Idina Menzel in the Royal Variety Performance

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=919721#2682996

eh, well I'm not sure which thread to use so I'll just use this one and let the other die haha. (and I figure... well, I dont know, is it really so bad to have both a thread in the west end section and the broadway section?)

aaanyway, now that its finally searchable youtube- I know I kind of mentioned this in my post in the other thread, but I really, really, REALLY loved this performance. Sure, from a vocal standpoint, it was a little below par for idina (and you can totally tell from the very end that SHE wasn't happy with it either). But good lord can she act her butt off. I just...don't understand how anyone could see her face in the beginning and NOT feel something.

So, I just want to out it out there right now (much like mikey did)- PLEASE guys, before you start nitpicking about every single tiny flaw in her voice (which is generally the case around here), all I ask is that you take a step back for a second and actually look at the performance over all (despite what some people seem to believe, its not ALL about the end- there's an entire beginning and middle to the song too!). Before going into "she sounded so horrible and sick in the end, and she cracked a note", think for a minute- did it actually effect the performance that much? Because, for me personally at least, I could simply not care less about a few cracked notes. The fact remains that she's the ONLY elphaba who makes me teary eyed durring that song, and she's only gotten better at it.

Sorry, I'm getting super rambly and preachy, but I just want to be able to discuss this without it turning into another 'lets bash idina' thread. Because I know I cant be the ONLY one who thought it was brilliant :)

ok, I promise I'm done now- carry on- and please be nice!

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Updated On: 12/13/06 at 06:32 PM

^YES. the "much too high a cost" and "kiss me goodbye I'm defying gravity" were soooooooo amazingly gorgeous!! gah. And yes, I totally agree- best overall performance I've ever seen/heard :)

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Indeed, Both Idina and Helen were spectacular. It was filmed so beautifully, which also made it so much fun to watch. Also, the Avenue Q video of the Royal Variety Performance is also quite cute. Check it out...

Some of you probably wonder why I have done 2 threads relating to the show. Well when I was doing this one, it said on my pc that it failed so i tried again but for some strange reason this came through. So apologies in case anyone is wondering & I do apologise for putting info based on Youtube

All I shall say is that I wish Idina all the best of luck and pray and hope her final performance goes extremely well!

Updated On: 12/14/06 at 08:22 AM

She's been kinda missing the last note for a while. It seems like she always lets her nerves get the better of her. Everytime I've seen her live in performance she's been stellar, but everytime she does something televised she's subpar. It's a shame. Although, I have to say that whenever I watch her sing I'm always scared that she's going to crack or miss a note...or pop a blood vessel.