Shoshana Bean's Voice

[jacksonpotter]

Posted: 1/17/18 at 10:50pm

Sho has always been one of my favourite Elphie's but I have not been keeping up with her lately and have decided to binge watch several of her latest performances and can't help but notice her belt and voice does not sound like what it once was. Is it possible that age is giving it a husk al a Barbra or is she just vocally tired? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwDUNLq4308

[defscott627]

Posted: 1/17/18 at 11:40pm

To each his own, but I personally think she's never sounded better. Perhaps some of her stylistic choices are different but she is most definitely still on top of her vocal game (which in my opinion is paralleled by very few singers, not just in the Broadway industry). Watch her Trevor Live version of Defying Gravity/Gravity which she did a few months ago- whether you like the arrangement or not, it is vocally insane (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_R36j6Xem8).

 

Not to mention, there are quite a few mixed Fs and even F#s in this piece, many of which are sustained far longer than the original arrangement so her range has certainly not been compromised - I suspect most of the earlier Elphabas (and even the current ones) would not attempt an arrangement such as this - not to take anything away from their talent either, but Sho is amazing at what she does.

Updated On: 1/17/18 at 11:40 PM

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 1/18/18 at 11:19am

Her voice definitely changed, as that husk has been there since 2006. I think it was due to overuse in her Wicked days.

She strained her vocal chords a few days before her last Broadway performance, and was a bit hoarse for those last shows as well as her entire national tour stint with Megan Hilty. While she still sounded great, you could tell that she was sometimes straining to get the sound she once had. Same thing happened to Idina near the end of her Broadway run & London performances, however that was due to very poor technique.

Nevertheless, she has a fantastic voice and her solo music is always enjoyable. 

Updated On: 1/18/18 at 11:19 AM