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

[artist_in_waiting]

I do apologise if this topic has been discussed before.

[LizzieCurry]

I wonder how many people out there actually saw both of them live on stage. That'd be the only way to really "know" with the most number of variables removed. And even then, it's still subjective.

[AngusN]

Frances Ruffelle.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

I have seen neither live, but on recording, I agree Frances Rufelle is the best Eponine, not only did she originate the role of Eponine but she won virtually every theatre award given that year to a featured actress in a Broadway show. Her performance on the Original Cast Recording is breath-taking.

[LizzieCurry]

Heeeeeeeeere we go again!

Where's my trench coat?!

[artist_in_waiting]

Eponine has the longest trench coat i've ever seen. lol

[LizzieCurry]

She's often a petite actress. lol

[shiksa_goddess]

Frances Ruffelle. Although the last time I listened to my Les Mis CD, her sugary sweet voice really started irritating me.

[freeadmission]

Frances Ruffelle's voice has ALWAYS irritated me. I can't stand to listen to her on the OBCR. It might have SOMETHING to do with Lea Salonga being the first Eponine I ever saw/heard when my grandfather showed me the 10th anniversary DVD, but I doubt that's the only factor since I'm obsessed with Sutton's versions of the songs. She would have been ABSOLUTE perfection in the role if she were just a little shorter, but, as it is, she was just plain perfection.

This is all, of course, based on recordings and . . . other things . . . as I've never seen the show live. *cries*

[AngusN]

I think Trevor Nunn sums Frances' voice up concisely and accurately:

"There are great and strong voices, big or beautiful voices, but very rarely, there is what can only be described as a magic voice. Frances is one of these rare ones, and the magic seems to lie in the contradiction, she is youthful and wise, vibrant and sad, spontaneous and skilled. Hearing is believing."
Trevor Nunn, Artistic Director RNT

[AngusN]

I think Trevor Nunn sums Frances' voice up concisely and accurately:

"There are great and strong voices, big or beautiful voices, but very rarely, there is what can only be described as a magic voice. Frances is one of these rare ones, and the magic seems to lie in the contradiction, she is youthful and wise, vibrant and sad, spontaneous and skilled. Hearing is believing."
Trevor Nunn, Artistic Director RNT

[Rathnait62]

I love Ruffelle on the recording, and I recall seeing her on the Tonys. I wish I had seen her live.

I did see Natalie Toro twice, and found her pretty fantastic.

[bythesword84]

Of the Eponines I saw (on Broadway that is- with number of times seen in parenthases)

Diana Kaarina (11)
Sarah Uriarte-Berry (5)
Christeena Riggs (5)
Catherine Brunell (3)
Megan Lawrence (2)
Rona Figueroa (1)
Marnie Nicolella (1)
Jessica Boevers (1)
Jessica-Snow Wilson (1)

I still think Brunell followed by Riggs gave the best performance. And Lawrence was the most disappointing. She screamed her way through the show to the point where it hurt my ears to have to sit through her.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Diana Kaarina all the way.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

SUTTON. FOSTER.

[apdarcey]

i found lea to actually be a little bit disappointing hearing her...

[BtMartin25]

Sutton Foster NAILS the "All my life, i've only been PRETEEEEENDIIIIIIIIIIING!"

it rocks..

have seen neither live, though.

[leon1489]

Definitely Lea Salonga.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

I love Frances Ruffelle's performance on the Tony awards, people gave cheered for her after her small solo during "One Day More." Her voice is very unique, she puts a lot of emotion. When she sings "A Little Fall of Rain" there's a lot of sadness and tragedy in her voice, at the same time you feel her love for Marius. I wonder if she ever played Kim on Miss Saigon. I hope she does something on Broadway soon.

[leon1489]

Um... Frances Ruffelle isn't Asian, so she probably wouldn'tve played Kim in Miss Saigon.

Mind you, nobody seemed to care that Lea Salonga is filipina when they cast her as Eponine.

[Jimmcf]

Having seen both Frances Ruffelle and Lea Salonga (along with countless others) in the part, there was a reason Ruffelle originated the part. She has a truly unique voice (of which I am a huge fan), and her aching undertone in her songs is heartbreaking.

As for her playing Kim, she is a bit too old now, and not quite the same ethnic quality needed for the role. I remember her saying she would love to do something like 'Mimi' in 'Rent' a number of years ago. I would say our most likely chance of seeing her on the Broadway boards would be if she came over her and repeated her 'Roxie' in 'Chicago' (which she has done a couple of times in London). I am not sure she would be up for an extended stay though, as she has come across as someone who puts her kids before her career.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Sutton Fotser without a doubt. I think Kaarina was wonderful as well, and would have loved to see Ruffelle.

But Foster.

[BwayBaby18]

Bythesword Burnell is by far the best....she was also a better Millie then Sutton and Susan

[EVIE]

Out of the three, I have only seen Sutton Foster live and she was incredible. But, I love Frances on the recordings and I saw the small clip of One Day More on Broadways's Lost Treasures. I actually don't enjoy Lea's Eponine very much, based on her 10th Anniv. concert performance.

[jynni]

Sutton Foster is the only one of the three that I've seen live and Lea Salonga I've only ever seen on the 10th Anniversary DVD.

Frances Ruffelle's voice is a little too little girlish for my taste.

Of the other two, I like Sutton the best. She was fabulous.