"Replacement" cast members who were better than the originals — Page 3

Skip23 said: "Ann Miller - Mame

Ethel Merman - Hello, Dolly!

Harry Groener and Bob Gunton - Follies - L.A.

Elaine Paige - Sunset Boulevard

Laurie Beechman - Cats

George Hearn - Sweeney Todd

Keene Curtis - La Cage Aux Folles

Raquel Welch - Woman Of The Year

Liza Minnelli - Chicago

Stephanie J. Block - Anything Goes

Ann Miller - Anything Goes - (Tour)

Laura Osnes - South Pacific



I am only responding because I have seen every original performer in the above shows and, with two exceptions, the replacements (didn't see LA Follies or Ann Miller Anything Goes).

And I disagree with you in every single case. Anne Miller was terrific, particularly after the people she replaced (Jane Morgan and Janis Paige -- boy, did that show need David Merrick), but Angela L gave one of the three or four best performances I have ever seen in a musical. Ethel Merman telephoned in the performance I attended, whereas Carol Channing never gave less than her best.

I am not criticizing your opinions, honestly, rather commenting on how differently we can view performances, especially when they are all really good (except maybe my view of Merman, who was a major disappointment).

I also disagree other posters re Javier Munoz vs. Miranda, probably due to the latter's charisma on stage. And Liza Minelli was AWFUL in Victor Victoria, although terrific in Chicago.

My two cents:

-- Jackie Gleason was better than George C Scott in Sly Fox

-- I enjoyed Mimi Hines' performance more than Streisand's, because the latter was visibly bored throughout the performance, changed lyrics, etc. (And I was only 15 and could see this).

-- I LOVE Angela Lansbury...have seen every show she's done including Prettybelle, A Little (Small?) Family Business, and the King and I, and I enjoyed Elaine Stritch's performance in ALNM more, although I never considered myself a particular Stritch fan. also enjoyed Bernadette Peters',although I thought that CZJ gave a fine performance (but neither came close to Glynis Johns.

-- Hershel Bernardi was better than Zero Mostel in Fiddler

-- Richard Burton was better than Anthony Hopkins in Equus. Tom Hulse was better than Peter Firth.

-- Larry Kert was better than Dean Jones in Company

Can't think any others right this minute.

Not quite the same but a Queen I know swears that the tour Helen was better than Judy Kuhn in FUN HOME.

Now I didn't see it on Broadway butttttttt....

Well there's Lauren Bacall … Raquel Welch filled in for Lauren Bacall during her two-week vacation from 1981's WOMAN OF THE YEAR and later replaced her in the run. She dazzled all as a more animated musical personality and her performance in all respects was marked by show-business know-how.

Ann Miller over Angela Lansbury in MAME?!?! Granted, you could shoot Miller and she still wouldn't fall down. And I truly was impressed with how strong a singing voice she had as well as the enjoyment she displayed just being on stage. She was an extremely likable performer who quickly registered with the audience. And like Mame Dennis, she came off as larger than life. But to rate Miller's performance over Lansbury's kind of baffles me. I was able to see Lansbury twice at the Winter Garden and then Miller. A decade later I had as much enjoyment seeing Lansbury perform the role again at Westbury Music Fair (along with Ann Francine and Jane Connell) in the mid seventies. I've seen three actresses attempt the role since and none displayed the warmth, sophistication, class, glamour and beauty that Lansbury possessed. Like Yul was the King, Preston the Music Man and Harrison Professor Higgins, Lansbury will always own the role of Mame IMO.



Another case where I highly disagree is the mention of Raquel Welch in WOMAN OF THE YEAR being better than the actress she replaced. I saw Welch first and felt she pulled it off to the same (if lesser) extent as maybe Marla Maples did in WILL ROGERS FOLLIES. People expected a possible train wreck but were pleasantly surprised. I left WOMAN OF THE YEAR feeling it wasn't a very good show with a serviceable yet forgettable score. Then I was privileged to see Lauren Bacall when she took the show on tour in Los Angeles. For the very first time I actually cared about the character I was seeing up on stage and believed in her portrayal of Tess Harding (unlike Welch whose next costume change prevailed over the script). The show worked for me, was satisfying and held my interest throughout. I credit it to the fact that I was witnessing true "star quality!" this time around.



Totally agree with those who preferred Jill Paice as Miss Honey in MATILDA. Her performance touched my heart.



I don't believe anyone mentioned Vanessa Williams in KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN. Don't get me wrong, I truly enjoyed Chita and wouldn't say one was actually better than the other since they both gave fine performances. But I have to admit I found Williams a tad more interesting. What stood out for me was the farewell scene in the second act that took place at a train station. As a movie crew films Aurora's character bidding her lover farewell (I believe the song was GOOD TIMES), the scene gives us a much needed moment of comic relief. And though comic pro Rivera was very funny, Williams had the audience in hysterics. She seemed to get all the humor the script allowed and more.



Others:

Robert Evan in JEKYLL AND HYDE

Karen Ziemba in CRAZY FOR YOU

Florence Lacey over Patti LuPone in Evita

Laurie Beechman over Betty Buckley as Grizabella in CATS. And the fact that Beechman was asked to return to the role numerous times over the show's run would indicate that Lloyd Webber liked her better as well.

PepperedShepherd said: "HamilHansen said:

"Javier Munoz for Lin Manuel-Miranda in Hamilton"

^^^ This ^^^

Also (tho it's a close call):

Kyle Dean Massey over Michael James Thomas in Pippin

Really? Well I found Kyle Dean Massey to be fine I much preferred Matthew James Thomas who I saw do the role three times.

"

Jane Lynch as Ms. Hannigan