Wedding Singer 8/2 Matinee: Tina & Cara Perform

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 6:20pm

Out: Laura Benanti and Amy Spanger
On: Tina Maddigan and Cara Cooper

It was a return trip to the show, hoping to catch Tina as Julia. As luck would have it, she was on. Something totally odd is happening at the Hirschfeld Theatre: the 2 leads have chemistry!

Stephen Lynch - great, as usual. He's at the top of his game and having the time of his life. It's a very tough part to do (he's on stage for 95% of the show), but he pulls it off very well for a Broadway newbie.

Tina Maddigan - "the Girl with Golden Hair," as you all call her, IS the part. She skates rings around Laura Benanti in every aspect. Her singing voice reminds me of Stephanie D'Abruzzo and her looks remind me of Christine Taylor (Ben Stiller). Her blonde hair looks a lot better than Laura's odd wig....but they still haven't changed the wedding dress. There is undeniable chemistry between her and Stephen and it shows. They're having a great time playing off each other, like they've been doing it for years.

Cara Cooper - she's no Amy Spanger, but she's great in her own right. She's developed her own take on the part, making it like a bad Madonna impersonator with a thick Jersey accent. The accent is a lot more pronounced than Amy's, as I can remember. It's a great way to do the part.

Kevin Cahoon's George gets better and better. Matthew Saldivar has finally realized how to loosen up (he was very stiff when I saw it the last time). Richard Blake has a lot of fun and it shows. Rita Gardner and Felicia Finley got the dead crowd going with their respective scenes.

The ensemble was uniformly great. They're having a blast!

The audience, as I just said, seemed DOA. There were groups of students from Pace University, I believe, who looked like they were in outer space. A few rows behind me, there was a group from some Mentally Challenged group home. They had a ball, making the most noise I've ever heard. The actors loved it!

The actors were very appreciative of the fairly large crowd at the sweltering stage door. Tina, whom I had met a few months ago (somehow), remembered me right away and greeted me with a big hug and kiss. I didn't expect that.

All-in-all, I had a blast, yet again. It's too bad nobody else knew what to make of it.
Updated On: 8/2/06 at 06:20 PM

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 6:26pm

I loved their chemistry. They were so natural and Tina WAS Julia. I'd never want to see Benanti, she bores me on the CD.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 6:28pm

I told you so...

Another Tina Maddigan fan born every show!

Updated On: 8/2/06 at 06:28 PM

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 6:34pm

Why does Laura Benanti miss so many shows?

[Phantom2]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 6:36pm

Thank heaven for little standbys
for little standbys get bigger every day!

Damn, I'm good...

Updated On: 8/2/06 at 06:36 PM

[DrunkyMcWasted]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 6:52pm

While I disagree with you about the Laura vs. Tina thing (Laura will always be my Julia), I'm glad you enjoyed the show!

Becoz_i_knew_you21 : Laura has been missing so many shows lately because of some health issues completely beyond her control. Believe me when I say she is NOT happy about being out so often.

Updated On: 8/2/06 at 06:52 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 6:54pm

I didn't think she would be (happy about being out), nor did I say anything about that at all.

[DrunkyMcWasted]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 6:56pm

I didn't mean for it to seem like I was accusing you of anything. I was just responding to the person above who asked why Laura had been out so often lately. Editing my post so it's more clear. :)

Updated On: 8/2/06 at 06:56 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 7:00pm

Oh, okay. Yes, Laura is out sick. Amy, also absent a lot, has been sick but is now on vacation.

FYI....both Laura and Tina are contracted through March, if anyone wanted to know.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 7:09pm

I loved Laura in TWS. Both actresses are great.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 7:30pm

In certain respects. Tina seemed, as I said, to be more natural.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 7:30pm

Hey where were you? I was there too! Great show.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 8:39pm

I was in the front row, all the way on the aisle. Updated On: 8/2/06 at 08:39 PM

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 8:40pm

Oh, you were on the other side from me I think. I was in A1.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 8:41pm

Hey Kathy, that's not the pic i took of you and Tina, is it?

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 9:24pm

No, that one's from today.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 9:26pm

Check you PMs.

[Yeah, um, no.]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 9:29pm

Laura's on for tonight's show.

[Crazy4MattMorrison52]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 9:51pm

cara is still on tonight.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 9:52pm

Cara is on until either the 6th or the 8th.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 9:54pm

Amy will be back on the 8th.

[prayerforaduck]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 10:12pm

I saw Cara on Friday, and she's fantastic! Anyone going this week will not be disappointed. Her delivery on some lines is funnier than Amy's, and she's a great dancer.

[LyTeMyCanDyI]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 11:36pm

Sorry to threadjack, but that is wrong with Tina's dress?

[LyTeMyCanDyI]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 11:36pm

Sorry to threadjack, but that is wrong with Tina's dress?

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 8/2/06 at 11:43pm

While I agree that Tina was great in the part, I was a bit disappointed with her singing. However, I have nothing to compare her to.