Please Explain the Appeal of Julia Murney

I don't mean this to push buttons. I'm generally curious (though am looking forward to the responses telling me I'm doing this to push buttons).

She gets suggestion in almost every casting thread on here. I have always found her to be over-the-top, odd, and vocally inconsistent when I've seen her. The only thing I enjoyed her in was First Lady Suite and that was only because she was in it for about 10 minutes.

I'd really love to hear why she is so loved around here.

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Updated On: 6/12/10 at 01:46 AM

Oh, no! It is not just because she was an Elphaba! Julia Murney is intense. period. She can thrillingly feel an emotion, situation, and vulnerability, while demonstrating wit and strength. I love her scene/song of People in the benefit production of Funny Girl. Her album is splendid, and I will love to have "A Thousand Beautiful Things" played at my funeral. should I go on?

I, too, was a fan long before Elphaba. I did not even get to see her as Elphaba. However, I am pretty much in love with Julia Murney. I've only seen her live in the Chess concert with Josh Groban, but I've watched plenty of videos of her performances and The Wild Party CD is pretty much my favorite cast album ever. It's not just her insanely powerful voice (she has an incredibly impressive range), but it's also what she puts behind every song. She can tell a story with just her eyes and it's incredible to watch. She has so much emotion every time she sings and really puts herself into the music. She also has a great look. A very unique, interesting face. I think she is simply an all around beautiful performer. And as more than just malice said (btw LOVE that user name), she conveys so much strength.

Updated On: 6/12/10 at 01:59 AM

this is not to be rude to others, but if you don't "get it," then watch more of her she is "the real thing" and very moving

this is not to be rude to others, but if you don't "get it," then watch more of her she is "the real thing" and very moving

This tactic doesn't always work, though, and force-feeding can be off-putting.

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I've also always wondered why people loved her. I find her acting to be lacking, and her jack hammer vibrato is obnoxious, to say the least.

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CHESS?
WICKED?
LENNON?
THE WILD PARTY?

She's incredibly awkward on stage. I've always felt uncomfortable watching her. She's at her best when she's singing, yes, but there's always been something about her that's struck me as insincere.

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Your analysis of "if this, then that" doesn't make sense. There are many intervening variables for the lack of this group for "catching on." For example, there are many luminous performers who never enjoyed big success.
Ugh.

Updated On: 6/12/10 at 02:46 AM

I saw her when she was playing Elphaba in "Wicked" and she was by far the WORST actress I have seen play the part. Her vocals were all over the place. Shrill, and just a complete mess.

Then I saw her a few years later playing the title role in "Evita" in Sacramento. Same problem. Just horrible. Out of tune, shrill, really straining to hit those high notes. Her acting had a lot to be desired too.

I love her as an actress and dislike her as a singer.

Morthan, I get the feeling that people feeling the opposite than you (as it does with many at BWW) makes you feel less confident or more defensive of your love for the subject in question. We're not denying that you enjoy Murney. We're merely asking why AND stating our opinions of her. Everyone is entitled to a view on any subject. But backing it up is the best way to express that view. I haven't seen much detail about WHY Murney is so fabulous to people on this thread. Instead-it's turned on those who dislike her.

Why is Murney so appealing to you?

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They write great Cabaret-Idea Songs. But I can't see anything they write fitting into a complete musical with believable plot and character.

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Why do I love her acting and dislike her singing? I just think her acting is brilliant, but I find her vibrato very grating.