Legally Blonde understudies — Page 8

I went to today's matinee and I think the biggest thing I noticed was that it was really subtle. Laura usually really reaches for a joke and takes it for all it's worth, and she was kind of understated today. It was a nice change, though I do appreciate her regular perkiness a lot more. I'm so glad her voice is getting back as well. It's been sad to me that she just tires herself out when she's got such a great talent. At the end of "So Much Better," I kind of wanted to give her a standing O.

Gaelen as Paulette was cute. She definitely had a different take on Paulette that was more down-to-earth. She nailed jokes I never laughed at when Orfeh delivered them, but also didn't land some that Orfeh would have. It was a give and take, but a realy refreshing take on the character. And when she wanted to hit some major notes, she was great.

Matthew as Warner was good as well. Seeing his take on it though, I realize that Warner is really a role you can only do one way, and it works no matter who is playing it. Both do great jobs.

Rod Harrelson was hilarious yet again as Carlos. He definitely stands out to me. Jason Gillman was a nice Kyle/Dewey and played off Gaelen very well.

This was also my first time seeing Haven Burton as Margot. I really loved her child-like take on the role, specifically with her tugging nervously on her shirt. The Delta Nu girls really do compliment each other, and I've never seen Asmeret so alive and hilarious as today. Tracy Jai was phenomenal as always, love her.

The ensemble is really what makes the show for me though. Every last person plays such a huge part in making the show as fun as it is, and I'm constantly seeing something new from everyone whenever I go back. Kudos to them for always giving me a hell of a good time at Blonde.

Yes, it was ALL subtle with the understudies. And subtle doesn't really work for high-energy musical comedy!

Updated On: 12/16/07 at 11:40 PM

Don't worry, Bree. Nothing to praise. She is just sloppy and unfocused. It's really a shame. I'd be nice to see someone up there with a spark like Marissa Jaret Winokur had in Hairspray.

Hi Kelly.

I can expand on my thoughts on Gaelen a bit for you. Basically, she sounded like she was trying to copy a lot of Orfeh's vocals--and by that I mean both speaking and singing. Except she wasn't funny. The audience was silent for most of her performance, whereas Orfeh was sort of a crowd favorite when I saw her do it. And when she tried to do things her own way (by severely underplaying, going for a more real effect), she failed even more. The jokes aren't really in the script but in Orfeh's intentionally over-the-top characterization. I would have preferred someone more fun and extraverted as the understudy. She also doesn't generate warmth, so you didn't see Elle immediately warm up to her. Again, there's so little in the script to define the Elle/Paulette relationship so if there's no shorthand between the performers, there's nothing there.

Updated On: 12/17/07 at 12:07 AM

I agree about Bundy kicking Winokur's ass, lol... I saw Winokur in Hairspray and she was good, but Bundy is just a big, bright ball of energy. And I completely disagree with anyone who says that she is sloppy or unfocused... I thought she was completely in the moment both times I've seen the show live, and she was in top form for whenever they filmed it for MTV because she was the only part of the stage version that transferred well to the tv screen. That's just my opinion and everyone is entitled to their own, but I disagree with her being sloppy and unfocused, I think she's fantastic.

That's really interesting GrandMotel. One of my big problems with Amber Efe's performance was how cold she was. I know there is often very heated, extreme debate over Orfeh but love her or hate her, the average theater going 'Joe' falls in love with her the minute she steps foot on the stage and once she sings, all bets are off. Since the word kudos has been thrown around on this thread about 20 times, Kudos to Orfeh for always, without fail, taking very mediocre material and making it do more than just work. She somehow makes it great. I'd love to see her in something, anything worthy of her talents.

While I adore Orfeh, I will say I appreciate her just THAT MUCH MORE after seeing other people go on as Paulette.

I actually liked Amber's take and found some of her moments hilarious...Gaelen fell a little bit flat for me.

I know she can sing, because Madame Morrible isn't the easiest role to sing, so I was surprised when she more spoke than sung "ireland" although I did enjoy when she sung out in "Bend and Snap."

The highlight of Gaelen for me was her screaming "Bar none" at the end of the Bonecake scene....it came out of left field and it's hard to explain, but it was hilarious. Apparently, Rachel Dratch used to do it in the workshops...hilarious.

I really enjoyed Matthew Risch's Warner. I thought he sounded like Richard when he sang, which is never bad and he had some great line readings and he is easy on the eyes. Richard will always remain the one that looks the part the most to me, but Matthew was great.

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Yes, Madame Morrible doesn't sing at all!

Re: Gaelen - yes, I agree she was trying to copy a lot of Orfeh's performance. She didn't really get the Boston accent down - it sounded forced so when she'd deliver lines that really required the accent (14 years, for example), it seemed out of the blue. I agree with those who say the understated performance made me realize how little substance there is in that character and her relationship with Elle - it's only worked for me in the past because of Orfeh's over-the-top delivery.

And as for LBB's voice...I was fearful she wasn't going to make it to the end of the performance, as she was definitely losing her voice. I don't know if she's sick, tired as last night was the end of the week, or what, but her voice became increasingly scratchy during Act II.

That said - her energy (while somewhat lacking last night in my opinion) was well received by the audience... she stood out more because of the understated performances by her understudy castmates.

I did notice the scratchiness in LBB's voice, but her big note at the end of act one has been sounding stronger to me lately.

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I think I was thinking more of "Thank Goodness" but like I said, I haven't seen Wicked in a long time.

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Here we go, for the record

MORRIBLE(spoken) And Glinda dear, we're happy for you! As Press
Secretary, I have striven to ensure that all of Oz
knows the story of your braverism:

(sung) The day you were first summoned
To an audience with Oz
And although he would not tell you why initially
When you bowed before his throne
He decreed you'd hence be known
As Glinda the Good - officially!

Then with a jealous squeal
The Wicked Witch burst from concealment
Where she had been lurking -surrpetitially!