Lauren Kennedy in SPAMALOT
#2
Posted: 3/3/06 at 12:33am
I thought that at least her vocals got a pretty good reception with our crowd. However, Divas Lament was one of those moments of theater where you don't want to watch because the more you watch, you get really uncomfortable thinking about how they must feel onstage alone and being incredibly unfunny. It was a painful watch, but at least it was a good listen
#3
Posted: 3/3/06 at 12:33am
Why'd you see it again?
The smallest stream is a valent river. It will drown me if it can.
#4
Posted: 3/3/06 at 12:42am
I saw it again because everytim a friend comes in from out of town, they want me to take them to Spamalot.
The girl can sing, but she's out of her league here. I'm not one for belting to the rafters, but this is rediculous.
I didn't even like her vocals in "lament." The song is two times as fast as it was with Ramirez - so before it even starts it's over. And she's just not funny. I agree, it was uncomfortable to watch her.
The girl can sing, but she's out of her league here. I'm not one for belting to the rafters, but this is rediculous.
I didn't even like her vocals in "lament." The song is two times as fast as it was with Ramirez - so before it even starts it's over. And she's just not funny. I agree, it was uncomfortable to watch her.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
#5
Posted: 3/3/06 at 12:47am
But she's so pretty.
What a shame.
What a shame.
The smallest stream is a valent river. It will drown me if it can.
#6
Posted: 3/3/06 at 1:15am
And she'll always be my girl.
Andrew, tonight isn't about you! It isn't even about me!!! - [FD]
#7
Posted: 3/3/06 at 1:48am
No wonder she's never really had a part on Broadway before...
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
#8
Posted: 3/3/06 at 1:54am
LK is awesome, I second andyf, she'll always be my girl too.
And hang on, when did you win the discus?
#9
Posted: 3/3/06 at 1:57am
She's awesome when she's just singing and not trying to act.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
#10
Posted: 3/3/06 at 1:59am
Lauren was Nellie in the West End Revival of South Pacific, and did well over a third of the run of SIDE SHOW as Daisy.
I've also heard she was a knockout Carla in NINE at PMP.
I've also heard she was a knockout Carla in NINE at PMP.
#11
Posted: 3/3/06 at 2:03am
Okay, perhaps she just cant do this part. Thhat's really all I know for sure.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
#12
Posted: 3/3/06 at 4:34am
Ok, you know what? Some people just aren't meant to do some parts. That doesn't mean they aren't super talented.
And besides, I know a lot of people think she was excellent as The Lady of the Lake. It's a personal opinion. I'm glad she's not a replica of Sara.
And besides, I know a lot of people think she was excellent as The Lady of the Lake. It's a personal opinion. I'm glad she's not a replica of Sara.
#13
Posted: 3/3/06 at 6:06am
Lauren is extremely talented. This just isn't the right role for her. I hope she gets a part soon to show off her considerable talents.
#14
Posted: 3/3/06 at 7:54am
She needs to be replaced immediately, it's NOT a difficult part
On the contrary, making such a nothing part into something truly memorable is quite the challenge.
On the contrary, making such a nothing part into something truly memorable is quite the challenge.
Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.
#15
Posted: 3/3/06 at 8:45am
You're really going to make me go there again huh? GIVE ORFEH THE DARN PART! And PopCultureBoy nailed it. It's not such a great part if a great performer isn't in it as has been glaringly displayed with Kennedy in the role. Orfeh is especially proficient at turning nothing little parts (Annette,Pipi), into show stealing roles. That's exactly what Lady Of The Lake *should* be and was with Ramirez. Nuff' said yet again.
#16
Posted: 3/3/06 at 9:15am
She's definitely got my vote. I saw Spam with Kennedy too and well, let's just leave it at that. Rup, that was a very interesting observation about Orfeh. She does frequently turn thankless roles into far more.
I saw the original Saturday Night Fever in London and never thought twice about the Annette role and couldn't tell you a thing about who played it. Says alot about Orfeh as she was all anyone talked about during and long after the Broadway Fever. Although to be fair, she might not have had as easy a time stealing the show if they had brought Adam Garcia over to play the Tony Manero role. Now him, I remember.
I saw the original Saturday Night Fever in London and never thought twice about the Annette role and couldn't tell you a thing about who played it. Says alot about Orfeh as she was all anyone talked about during and long after the Broadway Fever. Although to be fair, she might not have had as easy a time stealing the show if they had brought Adam Garcia over to play the Tony Manero role. Now him, I remember.
#17
Posted: 3/3/06 at 9:49am
While I am a big fan of Lauren Kennedy's, I agree somewhat with the remarks made about her performance in SPAMALOT. I thought she did what she could with the role (that probably wasn't suited for a gorgeous ingenue-esque woman with a huge vocal range), but there was still something "missing" about her performance.
She has said herself in interviews that she thought it was weird that they asked her to come in and audition for it, but the character breakdowns specifically state that the Lady of the Lake doesn't need to be of any particular ethnicity or type. The producers went out on a limb and cast someone who was the complete opposite of Sara Ramirez, probably hoping it would bring on a fresh interpretation, but clearly some have felt otherwise. :)
I have seen Lauren in 'Side Show,' 'Sunset Blvd', and in the 'L5Y' concert she did here in New York a couple years back with Jason Robert Brown. She has been stunning in everything she has performed in and is one of my biggest influences. The Lady of the Lake just isn't a role that matches her individual abilities well.
As for her comedic and acting chops, no one has the right to question either of those areas - as Cathy in L5Y, she demonstrated every realm of emotion possible. Her "Still Hurting" was heart-wrenching and "Summer in Ohio" and "Climbing Uphill" were absolutely hilarious.
She has said herself in interviews that she thought it was weird that they asked her to come in and audition for it, but the character breakdowns specifically state that the Lady of the Lake doesn't need to be of any particular ethnicity or type. The producers went out on a limb and cast someone who was the complete opposite of Sara Ramirez, probably hoping it would bring on a fresh interpretation, but clearly some have felt otherwise. :)
I have seen Lauren in 'Side Show,' 'Sunset Blvd', and in the 'L5Y' concert she did here in New York a couple years back with Jason Robert Brown. She has been stunning in everything she has performed in and is one of my biggest influences. The Lady of the Lake just isn't a role that matches her individual abilities well.
As for her comedic and acting chops, no one has the right to question either of those areas - as Cathy in L5Y, she demonstrated every realm of emotion possible. Her "Still Hurting" was heart-wrenching and "Summer in Ohio" and "Climbing Uphill" were absolutely hilarious.
#18
Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:43am
I've worked with Lauren Kennedy once as her accompanist. She was wonderful to work with. It's a shame about all of the negative remarks. Of course, I can't say anything about them because I haven't seen her in the role. I keep thinking that I should go back to see her in it, but then I realized I didn't want to subject myself to that show again. Once was enough for this boy.
~Steven
~Steven
#19
Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:51am
I have yet to see Lauren in a role that has impressed me. Maybe the right part hasn't come along yet, but when I saw her as Daisy in SIDESHOW and Nellie in SOUTH PACIFIC, she was consistently overshadowed by her co-stars. It was particularly obvious to me in SIDESHOW because I was so familiar with the show, having seen it 5 times with both Lauren and Emily Skinner. When Alice and Emily sang their duets, they seemed like two equals expressing differing emotions and opinions. When Alice and Lauren sang together, Lauren sounded weaker. I thought Lauren's portrayal was inconsistent with the premise of the story - Daisy is suppose to be the bolder, more assertive, more confident sister. There are obviously a lot of Lauren fans on the board, so I assume that she has performed better in other shows, like the L5Y.
#20
Posted: 3/3/06 at 7:26pm
Doesn't seem like the right fit at all. Orfeh should be playing alot of roles she's not at the moment but alas, there's no accounting for taste and sense where N.Y. casting is concerned which probably explains why so many come out here to L.A.
#21
Posted: 3/3/06 at 7:29pm
Orfeh's voice and exotic looks carry her everywhere she has gone. In Trailer Park, she missed a bit of the comedy that would have made it much funnier.
#22
Posted: 3/4/06 at 12:42am
I saw the show tonight (Friday) everyone was in. Great as always. First time seeing Lauren and I have to agree. Not right in this role. The show seems to come to a screeching halt when she is on stage.
#23
Posted: 3/4/06 at 10:23am
Doogie, are you sure you don't have Orfeh and Idina Menzel confused? While I agree about her having a voice and exotic looks,IMO she hardly strikes me as someone who's simply lucky and coasting by.
As for your comment, "she missed a bit of the comedy that would have made it much funnier", sorry but I strongly disagree. She milked some VERY unfunny lines bone dry and made the *material* far more funny than it was. the couple of times I sat through it, she stopped the show with her bit in "Great American T.V. Show", so if anything, she added comedy where there was none. It was my problem with the show in the first place.
Anything that was good about TP came from the overqualified and proficient cast, not the source material and I've said that all along. Matter of fact, all the reviews echoed my sentiments exactly. Great cast, not a great show.
As for your comment, "she missed a bit of the comedy that would have made it much funnier", sorry but I strongly disagree. She milked some VERY unfunny lines bone dry and made the *material* far more funny than it was. the couple of times I sat through it, she stopped the show with her bit in "Great American T.V. Show", so if anything, she added comedy where there was none. It was my problem with the show in the first place.
Anything that was good about TP came from the overqualified and proficient cast, not the source material and I've said that all along. Matter of fact, all the reviews echoed my sentiments exactly. Great cast, not a great show.
#24
Posted: 3/4/06 at 4:09pm
its too bad lauren isn't getting a better response and its also too bad that she has been cast in a role that isn't suited to her because she is very talented.
did anyone see her as fantine?
did anyone see her as fantine?
#25
Posted: 3/4/06 at 4:15pm
It's also too bad that people think when someone is not strong in a role that it's the role's fault and not the actor's.
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