Kerry Butler and Little Shop

I wouldn't say the critics are being harsh, I'd say they're telling the truth.
Wonder if Jerry Zacks is thinking... Hmmmm, I should kept Alice Ripley?!
I think I've read all the reviews, and the only one that is slightly favorable is the one AlDente posted this evening.
I really had high hopes for this, but now I'll pass and go see something else!

Updated On: 1/10/06 at 03:12 AM

I don't disagree... but did Jerry Zacks WATCH her audition, or just listen to it? I would think that with your statement (which I totally agree with - - about past track record) that she'd be "directable".
I dunno, and I admit, none of this comes from firsthand experience as I've never seen her in it.
Just my thoughts!
Thanks Ryan,
david.

Yeah, the critics do let her have it. No surprise there.

Why wait? Go and decide for yourself. (And then let us know what you think!)

Billy, did you just lose credibility?

I know you've posted here and on All That Chat that you thought "Kerry Butler was awful, soulless, nothing but a big voice. The show is without heart."

And above you seem to imply you haven't even see it yet with "I really had high hopes for this, but now I'll pass and go see something else!"

Have you actually seen the production, or are you simply bashing the show and Kerry for fun?

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Just because Kerry has a great track record for performing great in roles in the past doesn't mean she's right for this role. That's not really a strong argument when judging her performance. I don't know what the problem is, but when so many people seem to take issue with her performance something isn't clicking, whether it's the way she's directed or whether she's just not finding her place. I will scream though if one more reviewer compares her to Ellen Greene. Kerry has had to put up with about the most unfair criticism and comparison I've seen in a long time. I hope she does well and I hope once the show has been open a while she'll establish her own take on the character in a way that will extinguish the Ellen comparisons.

TOON::

"Just because Kerry has a great track record for performing great in roles in the past doesn't mean she's right for this role. "

Her not being right for the role... would that not once again be the faukt of Zaks for putting her in that role? And who is "right" for ANY role? two directors may look at one actor auditioning for the same role in two versions of the same show and one may think he is perfect and the other may hate him. It is all in how the director sees that role.

And yes, no matter what Kerry did, she loses.. it would be comparable to an actress playing Dorothy.. you damned if you copy and damned if you don't.

broadwayguy2, I agree. Maybe it is partly his fault for putting her into the role, but in his defense maybe he saw the potential there for her to be great and after she got in there it just didn't turn out like they anticipated. Afterall, they put Alice (who has given some stellar performances in the past) only to see she wasn't right for Audrey once she got in there. Maybe the same thing happened again but this time it's too late.

Updated On: 10/3/03 at 09:55 AM

Jack, be a gentleman and accept the fact that you and your clique are eating crow and licking your wounds today. I also wouldn't give too much credit to Ms. Butler as being well recieved and versatile in the past. As has been discussed before, Penny and her Bat Boy character were one in the same. She (simply) may not be a gifted actress. Moreover, she can't carry a show. Her talents seem best utilized in supporting, sidekick roles.

Why would be anyone "slaughter" the understudy? Has anyone seen her go on?

No argument there, bdwyguy!

Why oh why did no one realize that the best way to avoid the Ellen Greene comparison was to cast the actress black...or latina...or asian???? It's not a hard conclusion to come to. Put a white girl in slutty costumes and that blond wig and the comparison is inevitable. put heather headley or natalie toro what's-her-name from flower drum song (the one who played Linda) and you completely avoid the comparison.

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Al..

"Jack, be a gentleman and accept the fact that you and your clique are eating crow and licking your wounds today."

Well.. it's a good thing you aren't gloating LOL

I'm not in a clique. I stand alone. If other people agree with me, so be it. Others agree with you. I am not eating crow because I never said Kerry was an amazing star, nor did I say she would get great reviews. What I have said and will maintain that even though there are those that don't like her performance, thousands of people are leaving that theater having had a great time and have gotten their money's worth.

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I agree, Billy. That would have been fresh AND please all the old fans!