winston89, can i just say how thankful i am that there are mature posters like you, especially at the time when I was starting to think BWW discussions were getting a little farcical.
you kinda restored a little of my hopes on BWW. So really really really, from the bottom of my heart, thank you :)
"Legally Blonde" was a show that was written without anyone in the creative team caring for the well-being of their leading lady. The character bounces around on stage for 99% of the show and, in effect, is the most fully-drawn character in the show. Unfortunately, it's at the expense of other characters - Vivian, Warner, etc., who come off like caricatures of characters.
It's no surprise Bundy has lost her stamina - she barely had it to begin with, in my opinion. I saw BLONDE twice - early previews and a few months after it opened. She certainly was more comfortable after it opened, but still was very icy. Her charisma had grown, however. She carried the show, despite her icyness, as opposed to early previews when everyone else had to do it for her.
And I must give her credit - to finish up her run with a very good attendance track record, considering the demands of the role which she, for the most part, meets, is impressive.
Also consider the fact that LBB rarely misses shows. Within the first few months (up until the weekend before the MTV shoot), she didn't miss any shows.
Wow! I uttered one innocent little sentence and Mr. Taylor goes crazy. Did I hit a sensitive spot?
Kudos to LBB for working hard and trying... but I never thought she was talented enough to anchor a show on her own.
There should have been more for Orfeh and Kate.
Many people sing/act/dance their asses off 7 days a week (not 8. Monday is dark!) but it doesn't make them amazingly talented. It makes them hard workers.
"Actually I think Bundy is the strongest Actress/Dancer/Singer on the Boards right now."
Curtain - PLEASE tell me that was sarcasm? That's offensive.
Also consider the fact that LBB rarely misses shows. Within the first few months (up until the weekend before the MTV shoot), she didn't miss any shows.
Actually LBB is out kind of a lot. Definitely more than the other principles...but honestly it's with good reason.
if everyone only wrote about what they like, the internet wouldn't be much fun... would it?
You can really describe the sentence with that many ridiculous adjectives? How do you know it was "condescending" - did you HEAR me say it?
I offered kudos to Laura for working hard but she's clearly not that talented. Not enough to anchor an entire show by herself. Don't take it personally, Tool Man Taylor. It's MY opinion.
Most shows today have strong Singer/Actresses: LuPone, O'Hara. Butler, Russel, who may all be better Singers than Bundy, but she is a true triple threat, That was my point. Karen Ziemba comes to mind, but she is not carrying her current show. There are several wonderful dancers/actors in A CHORUS LINE but each has their faults in either singing and acting. I'm not comparing Bundy to a Chita, Gwen or Liza, but look at the current crop. Feel free to name others I may be overlooking.
I think she's a pretty bad singer (has anyone actually sat down and really listened to her sing anything other than the LEGALLY music?) and really has some awful vocal technique.
Can she do anything other than over-the-top musical comedy, with her acting? I'll believe it when I see it.
She's not a dynamic or dimensional performer at all.
It doesn't really matter much now anyway, the thread was descended into exactly what I was fearing it would. I shouldn't have even bothered posting it.
And perhaps you should post a profile because I'd be interested in exploring your writings further. Oh, and some credits would be appreciated. And perhaps photos of some of your stage work.
TooDarnHot, no. It does not make her talented. But she is. If she wasn't talented, she wouldn't be as successful as she is. So. Take your overopinionated self and shut up.
"I told you, NO Rodgers and Hammerstein!"- Bart Simpson
My God, there is some INCREDIBLE hypocrisy going on in this thread.
Robert Taylor-
I hear what you're saying and it's unfortunate. I've lost count of how many times someone's wanted to post their praise for "Gypsy", for example, and the negative and hateful comments have had to come pouring in.
What's truly something, though, is that several of the posters agreeing with your frustration are some of the individuals that needed to go on the attack in threads about other productions and their stars. That same vitriol has even spread into this thread about a completely different show and its lead. Amazing.
That aside, I agree that Laura Bell Bundy is quite talented. Her performance in Legally Blonde really impresses me.
Nathan Lane adores Laura Bell Bundy! He is in her dressing room constantly oggling Richard, Christian and Andy Karl. Check out the latest Cubby thread.
I am so glad to finally see people talking about this because I think recognition of the LB cast effort is lacking. I'm one of those people that loves this show. I realize that its not high brow but I don't need all my entertainment to be lofty. And while everyone on Broadway grinds it out eight times a week, and works very hard, I really feel like this cast has an insane responsibility because not only do they have to go through the motions, they have to do it well. Whipped Into Shape is just... spectacular. How the actress playing Brooke (don't know the name of Snelson's replacement) can sing while doing all that ridiculous (in a good way) jumping around is beyond me. Its impressive. And as has been already discussed, LBB essentially never leaves the stage. That's some kind of stamina.
Yankee Fan, I do agree with your statement about the creative staff not taking care of their star. What they have LBB doing each night is... crazy and at some point, I have to imagine, its unsustainable.