Lauren Kennedy in Spamalot (Pic)- Page 2

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/31/05 at 5:45pm

Why do people keep bringing up Orfeh? Did she ever audition, or express interest in the role? Is there a story or something I don't know?

Perhaps the reason she isn't playing the role is because she has no desire to do so.

[ruprecht]

Posted: 12/31/05 at 6:47pm

There was talk about Orfeh and SPAM a while ago and people were saying Orfeh was committed to Trailer Park, so no, I don't think she was ever specifically interested in the part. I simply think it's a really good and obvious fit. And Trailer Park sadly, is no more.

[QMAN03]

Posted: 12/31/05 at 6:52pm

I actually saw her first performance. She was really good, but not great. Her voice doesn't even come close to Sarah's on the recording. I never saw Sarah, but in my opinion, she blew Lauren out of the water.

[Mo3]

Posted: 12/31/05 at 6:56pm

I'm confused, too. You never heard of Rebecca Luker, Rebecca York, Laura Benanti, Alice Ripley, I guess, as well as many others.

I saw both women in the roles - I thought Sara was far superior. I thought Kennedy's comedy amd general acting was extremely lame and her voice nowhere near the power needed for the role. Also, I don't understand why an ingenue was cast in that role. Although it doesn't sound it, I don't mean to come down on her at all, I just don't think she's right for that particular role. This is just an opinion, and as you can see, there will be many.

[whimsical]

Posted: 12/31/05 at 6:56pm

Lauren Kennedy is NOT a typical ingenue. I would love to see her in this. I think she's a fantastic creative choice. This role isn't supposed to just be some diva showing off her voice.

[Cabchic]

Posted: 12/31/05 at 7:01pm

I have seen both and preferred Sara. I think Lauren will get better though. I felt Lauren was lacking in the comedic area. I think she was maybe trying too hard. Also, her voice is not as powerful as Sara's. Judging from the applause at the curtain call I would say the crowd enjoyed her performance but wasn't blown away by it.

[emehobeival]

Posted: 12/31/05 at 7:26pm

Lauren Kennedy annoys me. Well, I think she's beyond annoying. (I absolutely cannot stand her in "I Sing!")

I think there were definitely stronger choices for the role of the the Lady of the Lake. It might be good for her... teach her comic timing and whatnot. Or at least, I hope so. lol.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 12/31/05 at 11:40pm

A friend of mine is close family friends with one of the stage managers at the show. He was down here for a quick holiday and she got to see him, and she asked about Lauren Kennedy (she has not seen her but she did see the OBC right before Hank took his break.) He told her that Lauren was a very nice girl, but he felt she was severly miscast. He said her comedic timing is off, and although she has a great voice, in his opinion, it is no where near the powerhouse "blow em outta the rafters" (as he put it) style that is needed for the role. He also said, however, that no one will ever compare to Sara, and he hopes that the audience will judge Lauren on their own rather than hold her up to that impossible standard (although the comparisons are inevitble.)

I haven't seen her in the show so I can't comment but... I would give her a chance.

Updated On: 12/31/05 at 11:40 PM

[442namffug]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 2:35pm

Point is, she was a bad choice. End of story.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 3:36pm

To anyone involved in casting the Broadway version of Spamalot; I have one request and one only. Cast Orfeh as the Lady of the Lake NOW!!!

[AuditioningWaitress]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 3:41pm

Wow, she looks great...Thanks for the link!

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 3:51pm

I think that the reason they didn't go with an Orfeh or an Amy Spanger is because they wanted to forge a new identity for the role, and not have their replacement be seen as a Sara Ramirez carbon copy.

I have not seen Lauren in the role yet (I'm very hesitant to see the show again), but I know that she is a very versatile actress with an incredible voice. I've heard great things about her performance and am sure she's doing well.

To the person who inquired about her age, I believe she is 33, but I'm not 100%.

[ruprecht]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 4:03pm

Wickedrocks, start a petition, I'll sign it. And MEF, now you've got me scratching my head, what do Orfeh, Spanger and Sara have in common? First, Orfeh and Ramirez while very similiar in vocal and comedic stylings, (although Orfeh wins in the stamina race, hands down), could not look more different.

Lauren Kennedy, while completely free of "edge" and not at all charactery, is alot more physically linked to Orfeh and Amy Spanger than Ramirez, so,if they were going to go blonde, blue eyed, they should have chosen Orfeh, who would not need to "grow" in to the role. I'm sorry but, for a hundred plus dollars a pop, I'm not willing to allow someone to work out their kinks, on my dime and time. They made, IMHO, a mistake and should rectify it sooner than later.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 4:06pm

I say Lea Solanga or Shoshana Bean for Lady of the Lake.

Updated On: 1/2/06 at 04:06 PM

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 4:11pm

Ruprecht-

Orfeh and Sara Ramirez sound extremely similar, and are both very vampy. I don't think that Lauren Kennedy is all that similar looking to Orfeh or Ms. Spanger. Kennedy is taller, and more slender, as opposed to the other two ladies, who are shorter and a bit stockier.

I could easily see Orfeh as Lady (I'm having a harder time wrapping my head around Spanger), but I think they made a solid choice with Kennedy. And remember---this show is going to run for YEARS...there's still time.

[ruprecht]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 4:18pm

Vampy is a GREAT word to describe my two favorite girls and I'll give you taller, in reference to Kennedy but after seeing Orfeh practically naked in TP, I'd hardly refer to her as stocky,short yes, stocky, no (Spanger either for that matter). I was commenting more on ethnicity than body type. I get what you mean and yes, there is time, but I don't think anyone wants to be the 5th replacement in anything, especially the Orfeh's and the Spanger's who are more used to originating roles.

[wendy72]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 4:31pm

Well, if someone (like me) had never seen Sara perform this role , wouldn't it be possible to enjoy Lauren on her own merits? I will let you know as I'm seeing it next week...

[BreeDaniel]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 4:33pm

Short and stocky are not mutually exclusive terms and most definitely should not be used in reference to the aforementioned ladies. Poor Amy Spanger looked like she could use a few really good carb laden meals in Reefer Madness.

[bythesword84]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 4:39pm

Amy Spanger? You have got to be kidding me. Dancing, yes. Singing, absolutely not.

[almostxfamous]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 4:47pm

I'm coming in a little late into this conversation, but I definetely agree with Ruprecht about Orfeh in this role. In my opinion, however, Orfeh is far too talented to come into any show as a replacement. They need to bring her in as new casting, because she deserves that. From the first time I heard the OBC, Orfeh came into my head. Yes, her and Sara sound similar, but it is not uncommon for producers to bring in someone of the same vocal chops as their predecessor. They kind of need to, to achieve the same effect as the previous performer. Orfeh is definetely qualified for this role. Granted, they didn't go in the expected direction, which would be someone like Orfeh.

[Mo3]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 5:50pm

ITA. Once you get to a certain point in your career, you will not accept a replacement or understudy so I doubt some performers they would have been interested in would have wanted to do it.

[idinarocksmysocks!510]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 8:46pm

yeah, lauren kennedy is good! her voice is powerful but not too overpowering. i enjoyed it.

[iwearshoes]

Posted: 1/2/06 at 8:58pm

I saw her on the 31 and loved her performance. Granted I have never seen Sarah, I enjoyed her voice more than Sarah's on the OBC.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 1/18/06 at 11:08pm

Have any more pictures appeared anywhere? I would love to see one in the green "mermaid" costume

[IveGottaBeME]

Posted: 1/19/06 at 2:55pm

Asmeret (from wicked ensemble) who is amazing is now the lady of the lake understudy. and yes, she is black.. not like it should matter