Eden Espinosa as Evita?

[fingerlakessinger]

Eden kinda puts me on the fence. I find her voice to be very powerful most of the time, and even beautiful. But at some points her pitch and tone can make me cringe (her "No Good Deed" is superb but I always found her "Defying Gravity" lacking.)
However, if she trained more and was able to sustain the show without too much strain, I could see her doing it. But let's be honest. After Elena and Ricky leave, they are going to have to get a HUGE name to fill in for Ricky and most likely will try to get a moderately known actress for Eva. Eden does not really have that outside of Broadway.
I would love to see Sara take a swing at it. Her voice is just edgy and powerful and she can ACT.

[Jordan Catalano]

TRACIE. BENNETT.

[Wynbish]

IVY. LYNN.

's MOM.

[bwayphreak234]

Her "voice" is painful. It is like having a double ear infection with lit matches and knifes in my ear drums at the same time.

[Wynbish]

Has Farah Alvin played the part?

[My Oh My]

The Scorpion, I've read your thoughts on this Wicked-loving generation theory of yours elsewhere and while I do see instances of it (like for example, this thread), I would caution against perceiving Americans in general that way (have read your thoughts on us, too).

Wicked, as popular as it is, isn't the new Broadway standard and the style used by most of its leading ladies doesn't belong to it but it's more a carry-over of long standing Broadway theatrical acting traditions ("cutesy", over-saturated in character voice, and acting to the rafters by its female performers). You have referred to the Eva alternate as possessing such a "bland" aesthetic that you say is in the style of Wicked. I see what you mean, but trust me when I say attributing anything of that degree of influence to Wicked alone is giving it way too much credit.

And just to set the record straight, I feel confident enough to speak for my fellow Americans in saying we aren't so incredibly simplistic that we insist on a Patti clone because that's what we were first exposed to and are accustomed to. And that certainly isn't the sole reason or even a significant part of the rationale that has lead to a lot of the negative opinions regarding Roger's Eva. This is coming from someone who was really put off by people's bashing of Roger and her talent, which she clearly has more than enough of; however, I too am not thrilled by what I've heard of her Eva on the official Broadway cast album and various clips around the net.

I've never understood this overly simplistic rationale that decides people like or prefer something over another due to familiarity. If talking about the general public, then it makes sense since people who aren't really all that vested in something and take a passing interest do typically go on what they know and have been exposed to, but we are fans of this stuff. Some of us passionately so, and I doubt Roger has garnered the reaction she has due to not being a Patti clone.

Having said that, *I* should play diva Peron. We don't have matching junk but who cares. This is the theeeeeatre. XD

[Jordan Catalano]

bwayphreak is right. It's like having a yeast infection in your ears and someone sets the yeast on fire after dousing it with alcohol.

[ljay889]

Who wants to bet that at least one of Eden's "friends" has forwarded this thread to her, if she hasn't already seen it. You know those type of friends....

[bwayphreak234]

I have had multiple ear problems and ear surgeries in my life, but the pain from that is NOTHING compared to hearing her voice. I am not exaggerating this either... It is PAINFUL to listen to.

[broadway guy]

My Oh My: critical thinking,Awesome writing and stating good points and than this....

"Having said that, *I* should play diva Peron. We don't have matching junk but who cares. This is the theeeeeatre. XD"

HAHAHAH seriously just made my life lol.In all seriousness I agree with almsot everything you said,you make really good points.

[Jordan Catalano]

Bwayphreak, that's just mean.

[My Oh My]

Saw Eden as Elphaba in the Los Angeles production of Wicked. I have had inner-ear problems all of my life, requiring the insertion of tubes in one of them.

I sat 5th row orchestra and my ears did not recoil in horror at the sound of her impressive voice.

Y'all need better ear, nose, and throat docs.

[bwayphreak234]

To each their own. I love Elena Roger's voice while others can't stand to listen to it. I personally can't listen to Eden Espinosa sing. I just can't.

[broadway guy]

I just think eden would make a great fit with evita.Im actually kinda surprised she hasn't played it already.

[fingerlakessinger]

I am too actually. One would think she would have played the part some where.
And yes. This board does have some incredibly insensitive comments about her. But let's be honest...its Broadwayworld. Should we expect any less? Lol

[broadway guy]

lol very true!

[The Scorpion]

The Scorpion, I've read your thoughts on this Wicked-loving generation theory of yours elsewhere and while I do see instances of it (like for example, this thread), I would caution against perceiving Americans in general that way (have read your thoughts on us, too).

Well, I'm only really going on this board re the above comments, all of which there are good examples of. See, for example, this thread and the other one about Ramirez singing 'Buenos Aires' with a hell of a lot of riffing. I really do think a lot of it is due to set expectations and the singing style of Wicked, with an Idol-type voice. I don't want to knock Wicked (although I'm not a fan), but I have noticed the type of pop voices that are in it creeping into other shows.

As for Roger, it's a performance that very much needs to be seen to be believed. It's rare for such a small performer to dominate the stage like that.

[runaways]

For the record, I think she'd be fabulous if she got her placement under control: I feel like that's everyone's main gripe.

[gavyj]

I'll just drag this thread up since it's happening...

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/STAGE-TUBE-Eden-Does-Eva--Watch-Trailer-of-Espinosa-in-Studio-Tenns-EVITA-20160628

[AnnieBlack]

Has she worked on her technique in the past few years? looking back on the comments from 2012, I couldn't agree more with everyone! What has she been doing the past few years?

[IdinaBellFoster]

She recently finished a run of Michael John LaChiusa's new show RAIN on the West Coast.

[Wicked Fanatic]

"She recently finished a run of Michael John LaChiusa's new show RAIN on the West Coast."

 

I saw her and although the play was so depressing she was fantastic.  She had the best songs in the show and she sang them perfectly.  If I could go to Tennessee to see her I would but I'm waiting for what I've heard will be a 2nd chance to see her in this role closer to home in 2017.