I know most on this board aren't a fan of Katharine's, but I personally enjoy her and figured I'd share for those who are interested in hearing it. Skip to the 5:07 mark to hear the duet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXmIwjVFAFg
I grew to love her after I stopped being a child about "Smash". We all know she isn't the right choice for Marilyn Monroe at all, and she even knows that. But I'm hoping to see her on Broadway soon, because although she makes great pop music, she really shines when she sings songs from musicals. I'd be thrilled to see her as Elphaba, and I'd be even more excited to see her originate a role, or to star in a live musical. I don't know, I'm a big fan of hers after taking the Karen out of Katharine.
They/them.
"Get up the nerve to be all you deserve to be."
"But I'm hoping to see her on Broadway soon, because although she makes great pop music, she really shines when she sings songs from musicals."
I love her new CD "Hysteria" which has some really good songs. Try watching a few youtube clips from her acoustic performances of some of the songs, she is excellent. I like her on "Scorpion" also and her acting has gotten better.
Yankeee, I know! I'm obsessed with her new album AND her acoustic series of songs from the album. I haven't seen "Scorpion" yet, I'm told she's underused, but I'm looking forward to starting it soon. I'm a big fan.
They/them.
"Get up the nerve to be all you deserve to be."
She was born to sing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" which wowed them on American Idol several years ago. She did very well with the duet on "For Good" which IMO is not a surprise. I will be the first to admit Megan Hilty was better suited for the role of "Marilyn" on "SMASH" but I thought Katharine McPhee did great job on her songs in "Hit List. Part of the problem for her was that the "Bombshell" songs were overall just better than the "Hit List" songs. Thanks for sharing.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
I actually would be very interested to see her as Elphaba. She could certainly sing the role and I believe she has enough acting chops to do a good job. I'm sure her "Defying Gravity" would sound beautiful.
"I love Katherine McPhee but it would be tough to be compared to the wonderful Linda Eder."
While this is true, if "Jekyll & Hyde" ever does come around to being made into a musical film, there's really no way that Linda Eder would be reprising her role for the film anyway, so I wouldn't mind seeing Katharine give it a shot. She has enough acting chops for it and if nothing else, I'm sure she'd sound wonderful.
I was always surprised at all the Katherine bashing during Smash ...even though she was the more likable character (Karen) than Megans character (ivy) ...it seemed that people mixed up the real Megan with Ivy and liked her because she was a Bway gal. being as Ivy was a very jealous and vindictive charachter..(love her also) but Katherine can sing ...she sounds amazing here ...what about Megan and Katherine in Wicked....perfect pairing to me....2 great singers who really have amazing chemistry already established....Love them both !
"there's really no way that Linda Eder would be reprising her role for the film anyway, so I wouldn't mind seeing Katharine give it a shot. She has enough acting chops for it and if nothing else, I'm sure she'd sound wonderful.".
Good point, would love to see it. She has the voice, her acting has improved and she definitely has the looks also for that role.
Her voice is pretty, but lacking oomph and character. There's nothing exciting there, not to me.
Linda Eder, while a very weak actress, can sing the hell out of most anything, as well as sing quiet notes with an unwavering purity that is nearly unmatched. Comparing her voice to McPhee's is almost laugh-inducing.
Here's a very recent clip of Katharine singing one of her own songs. She sounds great and is doing so with plenty of emotion. I can see her getting cast in a movie musical sometime in the future, if the role was right for her.