Michael Arden will be title player in the Pippin benefit concert- Page 2

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 11/5/04 at 6:54pm

maybe that's just it. she gets cast in these older roles that would normally go directly to Rebecca Luker, because her voice is very mature. perhaps being so young makes it harder to put herself completely into those characters despite sounding the part. I'm not making excuses, just trying to figure it out. It's one thing to be playing Maria or Cinderella, but 24 really is too young to be playing Claudia on Broadway IMHO.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/5/04 at 6:56pm

I've been trying to figure it our since seeing her in 'Music'. It's not just the voice.. it's the whoel package. She just screams thirty something with her demeanor.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 11/5/04 at 7:08pm

definitely be interesting to see her as Catherine. maybe gain a little insight as to this oddity. It doesn't bug me as much as it does you, but I can usually let the voice compensate to where I don't pay as much attention. Eh, she'll be fabulous nonetheless, and this is a concert version anyway.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/5/04 at 7:14pm

I don't think a strong voice compensates. For me, i can forgive a lesser voice when an actor truly IS the character on stage.
yes, it IS a concert version, so in THIS case, the vocal ability is the priority.

[SweetPony]

Posted: 11/5/04 at 10:15pm

I think Benanti is an interesting choice for Catherine. When it comes right down to it she's an extremely talented girl and I'd love to be doing what she's doing. Gotta give her credit for getting there.

[JamieMcG]

Posted: 11/5/04 at 11:33pm

If I may weigh in here...in casting the show, we obviously had dozens of options for casting the role. When I went to Stephen Schwartz to speak to him about it, he described Laura as the "ideal" Catherine.

You really should have seen her original material at Joe's Pub, it showed you quite honestly, what a vulnerable, lovely person she is. Onstage, she plays cold and icy very well, I will agree and perhaps she has been a bit typecast in that kind of character. That may be part of the reason I cast her as Catherine. It will give people the opportunity to do something different. Either way, after hearing her sing I Guess I'll Miss The Man and Love Song with Michael today, she'll break your heart.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 11/5/04 at 11:46pm

Just heard (or rather, read) the news. Congratulations to uber-talented Michael for landing this awesome role! If only I was in the city during that time to hear his heavenly voice - I always miss the good stuff.

[SweetPony]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 1:25am

Well said McG. I agree. People have a tendency to be typecast as one thing or another and then viewers think that's all the person's capable of. I cannot WAIT to see this concert! I'm dying. Michael Arden is such a cutie.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 2:17am

I am so excited about this too!!!
Bring on the constumes, whatever they may be!
Woo hoo!

[jazzmin42]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 4:23am

Can you add a character to the show Jamie- one that makes out with Michael Arden...and then cast me? Does anyone know if he has a bf? MEOW. YUMMY!

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 8:29am

no.. my opinion has nothing tod ow ith seieng her in cold, icy roles. I saw her as Maria in 'Music' and she was cold and icy

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 11/6/04 at 11:57am

*bump*

This makes AG very very very happy

I'm going to more than try to go. I'm thinking on my hands and knees begging my parents...

[ken8631]

Posted: 11/8/04 at 7:43am

I may have some extra Pippin tickets - some people who were coming can't come, and looks like I have a business trip. Let me know if you might be interested. I have 4 balcony.

[ken8631]

Posted: 11/15/04 at 2:48pm

Looks like I definitely have 4 extra tickets if anyone's interested. Can have at my cost of $55 each.