Eden Espinosa-Pitch Issues- Page 4

[OrdinaryJukebox]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 12:52pm

Though I can't detail her work with "Wicked" as clearly as some can, I completely agree with Leo_Yikes. No one is "perfect." So, stop looking for perfection, people.

Did she miss a lot of shows? I get the impression that she's a rather hard worker.

-Vincent

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 1:07pm

Vincent.

If your voice teacher knows the propers technique, it's not about doing the "right" thing... it's about doing the HEALTHY thing.

Eden does not have a healthy technique.

[OrdinaryJukebox]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 1:10pm

TooDarnHot,

I'm just saying that various coaches have various opinions on the "propers" techniques. Sorry, I couldn't help but bust on the typo...hehe. I mean no offense.

Unless you're living inside of her throat, you won't know what she's doing wrong or right, or how long she'll last as a singer. She seems to have held up so far, and she's been singing/screaming some demanding scores for a few years now.

I'm not saying I know all; not by any stretch. I'm just saying, no one is perfect.

-Vincent

[Leo_Yikes]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 1:13pm

Vincent...
on Broadway, she didnt miss THAT much. She had occasional PD's but that was about it.
In LA tho, she was missing alot. I believe Julie Reiber (her original Standby) was able to go on 30-40 times, while her Understudy (Courtney Corey) was able to go on about 4 times, then when Caissie Levy took over as standby she missed about 4 or so. Idk if you would call it "Alot" but she def. had more days off then she did on Broadway

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 2:55pm

Vincent. I don't have to live inside her throat to know. I've worked with Eden a couple of times and she's developed some very bad habits over the last couple of years.

She does have a lot of drive and passion for this. It just scares me that she won't be able to do it for longer.

[Amneris]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 4:29pm

what I wish is for Eden to be cast as Maria in West Side Story. She has an incredible Soprano range and maybe that would show some of you how truly incredible the girl is.

[theaterguy11]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 4:35pm

I just have yet to see this girl perform on pitch. Vocal technique, or no vocal technique...Stay on pitch and I'll be happy. I really don't think theres any excuse for that. This is Broadway, not high school. stay on pitch.

[OrdinaryJukebox]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 5:00pm

TooDarnHot, I had no idea you've worked with Eden Espinosa. I'm quite jealous, I'd like to work with her (and countless other actors, truth be told). Clearly, you'd know more about her work ethic/technique than people who've seen youtube clips and such.

A lot of people are talking about what they'd like to see/hear on Broadway, but, until their doing those 8 shows a week, it's easier to sit and judge.

-Vincent

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 5:35pm

This is true Vincent.

I, too, am quick to judge and criticize. It is much different when you're performing an extremely demanding score for 6 or 7 nights. have to have a little sympathy

with that said... however... Eden needs to work on healthier techniques or her voice will go. Eden is a fine belter/screamer - I'm just not a fan of her nasal tone.

[weebles_fall]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 5:58pm

"But... it did kill her voice."

I beg to differ. I just saw Eden perform in Flora The Red Menace here in LA recently and she was on par amazing. None of these 'pitch' or 'nasal' problems. This woman knows how to perform and use her voice. All this 'she will lose her voice within 5 years' is sad/funny. We'll see. We'll see.

Also, to answer someones question, she had great attendance in wicked in los angeles! Her and Megan were extremely dedicated.

[nygrl23]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 7:38pm

I think composers, producers, etc., should just write less belty and acrobatic scores. Breakdowns should not be calling for people who can belt to G or whatever. I'd rather hear something lyrical and articulate with the occasional fireworks than something that overdoes the loud.

[OrdinaryJukebox]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 10:43pm

To each his own.

TooDarnHot, I have that problem too! When I see a show/film, I'm judging like crazy! Then I try to sit back for a bit and say, "Okay, how well would/could I have done?" If I feel that I could have done better, then I can be ruthless. However, since I don't see myself being able to sing "Defying Gravity" anytime soon, I'll have to just give Ms. Espinosa the benefit of the doubt!

I like lyrical, but, I also like a strong belt. I can't help it.

-Vincent

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 11:42pm

Wow, TDH, I'm impressed that you've worked with her.

Does she really have a good upper register? If she has a bad technique, I don't think that she'd be any better at singing soprano.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 6/7/08 at 11:45pm

When I say "bad technique" I am referring to her belt.

she CAN sing legit. has a very nice high range, in fact.

But for example... Shoshana Bean has really blown out her voice while working on her R&B album because of some really bad habits she's picked up singing more pop/belty stuff.

so she's trying to ease back into much more legit stuff.

that's one reason why she rejected an offer to be cast in GODSPELL on bway this summer.
Updated On: 6/7/08 at 11:45 PM

[insertclevernamehere]

Posted: 6/8/08 at 12:08am

I thought Shoshana turned Godspell down so she could promote her album.

[winston89]

Posted: 6/8/08 at 12:08am

I wish I could hear a clip of Eden's legit soprano voice. I know after hearing Shoshana belt then seeing the video of her from the Megan and Sho Show where she sang a bit of soprano I was blown away to say the least.

Eden is one of the few belters I can actually stand on Broadway. I don't think that the problem these days is with the singer. It is more with the fact that anyone writing a new score writes it with the leading lady belting to a G. Which is something that shouldn't be done. And, if you want to get cast in these shows then you have to belt that high.

I think I actually like her voice because she was the first Elphaba I saw after Shoshana Bean. I found Shoshana's performance to be annoying and found that she did the same for riffs the entire show at points when they weren't necessary.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 6/8/08 at 12:12am

insert - that's one of many reasons.

[jaso937]

Posted: 6/8/08 at 2:09am

I personally enjoyed Eden's performance in Wicked when I saw her back in 2006, though it wasn't that rememberable. She has mad vocal skills but I too fear for her future vocal health because i have noticed that in some of her clips she uses no technique an screeches and screams and that KILLS the chords. I'm glad to hear that she is getting vocal coaching now and I think that her work in Flora in LA proved that she is still AMAZING and is only getting better! As long as she gives solid performances,and is remaining healthy, i wont badger her for having an off day cus even with the "healthier" way of belting the voice can go out.