How was Audra Mcdonald as Deena? — Page 3

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#51

re: How was Audra Mcdonald as Deena?

Posted: 1/1/07 at 7:15pm

Even though Audra isn't that the most flexible of vocalists. But, I just re-listened too the entire recording and I agree that the vibrato killed the vocal performance part.

I have NEVER met Cheyenne Jackson. I have never hung out with him in his dressing room, he did not tweet me, he never bought me a beverage, and he mostly certainly didn't tickle me. . .that is all.

#52

re: How was Audra Mcdonald as Deena?

Posted: 1/1/07 at 7:23pm

Fenchurch has made himself very unpopular very fast. It may be a new record for a non-sock puppet.

Updated On: 1/1/07 at 07:23 PM

#53

re: How was Audra Mcdonald as Deena?

Posted: 1/1/07 at 7:25pm

Yes, Audra was miscast but she is enjoyable. Heather Headley on the other hand made me wince every time she sang (or screeched), whatever you want to call it.

"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2

#54

re: How was Audra Mcdonald as Deena?

Posted: 1/2/07 at 2:00pm

I agree with Margo.

Audra McDonald was GROSSLY miscast as Deena Jones. She over sang the role. It's not opera, Audra, it’s a pop inspired musical. She can hardly keep up with the musical tempos because she's over working each note so much.

The only reason to get the *...In Concert* version is to hear the show in it's entirely.

It's not just McDonald that ruins this recording. Heather Headley's attempts at stealing the limelight by amping up the melisma is pretty shameful. Lorell is NOT a melisma role. It is inappropriate for her to sing this way. Headley tried to turn *Ain't No Party* into her *And I'm telling you I'm Not Going*. It's not that kind of song. Effie is the only character in the show that is written to be that vocally over the top.

Even Lillias White as Effie over does the melisma to the point of being masturbatory.

I did see McDonald at Dot in Sunday in the Park with George and she was marvelous and not miscast at all.

Updated On: 1/2/07 at 02:00 PM

#55

re: How was Audra Mcdonald as Deena?

Posted: 1/2/07 at 2:10pm

You can't say McDonald was miscast as Dot unless you saw the production. I thought she was somewhat miscast going into it...

...but really didn't care because I don't like Sonheim and really really don't like *Sunday in the Park*. I just went because I had a friend in the cast and my bf wanted to go and he's a big Sonheim fan...

Any how... I thought McDonald was well cast and played and sung the role beautifully.

You can't say McDonald was miscast as Dot unless you saw the production.

#56

re: How was Audra Mcdonald as Deena?

Posted: 1/2/07 at 2:20pm

"It's not opera, Audra, it’s a pop inspired musical. She can hardly keep up with the musical tempos because she's over working each note so much. "

you wanna give us an example?

RIP Natasha Richardson. ~You were a light on this earth ~

#57

re: How was Audra Mcdonald as Deena?

Posted: 1/2/07 at 2:27pm

I've never heard this recording, so as long as we're on this topic, may I ask: how was Norm Lewis?

Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!

#58

re: How was Audra Mcdonald as Deena?

Posted: 1/2/07 at 3:31pm

"It's not opera, Audra, it’s a pop inspired musical. She can hardly keep up with the musical tempos because she's over working each note so much. "

you wanna give us an example?

Pick a track. Any track McDonald sings on. *Dreamgirls* comes to mind.

#59

re: How was Audra Mcdonald as Deena?

Posted: 1/2/07 at 9:53pm

SporkGoddess , Norm Lewis gave me multiple eargasms.

I have NEVER met Cheyenne Jackson. I have never hung out with him in his dressing room, he did not tweet me, he never bought me a beverage, and he mostly certainly didn't tickle me. . .that is all.

#60

re: How was Audra Mcdonald as Deena?

Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:03pm

Lol@soapguy's Norm Lewis comment.

Yea, the casting (outside of Lillias White) made me go......Hmmmm,what were they thinking? But then I saw it and thought...OK, that works.

Audra did much better than I expected and Heather Headley really surprised me. Out of all of them, that casting shocked me the most. But, she pulled it off IMO.

I was just happy they recorded the entire score.

#61

How was Audra Mcdonald as Deena?

Posted: 3/18/07 at 12:24pm

"It's not just McDonald that ruins this recording. Heather Headley's attempts at stealing the limelight by amping up the melisma is pretty shameful. Lorell is NOT a melisma role. It is inappropriate for her to sing this way. Headley tried to turn *Ain't No Party* into her *And I'm telling you I'm Not Going*. It's not that kind of song. Effie is the only character in the show that is written to be that vocally over the top."

Heater Headly did that to Aida, also. The Cd, minus Porter and White, is pretty boring, especially Audra. Now, I love Audra, but she cn't play th young Deena, let alone Deena. If they had Listen in the original production, I would be sad. Heather has that Hooooooowah thing in her voice which bugs the CR*P out of me and added nothing to Lorell's littleness, kinda third wheel style to the character. Norm was good, but wasn't right for urtis. Billy was pretty good, but it sounded like he held back, compared to Eddie Murphy.

I'm done, you?

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