#26
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.
Please Explain the Appeal of Julia Murney — Page 2
#27
Posted: 6/12/10 at 9:24am
Same, I hate her voice sometimes, but her acting is great.
#28
Posted: 6/12/10 at 10:45am
Wicked was actually the one role I saw her in that I despised. She was pretty bad.
I enjoy the presence she brings to roles. She makes interesting acting choices which don't always work, but they're fun to watch anyway. She hasn't exactly had the chance to play the best roles yet, but I do think she's incredibly talented.
Her voice is wonderful when singing the right material. However, when she strains, or is given something more difficult to sing, her solution is often to just pull out the big vibratto and hope for the best.
I enjoy the presence she brings to roles. She makes interesting acting choices which don't always work, but they're fun to watch anyway. She hasn't exactly had the chance to play the best roles yet, but I do think she's incredibly talented.
Her voice is wonderful when singing the right material. However, when she strains, or is given something more difficult to sing, her solution is often to just pull out the big vibratto and hope for the best.
#29
Posted: 6/12/10 at 11:43am
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.
Speaking in terms of the Wicked score, Murney's Elphaba stuck fairly to the score as written. She was not an overly riffy Elphaba (Block wasn't either) and, frankly, shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence as Shoshana Bean.
And the appealing thing, for me, about Murney vs. Bean/Block? I find Murney to be a better actress, plain and simple.
Speaking in terms of the Wicked score, Murney's Elphaba stuck fairly to the score as written. She was not an overly riffy Elphaba (Block wasn't either) and, frankly, shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence as Shoshana Bean.
And the appealing thing, for me, about Murney vs. Bean/Block? I find Murney to be a better actress, plain and simple.
#30
Posted: 6/12/10 at 11:49am
When I watch and listen to Julia, I am mesmerized by her intensity, honesty, and openness. I get turned on when I hear her vibrato because it shoots through phrases, lifts emotions, and is not predictable. I never care about technical singing but risky and true performances, and I would listen/watch Julia in anything because of where she will reliably take me someplace.
#31
Posted: 6/12/10 at 1:00pm
I never care about technical singing but risky and true performances, and I would listen/watch Julia in anything because of where she will reliably take me someplace.
Thank you...I wish more people would look for this (and make this!) in the theatre.
Thank you...I wish more people would look for this (and make this!) in the theatre.
How to properly use its/it's:
Its is the possessive. It's is the contraction for it is...
#32
Posted: 6/12/10 at 1:00pm
I never care about technical singing but risky and true performances, and I would listen/watch Julia in anything because of where she will reliably take me someplace.
Thank you...I wish more people would look for this (and make this!) in the theatre.
Thank you...I wish more people would look for this (and make this!) in the theatre.
How to properly use its/it's:
Its is the possessive. It's is the contraction for it is...
#33
Posted: 6/12/10 at 1:11pm
Oh thank you, ThankstoPhansom. This hope and search for this type of performance are what keeps me looking forward to the next Broadway season and Cast Album! not to mention surfing youtube.
Updated On: 6/12/10 at 01:11 PM
#34
Posted: 6/12/10 at 1:16pm
Was there really any acting in "Lennon?"
#35
Posted: 6/12/10 at 1:20pm
I've only seen Murney twice--once at Joe's Pub where she sang "Raise the Roof" and once at a John Kander benefit where she did "Colored Lights." In both instances, I was thrilled by her performances, particularly with Colored Lights which was alternately steely and shattered. It was incredibly moving. I'd love to see her do more.
A legitimate question for the person who suggested she was loved because she had been an Elphaba: doesn't everyone who plays that role ultimately earn a lot more negative attention than positive? Bean, Menzel, Murney, Block...I feel like they all take a lot more knocks than most other actresses. Does anyone else have that sense? And before there are accusations otherwise, I HATE Wicked. Oh, okay, I can't stand Block either, but what I've seen of Murney and Bean, I've really enjoyed--admittedly it was all in cabaret settings.
A legitimate question for the person who suggested she was loved because she had been an Elphaba: doesn't everyone who plays that role ultimately earn a lot more negative attention than positive? Bean, Menzel, Murney, Block...I feel like they all take a lot more knocks than most other actresses. Does anyone else have that sense? And before there are accusations otherwise, I HATE Wicked. Oh, okay, I can't stand Block either, but what I've seen of Murney and Bean, I've really enjoyed--admittedly it was all in cabaret settings.
#36
Posted: 6/12/10 at 1:22pm
I'd seen and heard a lot of her on the internet, and I always thought she was a weak singer at best and an awkward actress, with a bizarre-looking face.
THEN, I saw her in First You Dream at the Signature Theatre. I could not take my eyes off of her the entire time. I'd never seen anyone so radiant while performing. She really puts her all into her performances, and somehow, that does not carry over on recordings. I also thought she was completely stunningly beautiful live, but when I look at pictures from that show, I don't see it.'
So in conclusion, I believe she has magic hypnotic powers.
THEN, I saw her in First You Dream at the Signature Theatre. I could not take my eyes off of her the entire time. I'd never seen anyone so radiant while performing. She really puts her all into her performances, and somehow, that does not carry over on recordings. I also thought she was completely stunningly beautiful live, but when I look at pictures from that show, I don't see it.'
So in conclusion, I believe she has magic hypnotic powers.
In my pants, she has burst like the music of angels, the light of the sun! --Marius Pantsmercy
#37
Posted: 6/12/10 at 1:37pm
I hate what happens to her diction whenever she belts. In Evita, it sounded like she was singing "What's nyew Buenis Aires?". Her sound when she belts is great, but she completely mispronounces everything.
#38
Posted: 6/12/10 at 1:48pm
I've only seen her in Saved and First you Dream (the Kander and Ebb concert at Signature theatre). I preferred the concert setting to showcase her talent, but it could have just been her role in Saved did not allow her to showcase her talent. I do like her solo recording. Some interesting song choices and interpretations.
"Why do you care what people might say? Why try to fit into their design?" (Side Show)
#39
Posted: 6/12/10 at 1:59pm
#40
Posted: 6/12/10 at 2:45pm
I saw her do RAGTIME at North Carolina Theatre, as well as SAVED as Playwrights Horizons. I do not remember SAVED, because it has been burned out of my memory, but she was absolutely STUNNING in RAGTIME (as "Mother").
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#41
Posted: 6/12/10 at 3:01pm
No buttons pushed here...
I think that performers and singing voices are like foods and taste buds. It's hard to define why some people like certain performers and others have such a strong dislike to them.
Julia Murney is just Ok with me.
Now a ton of people will disagree with me, but to me Kerry Ellis is a phenomenal performer and when I here her sing I get an uncontrollable, highly emotional visceral response.
I think that performers and singing voices are like foods and taste buds. It's hard to define why some people like certain performers and others have such a strong dislike to them.
Julia Murney is just Ok with me.
Now a ton of people will disagree with me, but to me Kerry Ellis is a phenomenal performer and when I here her sing I get an uncontrollable, highly emotional visceral response.
#42
Posted: 6/12/10 at 3:47pm
I definitely agree with you about Kerry-- she is astonishing
#43
Posted: 6/12/10 at 8:11pm
I love Julia Murney and her in your face vibrato. There's so much power behind it, to me. Different strokes.
Mildred, you said earlier that if she were really one-of-a-kind, she would be enjoying bigger successes, but she's got a pretty successful voice-over career.
Plus, I think she's hot...
Sigh...
Mildred, you said earlier that if she were really one-of-a-kind, she would be enjoying bigger successes, but she's got a pretty successful voice-over career.
Plus, I think she's hot...
Sigh...
The Overture is part of the show, people. Please shut your pie hole.
#44
Posted: 6/12/10 at 8:34pm
I've been a fan of Julia's since long before Wicked. What is her appeal? There's something about her when she is on stage. One thing I've noticed is that seeing in person her makes the difference for those that proclaim to not like her. I've found this to be the case more than once.
(Personal aside, no one should be judged by bootleg clips on youtube. Especially not for shows with wonky scores like Wicked.)
She has a strong voice, with a solid range. She has a powerful vibrato, which not everyone is going to enjoy, but that I find absolutely delicious.
I will never understand how someone can say she can't act. I will heartily disagree with that every time.
The reason why she come up in casting threads -- people want to see her perform, and they want to see her get the chance to get the credit she deserves for what she does. Not in a flop musical. Not as the umpteenth replacement. We want her to get the chance to shine.
(Personal aside, no one should be judged by bootleg clips on youtube. Especially not for shows with wonky scores like Wicked.)
She has a strong voice, with a solid range. She has a powerful vibrato, which not everyone is going to enjoy, but that I find absolutely delicious.
I will never understand how someone can say she can't act. I will heartily disagree with that every time.
The reason why she come up in casting threads -- people want to see her perform, and they want to see her get the chance to get the credit she deserves for what she does. Not in a flop musical. Not as the umpteenth replacement. We want her to get the chance to shine.
#45
Posted: 6/12/10 at 10:01pm
Scott Nevins loves Julia Murney. Need I say more?
"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)
#46
Posted: 6/12/10 at 11:23pm
Scott Nevins could like Julia because he "gets" that important others like Julia, and therefore he will like her.
#47
Posted: 4/9/19 at 3:12pm
Oh she “gets it” alright. She is our queen, our muse, our inspiration.... the LIGHT OF OUR WORLD!
I want to wear her skin 
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