I find it odd that Howard McGillin and James Barbour have both been cast in featured roles in the musical when either one would make an interesting and age appropriate Maxim.
"Jill Paice is one of the most boring, lifeless, uninspired performers I've ever seen. How she continues to book work when she turns in such consistently poor performances is truly baffling."
This will be her 4th lead on Broadway not to mention she's had West End credits, some Helen Hayes nominations, and gave a wonderful performance as Grazia in DTAH.
So, yeah. I'd say your opinion is pretty unpopular.
I'd prefer Sierra but Jill is going to be wonderful.
I'm quite excited to learn that Ryan Silverman is playing Maxim. I caught him as Raoul and was actually quite stunned; it will be a joy to see him on stage again.
But you have to remember the impressive James Barbour had quite a debacle backstage during JANE EYRE and had his named marred a bit, so they are probably still leery about letting him headline a show.
"I find it odd that Howard McGillin and James Barbour have both been cast in featured roles in the musical when either one would make an interesting and age appropriate Maxim."
Barbour is a baritone, the role is for a tenor. I also wonder if they had some doubts about Barbour being Rochester in Jane Eyre on B'way, especially since the two novels draw so many similarities to begin with.
Wietske van Tongeren started playing the role in the 2006 premiere cast at the age of 24. She played it for 2 years, on and off. Jill is around 30. I have faith that Jill will play the role with skill. I am not bothered by age too much, as long as the actors play the truth of their characters' places in life.
Ryan Silverman was a fantastic Raoul.
I look forward to further changes. The Stuttgart production was already a huge improvement over the enjoyable, but very uneven, Vienna production... Can't wait to see 3.0.
How to properly use its/it's:
Its is the possessive. It's is the contraction for it is...
To be fair to Jill, "Gone with the Wind" was a total disaster regardless of her casting - book, music and lyrics (save for the title number, which people complained about the title being used for lyrics, but it is in the book!).
Could they have picked a more bland, boring performer?
Yes, Sierra Boggess.
I personally am excited for Jill...I thought she was lovely in Death Takes A Holiday and her presence seems perfect for this role. And her voice is beautiful.
Yes, philly, but even in a better show like CURTAINS I found myself saying: That was the best they could find for that role? She hasn't really made a SPLASH in anything, yet. I wanted to strangle her in DEATH TAKES.... Her arms were all over the place and she had zero chemistry with her (replacement) leading man.
In comparison to Wietske van Tongeren (Vienna), and Stuttgart's Lucy Scherer and current Valerie Link, I think Jill has to potential to give the role an earthiness that I haven't seen yet. (I enjoyed the work of Tongeren and Scherer, and not familiar enough with Link's, but I think the key to the role, which Fontaine totally got in the film, is that earthiness I mentioned... the character uses a lot of nature imagery, and that says something about her).
How to properly use its/it's:
Its is the possessive. It's is the contraction for it is...
Jill Paice as been nothing but delightful each time I've seen her on the stage in recent years, including Company (NYPH), The 39 Steps, Death Takes a Holiday and Curtains. It's not that I follow her, but she happens to book credible work that suits her perfectly.
Bravo to her! Hopefully the production gains recognition and her name becomes a Broadway-household name that it's been deserving since I saw her in 2007.
"philly; How do you think Jill will compare to former Is?"
Wietske van Tongeren from the premiere production is still my favorite (pending Paice).
Paice has been my pick for the role for a long while now. Sierra's voice seems a bit too "proper" if you will... But I do usually only remember her from the Phantom and Love Never Dies days.
I think in her previous roles, Paice has pulled off the innocent and naive needed for "I," but also can pull off the edge needed for the role's arc (Chess, Gone with the Wind, etc).
That being said I've seen her in almost everything, so perhaps I'm biased, but I think she's a much better choice than Sierra, and will hopefully have a break through (and hopefully not an instant flop!).
I'm happy for her! After seeing her perform in "The Woman in White" in London, "Death Takes a Holiday" Off-Broadway and what the part calls for after attending the original production of "Rebecca" in Stuttgart this year, I'd say she's perfect for the part.
"It's not where you start, it's where you finish!"