The thing that I like about the Vanessa Williams recording is the other two leads, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Howard McGillan. It's nice to have the contrast of a baritone and a tenor in those roles, rather than two tenors, as we hear on the original recording.
With roles for baritones a dying breed in contemporary musical theatre, it's nice to hear it happen now and then.
Vanessa Williams acquits herself well in the role, and I remember loving her performance in the theatre, although I saw her early in her run and she seemed to lose her way in the dancing at one point.
Anyone see Maria Conchita Alonso? |
