I found a bootleg of the off-Broadway version with the original cast to download online and burned it onto a DVD to watch every once in a while 
: And you know what I miss the most? The part in "Those You've Known" where all music stops except for Melchior singing along to the single beating of the drums. When you see it live, the beat just moves right through you and you're completely enveloped in it. It's MAGIC. You're gonna love it!
Oh, that's good to know!You can't go wrong with Matt Doyle, I love him! I met him a few times and he's the nicest guy with the greatest voice. The first time I saw the show was with all the original cast except for Johnny, Groff, Lea and John B. Wright. They were incredible. Kyle Riabko and Blake Bashoff were perfect for the roles. I couldn't stand Alexandra Socha though. She had a weak voice and was a horrible actress. The second time was with Hunter Parrish and Gerard Canonico. I loved Hunter Parish! He had a really nice voice but it was his acting that stood out. He was the only one who made the graveyard scene believable. Everyone else just screamed like a banshee and went over-the-top. His reaction was so subtle and gorgeous. Gerard was the best Moritz!!! Moritz is my favorite character and I thought it would be hard to beat Blake - he's amazing. But Gerard didn't act like Moritz... he WAS Moritz. Unbelievable.
I hated the rest of the new cast though! All the new kids were horrible... those gorgeous riffs of Skyler Astin's in Touch Me? Gone. None of the new kids had a voice that was anything special and it ruined it. The best one, besides Gerard and Hunter, was without-a-doubt Matt! I saw him twice as Hanschen and he was AWESOME! When it was still on Broadway so many people would line up for last-minute tickets on the days he understudied as Melchior. You'll love him!
Ahhh all this talk makes me REALLY miss the show
ETA: I was just thinking about the show for a first time in a while, thanks to this thread
)
Oh, that's good to know!
I agree, not much can replace the original "fab 4" (Groff, Michele, Gallagher, Pritchard). Lauren just IS Ilse to me. Her voice and acting suits the character like no other (though, watching the final show on YouTube, Emma Hunton's acting was great as well). I did see a great Song of Purple summer done by Phoebe Strole, the original Anna, when she subbed for Lauren one show (possibly a few). Of course, that was again, YouTube
I've heard positive feedback about the touring cast, though! Steffi D. seems like a decent Ilse, and Christy Altomare (Gerard's girlfriend!) a decent Wendla.
Matt or Kyle, Melchior (or Mattchior as they call him) will be great! And of course, Blake Bashoff.
Oh, and Ben Moss (Ernst). He is the cutest little thing ever
(Funny, as soon as I finish typing that, Totally ****** WOULD come on my iPod!
I saw some Christy as Wendla videos on Youtube and just from what I've seen, she's a billion times better than Alexandra. I really couldn't stand her voice... she hardly had one. Christy has a really cool, smoky voice though. Her voice fits with the music really well. I would have rather seen her!
Emma's last day performances (both matinee and night) were amazing! She was truly sobbing when she said "by the time you finally wake up, I'll be lying on some trash heap".Too funny, I love that song!
I've heard really good reviews of the touring cast. You really can't go wrong with Kyle/Matt and Blake - they're all amazing. And really cute
I liked Lauren as Ilse in the beginning. Her voice in incredible! But she played it so differently than how I pictured the character. Lauren made Ilse very confident and sure of herself. She was a bohemian amongst bohemians, and was the wild-child Moritz thought she was. Emma played Ilse completely differently, and I thought it was so much better. Emma made Ilse seem like an insecure child lost in a very adult world, who was trying to seem more mature than she was in order to make herself feel better. She added a whole new depth to the character and it really went along with the theme of the show, with young kids getting stuck in very adult situations, and just trying to pull through. Loved it! She was one of the only new cast members I really liked.
Her name is Krista Pioppi. She is remarkably talented. We first saw her perform when she was only 8 years old. She and my DD were both at an audition for Annie. I was absolutely blown away by her voice and charisma and she was only 8! (Of course, she was cast as Annie 
much to DDs disappointment. ) But they have remained friends as they have been in shows together over the last nine years and have attended Musical Theater Conservatory together. We are so, so excited for her. It couldn't have happened to a nicer and harder-working girl. Those of you who are SA fans, I'm sure you are going to love her!
) 
It needs to have about 4 songs cut from it because it is way too long, 
but once you weed past them, it is so worth it. One of the most uplifting musicals I've seen, in spite of all the crying. Bring LOTS of tissues. 
Thanks! I've been counting down since TRIPLE digits and now it's finally single digit time!
I think I just fainted.They announced the 2009-2010 series at PPAC today:
Young Frankenstein (national tour premiere)
Avenue Q
Wicked
101 Dalmations
Jersey Boys
Xanadu
Great season!!
Denise
