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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2017 17:11:05 GMT
Amber and liisi are performing on the one show tonight so I presume they are going to sing Listen?
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2017 17:47:51 GMT
Jeez, if anyone wanted to see an understudy run, this would of been the show to go too... tonight has four main character understudies on:
Effie: Marisha Wallace
Deena: Jocasta Almgill
Curtis: Ryan Reid (Debut)
Marty: Kirk Patterson
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2017 18:15:52 GMT
I'm looking forward to catching tonight's show... with so many alternates/understudies it is sure to be a very different experience since December.
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2017 18:20:45 GMT
I'm looking forward to catching tonight's show... with so many alternates/understudies it is sure to be a very different experience since December. Be sure to report back! Jocasta was fabulous as Lorrell when I saw her and Marisha, well, everyone knows my love for her! |
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Post by dizzieblonde on May 15, 2017 18:29:31 GMT
Holy smokes, "Listen" on The One Show was pretty phenomenal! Both girls in great voice - got tickets for when I'm in London in August, cannot wait now!
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Post by cheesy116 on May 15, 2017 18:32:22 GMT
Well DAMN they sure smashed Listen on the One Show!
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Post by theatre on May 15, 2017 19:29:17 GMT
Looks as though Lily has been ditched as 1st Cover Deena, Jocasta is on for Deena tonight, and is on for Deena for a week beginning Thursday even though Lily is in the show. You know what, I wondered if this would happen. After seeing Lily when she covered a couple weeks ago make some mistakes whilst Sonya was in the box, such as not being able to tie her gown up and using the wrong arm twice in the dancing, I jokingly said to my friend 'she won't be covering again!' - looks like I was right! Sonya did not look impressed when I looked up! |
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2017 19:46:56 GMT
Here's the one show performance.
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Post by d'James on May 15, 2017 19:49:19 GMT
Looks as though Lily has been ditched as 1st Cover Deena, Jocasta is on for Deena tonight, and is on for Deena for a week beginning Thursday even though Lily is in the show. You know what, I wondered if this would happen. After seeing Lily when she covered a couple weeks ago make some mistakes whilst Sonya was in the box, such as not being able to tie her gown up and using the wrong arm twice in the dancing, I jokingly said to my friend 'she won't be covering again!' - looks like I was right! Sonya did not look impressed when I looked up! I mean, Lily wasn't perfect when I saw her (no mistakes, just not brilliant) but maybe she was just nervous as Sonia was there. She does always seem to get similar reviews though regardless of whether she makes mistakes or not. |
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2017 19:55:27 GMT
Interval thoughts: I'm really not sure about Ryan... I know it is his first time on as Curtis but he doesn't seem a good fit. I'm sure he will improve as time goes on though. Lots of fluffed lines "Is Deena going to be ok?" before Heavy... should be "Is Effie going to be ok?" Reminds me of the famous EastEnders live balls up - "How's Adam?"
Marisha is wonderful.
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Post by cheesy116 on May 16, 2017 1:06:01 GMT
Any reports after tonight's show ?? I saw Tom's interval thoughts about Ryan but I'm wondering if he improved act 2  ? and the rest of the understudies on  Random change of subject, when I saw Motown last year, there's a part in the show when someone is invited on stage to sing part of a song (I cant remember what song but I know it was with 'Diana Ross'), Candace was the person invited up to the stage!! I knew who she was straight away as I had not long seen her in the Shrek Tour and remembered being blown away by her Dragon solo at the end. I would kill to see her get an Effie show |
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2017 9:39:35 GMT
Now that I've slept and I've had the opportunity to fully soak in the experience from last night, here are my thoughts in full. Kirk PattersonAs Marty is a relatively small role in a show which is crammed with huge personalities, it's difficult to comment on. Kirk portrayed the role brilliantly, and I'd be more than happy to see Dreamgirls again, not knowing if he was on or it was Nicholas Bailey (who is also very good!)Ryan ReidYes, cheesy116, he definitely did improve into act 2, although I still didn't find myself disliking Curtis as much I should do as a character. Joe Aaron Reid has the benefit of playing the role on a nightly basis, admittedly, but he totally convinced me that the shady car dealer was a villain. I felt that Ryan, however, seemed to play him slightly friendlier, overall. Despite line slip-ups and coming out on stage for "Party, Party" with the mic pack swinging out of his suit jacket for the whole scene, I'm sure that over time he will find his feet in the role. Jocasta AlmgillJocasta!! To me, she totally is Deena. A much better fit than Liisi, I would say. She's the ultimate diva when she heads up The Dreams, channelling Diana Ross, Beyoncé and Deena all in her own way. She also plays the vulnerability of the character brilliantly and her voice is "what else can I say, but wonderful..."Asmeret GhebremichaelThis was the first time I'd seen Asmeret as Lorell, and I thought she totally nailed it. In some respects, she is my favourite of the Dreams, and I adored what Ibanabo did, but Asmeret was excellent. I love the tone to her voice, as well as the little changes to her characterisation too. Ok, and deep breath...Marisha WallaceI feel truly blessed to have been lucky enough to witness a star being born. She really showcases Effie's bubbly, fun-loving personality pre-Family. Rather than showing her as some big-headed, moody wannabe, Marisha really shows her endearing side before the proverbial hits the fan. Because of this, her story arc really touches, as we see her change from this enthusiastic character to one of scorn. Her character development throughout is totally on point. I was left physically trembling with emotion following Amber's AIATY, whereas this time I was still living for it, but it didn't quite move me as much. My other half though, much preferred Marisha's AIATY to Amber's. My big wow moment with Marisha came with I Am Changing. She had me totally transfixed, as yet again, she explored the many sides of Effie's progression. And that voice, though... I have no words. All of the girls voices blended beautifully, especially considering two of them are not the main actors. Overall though, I never felt as though I was watching Amber Riley's alternate, but rather it was Marisha's Effie. She. Owned. That. Role. See her. See her now.And for the rest... Tyrone has a voice like warm honey. Damn I could just drink that shiz. Adam still kills it as Jimmy, of course. Lily is still very forgettable, unfortunately. I know that might be partly due to her character, but Michelle gets one of the best lines in It's All Over. Perhaps because she is meant to be 'the replacement' we are not supposed to care much for her, so in that respect, perhaps Lily plays it well. I think it's a shame though, as I really enjoyed her in In the Heights. The show itself is still a technical and visual treat. It has one of the best sets I've seen in a long while, and the amount of talent is really inspiring. From the last time I saw the show, only three of the leads were the same last night, so it was effectively a very different show - which I loved! Personally, I feel that Amber has the slight edge over Marisha as Effie, but that really doesn't matter, because Marisha is still a force to reckoned with. When Amber eventually moves on, the job of main Effie has to belong to M. She's definitely proved herself more than worthy, and no-one else could touch it. |
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2017 9:46:01 GMT
The thing with Lily, I never saw the Original Production, but isn't Lily just doing the best with what she is given with Michelle? I thought she was perfectly fine in the role she was given to play, but it didn't stick with me because its just not a particularly special role, in a show that has three strong, female leads, and at least three strong, male leads (in my opinion).
That being said, of what I have seen from her in person, she really has no place being Deena. In Cats, as Demeter, she was sensational, it must be said! But In the Heights, she was a major disappointment compared to her understudy (who later took over), and I had no clue why everyone was raving about her.
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Post by wickedgrin on May 16, 2017 14:11:38 GMT
This show and Kinky Boots are my two favourite musicals in London at the moment. I am guilty of several repeat visits to both and I usually NEVER see a show twice!!
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Post by ali973 on May 16, 2017 14:25:41 GMT
The thing with Lily, I never saw the Original Production, but isn't Lily just doing the best with what she is given with Michelle? I thought she was perfectly fine in the role she was given to play, but it didn't stick with me because its just not a particularly special role, in a show that has three strong, female leads, and at least three strong, male leads (in my opinion). It's a small role. But she has THE line. "Now watch your mouth watch you mouth Miss Effie White, cause I don't take that tone from no second rate diva who can't sustain." And for someone who has that little to do but such a killer line, she does not make the most of it, at ALL. |
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2017 14:28:23 GMT
The thing with Lily, I never saw the Original Production, but isn't Lily just doing the best with what she is given with Michelle? I thought she was perfectly fine in the role she was given to play, but it didn't stick with me because its just not a particularly special role, in a show that has three strong, female leads, and at least three strong, male leads (in my opinion). It's a small role. But she has THE line. "Now watch your mouth watch you mouth Miss Effie White, cause I don't take that tone from no second rate diva who can't sustain." And for someone who has that little to do but such a killer line, she does not make the most of it, at ALL. Precisely what I was trying to say. Well articulated  |
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Post by jgblunners on May 16, 2017 15:46:26 GMT
The thing with Lily, I never saw the Original Production, but isn't Lily just doing the best with what she is given with Michelle? I thought she was perfectly fine in the role she was given to play, but it didn't stick with me because its just not a particularly special role, in a show that has three strong, female leads, and at least three strong, male leads (in my opinion). It's a small role. But she has THE line. "Now watch your mouth watch you mouth Miss Effie White, cause I don't take that tone from no second rate diva who can't sustain." And for someone who has that little to do but such a killer line, she does not make the most of it, at ALL. Carly Mercedes Dyer KILLED that line when I saw the show - her Michelle was so sassy and brash, the dynamic between her and Effie must be so different when it's Lily. |
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Post by jgblunners on May 16, 2017 16:41:24 GMT
Forgive me if this has already been discussed, but does anyone else find it a bit odd that random numbers on the cast recording fade out? For me it's a bit weird when most of the songs either finish properly or run into dialogue, then out of the blue you get a track that fades out.
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2017 19:51:51 GMT
Looks as though Lily has been ditched as 1st Cover Deena, Jocasta is on for Deena tonight, and is on for Deena for a week beginning Thursday even though Lily is in the show. They seem to change it every week! At first Lily was 1st cover then Kimmy Edwards then Jocasta but now it seems to have changed! Same for Lorell, at first it was Jocasta then Candace then Carly but then Candace became 1st cover but more recently Carly has been going on as Lorell! It seems strange they change it but atleast everyone gets a go at performing! |
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2017 19:54:30 GMT
Any reports after tonight's show ?? I saw Tom's interval thoughts about Ryan but I'm wondering if he improved act 2 ? and the rest of the understudies on Random change of subject, when I saw Motown last year, there's a part in the show when someone is invited on stage to sing part of a song (I cant remember what song but I know it was with 'Diana Ross'), Candace was the person invited up to the stage!! I knew who she was straight away as I had not long seen her in the Shrek Tour and remembered being blown away by her Dragon solo at the end. I would kill to see her get an Effie show I am a huge fan of her too! Was hoping to catch her Lorell but she hasn't been on at all recently? I bet she would make a stunning Effie but in all honesty, I doubt she will get on. She'll only probably get on if all Amber, Marisha AND Karen are off, which seems unlikely, unless they just let her go on one Monday night towards the end of her contract. I'm glad she has made her West End debut though multiple times as Lorell as that's better than nothing!! |
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Post by vabbian on May 16, 2017 22:47:55 GMT
Seen the production 4 times.
The cast recording is quite a disappointment to me, I thought it sounded much better in person.
Maybe I am just too used to the film recording...
I really like the Savoy as a venue for this production. Adds to the glitz and glamour of it all
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Post by shady23 on May 19, 2017 6:38:42 GMT
Amber Riley is one of the guests on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast show this morning from 8am
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Post by hitmewithurbethshot on May 19, 2017 21:17:03 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2017 8:28:02 GMT
Technically shes not wrong. She was still cast as Alternate Effie whether she went on or not.
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Post by indis on May 20, 2017 10:35:54 GMT
i think i am the only one who loved Deenas voice more than Effies voice (had Marisha and Lily when i went) O:)
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? and the rest of the understudies on 
