MICHAEL RIEDEL : LOST LACHANZE She's got Donna Murphy syndrome — Page 3

brooke also started spreading rumors that donna stunk up the dressing room and didn't wash her hands after peeing.

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I highly doubt that is true...Shields isn't unprofessional.

If that was your attempt at a joke, it was a poor attempt.

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Back to LaChanze.

I am saddened someone who plays a role 2x a week won a Tony.
Patti still deserves that award.

As Kelli O'Hara still deserves Sara Ramirez's award from 05. Another diva who didn't show up for work often.

Merman is turning over.

I saw Donna Murphy 5 times in "Wonderful Town." I saw Brooke Shields, and it is my opinion that she was wrong in the role of Ruth Sherwood. Donna Murphy received stellar reviews for her performance, and was in the show enough times for people who saw her and Brooke to make Brooke look like the amateur she is.

With any job, whether it be that of a construction worker, an attorney, a subway kiosk attendent, or an actress, 80% of ANY job is showing up. Committing to be somewhere at a certain time every day is the #1 responsibility of every employee, everywhere. Otherwise, the job doesn't get done and you can not be depended upon. As for your calling Brooke Shields "amateur" as compared to Murphy: Ms. Shields displayed 110% professionalism and responsibility to her job in WONDERFUL TOWN. Murphy was unreliable and did not DO her job when and as she was contracted to. ANY employer will tell you that for this job, Donna Murphy was the clear "amateur" whereas Brooke Shields was the ultra-professional.

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OK this is foolish and rediculous. I've read these posts and all I keep hearing is "I heard...", "I think...", "Box Office fool says...". No one here knows anything. People are refering to all that chat for information. I mean I just don't get how people are so easily swayed. Michael Riedel is a grand fool who makes up and embellishes truths to sell papers. I don't like reading him because he doesn't do the theatre industry any good. The lack of gossip columns and "paparazzi" are one of the things that sets theatre apart from the other stuff. Why is that a bad thing. Can't people just enjoy it?

Now no one truly knows about Patti or Nathan or even Donna unless you were in those shows. No one really knows what's going on in a performer's body. La Chanze could be really sick or vocally under the weather (which I could believe). NO ONE KNOWS. Not even Riedel. I find it interesting that everytime her writes something it's a "Broadway source says". I wouldn't be surprised if he got his info on All That Chat. And for the record the role of Sofia is HARDLY the same intensity as the role of Cellie. Felicia's got some work to do in that show but "hell no" is not exactly the hardest song to sing in the world.


Ljay889, you're confusing performer with role. Just because Roz had 5 notes in her voice doesn't mean that every Ruth has to be a crappy singer. "Donna can sing so she's bad for this musical". That doesn't make sense to me. Actually the fact that this production went up with not only Comden and Green's blessing, but also full fledged support and enthusiasm makes me think that hmmmm maybe Donna was right for it. No one knows the character like the authors.

Updated On: 8/4/06 at 01:09 PM

LaChanze's role is very demanding vocally. I don't think Fields is as demanding because LaChanze sings a lot of full voice, belting type stuff. And it's true, if you listen to the recording, that it's not very good technique, but I think that's what makes it sound so real and raw. It's horrible that it's ruining her vocal chords, but I think if she sang with better technique it wouldn't come across as good.

Not to threadjack, but has anyone heard anything about the Wonderful Town tour?

The WONDERFUL TOWN tour was scrapped a couple of seasons ago, because there wasn't enough interest in it. Theatres began dropping the show from their lineup; Lucie Arnez was apparently not enough of a draw for a musical that isn't very remembered in middle America.

Ljay889, you're confusing performer with role. Just because Roz had 5 notes in her voice doesn't mean that every Ruth has to be a crappy singer. "Donna can sing so she's bad for this musical". That doesn't make sense to me. Actually the fact that this production went up with not only Comden and Green's blessing, but also full fledged support and enthusiasm makes me think that hmmmm maybe Donna was right for it. No one knows the character like the authors.


- Don't call me confused of whatever. I am a huge WONDERFUL TOWN fan, and have done tons of research on this show etc. I firmly believe the role just comes across better played by an actress with a limited singing range, it's more right for the soul of the character. Ruth is someone who is always overlooked, she is always down in the dumps, and she is gawky. I don't see somebody like that singing and belting their asses off. A limited range goes along with all the character qualities, and it enhances the character.

You would be complaining if Mrs. Lovett, Fosca, and other demanding singing roles were played by an actress with a limited singing range. So I can complain about an amazing singer like Murphy playing a role like Ruth, which doesn't call for a wonderful singer.

I was not trying to smear other Broadway divas in an attempt to "prove my love" for Donna. It just kills me that someone as talented as Murphy is being crucified because of one person's gossip. I was using examples of things I had heard to show that Murphy is not alone in "attendance record" gossip.

None of us know these performers personally, so why can't we think the best of them? Maybe LaChanze really is sick, maybe Patti LuPone is not the diva that I have heard she is, and maybe Donna Murphy ran into health troubles.

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I was referring to Sheilds' acting ability. If you look at one of my previous posts, you will see that I call Shields a professional.

When the context in which you're speaking is that of an acting job, acting ability and employee reliability are interchangable. If an employee isn't there to do the job, there is no way to measure their acting ability against someone who is there to do the job.

I understand that perhaps this is a hard concept for you to grasp. Have you ever had a job?

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Updated On: 8/4/06 at 01:21 PM

I am not a moron. I have had a job for quite some time.

Perhaps you are having trouble grasping the fact that, while I believe Sheilds is professional, I believe she has no talent. By acting ability, I meant I don't think she has any acting talent.

Now, can we stop wasting space discussing something we will never agree on?

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In LaChanze's defense, I dont think she is the type of person to just blow off a performance because she doesn't feel like performing.

However, although Celie is on stage for most of the show, I don't recall any other songs that would be extremely vocally taxing other than I'm Here. Also, The Color Purple isn't the only show that has 5 shows in one weekend.

Updated On: 8/4/06 at 01:26 PM