I felt she was at her best when she was Menzel's standby. She had alot less riffing (just enough to make the score exciting but not enough to dilute it) and took advantage of her fantastic vibrato mix. She was more restrained, and even her acting was leagues better then. This is all particularly evident in her performance on January 9th 2005 on what was to be Idina's last day. It showcases just how perfect she COULD have been in the role. As another poster said, it was the best of both worlds.
When she took over, she felt she had more artistic license with the role since she was now the principle actress (rightfully so.) Unfortunately, however, it became less about the performance and more about a showcase for new riffs and singing inflections. The acting went out the window, and I always felt from then on that she was providing a phoned in performance with stellar vocals, which, to me, isn't good enough.
As PJ said, Stephen Oremus was notoriously
not a fan of her riffing. It got to the point where they would tell Shoshana before hand when he would be in attendance at a performance so she could tone things wayyyy down.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Updated On: 6/13/07 at 04:39 PM
'Course Idina is the best.
