Nicole Scherzinger as Grizabella in CATS- Page 2

[broadwayman20103]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 10:16am

What I don't understand is everyone saying she is too young for the role. Betty Buckley was 35 when she played the role on Broadway. Nicole is the same age when she played it.

Also Nicole was only scheduled for a limited run to early February: http://london.catsthemusical.com/nicole-scherzinger-to-star-in-cats/

[bryan2]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 11:56am

No I haven't but I would in a heartbeat if she came to Bway...I am judging it only on the recording which is most likely wrong it is just having seen Betty and also Lauri Beechman I am kind of biased...I would love to be proved wrong.
I also think because Nicole is breathtakingly beautiful even in the costume kind of distracts me..but once I was sitting in the theater I could be unbiased I believe wanna go with me lol

[Wildcard]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 1:16pm

I'm not judging Nicole based on her singing but based on her performance. If it was based on singing, of course Betty and Elaine would top her. But the emotions in this recording (compared to the recordings of the previous Grizabellas) comes through and I can feel what the character feels more than I did with the others.

[BroomstickBoy]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 5:48pm

Beautifully sung, but the most overwrought version I've ever heard. Wringing out every note doesn't make it any more emotional.

Laurie and Betty still sell it best, with an honorable mention to Stephanie J. Block.

[tourboi]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 6:23pm

Wilmington, did you SEE her do it?

I did, and her costuming (with more makeup than in the press photos), and physicality especially worked for her. She was VERY convincing as an older cat, and was indeed perfect... regardless of age. Younger than her have played the part elsewhere, including numerous tours.

I've seen my share of Grizabella's, and she's everything ALW says and more. She was brilliant.

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 6:29pm

too many emotions.

[Starship]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 6:51pm

I think she has a great belt and does the song justice. However, it just didn't do it for me. Nonetheless, I hope she comes to Broadway with the show if/when it comes. Cats has always been up there as one of my favorites.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 7:17pm

The Album Version is a pale comparison to the Tony Awards Performance which was insane- Her Notes on "Touch Me" are out of this world!!
Betty Buckley's Memory

WOW! Betty's in a different league...the only one who gives the chill factor when singing this song!

[smallvillefan16]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 11:30pm

How long was she with the show for? Seems extremely brief...

[ZiggyCringe]

Posted: 2/13/15 at 11:52pm

Didn't see her live, but watched several on line performances.

She certainly has the pipes, and she almost has that Buckley edge when she gets to the high notes, but not quite.

Her phrasing is off with the lyric. When she hits "Touch me, it's so easy to leave me," she slides too much on the word "easy" when the word to emphasize in that lyric (as Buckley and Paige do) is "leave." It's a very subtle thing, but Buckley was the queen of that lyric.

Don't mind Nicole, I think she did good service as Grizabella in the clips that I saw.

Still think the show is one of the most dull things I've ever sat through, but that's off topic.

Updated On: 2/13/15 at 11:52 PM

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/14/15 at 12:43am

^ I thought her phrasing was off, too. It bothered me a little,

[BroomstickBoy]

Posted: 2/14/15 at 1:33am

Nicole's phrasing is always off. She doesn't know how to let a lyric BREATHE.

[ZiggyCringe]

Posted: 2/14/15 at 1:47am

And by the way, if anyone can present me with a "Jellicle Cat," I'll give you a hundred bucks.

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 2/14/15 at 7:44am

Try watching other videos of her singing this song. She sounds better when she's actually doing it onstage and in the moment.

Her "Touch me, it's so easy leave me" is nice but what what really takes her to the edge is her phrasing on "All ALONE with the MEMORY". Her emphasis and phrasing on Along and Memory gives me chills every single time.

So how is the rest of this show? Inspired production or carbon copy of the original?

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 2/14/15 at 11:57am

Much better than Betty Buckley's version.

[Skimbleshanks2]

Posted: 2/14/15 at 2:42pm

It goes without saying that this is my most anticipated revival in YEARS. I love Nicole's take on 'Memory' ... It's gorgeous.

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/14/15 at 3:22pm

"The biggest thrill I ever had in a theater was when Betty Buckley sang Memory. Nothing and nobody touches it..".

So true. No one compares. No matter how many times I hear it, I get the same thrill.

[amoni]

Posted: 2/14/15 at 3:45pm

The writer of the piece thinks it's the best he's ever heard in the 30 plus years since he wrote it and you knuckleheads think her phrasing is wrong. OK then.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/14/15 at 4:10pm

How are you always so chipper and pleasant? What is your secret?