Bring it, Biel.

[riot_cabaret]

Jessica Biel makes musical stage debut in 'Guys and Dolls' at the Hollywood Bowl

Comments

[wagrobanite]

Yah know, I can think of worse people. I have heard her sing and she's not that bad (she sang a bit on 7th Heaven). I think her acting needs the work...

[xthe_ingenue]

It's a very interesting instrument.

That does not sound promising, sir.

Anyway, I think the biggest problem here is not that she's doing a singing role. It's that she's doing a legit soprano role, which is really not easy to do well, even if you know what you're doing. A couple months of voice lessons isn't going to turn her into Maria Callas.

I think her narcissism is probably a bigger problem than her beauty

[primimproper]

My prediction: she's going to be more or less a Katie Holmes with a wispy, thin, annoying "legit" and an average range.

I don't want to go off on a rant, but really? Of all the thousands of out of work Equity actresses, who can dance, belt, trill, and act...?

I hope it goes on YouTube, and I hope she's better than I predict.

Re: I think her narcissism is probably a bigger problem than her beauty

[givesmevoice]

I say this as someone with a small range and a "legit" voice: does Sarah need to belt? there are a lot of wonderfully talented singers who don't belt. I don't know if Jessica Biel is among them, but I dislike the idea that belting = best thing ever.

just saying.

Re: I think her narcissism is probably a bigger problem than her beauty

[primimproper]

Belting isn't necessary or appropriate for every leading role or for every song, but it's not just a "bonus" vocal skill for musical theater professionals serious about success either. Dancing isn't just ballet; musical theater vocals aren't just legit.

There is just no shortage of star-caliber performers who can do it all, so I resent when big parts are doled out to celebrities with scant musical theater experience.

For context: this stems from being jipped when I saw Cabaret at Studio 54 and I wound up with underwhelming Brooke Shields as Sally Bowles, which isn't the most vocally challenging role (and most women can comfortably belt it). She was very concerned with sounding and looking pretty, and missed Sally's brassy charisma altogether. Luckily, Brooke Shields was supported by a mind-blowing cast and brilliant everything else.

Re: I think her narcissism is probably a bigger problem than her beauty

[givesmevoice]

I just get frustrated at the trend for everything to be more belting, more riffing, more rocky. I love me some belters, but I feel like singers with legit voices just get ignored. There seems to be a shortage of soprano parts on Broadway, but plenty of talented sopranos. I don't know if I think everyone can belt (or at least sound good doing it), and there are plenty of singers who aren't taught the healthy way of doing it.

I agree with you on the celebrity casting bit, but the stuff about belting bugs me. haha

[amelialourdes]

I'm really annoyed that every single freaking article about this show has to be about how Jessica Biel can sing. I mean, that just kind of tells me that she can't. It's like the Katie Holmes thing. They're shoving it in my face that she can sing and dance. Uhhh, she can't. Sry. It's true. They're both mediocre at best.

[primimproper]

Katie Holmes moves well, stays on key and is gorgeous, but SYTYCD was so much fail considering the hype. I think the bar for "can sing and dance" is basically "can sing and dance better than Brooke Hogan."

[girlie_girl_23]

Oh Jessica, it's going to take a lot to put you on par with Meryl and Cate. Just sayin'.

Still, I hope she does well. But I'm far more interested in Ellen Greene and Scott Bakula than her.