I just came back from watching Shoshana Bean at a great, intimate venue in Hollywood (google show at barre). She's there every Tuesday night and it's free (aside from the 2 drink minimum). I can't tell you how lifted my spirit is right now. She looks and sounds great! Her new songs are amazing and there is a peace and confidence about her that I haven't seen before. You can tell she is in a good place, joy is coming out of every pore of her body and it's infectious. Either that or she is faking it damn well! If you are in town and have a chance, go! =)
"I never had theatre producers run after me. Some people want to make more Broadway shows out of movies. But Elliot and I aren't going to do Batman: The Musical." - Julie Taymor 1999
And unlike Ms. Spanger, Ms. Bean always shows up to performances and DELIVERS THE GOODS! :)
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
Love, love, love her! She seriously needs to get more recognition than she has had over the past 6 years. She is so talented, I hope she finds a good production to show off that talent. I want her back on Broadway like yesterday!
Love the Bean. Her turn opposite Megan Hilty in Wicked elevated that show past "tolerable" to "enjoyable" for me. Glad she's still performing, but what the hell? Hollywood?? Broadway needs you, Shoshana.
I saw her concert in London last year, (and also saw her at a Scott Alan concert in London) and she is the only performer I have ever seen give such a talented, emotional, thought out concert performance. She instantly makes the audience feel relaxed and you cant help but enjoy the stunning vocals, even if you dont like the songs (most weren't to my taste)
If you are ever in a town where she is performing, GO! You wont regret it!
Let me preface this by saying I adore this woman and her incredible voice cannot denied. That being said, I'm tired of her over-singing EVERYTHING. An extreme example would be the recently released single "A Little Hope" she and Scott Alan wrote to benefit Broadway in South Africa. I bought it because I always jump on the chance to have some more Shoshana on my iPod, but besides the one time I have listened to it, I haven't played it since. It was embarrassing. I sat through the entire song waiting for her to sing, but instead it was a throaty, garbled mess. There wasn't any singing happening, at all.
Am I the only one? Or are there others who feel this way?
It's a really strong voice, but having seen several incarnations of her solo act, I find her sense of taste questionable, and agree with the statement about over-singing. She really needs to work with a good director and musical director if she wants to be more than just a 2nd-string-belter.
She's got at least 10 more years of Elphaba on the road in her, if she wants that, but I think her opportunity to create a top-tier career for herself has, unfortunately, passed by now.
Shoshana is without a doubt one of the best performers I've ever seen. I LOVE her voice, her album Superhero, and her performance in WICKED. She is so incredibly talented.
For those in L.A., Shoshana has graciously arranged for her fans and friends to meet her this Saturday in support of a fundraiser I organized. I want to make it clear that my motives in starting this thread were sincere and I had no idea she would be interested in spreading the word, let alone get involved to such an extent. And I assure you her motives are sincere as well. I doubt she even realizes this thread exists. It's sad I feel I must make that disclaimer but you know how this board gets sometime. Anyway, she said it was OK to make public her invite so click below and join us if you can! =)
Would've loved for you to join! Below is a link to the song she sang that made me even think about telling her of the fundraiser. It's obvious the topic of not staying in abusive relationships is something that's close enough to her heart to have written a song about. I sent her a message via twitter the next day. I had no idea she'd respond, let alone make herself involved in such a way. I'm thrilled =) Broken Even