Who is your favorite Cosette in Les Miserables?- Page 3

[TimesSquared]

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

[newintown]

Posted: 11/1/10 at 12:08pm

Mirala Rosenberg at Northport Elementary. Stunning. Close second: Betty White in a private performance in her back yard.

[Kev]

Posted: 11/1/10 at 12:18pm

Some recorded Cosettes aside, my vote is for Christeena Michelle Riggs (who was also an excellent Eponine, a shame she had to leave that role.)

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 11/1/10 at 7:14pm

Ali Ewoldt's voice is too thin for me, but she is gorgeous. I never saw her live so I can't judge her acting.

I would say Judy Kuhn. I also agree that it's a terribly written role because the book glorifies Eponine. Also, from my experience most people nowadays tend to like the belters more than the legit sopranos. People seem to think Cosette is spoiled, which I don't understand. She was abused and neglected until she was 8, then lived in a nunnery until she was 15. Eponine's poor as a teenager so everyone feels sorry for her, forgetting that she was a spoiled brat as a kid (in the novel, anyway).

Updated On: 11/1/10 at 07:14 PM

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 11/2/10 at 3:25pm

I have to agree that Cosette is a terribly underwritten character in the musical. It is difficult to have a favorite because she is given so very little to do.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 11/2/10 at 4:12pm

Ali Ewoldt is hands down the worst Cosette I have ever seen. Her voice is thin, her acting is wooden, and she doesn't do anything to make Cosette less one-dimensional than she already is.

[Holbee]

Posted: 11/2/10 at 4:30pm

the Khunster.

[musicaltheater1]

Posted: 11/2/10 at 8:36pm

Ali Ewoldt!

[goldenboy]

Posted: 11/3/10 at 12:34pm

Ethel Merman ... hands down.