Idina reportedly highest paid actress in West End History- Page 2

[bwayfan3]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 10:55pm

pippin---

she's only doing it for 4 months, and she'll have been out of the show for almost 2 years and out of performing 8 shows a week for almost a year so I think she'll have rested up.

[Kevinoes]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 11:07pm

She did the Katrina benefit last September and she belted amazingly! The song was in the same register as "DG" so imagine what she can do there. I say wait till she starts doing the show, then you can start wondering how her voice is doing.

[BWAYboi_yes]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 11:18pm

I know we're all shocked by the huge salary, but you know, let's not forget, she did have something, however questionable in size, to do with the major success of Wicked. They're making a killing. It's great to pass on a big salary like that to a leading lady when you can. No one's going broke over $50,000 a week in the Wicked bank.

[alterego]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 11:32pm

I find the whole article questionable. the mention of "potential investors" reads as though they haven't got the money together to get this show on, which at this point in time seems strange. I, like others here, I question that the amount is so high considering that she isn't a name that London ticket buyers on the whole are overly familiar with. The amount surely would be in U.S. dollars, 30,000 pound sterling is an obscene amount for someone who isn't a household name.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 5/2/06 at 12:08am

Again, highly unlikely she would return to the role for less money than she was making when she left it. The 30k pounds sounds right.

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 5/2/06 at 12:14am

I know some ppl might get aggressive about me saying this, but Idina doesn't deserve THAT MUCH SALARY!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 5/2/06 at 12:19am

I still wish they had a new UK star in the role. I love Idina, but I've already heard her sing the role. Anyone know if they plan on recording it? I thought they said they wanted one?

Well, if Idina is smart, she should have gotten a vocal coach to teach her how to place those notes so it doesn't strain her vocal chords. Listening to SWIWS - it sounds like its hurting her voice to belt like that. She needs to learn some of the breathing techniques and stuff.

[Craig]

Posted: 5/2/06 at 1:12am

You know, this goes into the land of none of anyone's business. It's one thing for fans to INSIST that a performer must sign autographs, etc...but I find this even more silly. Who cares how much she makes? Who cares if she is or isn't doing it for the money. Does it really affect anyone in this thread.. this board.. anyone else other than Idina and Taye?

What if everyone here who's had a disparaging remark about how much she is or isn't making (and there's only speculation) posted how much they make a year. The we can all sit around and post whether or not YOU deserve it.

Just because she's in the public eye doesn't mean her paycheck needs to be, nor other PERSONAL information.

my .02

[acrocksyo]

Posted: 5/2/06 at 3:38am

well stated Craig

[Claire2141]

Posted: 5/2/06 at 5:42am

Not for us to say whether or not she deserves the money...although considering few people really know who she is here I am suprised.

She really is unknown here apart from people who are fans of MT...of course the Tony will help her. Maybe that's why she chose to come here. To break somewhere else, a challenge?

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 5/2/06 at 7:09am

they'll love her no matter what...esp. because London DOESN'T have belters...at least they don't have them in any shows right now.

and i've seen just about every musical on right now.

[Eastwickian]

Posted: 5/2/06 at 7:15am

It's not that there aren't any belters, but just that it is not yet the style all female singers feel they have to use over here. I'm sure when Wicked opens, that'll change...

[Claire2141]

Posted: 5/2/06 at 7:16am

Personally I think girl from WWRY - name escapes me...the one that plays Scaramouche would be good. Not as good as Idina but with work...

Yes we'll all love her...just saying that to Joe Public she's an unknown.

BTW if it's true good on her!

[astonishing1985]

Posted: 5/2/06 at 7:37am

Are they really talking about $30k a week?

[Claire2141]

Posted: 5/2/06 at 7:55am

Well if it's actually £30,000 then it's a heck of a lot...

The article does say though that it's speculation.
Updated On: 5/2/06 at 07:55 AM

[alterego]

Posted: 5/2/06 at 9:04am

Jerseygirl2 as someone else mentioned, why wouldn't she return to a role for less if it gives her the opportunity to establish herself as a West End star as well as Broadway name? After all many have done it over the years including Barbra Streisand.

[mrkringas]

Posted: 5/2/06 at 9:12am

London doesnt have belters?

WHAT!

*scratches head*

Yes we bloody well do have belters and plenty of them working in the West End in and out. Ok none of the shows that are on require "scream level belt" (well apart from We Will Rock You and Footloose) but that doesnt mean they dont belt the crap out of this stuff at cabarets, benefits etc.

Just looking around the WE some of the belters that pop into my head who are in show right now are: Sally Ann Triplett, Kerry Ellis, Helen Hobson, Julie Atherton are just a few who are in leads in the WE at the moment. Dont doubt that the ensembles of all these shows will be packed with talent too.

[alterego]

Posted: 5/2/06 at 9:17am

And (not in a show at the moment) Elaine Paige!

[algy]

Posted: 5/2/06 at 9:20am

Claire2141:

Re The Girl from WWRY:

Jenna Lee James is the current Scaramouche, and definately auditioned for Elphie. She really wanted it to, she sang The Wizard and I at the Voice of Musical Theatre last year.

Hannah Jane Fox was the old Scaramouche, I don't know about her.

[mrkringas]

Posted: 5/2/06 at 9:25am

I never warmed to Jenna in the competition or in both her roles in WWRY. Talented girl but just didnt do it for me. There were other more versatile in that competition who she came ahead of. Makes you wonder sometimes what the powers that be are looking for!

As for La Paige... she doesnt do much belting these days Certainly not of the Evita/Chess variety.

[algy]

Posted: 5/2/06 at 9:28am

I didn't like Jenna's Wizard and I - I thought she let the orchestra get away from her, it was like she was singing along to the cast recording, but the orchestra were just slightly faster.

I prefered Hannah in 'Rock you, but that may have been because I always felt that Hannah worked better with which ever Galileo she was working with.

I'd rather someone different, but NOT the one who sang Defying Gravity at the VOM.

[Claire2141]

Posted: 5/2/06 at 10:50am

I cannot remember what Jenna's W&I. I've heard it but cannot remember what I thought....bad memory.

I liked her in WWRY though and thought at the time she's be good in the part.

[ben1986]

Posted: 5/2/06 at 11:21am

Still 4 months. I mean that's just enough time to let the press see you and then you're out. Didn't Merman and Channing stay for longer periods of time when they headlined a show. I mean what happened to the days when Marquis names stayed for a while. Not it seems that they just grab the first bow and their off.

I understand that Menzel stayed for over a year in Wicked in NYC, but don't london audiences deserve the same as well?

[Claire2141]

Posted: 5/2/06 at 11:39am

Personally I'm happy she's only staying for 4 months...means that I have enough time to see her and then the new person can come in. I'm really looking forward to seeing someone new!

[mrkringas]

Posted: 5/2/06 at 1:49pm

Her cover and replacement is going to be Kerry Ellis.

Current Fantine and former Meat, Eliza and Ellen. So a performer with a bit of variety and vocal dexterity.