Replacement vs. Original — Page 2

Jennifer Laura Thompson in Wicked.

And though he was far from the first replacement of Roger in RENT, I think Will Chase was better than Adam Pascal.

I saw Will Chase in Aida also, but I think that Adam was better, I also saw Shoshana in Wicked and although my heart is with Idina, I thought she did a good job, her best moment was when she sang "No good deed", she seemed to like this song the best. This is what is great about theater we all can enjoy the same shows many times and get something different out of them each time. I think the best example is CATS, every time you see it you seem to discover a different character because the cast changes so much, and the performer brings new life to the character and it stands out.

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Regarding the 'Eponine' comment - I saw both Frances Ruffelle and Lea Salonga (among others)...and I have to disagree. Ms. Ruffelle was incredible in the role (just as Ms. Salonga was in 'Miss Saigon'). Ms. Salonga was a little to 'angry' for me; Ms. Ruffelle was more lovelorn - which I guess I identified with more.

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I also thought vanessa williams was better than chita in kiss of the spider woman.

I completely agree about Hunter Foster being better than Matthew Broderick as Leo Bloom in The Producers. I mean, I love Broderick and he's absolutely likeable in the role, I just think Foster pulled it off a lot better.

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Three that were already mentioned:

Reba McIntyre in Annie Get Your Gun
Jonathan Pryce in DRS
Beth Leavel in 42nd Street

Judy Kaye wasn't necessarily better than Madeline Kahn in "On The Twentieth Century." They each had their strengths. Madeline Kahn was hilariously funny although her energy was off and on throughout the show, Judy Kaye was more consistent and had the better voice.

Judy Kaye was, however, brilliant in "Sweeney Todd." A terrific choice.

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Well comparing to the WICKED Original Cast & The Replacements after them , I have to admit I think in my own opinion that the WICKED Cast with Idina Menzel & Kristin Chenoweth was far more better than the replacements since July 2004

I saw Petula Clark with David Cassidy in the tour of Bloodbrothers and she was terrific.

Betty Buckley made Sunset Blvd. tolerable for me. It's the ultimate stupid idea for a musical. It's about a silent movie star who gives up her career when sound comes in, but she can sing? Ridiculous!

Maureen Moore was extraordinary as Peters' standby in Gypsy.

Marilu Henner was okay as Roxie in Chicago, but Hinton Battle needed more rehearsal. Still, it didn't matter to me, because I went to see it for Bebe Neuwirth. She has the most gorgeous legs since Cyd Charisse.

Brad Oscar was playing the Nathan lane role and Roger Bart was playing Matthew Broderick's role in The Producers when I saw it, and they was okay, but Gary Beach was the saving grace. I don't think the stage version comes close to the brilliance of Mel Brooks' original movie.

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I saw Madeline Kahn in On The Twentieth Century and she was phenominal in both performance and her vocals. Its a shame she didn't do more musicals and even a film version of this play. I saw her in Born Yesterday and The SistersRosenweig as well and she always was sensational. She also was always nomiated for tony awards and finally won before her untimely death. If she hadn't left this show before the nomination she could have won for this one as well. Broadway and Hollywood will never have another legend like her.

this isn't really a replacement vs.orginal,but i thought Louise Pitre and Tina Maddigan were far superior to their London counterparts, Donna sounded like Sophie's sister and Sophie sounded like she was inflated with Helium. That said definitely agree with Reba over Bernadette, and I even though she was an understudy and techincally a replacement Belle Callaway over Ann Reinking in Chicago, and just about every Rizzo in Grease! besides Rosie O'Donnell and I thought Alice Ripley was better than Randy Graff in Les Mis

Updated On: 1/14/07 at 10:27 AM

I was going to say Jennifer Laura Thompson was leaps and bounds better than Cheno in Wicked, but I see a few others already posted that!

I think if JLT opened Wicked she would have won the Tony over Idina.