I personally loved when Matt Doyle understudied Melchior. I've seen him featured in three roles (Otto, Hanschen, and Melchior) and was most impressed with his Melchior.
I really want to see Matt Doyle or Jesse Swenson's Melchoir performance (I don't know if Jesse Swenson is still with the show, but I did want to see his rendition). I was at Matt Shingledecker's first performance and wasn't overly impressed, but thought he did a good job for his first time as Melchoir.
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
The best understudy performance, in my honest opinion, is Eryn Murman as Ilse. A complete and total breath of fresh air in the role.
I also really enjoyed Gerard Canonico's Moritz, before he blew out his voice from smoking (and before he was bumped up to full time). Same goes for his Ernst.
And Matt Doyle is amazing as Melchior. My favorite one, and I have seen every Melchior on Broadway and on tour (as the tour Melchior's appeared on Broadway, too)
Jesse Swenson as Melchi. My favorite Melchior including J. Groff!
Also loved Morgan Carr's Ernst. Delightful.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
I second Jenn Damiano as Ilse. It was one of her first performances in the role and she blew me away. I also really liked Gerard Ganonico as Georg.
<------ Me and my friends with patti Lupone at my friends afterparty for her concert with audra mcdonald during the summer of 2007.
"I am sorry but it is an unjust world and virtue is only triumphant in theatricle performances" The Mikado
Morgan Karr was excellent when I saw him as Moritz.
Also, Phoebe Strole's Wendla is still my favorite interpretation of the role with Alexandra coming in as a very close (VERY close) second. Eryn and Lea never did much for me.
phoebe strole never did anything for me period...out of the 4 times i saw the show with her in it..one of those four times it look like she cared..the other times...she was just there...gave nothing in her performance as Anna...Blake Daniel too...although many people will disagree with me...he gives nothing..but then again..his role is so small and has no real story
I liked Lea and really love her work but Alexandra was far superior IMO.
<------ Me and my friends with patti Lupone at my friends afterparty for her concert with audra mcdonald during the summer of 2007.
"I am sorry but it is an unjust world and virtue is only triumphant in theatricle performances" The Mikado
To be honest...I've seen both Alexandra and Lea in the role...both of them were magnificant and both brought something new to the role....so i just can't say who i like better..too hard for me
"I also really enjoyed Gerard Canonico's Moritz, before he blew out his voice from smoking (and before he was bumped up to full time). Same goes for his Ernst."
Really!? I thought he was the best one in the show when I saw him. Maybe he was having a really good night when I saw him or vice versa with you. *shrugs*
Jesse Swenson went on as Hanschen when I saw Matt as Melchior and he was...bad. He had no chemistry with Blake and he wasn't a strong enough singer for the small solos he had.
i've heard Jesse's Hanschen was horrid...but never witnessed it myself.
I also agree that Socha rocks Wendla...even before she took over the role. She and Jesse together were insane.
Eryn's Wendla did NOTHING for me although the cast seems to adore her in that role.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Gerard just doesn't do it for me as Moritz...maybe becuase I've seen Blake the 4/5 times i've seen the show and i saw Gerard the 5th time...But gerard seems good..but Blake is EXCELLENT!