This is GREAT! I have Salonga on my iPod, singing the role of Eponine in the 10th Anniversary celebration at Royal Albert Hall. I love it! I might actually go to see this again this run... Updated On: 1/3/07 at 12:00 PM
I think this casting is going to work out really well. I hadn't planned on seeing Les Mis during my July trip to New York, but the casting of Salonga is enough to get me there.
I'm also glad to hear Nikki is getting to go on for a few weeks! She is phenomenal, and I hope some people here will catch her and bring back reviews.
I'm not suprised Daphne isn't returning at all. She said in an interview that was posted here a few weeks ago (I forget where it was from) that she was "leaving early, so the haters can be happy." I was suprised to see she didn't mention coming back, so I figured then that she officially was just leaving permanently.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
"Well I guess they really wanted to keep that role ethnic. Interesting casting though. Salonga's kind of miscast but so was Vega."
Keep the role ethic? Lea is Filipina and so is Ali (remember there's a mother/daughter thing in the story). It makes more sense than Vega, who I belive is Hispanic (although there is some spanish influence in the Philippines). I hate when people just generalize all the "minorities" in one category. Well, I guess "ethnic" is better than "other".
i have a performance from the Philippines where Lea sings I DREAMED A DREAM... and after hearing her sing that song i REALLY wanted her to play the role of Fantine... she sang it so beautifully... as only Lea Salonga can do =) anyways... i'm more than likely going to find a way to fly out there and watch her... this is the BEST excuse for me to go back to new york!
Hmmm. This is a bit of a tough one. I'd like to see the show, but don't know whether I should wait for Lea Salonga or see it with Daphne Rubin-Vega. I actually really like the way Daphne sings, even though it appears most people on this board don't.
I'm certainly not seeing it twice. I guess I'll just wait until I know Aaron Lazar will also be there and take my chances.
Poor Daphne. I love her. I wish this whole situation had gone better for her. Here's to hoping her next project is a success.
"You know, a little orphan girl once told me that the sun would come out tomorrow. Her adopted father was a powerful billionaire, so I supressed the urge to laugh in her face. But now, by gum, I think she might have been on to something!"
--Reefer Madness