School of Rock's Mamie Parris to Succeed Leona Lewis as Grizabella in Cats - Page 2

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/23/16 at 12:44am

We get it. You like SOR. 

 

 

[trpguyy]

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. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/23/16 at 2:16am

What a convoluted thread!

[broadwayguy91]

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

[Broadwayhunk]

Posted: 9/23/16 at 5:07am

blechhh

[10086sunset]

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...

[Broadwayboy2631]

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

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/23/16 at 11:53pm

I've no doubt she'll kill it. Her vocals were wasted in SOR. 

[rangersrule132]

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.

Updated On: 9/24/16 at 08:40 AM

[broadwayguy91]

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?

[bwayphreak234]

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. 

[ChrisTyler12882]

Posted: 9/25/16 at 10:09am

Mamie was amazing in the tour of 9 to 5! I'm thrilled with this casting!

[AEA AGMA SM]

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."

 

[bwayphreak234]

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.

[QueenAlice]

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.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 11/7/16 at 12:59pm

http://www.broadway.com/buzz/186639/watch-first-clip-of-cats-new-grizabella-mamie-parris-nailing-memory/

[whatacharacter]

Posted: 11/9/16 at 1:01pm

Her phrasing is incredible.  A master class in vocal technique and acting in 14 seconds.