Broadway Legend Joined: 9/29/04
Far too sweet a girl? Well, she WAS ACTING. Maybe she could pull off the acting, but I don't know about the singing.
However, she HAS been working on her voice, supposedly, so maybe she can hit those notes now. You never know until she gets up there and does it.
I also think she'd make a better Nessa, at least vocally. If Jenna Leigh Green has the chance to play Elphaba (she's understudying the part, right?) then Lea might be able to sing the part as well. I think Stephanie Block also has a slightly deeper belt than the role calls for and she's doing it. I'd say let's hear her sing Defying Gravity in some concert setting and if she can do it, good for her. If not, oh well. There will be other roles. The worst thing she could do is force it if she doesn't have what it takes and hurt herself.
MYB: Just so you know, Lea's overennunciation in Les Miz was a requirement. When folks were auditioning for the role for the Broadway/tour production, they were required to overennunciate every single syllable. This, of course, was more during the end of its run.
Lea did not overennunciate in either Miss Saigon or Flower Drum Song, as I have seen her in those performances.
she's had some good roles, but let's not get ahead of ourselves darling. going around talking about how much she's like to play these roles? I find that sad. she needs to just accept the fact that another great role her is waiting to be written for her, and not try to play roles written for someone else. shes got a tony. she and the tony can keep each other company for now.
Swing Joined: 2/11/05
Lea Salonga is a lady that is determined to attain whatever goals she has.
Whatever role she may have in mind, I am sure she'll give it her best shot!
Just give the Asian, and the Filipinos' pride the chance to prove her worth. =)
I think she needs to work on her voice for Elphaba...but Lea not a belter? Has any heard Lea - The Broadway Concert Cd? She does a lot of belting in those songs on the cd.
Lea belted her way through Miss Saigon.
Lea does not have the right belt for Elphie, though.
Can anyone see Lea in Brooklyn? Probably not.
But, she would make a great Eva Peron...
Justice: As I said earlier...in seeing Les Miz over 30 times during the past 16 years, and owning more 20 cast recordings, there's not another single Eponine that has used that form of over-enunciation. If anything, Eponine is the ONE character in the show that is the most pop-oriented, and shouldn't be that controlled.
Belting is relative. Lots of people can belt. The questions is, can she belt high enough for Elphaba? No.
Featured Actor Joined: 12/25/04
Lea as Elphaba...I wouldn't be a fan! Lea is great but I don't think she could pull off Elphaba. I would love for her to come back to Broadway though!
I love Lea and I would love her as Elphaba. I think she would be a very good Elphaba... but if she doesn't play Elphaba... then I would still be willing to go watch her in any Broadway.
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Lea S. Hugh J. Adam P. Idina M. Matt M. Taye D.
I would just like to hear her sing Defying Gravity, just to see how it sounds.....
On another note...
It was brought to my attention while seeing Flower Drum Song, from my partner, that Lea always looksangry when she sings. If this is truth more than an opinion, then Elphaba wouldn't really be a stretch for her, now would it?
Hmm I never really thought she looked angry while singing in the Flower Drum Song. On another note, I think she could pull off Elphaba. Like others have said, I'd be interested in hearing her sing Defying Gravity or another Elphie song in a concert setting to see how she does.
Stand-by Joined: 2/20/04
We will be able to hear her sing "For Good" soon.
She's doing it as the finale to her concert.
If they ever decided to make Aladin a Broadway show she would make a AWESOME Jasmine. Why hasn't she done Beauty and The Beast yet?
Stand-by Joined: 2/20/04
I don't know if she is doing it as the Finale of her concert. However, she confirmed on her newsgroup that she recorded a version of "For Good" with Jen Paz which will be released on Jen Paz's new CD.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/29/04
Lea's enunciation in LES MISÉRABLES isn't OVER-enunciation. I think it is IDEAL enunciation. If we lazy Americans spoke and sang like we SHOULD, we would sound like Lea Salonga. She makes almost every consonant audible, except in places where it would be too awkward. Not once have I ever had to go, "What was that lyric?" when listening to Lea Salonga. Flawless diction and enunciation and I LOVE IT.
Unmasked05: She would definitely make an awesome Jasmine, especially since she WAS Jasmine in the film! LOL
And I, too, wonder why she hasn't done BEAUTY AND THE BEAST yet. It's not like she looks too old for the part. I mean, they had Andrea McArdle up there, didn't they??
I saw Andrea as Belle. She was phenomenal! No reason why Lea can't do it either.
Updated On: 2/12/05 at 04:10 PM
She would also be great as Mulan since she was that part too in the movie. I guess she's the token asian girl on broadway...
I know I'm late again on this topic.
I believe Lea was actually pursued to play Belle in Beauty and the Beast but the timing never worked out. I assume she has no interest left in it unless she really wants to be back on Broadway which doesn't seem to be the case. Elphaba seems to have consumed her thoughts along with this tour she's doing. Guess she wants a fairly new big role if she's not originating the part.
"I guess she's the token asian girl on broadway..."
Naw, there used to be a lot more.
But then Miss Saigon closed.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
Swing Joined: 2/16/05
Lea Salonga has a tremendous range and power in her voice. I think with the proper coaching, she can deliver what it takes to play Elphaba. Although she comes acrosss as "odd" for the part, given the chance, she will defy not just gravity but her strongest detractors as well.
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