LEAP OF FAITH Previews- Page 3

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/13/10 at 12:51pm

There is no way they will fire Brooke Shields, unless it's a mutual agreement.

[LALALand]

Posted: 9/13/10 at 12:55pm

"There is no way they will fire Brooke Shields, unless it's a mutual agreement."


That is a shame. She is the weakest link in this production and they simply do not need her. If she stays, they should give her easier material to sing.

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/13/10 at 1:00pm

and they simply do not need her.

But how do you know that? The title alone isn't going to sell a ton of tickets. And Raul couldn't sell a show on his own (Company).

They should just keep working with her vocally. If her acting is good, she shouldn't be fired because she's the weakest singer in the cast. Updated On: 9/13/10 at 01:00 PM

[LALALand]

Posted: 9/13/10 at 1:17pm

I agree with you that neither the title nor Raul will sell this show. However, Brooke isn't just limited vocally, her voice is very unpleasant. It doesn't help her that the songs are clearly written for someone who can sing well. I don't think any amount of coaching will have her up to snuff.

[wonkit]

Posted: 9/13/10 at 7:53pm

LALALand - glad to hear you are condemning a show based on its first performance ever in front of an audience. On that basis, there probably wouldn't be a R&H or Sondheim show that ever got past New Haven.

[seussical93]

Posted: 9/13/10 at 11:45pm

Oh come on she wasn't that bad! She wasn't great but wasn't horrible. Just simply mediocre. The rest of the cast were vocally outstanding which made her seem weaker. I think that with a bit more training she will be sounding better in no time! I also remember quite a few of the melodies and they are currently stuck in my head! :)

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/13/10 at 11:49pm

If her acting is great, then I can look past mediocre vocals. In the old days her type of her vocal ability was the norm for many leading ladies.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 9/14/10 at 9:32am

I'm not quite sure what to make of a host of reviews that begin - 'it wasn't the worst show ever' -- that doesn't make me want to scramble for my checkbook.

And speaking of checkbooks - the show will need to have some additional investors come onboard for a New York transfer. Do we think this is another DROWSEY CHAPERONE or another MINSKYS?

[wonkit]

Posted: 9/14/10 at 10:15am

MichaelBennett - I think the "worst show ever" comments are probably the natural reaction to a show that has been in development as long as this one has, not to any expectations that it in fact was/is the worst. The 2008 presentation in development I saw had more quality than 95% of the shows I've seen on Broadway in the past three seasons.

[luvbrdway]

Posted: 9/14/10 at 11:59am

So, was Brooke Shields better/worse/about the same as Allison Janey? I fast forward through her songs on the 9 to 5 CD.

[garnerfilms]

Posted: 9/14/10 at 12:39pm

Going to see the show tonight with the my husband and two friends. Let you all know what we thought when I return tonight. Can't wait!

[LALALand]

Posted: 9/14/10 at 12:58pm

"So, was Brooke Shields better/worse/about the same as Allison Janey?"

Far worse. I hope she gets better, but I think that's not really going to happen. The songs are just too tough for her

[jamiekennywicked]

Posted: 9/14/10 at 1:24pm

Anyone have any idea when some photos from the performance will be out?

[Q]

Posted: 9/14/10 at 1:40pm

"He has an INCREDIBLE voice. Go look up being alive raul esparza on youtube"

Just an aside - taking this suggestion wouldn't necessarily lead to the same conclusion.

[LALALand]

Posted: 9/14/10 at 1:45pm

"He has an INCREDIBLE voice. Go look up being alive raul esparza on youtube"

Just an aside - taking this suggestion wouldn't necessarily lead to the same conclusion.

As my Mother once said about Cher..."that voice. it's an acquired taste."

[PRFRMR20]

Posted: 9/14/10 at 1:51pm

To me it is the performance of a song (his acting) not his actually singing voice.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 9/14/10 at 2:22pm

Who played the Brooke Shields role in the workshop?

[Wicked Fanatic]

Posted: 9/14/10 at 2:37pm

"Who played the Brooke Shields role in the workshop?"

I believe at one of them it was Kelli O'Hara.

According to Kelli O'Hara's official website, Hugh Jackman was supposed to do the workshop with her this week. Hugh must have backed out - I know he was filming his TV pilot last week so presumably it went into this week also.


>>Kelli's workshop of "Leap of Faith" opposite Hugh Jackman
and directed by Taylor Hackford will be March 12-16, 2007.

Thank goodness Hugh Jackman backed out and gave Raul the chance. I like Jackman but I prefer Raul. Can't wait to see him tonight when I get to see this!

[viola13]

Posted: 9/14/10 at 2:59pm

Sutton Foster played the role during the reading back in January.

[wonkit]

Posted: 9/14/10 at 3:46pm

Elizabeth Stanley did the 2008 workshop.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 9/14/10 at 4:10pm

Well those are all singers with some serious pipes! Your option is either to cast a leading lady who can do the part as written or you tailor the role to fit a star. Since I'm assuming Shields is the draw here (over Esparza or the material) it sounds like the creative team needs to find a way to make the material work better for Brooke Shields's strengths.

[jamiekennywicked]

Posted: 9/14/10 at 4:22pm

Any chance ths will come to Broadway this season??

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 9/14/10 at 4:24pm

Sure if they raise enough money for a transfer, and there is a suitable theatre available

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 9/14/10 at 4:28pm

Heh, yeah. I had initially wondered how you go from Kelli O'Hara, Sutton Foster and Elizabeth Stanley to Brooke Shields. On multiple levels. "Money talks" answers one of those levels, but not all!

There are tentative spring Broadway dates. Who knows if that'll come to fruition. It's (typically) funny that some people are coming out of LA performances with "inside" information that it is and "inside" information that it isn't. Intended, hopeful, yes, definite, no.

I don't know so much that Raul's voice is an acquired taste as it is simply a love it or hate it thing. I don't find many people who it necessarily grows on, but rather people who just have immediate, very polarized reactions to it, and generally stay on their side. To me it's both -- it's the rare singing actor who can do a straight play and be just as magnetic without being able to act in song. JMO, know it's biased. But once upon a time, it wasn't, I was just another "who is this Raul something-with-an-E guy?" girl. :)

Updated On: 9/14/10 at 04:28 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 9/14/10 at 4:28pm

Sorry, double post.

Updated On: 9/14/10 at 04:28 PM