I'm sure there are people with actual inside info, but I remember at the time the rumor on BWW was that she was too good and overshadowed the lead. That revival was plagued with sooo many problems from its conception though (remember the rotating door of leading ladies that started with Marisa Tomei? ) .
My friend who worked day work in wardrobe told me she was a nightmare and refused to take direction. Apparently she was over the top and getting a lot of laughs and was asked to rein it back and refused. So it seems it's a combination of both rumors.
I wasn't aware she had been in "Sweet Charity." I'd love to see her perform as "Velma Kelly" in the MUNY production of "Chicago." All that I can say is that in the few online messages we've traded back and forth, she has been every so nice. That's all I can really say. from RC in Austin, Texas
She's always been nice to me as well, but I have not worked with her professionally. What I can say is she was SO much better than Christina Applegate it really did pull focus from "the star." I thought Natascia was easily the best part of that show - no contest. I did see Janine as well, who was good but blended much more into the ensemble. Watering the show down to fit a star rather than having the star rise to the level of the supporting players was a poor decision, as it usually is.
To be fair, both Diaz AND Solange Sandy were let go at the same time (Kyra Da Costa replaced Sandy). Apparently they just weren't happy with the Nickie/Helene duo.
What wasn't to like about her in "Every Little Step"? After hearing all the stuff online about her with "Sweet Charity", I thought it was nice to see her.
I was completely underwhelmed with her performance as Aurora in Spider Woman. Zero charisma in a role that absolutely requires it. Kiss of the tepid Spider Woman.
Kyra and Janine were beyond distracting, hamming it up so much they could smell it at Kodama. I had no idea they were recasts, I can't imagine it worse with the original pair.
I saw the show in its Chicago preview. Those two were the ONLY thing worth watching in the show. Their number was the ONLY thing the audience went nuts for. It did indeed "throw the balance" off but getting rid of the best performers in the hopes the rest of the show don't stink so bad?
Oh whats-his-face was good too. The boyfriend. He was OK except for his last scene that seemed absolutely tossed in for no reason. I've seen Sweet Charity a half dozen times and this production stank.
joined:1/13/05
Posted: 5/22/12 at 05:08pm