Archive for Musicals.Net Musicals.Net |
| Yakko |
The Rex Harrsion SyndromeOkay I'm trying to think of a list of characters that actors play and has no choice but to copy the original actors portrayal(Which I call The Rex Harrsion Syndrome) And I can't come up with much. Let's see what you guys have.Mine so far is.......... Henry Higgins The Phantom of the Opera(and that's by contract) The Baker's Wife. |
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| Brock07 |
There can be multiple interpretations of the Baker's Wife. However, very few measure up to Gleeson's. However, it can be done. | ||||
| Quique |
TVAW once claimed that Cameron and Co. strongly encouraged every actress cast as Eponine early on in the show's run to imitate Frances Ruffelle's voice as close as possible. I was skeptical.
Then I ran across a couple of audios--one from London, 1988 featuring Jayne Draper and one from the 1st national tour, 1989 with Renee Venezaile. Needless to say, she was right. Those two have given, what I consider to be, two of the most ridiculous sounding performances I've ever heard. They try so hard and force themselves to sound like Ruffelle so much, you seriously wonder how anyone in the audience could possibly take them seriously. My ears have never been so offended. And I actually like Ruffelle's voice, but those two sounded like Minnie Mouse and Betty Boop rolled into one. F*cking awful!! |
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| Beagle On Stage |
If I were to attempt a Frances Ruffelle impression, that sounds something like what I would go for. 
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| nabla |
I think she has some idiosyncrasy that means it only works when she does it | ||||
| Felix Felicis |
Her voice sounds even odder live. |
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| Quique |
Listen to the travesty that is Renee here...(no download necessary) http://yourlisten.com/channel/content/26664/On_My_Own_Travesty In all fairness, she was probably forced to sound like that by Cameron and Co. Or maybe not. Who knows? Be sure to listen to the ending. XD Jayne Draper is worse still. I would upload it but I've misplaced the audio. |
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| Mungojerrie_rt |
On the other hand, I really like Ruffelle as Dinah and Mary Magdalene.
I have also heard many Velmas who sound like bad impersonations of Ute Lemper. Only Ute herself can pull it off |
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| Beagle On Stage |
Damn. You are right, the poor thing does sound like Betty Boop. Though to be fair, I can entirely picture Betty Boop playing Eponine. |
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| Apples2for10 |
Ahem... getting back on topic. I think a perfect example of the Rex Harrison Syndrome is King Mongkut. I wouldn't say that anyone playing him has no choice but to emulate Yul Brynner, but sadly the temptation always seems to be there. | ||||
| Alexia Dark |
Every Audrey in Little Shop = Ellen Greene impersonation, usually. | ||||
| Quique |
Ahem...nobody was off-topic to begin with. At any rate... I can barely stand Ellen Greene's overdone squeak-talking, only to suddenly be replaced by deep singing. XD Talk about inconsistency. She's alright in my book. But I'd probably want to bash anyone else's mouth in. |
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| kakoforever |
Wizard of Oz. Audiences definitely respond better when the Dorothy looks and/or sounds like Judy Garland. Also the Lion.
Agreed about the King and I. |
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| Brother Marvin Hinten, S. |
Jesus in JCS should be like this, but unfortunately Ted Neeley seems to be the only one left giving the role any rock (Drew Sarich and the other modern somewhat rock-sounding Jesii don't count, most of them are classically trained). | ||||
| Beagle On Stage |
^ I actually don't mind the classically trained JCS casts. It's when they cast ball-less pop singers and claim that it's relevant today in the way that rock was in the 60's and 70's, that I get pissed. | ||||
| TylerMcMahon |
Totally......if you are not Ellen Greene don't try to be her!!! |
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| kozafluitmusique |
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| ActingDude17 |
I find this true as well, especially when the company is producing the RSC version of the show (which is essentially the movie on-stage). The annual local production I bring up so often, which I was a part of for seven years, is currently running. For old times' sake I saw the show Saturday night and the second the Dorothy ran through the audience after the overture I heard a voice behind me say, "She's blonde!" Well duh!  That's what we call light-colored hair.
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| SomeoneLikeYou |
Re: The Rex Harrsion Syndrome
For one, I love the name "Rex Harrison Syndrome." It's so perfect! Secondly, Joanna Gleason is the one and only reason why I'd prefer to be the Witch over the Baker's Wife. I know that I am a very good actress, but she plays that role so flawlessly that I don't think I'd be able to do it justice. During my entire production, I would be knocking myself for not living up to the impossibly high standard that she has set for the part... |
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| Yakko |
Re: The Rex Harrsion Syndrome
Well that's Joanna Gleason for ya! She wins in life! 
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| broadway_bound92 |
Most of the character's in Disney musicals (BatB esp). |