Sutton Foster, Frances Ruffelle, or Lea Salonga; Who is THE Eponine?- Page 3

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/10/06 at 11:15pm

I heard all sorts of great things about Mindy Smoot. I wish I could've seen her. I never even saw her in the ensemble; the third time I saw the show was right after she left.

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 1:46am

I wish I could find my playbill from the National Tour I saw some time in the 90s. I don't know who the Eponine was in that tour, but she was amazing. She kept the whole performance very understated until On My Own, and then let fly. Her money note sent people in the balcony flying out of their seats and bouncing against the back wall of the theater - and this was at the Fox in Atlanta, which is gigantic. This must've been 90 or 91, because there was an ad in the program saying there would be a movie in 92.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 1:51am

I think there were still three tours running at the time, too, which further complicates things.

It may have been Tia Riebling.

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 2:02am

Oh, thaaaaaaanks... lol

Actually, I know it couldn't be Tia Riebling, because that's a name I'd remember. So that's one down, out of three. Not including understudies or standbys. I'm sure I've got that playbill around here somewhere.

In the meantime, my favorite will always be Frances Ruffelle on the OLC. I'm a sucker for the dying oboe between the intro and the first verse. Did they really save that much money by cutting that?

[jimmirae]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 2:47am

IMO, Sutton was stronger all around as "Eponine', But still not as excellent as Frances Ruefelle. I sat in the 10th row at the Broadway Theater and was at the verge of "Musical Orgasm" back in the first few weeks of it's opening, I even grabbed my date's arm saying "She is Incredible!".
Terrence Mann was thrilling as Javert when it began as well. It was a rare moment in time I shall never forget.

[TimeSuckage]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 2:20pm

I can't choose one. Frances Ruffelle has such a distinctive voice, and for awhile there all the replacement Eponines sounded like her - big nasal belt, serious vibrato. I know people who can't stand her voice. Personally, I love it. Imo, Lea Salonga's voice is just about perfection. I was underwhelmed by Sutton. Linzi Hateley was fine, brought nothing new to it for me. Props to whoever brought up Tia Riebling, she was awesome, and I also liked Dana Lynn Caruso on tour.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 2:37pm

I wish I'd seen Tia Riebling. She's actually a friend of my mom's, but she had no idea who she was until I told her. :) (I still haven't met her, either.)

[sanda]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 3:07pm

Sutton Foster >Frances Ruffle > Lea Salonga. In fact Lea is one of my least favorite Eponines.

bythesword84, I am so happy to see you metioned Catherine Brunell. She's the first Eponine I saw and totally broke my heart. I will remember her forever.

Updated On: 1/11/06 at 03:07 PM

[keggss23]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 3:12pm

wonderwaiter,

It might have been Candace Marchese that you saw in the early 90's. She was AMAZING.

[mrcacou]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 3:43pm

You should listen to the French Cast with Stéphanie Martin doing the part. She is breathtaking. She played the part in London as well.

[children&art]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 4:11pm

sutton

[augustine73]

Posted: 1/12/06 at 9:39am

salonga!

[elphieisperky]

Posted: 1/12/06 at 1:48pm

Out of the choices listed, I would totally pick Lea. I have the DVD of the concert, and she was amazing. I've never heard or seen Sutton, and I do not like Frances' voice. But my personal favorite Eponine has to be the only one I saw on Broadway, Diana Kaarina. She was outstanding, and I'd have to say I almost liked her more than Lea.

[Sasha3]

Posted: 1/13/06 at 1:27pm

Lea Salonga has one of the best voices of any Eponine I've seen (and I've seen this show so many times I have lost track). I never thought Sutton was that great in the role -- she seemed like she shouted through the last part of the song for effect; there was very little (if any) musicality to her interpretation. But I always feel that way whenever I see her -- she just belts everything to show how loud she can be. Got the memo, sister. You are loud.

[OtherDaryl]

Posted: 1/13/06 at 2:05pm

My favorite has been Linzie Hately in the London production, now, more than 10 years ago.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 1/13/06 at 2:09pm

I have the OBC and the 10th Anniversary DVD and I like Francis the best.

[ACTOR jes]

Posted: 1/13/06 at 2:19pm

what about Kerry Butler as Eponine? :[
sorry I just love kerry butler so much I had to mention her.

For me its a toss up between Sutton and Lea.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 1/13/06 at 2:34pm

Having never seen any of them live, I prefer Lea Salonga's recordings more than the others, but I am a very large Frances Ruffelle fan. LOVE her on the "Mack and Mabel in Concert" recording.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/13/06 at 11:07pm

Kerry wasn't in the show very long. Probably explains the lack of comments about her. (Here and otherwise.)

[way_to_spend_the_day]

Posted: 1/14/06 at 1:10am

Lea Salonga!!!

[Colle]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 10:22am

I have not seen Sutton, so I can't say about her. I loved what I have seen/heard about Lea's Eponine(on the TAC and Hey! Mr.Producer), though yet she has her softer/sad moments. Frances' voice a get a little unpleasant to the ears, but I have heard wrose. I liked Kaho Shimada on the CSR and Japanese Red Cast, she is stronger on the Red Cast.

Also, I have enjoyed the two Eponine's I have seen live, Rona Figueroa and Ma-Anne Dionisio. Rona reminded me of Lea in some ways, though/angry and sad at the same time. Ma-Anne played Eponine strong and sad too.

[jimmirae]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 10:23am

Helen Hayes

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 10:28am

I've seen many Eponines, and none will compare to Megan Lawrence. You would have thought the part was written for her. So, for me, she is THE Eponine.

[TheaterAddict7652]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 11:10am

Frances Ruffelle, hands down. I never saw her live, but she was cast as Eponine for a reason.

Lea Salonga is my second favorite.

[lovinlife]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 11:47am

Lea Salonga vocally..... Rufelle looks/character wise. Sutton was good, but sounded like any ordinary Sutton type singing, nothing too important, but not bad.