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.
"Do you know what pledge time is, Andrew"? said the PBS Executive.
"Yes", Lloyd Webber replied. "My 50th birthday special must be one program that gets done a lot."
"No", mused the man from PBS heedlessy. "Not so much. Our Stephen Sondheim Carnegie Hall concert. That's a big one."
Spoons, forks and knives seemed suddenly to suspend their motion in horror, all around the table.
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.
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 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...
"Do you know what pledge time is, Andrew"? said the PBS Executive.
"Yes", Lloyd Webber replied. "My 50th birthday special must be one program that gets done a lot."
"No", mused the man from PBS heedlessy. "Not so much. Our Stephen Sondheim Carnegie Hall concert. That's a big one."
Spoons, forks and knives seemed suddenly to suspend their motion in horror, all around the table.
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.
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.
NIL MAGNUM NISI BONUM "No greatness without goodness."
RENThead, enLIGHist, Ozalot, Grobanite, Ringer, Pickwick LW, Wicked, Lost, American Dreams, West Wing
Lea S. Hugh J. Adam P. Idina M. Matt M. Taye D.
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?
"Do you know what pledge time is, Andrew"? said the PBS Executive.
"Yes", Lloyd Webber replied. "My 50th birthday special must be one program that gets done a lot."
"No", mused the man from PBS heedlessy. "Not so much. Our Stephen Sondheim Carnegie Hall concert. That's a big one."
Spoons, forks and knives seemed suddenly to suspend their motion in horror, all around the table.
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.
I wanted to get something that an "ex"-junkie like him would really appreciate and cherish....it's a brick of heroin shaped like a heart.
-Scrubs
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.
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
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.
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.