School of Rock's Mamie Parris to Succeed Leona Lewis as Grizabella in Cats - Page 2
School of Rock's Mamie Parris to Succeed Leona Lewis as Grizabella in Cats
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/05
School of Rock's Mamie Parris to Succeed Leona Lewis as Grizabella in Cats #25
Posted: 9/23/16 at 12:44am
We get it. You like SOR.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/25/05
School of Rock's Mamie Parris to Succeed Leona Lewis as Grizabella in Cats #27
Posted: 9/23/16 at 12:47am
RippedMan said: "but surprised they didn't go with a "name." Guess they're making the show the thing. Again."
That's what they've been doing all along.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
School of Rock's Mamie Parris to Succeed Leona Lewis as Grizabella in Cats #28
Posted: 9/23/16 at 2:16am
What a convoluted thread!
School of Rock's Mamie Parris to Succeed Leona Lewis as Grizabella in Cats #29
Posted: 9/23/16 at 2:25am
they should have put her in the show from the beginning instead of wasting money on Leona "can't act to save my life" Lewis
School of Rock's Mamie Parris to Succeed Leona Lewis as Grizabella in Cats #30
Posted: 9/23/16 at 5:07am
blechhh
School of Rock's Mamie Parris to Succeed Leona Lewis as Grizabella in Cats #31
Posted: 9/23/16 at 8:22am
Happy for Mamie and wish her luck...
Perhaps they finally realized Leona Lewis was not selling tickets based off her name...
If they are trying to make the name of the show the star, why go with Lewis to begin with?
Believe everyone would have been better off going with Ripley from the beginning or someone like her...
School of Rock's Mamie Parris to Succeed Leona Lewis as Grizabella in Cats #32
Posted: 9/23/16 at 8:48am
This sort of keeps with the tradition of the original run, casting lesser known but established ensemble/understudy ladies with unbelievable voices.
Updated On: 9/23/16 at 08:48 AM
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/05
School of Rock's Mamie Parris to Succeed Leona Lewis as Grizabella in Cats #33
Posted: 9/23/16 at 11:53pm
I've no doubt she'll kill it. Her vocals were wasted in SOR.
School of Rock's Mamie Parris to Succeed Leona Lewis as Grizabella in Cats #34
Posted: 9/24/16 at 8:40am
10086sunset said: "Happy for Mamie and wish her luck...
Perhaps they finally realized Leona Lewis was not selling tickets based off her name...
If they are trying to make the name of the show the star, why go with Lewis to begin with?
Believe everyone would have been better off going with Ripley from the beginning or someone like her...
"
It was known that she was not going to be in the show past October. the only reason I think they brought her in was because she is somewhat of a selling point that could get them through the summer months. Cats is a show people know of but bringing in someone like her definitely brings extra butts into the seats. After seeing the show five times now you wouldn't beleive how many people I came across that were there just to see her in the role. So she definitely helped them get through the summer months. Again this is strictly an opinion with little to no facts to back up my arguement.
School of Rock's Mamie Parris to Succeed Leona Lewis as Grizabella in Cats #35
Posted: 9/24/16 at 9:25am
rangersrule132 said: "10086sunset said: "Happy for Mamie and wish her luck...
Perhaps they finally realized Leona Lewis was not selling tickets based off her name...
If they are trying to make the name of the show the star, why go with Lewis to begin with?
Believe everyone would have been better off going with Ripley from the beginning or someone like her...
"
It was known that she was not going to be in the show past October. the only reason I think they brought her in was because she is somewhat of a selling point that could get them through the summer months. Cats is a show people know of but bringing in someone like her definitely brings extra butts into the seats. After seeing the show five times now you wouldn't beleive how many people I came across that were there just to see her in the role. So she definitely helped them get through the summer months. Again this is strictly an opinion with little to no facts to back up my arguement.
"
why would they need her in the summer months which is the period when most shows do well , especially family friendly shows e.g. CATS?
School of Rock's Mamie Parris to Succeed Leona Lewis as Grizabella in Cats #36
Posted: 9/24/16 at 9:50am
I am kind of surprised to see so many people unhappy with this casting... Mamie Parris is extremely talented. I have seen her in a few things, and she has always been incredible.
School of Rock's Mamie Parris to Succeed Leona Lewis as Grizabella in Cats #37
Posted: 9/25/16 at 10:09am
Mamie was amazing in the tour of 9 to 5! I'm thrilled with this casting!
School of Rock's Mamie Parris to Succeed Leona Lewis as Grizabella in Cats #38
Posted: 9/25/16 at 5:30pm
bwayphreak234 said: "I am kind of surprised to see so many people unhappy with this casting... Mamie Parris is extremely talented. I have seen her in a few things, and she has always been incredible. "
It just goes to show that you will never please everyone. One group will bemoan the "stunt" casting on Broadway, but then there's another group waiting in the wings to bemoan the fact that they are casting some "unknown" and not a "star."
School of Rock's Mamie Parris to Succeed Leona Lewis as Grizabella in Cats #39
Posted: 11/4/16 at 8:19am
I revisited Cats last night to see Mamie Parris, and she did not disappoint! After Leona Lewis' performance, it is a nice breath of fresh air to see the role both acted and sung well. I have seen Mamie Parris in the 9 to 5 tour, the Wicked tour, and School of Rock (when she was on for Sierra Boggess). I have loved her in everything I have seen her in. She is such a talented performer. I can't wait to see what she does in the future.
School of Rock's Mamie Parris to Succeed Leona Lewis as Grizabella in Cats #40
Posted: 11/4/16 at 10:11am
I saw the show a few weeks back and thought Mamie's "Memory" was thrilling. What a voice! She gave me goosebumps -- I thought it was the best live version of the song I've heard. Definitely echos of Betty Buckley.
The rest of the production is fine. The material feels dated to me and lacked fire. I don't see this running more than a year or two on Broadway. The rear mezz was empty.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/24/15
Leading Actor Joined: 8/19/05
School of Rock's Mamie Parris to Succeed Leona Lewis as Grizabella in Cats #42
Posted: 11/9/16 at 1:01pm
Her phrasing is incredible. A master class in vocal technique and acting in 14 seconds.
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