Patti Cohenour as Christine Daae- Page 2

[keen on kean]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 7:45pm

Also consider that it may not be appropriate to take on a taxing role and perform it eight times a week before the vocal mechanism is more mature. In opera, too, there are young roles that only more mature voices attempt, for the artist's sake and in the interest of not taking on something that requires stamina and experience.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 8:13pm

I'm sure Brightman's appearance in the New York production may have had just a "little" something to do with Andrew Lloyd Webber wanting her to repeat her performance in the states.

This was in the days when it was still relatively unheard of for an "unknown" performer from the UK to cross the pond and repeat a performance on Broadway. So, I believe Patti Cohenour was probably offered Christine and had every reason to believe she would open the show.

Webber fought for Brightman though, even threatening to cancel plans for the New York production if she werent allowed to do the Broadway production.

I suppose we should feel bad for Cohenour, but frankly, I give ALW a lot of credit (along with Cameron M. during the SAIGON/Jonathan Pryce fight a few years later) for really kicking open the door allowing American actors to work in London and vice-a-versa.

Before Brightman - there were dozens of legendary performances that were denied permission to come to New York.

But now, Equity hardly ever uses the "star" or "uniquely qualified" status rules anymore - it's all done on trade. As it should be.

I think its fabulous that Idina Menzel and Tonya Pinkins get to recreate signature roles in London, and I'm thrilled performers like Gavin Lee and Elaine Paige have been able to work in New York.

Updated On: 2/11/07 at 08:13 PM

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 8:14pm

Sarah Brightman and Andrew Lloyd Webber were still married when the show opened on Broadway.

Patti Cohenour was the first alternate Christine. Rebecca was an understudy when the show first opened. I worked at the show when it premiered on Broadway.

Updated On: 2/11/07 at 08:14 PM

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 8:29pm

It's really common in opera. Just recently the 50-year-old Barbara Bonney played the 19-year-old Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro at LA Opera.

[best12bars]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 8:37pm

Let's not forget that Andrew wrote POTP for his wife Sarah. It was "her show," which is why he did threaten to cancel plans for opening the show in NY if she was denied the opportunity to play the part, when she expressed interest. Of course when it opened, it was "Michael Crawford's show." So much for Sarah.

It's all pretty complicated. I was living in NY at the time, and knew several of the people directly involved in the drama when Patti first auditioned (a 3-hour private audition!), got the part, was told she might not actually play the part in the end, then took a back seat to Sarah's "crossing the pond."

It did come down to having Sarah in the show, or having no show at all on Broadway. But initially Sarah wasn't interested in doing the show in NY... there were games being played in London and NY... Patti was used as a bit of a pawn in this game... they went ahead and cast her as Christine, told Sarah, "Look, we already have someone who can play the part beautifully," etc. Then finally, Sarah said she wanted to play it in NY, and everything shifted. No wonder Patti was disillusioned with the business after that experience.

FYI, there was never a question about Crawford coming over. He was locked from the start as the Phantom, and American Equity was only too happy to grant him permission to appear in the NY production.

Such drama! God, it makes me queasy just remembering all of that crap.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 8:40pm

And Patti was so much better, both vocally and acting wise.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 8:45pm

Oh, I wasn't aware that Jersey Boys had a regular alternate...has that always been the case or did they start that later in the run?


They just started it within the last few months.

[D2]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 8:46pm

Sarah Brightman was hardly worth all the trouble they went through to bring her to NY in PHANTOM. I found all the fuss made in the show about what a good actress Christine is compared to Carlotta quite funny considering how fabulous Judy Kaye was and how forgettable Brightman was.

[best12bars]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 8:49pm

Absolutely, Dottie!

Patti was brilliant in the part.

Sarah actually got a review that said...

"She couldn't act scared on a subway at 3 o'clock in the morning."

Ouch!

Meanwhile, Patti stood by anonymously and didn't get any opening night reviews.

I felt just as bad for Terri Klausner in Evita as well.

Just as they reach what might be the zenith of their careers, they end up one microscopic degree away from it, singing "The Alternate's Blues."

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 8:52pm

D2, I agree. When I worked at the theatre, I always made sure I watched Judy's scenes. To this day, I have yet to see that show from start to finish.

[LittleFish8386]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 8:56pm

In the world of opera...and essentially, Phantom of the Opera is as close as you'll get in the musical theatre world--older women very often play younger girls, because of the maturity needed to play them and because of the vocal demands.

[best12bars]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 8:56pm

Well, at this point, Dottie, you're not missing anything.

Fings ain't wot they used to be.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 8:59pm

Best12, I'm sorry I didn't get to see Terri as the alternate Eva (she had already left the show when I saw it). She's from my hometown, so I got to see her perform at a summer arts festival one year.

[best12bars]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 9:11pm

Well, I didn't see Terri either, Dottie, I just felt badly for her... mostly in hindsight.

I remember at the time, a few scattered people mentioning that "other Evita," and I thought that was kinda unfortunate.

Terri left the show early on, and the second "alternate Eva" was Nancy Opel, who was from Kansas University (along with Mandy)... my neck of the woods!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 9:13pm

I'm not sure why we should feel that bad for the alternate Eva Peron and Christine Daaes. They made huge paychecks.

[D2]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 9:14pm

I didn't see Terri Klausner in EVITA, but I did see her in SOPHISTICATED LADIES and she was terrific. Great voice and great energy.

[best12bars]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 9:16pm

MB---That's assuming they were in it for the money.

I don't think that could be said of any of these ladies.

Way too cynical a viewpoint, in my opinion.


EDIT: That philosophy might have made sense for something like "Wicked" when the paychecks are inflated and some serious cash is at stake, but just how much do you think Terri Klausner made on Evita, or Patti Cohenour made on Phantom?

Not very much AT ALL, if you put it in perspective, and consider the decade we're talking about.

Updated On: 2/11/07 at 09:16 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 9:21pm

Well what were they in it for Best12? Most actors consider these type of alternate positions the best gigs on Broadway. They get to star in the show, get huge paychecks and don't have to ruin their voices doing it for eight shows a week.

I suppose if its sad if they were doing it with the hopes of becoming stars - but I think most are in it with the pursuit of being a working actor...

I don't know what Cohenour made, but I know what the current Christine alternate makes and its more than what anybody is making in RENT, A CHORUS LINE or LES MIZ... Updated On: 2/11/07 at 09:21 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 9:24pm

MB---I dare say you don't know any of the people involved in such a gig.

I do.

And you're wrong. If they wanted serious paychecks they would have gone to Hollywood, like everyone else who wants to perform with dollar signs in their eyes.

Nobody ever retired being an alternate lead on Broadway.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 9:28pm

Best12 - I actually am sort of insulted you would question who I say I know. Particularly an alternate in a Broadway musical. It's a very good paycheck.

And Hollywood is irrelevent. Few people have ever retired being the LEAD in a Broadway show. And I'm sure most Broadway talent would jump at the chance to work in film or television - thats usually not a realistic option.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 9:28pm

on the subject of older performers playing teens the casts of wicked and rent come to mind

[best12bars]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 9:58pm

MB---You're the one who brought the paycheck into the equation.

And a 1980's Broadway paycheck at that!

Go ahead and be insulted if you want to... If you think any of the people involved back then would have been satisfied with "almost" originating a leading Broadway role, I think you should guess again.

Don't feel sorry for any of them, then. That's your choice.

Having seen the disillusionment firsthand, I can say otherwise.

[caitlinette]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 9:59pm

Yes, Julie Hanson is in her mid-20s and has been playing the role on and off for years...and doing a great job of it.

Sierra Boggess is 24 and is an awesome Christine, too.

I definitely prefer younger Christines in terms of looks. While I love Beth Southard's voice, I cannot believe that she's Christine because she looks too old.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 10:02pm

Looking at Patti's photos, it seems she passed off as young. Casting someone for a role is usually never about how old they are, it's about how convincingly they'll pass off in an age. (Although with long runners like POTO, they often may recast favorites who outgrow the roles in terms of looks).

Most of the time, actors playing people in their twenties are really pushing fourty...and most of the time, you can't tell the difference.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/11/07 at 10:37pm

Best12 - Fair enough. And like I said, I don't know what Cohenour was paid - obviously it was a small fraction compared to Brightman's "star" salary. Hers is a unique situation and being offered a role only to have it "demoted" is understandably a mortifying Broadway experience. Particularly as Cohenour was already a Tony nominee and probably wouldn't have taken the gig to be Sarah's cover.

But - what the non-star Christine alterates make in 2007 is incredibly fair compensation compared to what the full time Christines make (performing six extra shows a week!)