What revival are we ready for? — Page 4

You can't be considered a racist for making a great point, munk.

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I would love to see West Side Story revived.
Others:
Sweeny Todd
The King and I (though wasn't it revived fairly recently?)

And could they please wait until I'm done with college?
So I can play Anita, Mrs. Lovett and Anna :)

i don't consider your comment racist munk
i do see where you are coming from
would audiences be as accepting of idina menzel if she took on the role of (for arguments sake) - "miss saigon"?
it would be interesting to read what other people think on this subject, but that would be better left for another thread.

Veuve,

I had a problem with all three "divas" at the Dreamgirls concert, though I've loved all three in other shows. McDonald did her best to scale back her operatic training but her Deena still had way too much vibrato and was too "musical theatre" for an authentic Motown sound (Sheryl Lee Ralph had almost no vibrato at all and sang the role mostly "straight tone" which is ideal for the character). Hedley simply didn't have the high belt to do Lorrell and her "Ain't No Party" was just painful. And while Lillias had some nice moments (her "I Am Changing" was sublime) she generally sounded less than stellar that night (her "I'm Not Going" was a disappointment). The CD of the concert is valuable for the fact that it's our only official record of that entire incredible original score -- too bad that Holliday, Devine, Ralph, Derricks et al didn't get a chance to preserve their brilliant original performances.

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Dreamgirls and Pippin. Thats all I need to be fully happy forever.

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A Chorus Line
Pippin(with Michael Arden of course)

i agree with Margo and the rest who've stated that the concert cd version of "DREAMGIRLS", although a valuable document that preserves the show and it's score in it's entirety leaves alot to be desired "performance-wise".

audra had way too much vibrato and not enough of the "silky smooth pop sound" the role of "deena jones" calls for, so i was a little put off.

heather headley was literally straining to reach the heights of lorell's "aint no party" and it is for the most part a "a painful listen"

i heard rumours that billy porter wasn't in the best voice and actually had to go back in studio and re-record some of his stuff.

lillias white did a knock 'em dead rendition of "i am changing" but i've seen and heard her do "and i am telling you" so much better than she did that night.

Updated On: 1/2/05 at 08:15 PM

I was at the Dreamgirls concert and, yes, Billy Porter was sick that night (but gave it his all). Very raw sounding (which sort of works for Jimmy) but he did indeed have to go back in the studio to re-record some of his vocals.

Lillias, oddly, sounded nervous and almost self-conscious as Effie that night and the pressure to deliver a definitive "I'm Not Going" seemed to overwhelm her in the first act -- however she nailed most of the music in Act Two very well (though I still missed Jennifer).

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Margo, I think that the biggest problem with Lilias is that she's utterly wrong for Effie in the first act. Her world weary attitude worked for "I Am Changing," but she was never convincing as a young girl from Detroit. She projected way too much intelligence, maturity, and self-awareness.

While she may have felt pressure to deliver a definitive "And I'm Telling You...", I don't think she has it in her.

Holiday actually was, to a large extent, Effie. She was a frightened nobody who made it big on Broadway at an extraordinarily early age. (Oddly enough, she suffered a huge amount of character bleed with Effie after DREAMGIRLS opened, and began to behave in real life exactly the same way that Effie did in the show). But that lack of self-awareness is what made her Effie so devestating.

Sweeney Todd
SITPWG
Merrily We Roll Along
Anyone can Whistle
Evita
South Pacific
Funny Girl
Dreamgirls
Hello, Dolly!
ACL
The Last five Years (it needs to be more well known! c'mon it's one of the best scores writtne this millenium!)

-Jesus Christ Superstar finally done right.
-Tell Me on Sunday (or at least a tour so I can see it)
-HAIR

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THE WIZ should "Ease on Down" to Broadway, and pretty soon!
MUSIC MAN should also come back.

And of course:
Step, Kick, Kick, Leap, Step, Touch - Again!
Chorus Line!