KOTSW: Chita Rivera or Vanessa Williams?- Page 2

[ukpuppetboy]

Posted: 1/23/14 at 4:21am

Gothampc - my memory of Chita in London has her putting her gravelling quiver all over the "A frieeennnnnd" line in the Russian sequence - so maybe that's just a phase Auroras gotta go through.

[jayinchelsea]

Posted: 1/23/14 at 9:06am

I thought Chita was amazing, particularly after seeing the early workshop of the show upstate. I rushed back to see Vanessa, based on all the over-the-top reviews, and while she sang well, she did not command the stage in the same way (nor did she, imo, as the Witch in INTO THE WOODS). Now seen Vanessa a third time on stage (SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM), and while I came to love her wonderfully bitchy acting style in UGLY BETTY, she doesn't have the same impact on stage at all.
Chita all the way!

[Gothampc]

Posted: 1/23/14 at 9:39am

ukpuppetboy, I have no doubt that Chita did it that way. But in that sequence, suspense is building. Vanessa was wrong to break the suspense with a laugh. It's out of place.

And that gravelling quiver won her a Tony Award. And she was up against belter Stephanie Lawrence (who I enjoyed in Blood Brothers) and Bernadette "popped her vocal chords" Peters.

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 1/23/14 at 11:33pm

You need both.

Chita's for Chita and Brent Carver (Like Vanessa, Howard McGillin sacrifices acting the song for consistently beautiful singing.)

Vanessa's for "Lucky Molina" which was left off the other album.

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 1/30/14 at 1:40am

Saw Vanessa on Broadway and the subsequent tour with Chita and have to say that Vanessa nailed the role. Her lush voice, strong acting chomps and sheer sexuality makes this no contest for me.

Chita although was fantastic it should go without saying.

[goldenboy]

Posted: 1/30/14 at 2:55am

Chita!
Vanessa!
Chita!
Vanessa!
Chita!
Vanessa!
Tradition...Tradition.. Tradidition....

[broadwaydanwi]

Posted: 1/30/14 at 7:14pm

Shortly after Chita played her last date on the original tour of KOTSW, another tour went to to smaller cities with Sandra Guida in the title role. I saw her play it in Madison, Wisconsin. She was very effective, and I liked her a lot in the production. The only other performer I saw in KOTSW was Carol Lawrence (who subbed for Chita in a few cities), and Carol and Sandra could not have been more different. They were both very effective, but I guess it was like comparing Madonna and Lady Gaga in the same role. Enjoy this clip of Sandra as Aurora/Spider Woman:
Sandra Guida, Title Song of KOTSW

[ukpuppetboy]

Posted: 1/30/14 at 7:37pm

Thanks for the link, but personally speaking that rendition really did nothing for me - except inspre me to look again (in vein) for some footage of Bebe Neuwirth. It really is a musical crime that her version was only shared with a lucky few in London.

[broadwaydanwi]

Posted: 1/30/14 at 7:50pm

I wonder if Bebe would ever consider doing a revival of SPIDER WOMAN? I'd love to see it! I also like this clip of Valeria Lynch doing the title song, which is available on CD:
Valeria LLynch as the Spider Woman

[DAME]

Posted: 1/30/14 at 9:11pm

If you haven't seen this.. It is some coverage of the opening of Spiderman in London mixed with some of the ads and interviews.
SPIDERWOMAN LONDON

[DAME]

Posted: 1/30/14 at 9:31pm

There is some great B roll out there of this show. I saw it many times during its run and on tour. I would love to see this again.
B Roll

[newintown]

Posted: 1/31/14 at 8:41am

Just a personal preference - Rivera was a star in the show, from whom I couldn't take my eyes. Williams, although beautiful and talented, was easy to ignore. Rivera is unique, Vanessa generic (to me).