Star replacements who were actually incredible.- Page 2
Star replacements who were actually incredible.
#25re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/23/07 at 10:13pmmegan hilty as glinda in wicked..AMAZING
NathanLaneStalker
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/06
#26re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/23/07 at 10:15pm
I only saw her performance a few nights ago on Leno....er...
Also, Ana Gasteyer as Elphaba in Wicked was great.
AND WHO CAN FORGET
Tony Danza - The Producers
and Chirs Kattan - The Frogs
AMAZING performances right there! 
"I'm tellin' you, the only times I really feel the presence of God are when I'm having sex and during a great Broadway musical." - Nathan Lane - Jeffrey
#27re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/23/07 at 10:17pm
I love Megan, but they are talking about STARS, not Broadway actresses making debuts.
Brooke Shields in WT.
Vanessa Williams in Kiss.
Drew Lachey in Rent.
Frenchie in Rent.
Tamyra Gray in BD.
Toni Braxton in Aida.
Liza Minnelli in Victor/Victoria.
Eileen Atkins in Doubt.
Ron Eldar in Doubt.
Rosie O'Donnell in Fiddler.
Harvey Feirstein in Fiddler.
Jena Malone in Doubt.
"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one".
-Felicia Finley-
Updated On: 4/25/07 at 10:17 PM
NathanLaneStalker
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/06
#28re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/23/07 at 10:19pm
I saw Liza in Victor/Victoria....NOT pretty.
I thought she ruined the show. Sure, it was great to see a living legend on stage, but she was dreadful in the role and couldn't hit notes like the amazing Julie Andrews. They even cut out the songs "If I Were a Man" and "Living in The Shadows" (or that other song...can't really remember)
"I'm tellin' you, the only times I really feel the presence of God are when I'm having sex and during a great Broadway musical." - Nathan Lane - Jeffrey
#29re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/23/07 at 10:20pm
Brooke Shields in Cabaret-LOVED her.
Sharon Lawrence in Chicago
and, he wasn't a star at the time, but he was just so good: Jai Rodriquez in Rent
"Sing the words, Patti!!!!" Stephen Sondheim to Patti LuPone.
#30re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/23/07 at 10:34pmPeople said that Brooke was the funniest Sally Bowles.
"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one".
-Felicia Finley-
husk_charmer
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/19/06
#31re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/23/07 at 10:37pm
I heard good things about Liza's turn as Roxie in the original Chicago.
And I don't know how good she was, but I am ammused that Anne Baxter replaced Lauren Bacall in "Applause"
http://www.youtube.com/huskcharmer
jjoey076
Stand-by Joined: 8/13/06
#32re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/23/07 at 10:42pmJoey McIntyre was actually good.
#33re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/23/07 at 10:47pmI wish I was around during the time, but I would have loved to have seen Pearl Bailey and Ethel Merman in HELLO, DOLLY!
Praying Decca Broadway will put "Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope" on CD!
MungoGypsy8232
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/8/07
#34re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/23/07 at 10:49pmI second Megan Hilty being amazing! She was the absolute highlight of Wicked. And don't crucify me, but I really enjoyed Rue McClanahan even though a lot of people didn't like her. She really made the character of Morrible formidible and funny at the same time. Ben Vereen was the best Wizard, hands down.
LouieLovesTheater
Leading Actor Joined: 3/30/04
#35re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/23/07 at 11:43pm
Sandy Duncan was one of the best Roxie replacements...nailed pretty much everything about the character.
Reba is probably the best example, when she took over she elevated that show to a totally different level. PLEASE revive Whorehouse with her as Mona!
I enjoyed Jennifer Holliday as Mama Morton.
Brooke Shields has been a solid replacement in nearly everything she's done.
I liked Anne Heche and JJLeigh in their runs of Proof.
Poppy
Featured Actor Joined: 10/24/03
#36re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/24/07 at 12:09amRobert Evan stepping into Jekyll & Hyde after Robert Cuccioli did an amazing job and J. Mark McVey in "Beauty and the Beast" also a very fine choice.
#37re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/24/07 at 3:15amGina Gershon, Cabaret.
NathanLaneStalker
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/06
#38re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/24/07 at 3:39am
Gina was great in Cabaret.
Also, the only person who could hold a candle to Alan Cumming or Joel Grey in Cabaret was Neil Patrick Harris. He made the role his own and was absolutely AMAZING!
And I REALLY enjoyed Rosie O'Donnell in Seussical and Fiddler but I didn't list her in the risk of being bashed. I thought she was fantastic in both roles.
"I'm tellin' you, the only times I really feel the presence of God are when I'm having sex and during a great Broadway musical." - Nathan Lane - Jeffrey
mikeyb16
Broadway Star Joined: 1/22/06
#39re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/24/07 at 5:21amI really enjoyed Kerry Ellis' performance as Elphaba in London. It's the powerhouse voice she has, incredible :)
fossemoves
Stand-by Joined: 4/19/05
#40re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/24/07 at 7:06pm
REBA! I trully wish they would revive Whorehouse for her.
And I'm forced to aggree about Brooke. She is a solid, skilled, and talented actress and the roles she's gone in and replaced under have been great. I"d like to see her orginate a role though.
#41re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/24/07 at 7:11pm
Personally, I thought Uncle Jesse was a great replacement after Mr. Banderas left.
"I'm learning to dig deep down inside and find the truth within myself and put that out. I think what we identify with in popular music more than anything else is when someone just shares a truth that we can relate to. That's what I'm searching for in my music." - Ron Bohmer
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
Updated On: 4/24/07 at 07:11 PM
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
Mattbrain
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/23/05
#42re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/24/07 at 7:12pmJonathan Pryce as Lawrence Jameson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Butters, go buy World of Warcraft, install it on your computer, and join the online sensation before we all murder you.
--Cartman: South Park
ATTENTION FANS: I will be played by James Barbour in the upcoming musical, "BroadwayWorld: The Musical."
wicked4life51
Broadway Star Joined: 6/20/04
#43re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/24/07 at 7:14pm
fantasia - color purple
ana gastyer - wicked
drew lachey- rent
joey mcyntire - wicked (though he was like drunk every show ) haha
"what? what is it? do i have something in my teeth? ok lets get this over with : no im not seasick,yes ive always been green, and no i didnt chew grass as a child "
#44re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/24/07 at 7:14pmThe only reason I made it through WOMAN OF THE YEAR was Welch. She was gorgeous and great. Clark was hideous in SUNSET BLVD. I loved Close.
" ...the happiness in the tune convinces me that I'm not afraid."
husk_charmer
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/19/06
#45re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/24/07 at 7:16pmBuckley WAS Norma Desmond. Hands down.
http://www.youtube.com/huskcharmer
sondhead
Broadway Star Joined: 10/25/06
#46re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/24/07 at 7:22pm
Deborah Cox in Aida was surprisingly wonderful
And I also feel this probably answers more of what the OP was asking.. star replacements.. not people WE know as famous but stunt casting
WestVillage
Broadway Star Joined: 7/20/05
#47re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/25/07 at 12:57pm
Jane Powell in Irene
Petula Clark in Blood Brothers
Merman, Diller and Baily in Dolly
Raquel in Woman of the Year
Anne Baxter in Applause
Liza in Chicago (original production)
Martha Raye in No, No Nanette
Ann Reinking in ACL
broadwayjim42
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/19/03
#48re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/25/07 at 1:09pmThanks for reminding me about Raquel Welch. What struck me most about her was her sheer joy of performing and being on stage. That she was actually good in the role was almost beside the point--I don't think I've ever seen someone simply have so much fun.
#49re: Star replacements who were actually incredible.
Posted: 4/25/07 at 1:54pm
Aneliese van der Pol (of THAT'S SO RAVEN fame) as "Belle" in the closing company of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. One of the most incredible voices I have EVER heard onstage. So powerful, so beauitufl, so touching, so...I could go on, but yeah... If you haven't seen it, or are reluctant to see it, DON'T BE! Get your tickets today! 
Best,
- Mike
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