#51
Posted: 11/1/10 at 11:41am
Gretchen Kingsley, one of the OBC covers, was the first Cosette I ever saw—and my favorite.
She was Johanna in the first Bway revival of Sweeney Todd. She truly looked like a teenager, had the voice of an angel, and looked like one too. She had masses of blonde curls, which, in that dowdy black bonnet and dress, made her ethereal—you completely got Marius being stunned into submission by the very sight of her. The beautiful hair was also a terrific visual connection to Fantine.
Her small size and child-like face were likewise a strong connection to younger Cosette from the prior scene just minutes before. Cosette's innocence and naivete can be boring in an older actress, but was charming and heartbreaking in one portrayed as almost as waifish and lost as Eponine, which Cosette is. Furthermore, she was so natural and convincing (amidst lots of really broad acting up there) that I've never forgotten her.
Kingsley seemed so right, I was surprised when subsequent casting didn't continue more along those lines
She was Johanna in the first Bway revival of Sweeney Todd. She truly looked like a teenager, had the voice of an angel, and looked like one too. She had masses of blonde curls, which, in that dowdy black bonnet and dress, made her ethereal—you completely got Marius being stunned into submission by the very sight of her. The beautiful hair was also a terrific visual connection to Fantine.
Her small size and child-like face were likewise a strong connection to younger Cosette from the prior scene just minutes before. Cosette's innocence and naivete can be boring in an older actress, but was charming and heartbreaking in one portrayed as almost as waifish and lost as Eponine, which Cosette is. Furthermore, she was so natural and convincing (amidst lots of really broad acting up there) that I've never forgotten her.
Kingsley seemed so right, I was surprised when subsequent casting didn't continue more along those lines
