I've always wanted to see how she'd be as Tracy, because I'm sure that girl could sing her face off on the Baltimore Reprise and You Can't Stop The Beat. However, I can see her working as Penny. She's got the goofy/aw shucks/giggly stuff down already, which is half of what Penny is. I can't really imagine her gettin down with Seaweed and "nevah goin' back!" but I would LOVE to see it.
And if she'd sell some tix, then all the better. The 'Spray needs a little shot in the arm. (Harvey, ya wanna come back after Vegas? Pleeeease?)
Why would a "celebrity" take a non-lead role though?
David walked into the valley
With a stone clutched in his hand
He was only a boy
But he knew someone must take a stand
There will always be a valley
Always mountains one must scale
There will always be perilous waters
Which someone must sail
-Into the Fire
Scarlet Pimpernel
There's a lot there for anyone who sings and who appreciates music in its pure form (she is an admitted purist.) But you AI and Fantasia fans should appreciate a rather lengthy discussion about today's singing styles, most notably melisma, American Idol, and how it's impacting Broadway.
Basically Barbara is not a fan of the over-use of melisma, saying that you lose the melody and that, more significantly, it doesn't come from anywhere. It just sounds like a mechanical effort to impress someone.
However, she goes out of her way to say that American Idol has produced one bona fide star, Fantasia. I guess she saw her perform at some pre-Grammy Awards party. She says that Fantasia's melisma doesn't bother her at all, because it comes from somewhere very natural and unforced. She also says she's just a born entertainer.
Anyway, I didn't really expect to hear 77-year-old Broadway and cabaret chanteuse Barbara Cook wax rhapsodic about Fantasia, but talent is talent, no matter the genre. And good on her for noticing it. Check it out.
The link to the audio is on the bottom of the article.
Around the 24 minute mark she talks about American Idol and Simon's comments and starts in about Fantasia at the 25:40 mark.
"After that Diana may join the tour company of a different play" I work for the theatre that is the 2nd stop for the national tour of "Brooklyn" and we recieved this press release today:
"American Idol Diana DeGarmo and Tony Award Winner and Grammy Nominee Melba Moore will star in the national tour of Brooklyn."
When is the Brooklyn tour taking place, because Ms. Moore will be performing at both the Buck's County Playhouse and Pocono Playhouse this summer?
David walked into the valley
With a stone clutched in his hand
He was only a boy
But he knew someone must take a stand
There will always be a valley
Always mountains one must scale
There will always be perilous waters
Which someone must sail
-Into the Fire
Scarlet Pimpernel
"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
"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
No Prob, Brooklyn inspired me so much that I am willing to pass on whatever I know!
"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
Well this site is pretty darn reliable. They new Eden was going to be in wicked in SF weeks before anyone else. I would trust them. Things are always subject to change though.
"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
Thanks again! One of the dates (5/12) is a concert that Diana already had scheduled, so I wonder what will happen there. The leader of the Diana site posted that it is official! Can't wait!