vincentelli
Sorry for not reading any of the other replies to find this out, but didn't Rachael York play Lucille Ball in a TV movie? I love Lucy (no pun intended) and I thought she portrayed her amazingly!
She needs to do original work here soon, I think people forget about her because she's not afraid to work in other places besides the city, maybe she doesn't think she's all that.
Yes, indeed, Rachel did play Lucille Ball in the Zadan-Meron produced biopic called LUCY. I didn't care for the movie itself, but I thought Rachel was a true saving grace. She didn't do a mere impersonation, although she did have Lucy's voice and facial expressions down pat. Instead she really got into the heart and soul of the woman.
Boq101, until she lands that great original role, we can see her in the city in October at Feinstein's. I can't wait.