Sutton Foster, Frances Ruffelle, or Lea Salonga; Who is THE Eponine?- Page 3

[LizzieCurry]

I think there were still three tours running at the time, too, which further complicates things.

It may have been Tia Riebling.

[wonderwaiter]

Oh, thaaaaaaanks... lol

Actually, I know it couldn't be Tia Riebling, because that's a name I'd remember. So that's one down, out of three. Not including understudies or standbys. I'm sure I've got that playbill around here somewhere.

In the meantime, my favorite will always be Frances Ruffelle on the OLC. I'm a sucker for the dying oboe between the intro and the first verse. Did they really save that much money by cutting that?

[jimmirae]

IMO, Sutton was stronger all around as "Eponine', But still not as excellent as Frances Ruefelle. I sat in the 10th row at the Broadway Theater and was at the verge of "Musical Orgasm" back in the first few weeks of it's opening, I even grabbed my date's arm saying "She is Incredible!".
Terrence Mann was thrilling as Javert when it began as well. It was a rare moment in time I shall never forget.

[TimeSuckage]

I can't choose one. Frances Ruffelle has such a distinctive voice, and for awhile there all the replacement Eponines sounded like her - big nasal belt, serious vibrato. I know people who can't stand her voice. Personally, I love it. Imo, Lea Salonga's voice is just about perfection. I was underwhelmed by Sutton. Linzi Hateley was fine, brought nothing new to it for me. Props to whoever brought up Tia Riebling, she was awesome, and I also liked Dana Lynn Caruso on tour.

[LizzieCurry]

I wish I'd seen Tia Riebling. She's actually a friend of my mom's, but she had no idea who she was until I told her. :) (I still haven't met her, either.)

[sanda]

Sutton Foster >Frances Ruffle > Lea Salonga. In fact Lea is one of my least favorite Eponines.

bythesword84, I am so happy to see you metioned Catherine Brunell. She's the first Eponine I saw and totally broke my heart. I will remember her forever.

[keggss23]

wonderwaiter,

It might have been Candace Marchese that you saw in the early 90's. She was AMAZING.

[mrcacou]

You should listen to the French Cast with Stéphanie Martin doing the part. She is breathtaking. She played the part in London as well.

[children&art]

sutton

[augustine73]

salonga!

[elphieisperky]

Out of the choices listed, I would totally pick Lea. I have the DVD of the concert, and she was amazing. I've never heard or seen Sutton, and I do not like Frances' voice. But my personal favorite Eponine has to be the only one I saw on Broadway, Diana Kaarina. She was outstanding, and I'd have to say I almost liked her more than Lea.

[Sasha3]

Lea Salonga has one of the best voices of any Eponine I've seen (and I've seen this show so many times I have lost track). I never thought Sutton was that great in the role -- she seemed like she shouted through the last part of the song for effect; there was very little (if any) musicality to her interpretation. But I always feel that way whenever I see her -- she just belts everything to show how loud she can be. Got the memo, sister. You are loud.

[OtherDaryl]

My favorite has been Linzie Hately in the London production, now, more than 10 years ago.

[MTVMANN]

I have the OBC and the 10th Anniversary DVD and I like Francis the best.

[ACTOR jes]

what about Kerry Butler as Eponine? :[
sorry I just love kerry butler so much I had to mention her.

For me its a toss up between Sutton and Lea.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Having never seen any of them live, I prefer Lea Salonga's recordings more than the others, but I am a very large Frances Ruffelle fan. LOVE her on the "Mack and Mabel in Concert" recording.

[LizzieCurry]

Kerry wasn't in the show very long. Probably explains the lack of comments about her. (Here and otherwise.)

[way_to_spend_the_day]

Lea Salonga!!!

[Colle]

I have not seen Sutton, so I can't say about her. I loved what I have seen/heard about Lea's Eponine(on the TAC and Hey! Mr.Producer), though yet she has her softer/sad moments. Frances' voice a get a little unpleasant to the ears, but I have heard wrose. I liked Kaho Shimada on the CSR and Japanese Red Cast, she is stronger on the Red Cast.

Also, I have enjoyed the two Eponine's I have seen live, Rona Figueroa and Ma-Anne Dionisio. Rona reminded me of Lea in some ways, though/angry and sad at the same time. Ma-Anne played Eponine strong and sad too.

[jimmirae]

Helen Hayes

[melissa errico fan]

I've seen many Eponines, and none will compare to Megan Lawrence. You would have thought the part was written for her. So, for me, she is THE Eponine.

[TheaterAddict7652]

Frances Ruffelle, hands down. I never saw her live, but she was cast as Eponine for a reason.

Lea Salonga is my second favorite.

[lovinlife]

Lea Salonga vocally..... Rufelle looks/character wise. Sutton was good, but sounded like any ordinary Sutton type singing, nothing too important, but not bad.

[musicaltheater1]

Nice avatar way_to_spend_the_day.

I've only seen Lea Salonga in the recordings of the 10th Anniversary Concert and in Hey Mr. Producer. I've seen Sutton Foster in Tucson, San Diego, and Los Angeles tours. I've never seen Frances Rufelle.

In analysis, both Lea and Sutton portrayed the characters differently. Lea was directed by Richard Jay Alexander and Richard's approach to the charatcer was a tomboyish, betrayed, and angry Eponine. Sutton's was different, but close to Richard's style. Although Lea's was closest to the book, both worked for me. There were different nuances on the delivery of the song. Sutton's "On My Own" was amazing. There were times when I prefered Sutton's, but Lea's version I find to be more emotional and sweeter (per HMP). Staging wise, Sutton's a little too tall for Eponine unless they cast a 6'+ Marius. If Cam Mac were to restage the play with both of their names on the selection table, I would prefer to see Lea since I missed her Broadway performance. So, it's Lea Salonga for me.

[PalaceRent06]

lea or sutton...way_to_spend_the_day is amazing!