What's Joanna Ampil up to nowadays?

[vmlinnie]

Posted: 8/27/06 at 4:50pm

I saw a programme I have from a pantomine in Dublin a few years ago, and somehow they managed to get Ampil as the Princess. God knows how, because our pantos here are pretty crap. What a step down from Miss Saigon, which I also saw her in. So I ask, where's she now?

[All_For_Laura]

Posted: 8/27/06 at 5:00pm

No idea, but I think shes amazing in Saigon. Just incredible vocals!

[GClef2]

Posted: 8/27/06 at 5:01pm

I saw her as fantine last year. What a voice. That girl has one hell of a belt, and is absolutely gorgeous. She was very nice as well.

However, I have no idea what she is up to.

[vmlinnie]

Posted: 8/27/06 at 5:10pm

I've just found her website, www.joampil.com.

Seems she's not very busy. And not surprisingly, she doesn't mention Aladin in Dublin.

[joshy]

Posted: 8/27/06 at 9:10pm

She was in The Musical of Musicals at the Sound Theatre in April. Fun show, she was great in it. And - as odd as this may sound, and I think it's really odd and probably bad casting - there are many rumours she's been cast as Mimi in a new European/International(?) tour of Rent.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 8/27/06 at 9:48pm

Not sure who she is exactly but she sings "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from JCS on my Musicals:The Essential Album and does a lovely job.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 1:55am

I have always enjoyed her. In my book, if it's not Lea as Kim, it better be Joanna She does a mean Mary Magdeline in JSC, that's for sure I didn't actually SEE her as Eponine in LES MIZ in London, but those who did loved her

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 2:16am

And - as odd as this may sound, and I think it's really odd and probably bad casting - there are many rumours she's been cast as Mimi in a new European/International(?) tour of Rent.

Wow. I really like Joanna, but...Mimi? I'm skeptical.

[camp_actor]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 5:51am

She released a single last year called "Reach for the Stars" (not the S Club 7 version), but I don't think it was as successful as she'd hoped. She's done Les Miserables for years, but I don't think she's in it now.

[Justin D]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 8:01am

There is a very strong rumour that she will be the next Christine in London's Phantom (or alternate Christine)

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 8:37am

I can see her as Mimi , but... Christine? Now do not get me wrong- I like her A LOT... But... as Christine in POTO?... HMMMM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 10:24am

She's done Les Miserables for years, but I don't think she's in it now.

Nope, the current Fantine and Eponine are Sophia Ragavelas and Sabrina Alouche.

[Weez]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 12:33pm

I could see her as Christine WAY more than as Mimi. Well, okay, *seeing* probably puts her as Mimi, but I'm thinking of what I know of her voice. I'm sure she's more towards the Christine end of the spectrum, although not necessarily quite there.

[JUSTINWKDUNN]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 2:22pm

Shes currently touring in a musical review called the best of the west end. I'm sure she has confirmed Rent.

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 2:25pm

Can she sing the Christine notes? I think she'd look great as Mimi!

[mrkringas]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 6:08pm

Apparently they were having real trouble casting Phantom this time. Finals were last week though so we shall know soon enough.

Having seen her in Musical of Musicals it was nice to see a side to her that was not Mary/Eponine/Fantine/Kim! Sure she would be a wicked Mimi.

[camp_actor]

Posted: 8/30/06 at 5:03am

I'm pretty sure they haven't cast Christine yet. I think they're still in callbacks.

[Claire2141]

Posted: 8/30/06 at 8:24am

I saw her as Fantine and she was amazing. Has she played Eponine too? I didn't know that.

[mrkringas]

Posted: 8/30/06 at 9:11am

I think she played Eponine twice. After Jesus Christ Superstar closes in 1998 and sometime before it opened in 1996... not sure of the dates of the first time around.

[joshy]

Posted: 8/30/06 at 12:04pm

The dates Jo was in Les Mis:

Eponine 10 April 2000 - 30 June 2001
Fantine 28 July 2003 - 25 June 2005

[Justin D]

Posted: 8/30/06 at 12:07pm

I have her on a CD singing On my Own, wow, amazing. she also does that "go up" think on "pretending" that the Japanese girl does on the CSR.

[mrkringas]

Posted: 8/30/06 at 2:12pm

Much prefered her Eponine to her Fantine. Dont get me wrong she was very good as Fantine but nowhere near Carmen Cusack!

Now that is one underrated performer who I hopes goes back in for Elphaba when they recast. Or perhaps to replace Kerry as standby?

[camp_actor]

Posted: 8/30/06 at 2:13pm

She was amazing as Eponine. She was in the first cast I saw as Eponine, then I saw it again (when Carmen Cusack was Fantine - she should be famous), and then the last time I saw it Joanna was Fantine and she was great. Really great. It was so nice to see the same actress in the same musical playing a different part and 5 years further into her life and career. Was such an interesting experience.

She's also fab on the Miss Saigon CD if anyone doesn't own it. I love the scene where she meets Ellen (played by the incredible Ruthie Henshall), her "Please tell me you are lying!" is heartbreaking.

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 8/30/06 at 2:54pm

I saw Jo as Fantine 3 times. The first time she was fab... but she was not so gd the last 2 times I saw her.
But no doubt she's still a talented performer and I do want to see her as Mimi/Christine nonetheless!
Rumours say Ramin Karimloo's goin back as Raoul and then after they find a Raoul to replace him, he's goin to be Phantom.. or was it Phantom standby? I forgot... but if him n Jo are both in the show... i'll defo be watching the show again (IF i have time OR money! with this EXTREMELY ridiculously busy year for the Westend!)

[Justin D]

Posted: 8/30/06 at 3:24pm

Dont forget that Carmen also did Christine, so who knows.