Leona Lewis replacement- Page 2

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 9:59pm

I can't comment on her as an actress because I haven't seen Cats but Leona's season of The X Factor was 10 years ago. She's been paying her dues so to speak, though I do think it would have made more sense for her to go into Chicago or something like that. Comparing her to similarly aged theatre actresses, she's been singing professionally for about the same amount of time. It's not like they handed the part to the last winner of The Voice.

[trpguyy]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 10:06pm

broadwayguy91 said: "Her being Grizabella is a spit in the face at every single theatre actress out there who work their way up through rank and file to earn the chance to even audition for these type of roles."

But that's not how this business works, as anyone who has "worked their way" through it knows.

[broadwayguy91]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 10:07pm

everythingtaboo said: "I'm not saying I disagree about Leona, I was underwhelmed when I saw her the other night. So then based on the reality they're likely always going to skew towards actresses in their 30s, who then is an ideal replacement when she goes?

 

"

Heather Headley, if they wanted to set a precedent of casting a non-white actress in this role in this current revival

 

Updated On: 8/4/16 at 10:07 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/4/16 at 10:16pm

Ripley would certainly be able to bring a pathos and gravitas to the role that seems to be missing with Lewis. 

And I don't think there's any question who the better actress is. 

Updated On: 8/4/16 at 10:16 PM

[sparepart973]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 3:24am

broadwayguy91 said: "everythingtaboo said: "I'm not saying I disagree about Leona, I was underwhelmed when I saw her the other night. So then based on the reality they're likely always going to skew towards actresses in their 30s, who then is an ideal replacement when she goes?

 

"

Heather Headley, if they wanted to set a precedent of casting a non-white actress in this role in this current revival

 

 

"

Leona Lewis is half-white, herself. 

[Steve C.]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 4:03am

Leona Lewis, as much as she is loved, imo just cannot "act" this role, yet...maybe in 5 years with some guidance, but not now. Nothing personal about LL, but imo ALW cast her to sell tickets. That may work for a month or so, but if he wants another long run, this is where to start making changes. 

I remember reading about how un-liked and negatively Sarah Brightman was treated when "TPOTO" was young. I don't even think all the "matinee ladies" and "bus trips" know who LL is; ALW is multi-marketing.  

[broadwayguy91]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 4:25am

sparepart973 said: "broadwayguy91 said: "everythingtaboo said: "I'm not saying I disagree about Leona, I was underwhelmed when I saw her the other night. So then based on the reality they're likely always going to skew towards actresses in their 30s, who then is an ideal replacement when she goes?

 

"

Heather Headley, if they wanted to set a precedent of casting a non-white actress in this role in this current revival

 

 

"

Leona Lewis is half-white, herself. 

 

"

Exactly :)

 

(do let me know if I worded my initial post wrongly. I meant set a precedent as in continuing to cast a PoC in the role, since Leona is biracial.)

[sparepart973]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 5:25am

^ No, not at all.

But I would like to bring back the Alice Ripley discussion and how amused I am about people wanting to see her. To me Grizabella has always been about that one song. Though I think Ripley would add amazing depth and dimension, I really wonder how necessary that would be given that the show is quite superficial and it's really all about that big change of key moment, especially as it became more pop-sounding by now. 

[darreyl102]

Posted: 8/6/16 at 12:35pm

Just saw Leona's version of  'Memory' from Cats performance on GMA- What crap. Her acting is awful. there is no passion, pain or anything, just flat. And her vocals are lacking too. It just baffles me that she of all people got the part- WTF! She also looks and sounds around 20,which is wrong for Grizabella

[Steve C.]

Posted: 8/6/16 at 1:52pm

^^ Yes this Mr D I agree...

and please I don't wish to be mean to Ms Lewis... this is not a "Celine Dion" or "Leona Lewis" concert! (I can just hear the screaming and cheering when she BELTS out "TOUCH ME", oh no, no, no)

"Cats" has now been around for so long, you either get it or you don't; the new staging and choreography is thrilling but please fix the "problems"

..and what was with that tempo on Jellicle on GMA? Dopey-stupid...