Why Idina?- Page 3

[Fiction Writer]

Posted: 6/9/06 at 11:09pm

I know :) I was just surprised I spelled it right. That spelling wasn't my first attempt. I think my first try was "Anameris".

Has Breakfast at Tiffany's ever been dramatized? Updated On: 6/9/06 at 11:09 PM

Posted: 6/9/06 at 11:18pm

I don't believe so, although I could be quite wrong.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 6/9/06 at 11:24pm

"Has Breakfast at Tiffany's ever been dramatized?".

http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=12867

Produced by David Merrick; Associate Producer: Samuel Liff

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Opening Night Cast


Richard Chamberlain Jeff Claypool
Mary Tyler Moore Holly Golightly


Majestic Theatre, (12/12/1966 - 12/14/1966) Scheduled to open December 26, 1966.
Preview: Dec 12, 1966 Total Previews: 4
Opening: Never officially opened
Closing: Dec 14, 1966 Total Performances: 0




Book adapted by Edward Albee; Based on the novel by Truman Capote; Music by Bob Merrill; Lyrics by Bob Merrill; Musical Director: Stanley Lebowsky; Vocal arrangements by Stanley Lebowsky; Music orchestrated by Ralph Burns; Dance arrangements by Marvin Laird


Directed by Joseph Anthony; Choreographed by Michael Kidd; Assistant Choreographer: Tony Mordente

Updated On: 6/9/06 at 11:24 PM

[ChrisLK]

Posted: 6/9/06 at 11:50pm

I'm going to go with the vulnerable thing. Her vulnerability makes her sound very human... BUT, she has this superhuman ability to belt really loud. That has a special attraction for teenagers. My theory is that people kinda think, "Wow, she's just like me, plus she's got this huge voice!" Combine that with the fact that she plays empowered, strong female characters, and that's pretty much a formula for popularity.

I suppose I can't really say if she's a wonderful actress or not, not having seen her in anything, but she certainly conveys emotion on a recording. She's blessed with a very appealing voice, and a beauty just off-beat enough to not alienate people who hate Paris Hilton. Plus, she can use her freakish popularity to attract more people to LaChiusa! (Shameless LaChiusa fan here.)

Besides, BIG voices have always been popular on Broadway. Need we mention Ethel Merman?

[AnnaFabulous]

Posted: 6/10/06 at 12:23am

(a million years later)-----
Rentboy86 (in case you read this now). I was present at the Tony's that year and I could hear she was off, and she had been performing the song for months every night (including rehearsals). As an actress one should be able to keep focus. Also the majority of Tony winner stay on pitch. Plus Tonya's pitchiness was due to an emotional connection to her character, whereas Idina was nervous, understandably, but went off nonetheless.

I also never never said she yelled. And I'm pretty young myself, so for me it's an opinion rather than a generational thing. Honestly she's less cutting egde than I'd like. But that goes back to her acting rather thn her singing....it's really not her singing I have a problem with.

However, despite my self-admitted bitchiness, I will agree with you that she's a good singer (although I will never forgive the Tony's or any performances at Goodspeed) and that compared with many other people she actually is a pretty good role model for young people and is very 'real' (except as an actress of course). I'm very sorry if I 'knocked' your role model. Hence, I begin my sentence with "My opinion is...".
Also some people have said much much worse things about her, so I really don't know why you picked my post, but whatev. ha ha.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 6/10/06 at 9:30am

I'm really finding this thread very interesting. And it was in no way my intention for this to become an Idina Bashing thread. The only thing I have seen her in is SWIWS, which was brilliant. It has just always fascinated me that she is so popular, when it seems that just as many theatre people could be just as popular. I have friends that know *almost* nothing about musical theatre, but they know RENT, Wicked, and Idina Menzel.

[idinarocksmysocks!510]

Posted: 6/10/06 at 12:56pm

i've never met her. but i saw her in wicked. i like her voice and her solo music. not to mention i like the musical work she's done in the past as well. but everyone has their own opinion.

[NYC4Life]

Posted: 6/10/06 at 1:39pm

You guys make me laugh. It is one thing to explain why you do or dont like someone, but dont bash other peoples taste. It doesn't matter if u think someone is pitchy, or screams and gasp too much. If someone enjoys something dont try to make them feel bad about it or act superior. Being pretentious is so close minded guys. As entertainers and theatre fans I would think that everyone would realize that talent is based on opinion. Too many people that claim to love art act way to pretentious.

[LifeoftheParty227]

Posted: 6/10/06 at 1:57pm

I personally think 'The Wild Party' is one of the best things written for the theatre. And her role in it is unbelievable (hence my name). She knows how to pick roles that illustrate her vocals and is incredibly humble about her success.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 6/10/06 at 5:57pm

I think in order to like Idina you have to be a fan of the high belt. On her good nights she does the belt, in my opinion, better then anyone else. On all other nights it goes from good... too OK... to just nails on a chalk board. And I don't think that she is a bad actress. I think she is very believable on stage. She is no Kathleen Turner or Donna Murphy (in terms of acting), but is very good.
Another thing that attracts me to Idina is the energy she puts in to all her work. This is very clear on the Original Broadway Recording of Rent, 1996. Her voice might be more raspy and nazal back then, but that rendition of Take Me Or Leave Me, is so spunky.

[Derek2]

Posted: 6/11/06 at 2:41pm

She took on a very difficult role and stuck with it for about 2 years singing the same songs every night pretty well (for the most part). No, she is not the most amazing thing since sliced bread, but she is still very good at what she does and at the parts she plays. Is she fit for everything? No of course not. Who is? What I dont get, is people dont think in detail before they speak. Imagine, singing a very difficult song 60 feet in the air, standing on something about 2 feet by 2 feet for the 400th time and still sounding very good. All the Elphabas do it, and they are all great. Thats why they are where they are. I respect Idina :) She does alot. Its not easy being famous. I think before we all talk about people (anyone that is), we should take a step in their shoes for a day / night. :) Thats my opinion.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 6/11/06 at 2:51pm

Probably a reason why the popularity didn't necessarily soar after RENT was because the internet was not as popular in 1996 as it is today. Now EVERYONE has it.