Please Explain the Appeal of Julia Murney

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 1:46am

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.

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

[massofmen]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 1:48am

cause she was an elphaba. And on this message board if you are or ever were an elphaba you are a demi-god.

[morethan just malice]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 1:55am

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?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 1:57am

I was a fan of hers WELL before she was Elphaba.

[Here I Am]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 1:59am

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

[morethan just malice]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 2:02am

Oh yes, Here I Am, you are my new best friend! YOU have taste, and "get it"

[morethan just malice]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 2:03am

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

[Here I Am]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 2:06am

morethanjustmalice, I updated my post before I even read what you wrote about me because I loved what you wrote! :)

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 2:09am

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.

[morethan just malice]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 2:23am

Yes, I know, I can't convert people...or lead the horse to water..
Anyway, I just looked at my CD of First Lady Suite and it does not even have Julia Murney, which I was shocked when I read that it did--and I had missed it, but it had Kate Shindle, who this individual may be thinking of. I love her, too, but she is not Julia, but that's okay. I really hope Kate has her time (and lots more of it) in the spotlight. Please make a CD, Kate! Julia, make another one, please....
It's not seemly to beg, is it?
Updated On: 6/12/10 at 02:23 AM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 2:33am

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.

[morethan just malice]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 2:34am

acting to be lacking? can you provide an example?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 2:37am

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.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 2:42am

You're implying those that don't like Murney have a lack of good taste. I feel she's full of vocal "tricks" in the same field as Shoshanaa Bean and Stephanie Block. The riffing just gets to me after a while. To each their own. I understand exactly what she's possesses and it just doesn't impress me.

If she. Or Block. Or Bean, were truly one-of-a-kind, wouldn't they be enjoying bigger successes than they have had?

The Andrew Lippa-Scott Alan group just doesn't seem to be more than flash and spectacle.

[morethan just malice]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 2:46am

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

[morethan just malice]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 2:49am

Also, I see awkwardness as a sign of vulnerability, and those characters she has played demonstrate a layer of that awkwardness (and strength). The discrepancy is exciting.

[FlyingMonkey1223]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 2:51am

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.

[morethan just malice]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 2:54am

I guess I'm crazy then.

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 3:15am

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

[morethan just malice]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 3:17am

why?

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 3:36am

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?

[starspangledjenny]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 3:45am

In reply to the Scott Alan- Andrew Lippa singers group, I find it very interesting. These composers have written such good songs (Scott Alan) that I think it makes the actors lazy. They don't make any strong choices as it is all in the music. As for Murney, I'm not too familiar with her work so I went over to youtube. I find her performances very dishonest (N2N, Chess). Just my opinion.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 3:47am

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

[starspangledjenny]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 3:56am

Very true. I meant to write that but forgot. I do think that style is written too much to show off a voice than to develop any kind of character. It's like "I'm going to stand here and look earnest, lalala and go into falsetto, lalala and then show off my mix." It's very interesting writing. I think Pasek & Paul are getting close to the full musical feel and not just song cycles.

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 4:13am

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