Julia Murney as Eva Peron?- Page 2

[pippin2]

Posted: 2/10/07 at 11:08pm

The thought of Espinosa screeching her way through that score already makes my ears hurt. I would absolutely love to see Leslie Kritzer get a shot at alternate. I remember reading in an interview how she's played the role before, and given her brilliant performance as Patti at Les Mouches (where she sounded better than Patti herself at times IMO), I think she has definitely proven that she has the vocal range.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 2/10/07 at 11:16pm

YES! YES! YES to Julia! When I saw her in Wicked, her vibrato seemed very much under control. I could definately see her act and sing the part, but does she dance?

[americanboy99]

Posted: 2/10/07 at 11:30pm

I would love to see Sutton Foster in the role.

I am not a big fan of Murney's voice. At all.

[timote316]

Posted: 2/10/07 at 11:37pm

If Julia can dance the role, absolutely. Although, those that say that she reads older than she is do have a point...

If they want to go with an established actress in the role, I thought Sarah Litzsinger was rather fantastic on the last tour.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 2/10/07 at 11:51pm

Did Eva dance much in the original production? I saw the Kennedy Center performance with Elena Rogers, but Patti LuPone doesn't seem like much of a dancer.

And, americanboy, Sutton Foster has said herself that her voice isn't right for Eva. I love Sutton Foster, but she's got a traditional kind of belt. I don't see her doing this huge rock score.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 12:00am

I know I am the only one, but that's my opinion.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 12:02am

Yeah, as much as I love Sutton Foster, I can't see her as Eva. Maybe she can do a cover of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina."

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 12:06am

Yankee, Espinosa didn't feel Fantine was a large enough role to warrant her passing on the Los Angeles production of "Wicked" (where she'd be the leading lady.)

pippin2, you're forgetting (as others have pointed out) that this particular production of "Evita" is very dance heavy, so anyone playing Eva in it has to be a true triple threat in every sense of the term. While Leslie Kritzer has the voice, her and others like Julia Murney aren't strong enough dancers to play the role in this staging.

And Sutton Foster? Just.. no.

[darkmist115]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 12:18am

I love love love Julia, and would adore seeing her in this role. Acting wise, she'd definitely be fantastic.
As for her range, I don't think she'd have too much an issue. She can belt the crap out of some pretty high stuff, so I'm sure she'd be fine. If anything, she'd at least his those notes better than LuPone. *shudders*
Physically, I think she may be a little old, but I think she can play down. She's done so many roles so well at various ages that she'd have no problem easing into a 20-something seductress.

[blaxx]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 5:41am

I would love to see a Hispanic performer playing a Hispanic character (other than Elena, of course...) Try Bianca Marroquin?
Or , I'm sure Broadway is full of Hispanic ladies, willing talented and ready?

[ahmelie]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 8:45am

Well, Argentines have a more European look than most other Latin American countries, which is why most Eva's seem to be white. Although I really really don't like Elena, I do think it's interesting that they cast someone who is actually from Argentina in the role.

I think both Julia and Eden could to fabulous, Idina couldn't. Love her or hate her, there's only so much she can do. And I would be extremely surprised if she could do A New Argentina any justice. Though if she did pull it off, I'd be very impressed.

It does seem that this production is much heavier dance-wise, which is why you couldn't cast someone like Patti in the role today, I think she dances if she must, but isn't going out for Charity. She actually once studied under Martha Graham.

[Sant]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 9:14am

Having seen the original cast of the London revival, I have to say Elena Roger was simply amazing in the role!! I hope she will have the chance to reprise her performance in the Broadway production of this revival!

As for Ms Murney, I just can't imagine her voice in this role. She has a great range, but there's just something in her voice when she's belting higher notes that just makes me cringe. And as for her age, someone said that Murney could pull off the 20-something seductress, but let's not forget that when you first see Eva onstage, she's way under 20! And I don't think Murney could pull that off.

Sherie Rene Scott, maybe?

Or Sarah Gettelfinger (is her range wide enough)?

Kelli O'Hara - I'm sure she could handle the belting and have the range?

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 9:48am

As far as American actresses go: if Mandy Gonzalez has the dancing ability, she'd be my pick for the alternate.

[softershade]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 11:24am

i would love love love to see mandy gonzalez as the alternate.

[pants2]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 11:34am

I think eden could do a great job, she does have a voice that isn't screeching you know.

And to whoever said Sutton Foster.... I love her, but I think her voice is to legit for eva.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 11:45am

somethingwicked - thanks for clearing that up. Can't help but agree with her, but if her ego is that big (for no reason, since she has 2 shows (1 a flop) on her resume) already, she's not gonna go far.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 12:03pm

That's so funny, somethingwicked! I was thinking Mandy Gonzalez as well! I do think that she has the ability to pull of the dancing for this production. I think she definately can look young enough as well!

[theatregeek2]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 2:20pm

I would love to see Julia Murney in this role.....she would be fabulous!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 2:44pm

Mandy Gonzalez would sound great, but she seems so fresh-faced and cute. Then again, I guess that's what acting is for.

Updated On: 2/11/07 at 02:44 PM

[ashley0139]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 2:48pm

My first thought was Mandy Gonzalez as well. I would love to see her in that role.

Posted: 2/11/07 at 2:58pm

Anyone who isn't, well, somewhat unattractive? I'm sorry, I realize that isn't exactly a nice thing to say, and I certainly don't think she's ugly, but I'd have a very hard time believing that Julia Murney managed to seduce various men.

Those were my exact thoughts when I saw the Murney suggestion.

Posted: 2/11/07 at 3:04pm

I actually could see Caren Lyn Manuel in the role. She has the looks and the belt for the role. I heard a studio recording of her with the 2002 European Tour cast (I believe) and was underwhelmed, but mainly because I didn't feel she put enough emotion into her songs on the recording. If she could act the part, I think she'd be great.

However, yes, I realize Elena is transferring, we don't know if Manuel can dance, etc.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 3:06pm

Caren Lyn Manuel used to be an ice skater, so I think she can. Plus, she did cover Mimi...

[overthemoon419]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 3:57pm

I could see Julia being a lovely Eva Peron. Personally, I think she's quite beautiful.
(Especially since I don't find Patti LuPone to be much of a looker.)

Mandy Gonzalez would be wonderful as well, and I think Caren would certainly be interesting.

I've heard Alice Ripley do some Evita numbers, she's fantastic. Just putting that out there.

Eden screeches far too much.
Sherie Renee Scott has a lot of power to her voice, but, like Eden's, sometimes it is far too shrill for me, and I don't know if I could sit through a whole show of it.
And whoever said IDINA is triple threat enough to do the role, I hope you're not speaking of Idina MENZEL, because the Idina *I* know has a killer belt, decent acting skills, and an underwhelming dancing ability.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 4:02pm

If the issue with Julia's appearance is that she's not conventionally beautiful, and we're saying that neither was Eva Peron, but that it was her style, presence, demeanor, etc. that made her beautiful, I feel like that's something you can emulate with a good actress. Why can't that be something you can recreate on stage? That seems sort of the point, to me. I mean, yes, I think Julia IS gorgeous, but that's not really what I'm arguing for here.