Scared About Daphne Rubin Vega as Fantine?- Page 2
Scared About Daphne Rubin Vega as Fantine?
C is for Company
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/16/05
#25re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/12/06 at 6:39pm
After seeing her in Bernarda Alba, hell no. I have NO doubts of her capabilities to play this role. I'm so tired of seeing the same portayl over and over. I have a feeling she has something good in store for us. We should most likely be thankful that she will be there to spice up this production. I pray it isn't stale, but with such good performers I am optimistic.
Overall, she is the part I most look forward to!
renthead333
Featured Actor Joined: 3/9/06
#27re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/12/06 at 6:53pmA pretty big part. I really really really really want to see her as Fantine but. I live to far away now.
Go ask Alice
When she's ten feet tall
#28re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/12/06 at 6:57pm
"Does Fantine have a large part?"
SPOLIER
Fantine dies in Act 1. The role is actually small.
Updated On: 8/12/06 at 06:57 PM
#29re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/12/06 at 6:58pm
I am excited, only because I don't love her voice, but this score is so different from anything I have heard from her, and maybe it will change my mind.
I dunno, thus far something in her voice has just not felt good on my ears in all of her recordings...
But we shall see.
"We don't value the lily less for not being made of flint and built to last. Life's bounty is in it's flow, later is too late. Where is the song when it's been sung, the dance when it's been danced? It's only we humans who want to own the future too."
- Tom Stoppard, Shipwreck
neddyfrank2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
#30re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/12/06 at 7:00pmI don't think the proper word is scared, scared is when you fear something. I think you might mean worried.
#31re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/12/06 at 7:01pm
Yes, she dies in Act 1, but gets a big solo and comes back at the end. 
In the previous B'way production, she was also the only female cast member on a principal contract -- everyone else was ensemble or featured ensemble.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
Updated On: 8/12/06 at 07:01 PM
mrkringas
Broadway Star Joined: 9/28/05
#32re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/12/06 at 7:02pm
Most talented and working actors are not one trick ponys. She will be fine!
There are plenty of performers who can rock it up and sing legit. For example the London Elphaba, Kerry Ellis has just finished playing Fantine but also performed Eliza Dolittle in a sparkling soprano and Meat in WWRY with a balsy rock belt.
Versatility. Its the spice of life I hear 
americanboy99
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/06
#33re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/12/06 at 8:44pmOkay. But I mean, wouldn't you be a little scared if Kristin Chenoweth were playing Evita??
#34re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/12/06 at 8:49pm
"Okay. But I mean, wouldn't you be a little scared if Kristin Chenoweth were playing Evita??"
I don't think you understand what verstaility of a performer is. Example Celia Keenan Bolger currently plays Olivia in Spelling Bee she has played Johanna is Sweeney Todd and Clara in Light in the Piazza. She can't play ingenue roles all the time. Well she can but, if you don't change it up itll get a little boring for the audience and the performer. I think playing in the same genre/role all the time is boring because it's like "oh, there she goes playing another blah blah."
Edit: Another good example is Kelli O'hara. I was really impressed with her in The Pajama Game.I wasn't impressed with the show just a lot of the cast.
Updated On: 8/12/06 at 08:49 PM
#35re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/12/06 at 8:53pmI can't stand Daphne's voice. That's the part that scares me. I'm sure she can act the part just fine, though.
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
#36re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/12/06 at 8:55pm
I love DRV. A lot.
But this is just odd. She can act it, I have no doubts, but vocally, it just doesn't seem like a fit.
#37re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/12/06 at 9:04pmShe obviously nailed the role in the audition rooms for the creative team or else she would not have been cast. They certainly did not do it for the "name appeal" as no one outside of the theatre world actually knows who she is. Tourists do not care who is in the role, they care that they do a good job, which Daphne is sure to do.
"I'm just a musical prostitute, my dear." ~ Freddie Mercury
Eponine913
Chorus Member Joined: 8/8/06
#38re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/12/06 at 11:09pmI'm actually kinda excited to see how she portrays the role, I mean, yeah, after listening to all the other Fantine's, you kinda get a little nervous, but Daphne has a really unique voice, and I'm sure she'll do an excellent job in the role.
FoscasBohemianDream
Broadway Star Joined: 1/20/06
#39re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/12/06 at 11:25pmThere is a fine line between being miscast in a role and giving a non-traditional spin to the role; judging from Daphne Rubin-Vega's previous performances she belongs in the latter. I've always found her to be a first rate actress with a very unique singing style that is not to everyone's taste but honestly most Fantine's I've heard sound too similar and uninspired (with the exception of Ruthie Henshall). From what I've heard, Daphne gave such an impressive audition that all negotiations with other actresses were immediately dropped. I'm against this revival because it seems unnecessary but at least I am very glad that the creative team decided to take some chances with the people they decided to cast in each role, it shows that at least they're trying to provide the audience with a more interesting choice.
#40re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/12/06 at 11:31pmWell, I don't like that you referred to her as Mimi. I'm quite excited. I like how this show has a not expected cast. I'm excited for the revival and more specifically her performance.
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
To Kill A Mockingbird
To Kill A Mockingbird
BlueStarGirl
Chorus Member Joined: 4/25/06
#41re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/13/06 at 12:06am
Thank you musicman89 and FoscasBohemianDream.
It seems like people keep forgetting that DRV was CAST. By musical theater PROFESSIONALS. It wasn't a random fan-choice, or lottery drawing. One assumes that these people know what they're doing and I'm all for giving them the benefit of the doubt.
I only hope I get to see this Les Mis. It sounds fascinating!
#42re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/13/06 at 12:33amFWIW, Ricky Martin was cast, too.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
camp_actor
Featured Actor Joined: 1/5/04
#43re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/13/06 at 5:43am
americanboy99 - I know your pain. When Ruthie Henshall first took the role I thought: "God, I'm scared, can Ruthie really play blonde?"
Since then I have seen many a non-blonde playing Fantine and generally they have managed to convince me that they are in fact true blonde. That is some feat. So Kudos to Daphne for taking the part - and I hope she has many more offers like this.
===
I am actually really interested by the choice of DRV. I think she's a great actress. From her CV and from reviews she seems to have had a very varied and versatile career and I look forward to hearing about her portrayal of Fantine. Should be good, y'all!
ZONEACE
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/10/05
#44re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/13/06 at 5:47am
"If you missed her as a dying whore in Rent 10 years ago, you're in luck. You can catch her as one in Les Mis now. "
vontusslegirl definately wins a prize for that.
when ducks grow thumbs then maybe my opinion will change.
#45re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/13/06 at 6:38amjust figured i'd throw my unneeded "Daphne will be amazing" into this thread because I feel obligated to. I'm so excited to hear her take on "I Dreamed a Dream", she's going to bring so much to this role I think it will blow everyone away. I need to save some money so I can finally make it to New York and finally see her in something.
americanboy99
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/06
#46re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/14/06 at 8:21pmI think I am getting a little more hopeful rather than fearful. I listened to RENT again full through yesterday. I think she may be able to pull it off. However, sometimes she seems to sing straight from her nose and throat and it sounds odd. I hope she doesn't do that as Fantine.
#47re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/14/06 at 8:28pmthis has been talked about to death already. when the cast list came out people were up in arms. but from what I have heard she supposedly had a great audition. plus, why would they give her the part if she was not good enough.
for fierce, fabulous and fun times visit eric mathew's world.
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#48re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/14/06 at 8:39pmyeah they wouldn't have given the role if she was horrible. From hearing that DRV ia going to be in Les Miz it makes me really excited. Now how am I going to get to New York to see it. Now that is a toughy!
"Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul." - Marilyn Monroe
days_of_inspiration
Swing Joined: 8/14/06
#49re: Scared about Mimi as Fantine?
Posted: 8/14/06 at 9:33pmAre you kidding? Daphne can do it. Sure, Rent and Le Miz are different, but she can vocally pull it off, it's not like she only sings for Rock Operas.
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