Marin Mazzie singing I Miss The Mountains from Next To Normal

[Lindow]

I only saw clips of both actresses and I would say both brought their unique gifts to this part. While I prefer Ripley's vulnerability and the depth with which she portrayed the illness especially I prefer Mazzie's much more healthy and less strained vocal production and style. Though I have to say sometimes her higher belt voice just gets a little to 'fat' for my taste - would be interesting if she managed to mix in some head voice to give it more 'ping'.

[beltingbaritone]

I hate when people say that musical theatre people have "too much" vibrato. Honestly? It's musical theatre. It's Broadway. It's not mainstream radio. A nice and steady, natural vibrato marks a healthy voice. I think her vibrato is stunning. Perfect for the part and for her sound. <3 She's not Lea Michele or any other typical Broadway "belter." She belts in a much more healthy and powerful way and I love that. <3

[ahowell31ny]

Marin Mazzie is a musical theatre goddess. I saw both Alice and Marin and I was more blown away by Marin's performace. It was more nuanced and had a softer touch to Diana.  If Ms. Mazzie had originated the role on Broadway...she would have won the Tony...Plain and Simple.

[jftou]

Thank you for posting this. I saw Marin Mazzie and she was incredible. 

[HikariDragonRyuu]

I saw both actresses in the role - Marin I saw twice, Alice I saw twice. The first time I saw Marin she wasn't fantastic, (though she's always great vocally) and the second time she had every ounce of emotional depth that Alice had. Alice owned the role in terms of portrayal, but her voice was just... bad. Especially when I saw her on tour.

[AliaSparrow]

I love Marin Mazzie. Although I prefer Alice (I think Alice is more accurate and belts down the manical side of biopolar while Marin is pathos in comparision)/ But seriously, pathos ain't bad. Marin Mazzie and Alice Ripley (bless her, she fell ill during the tour) are Diana.

[Kylezilla]

I really like listening to her but she kind of ruined my favorite part where she hits the higher notes in the "I Miss the Mountains" at 2:44. :\

[iluvrandom314]

Marin, NEVER stop singing. I saw her, and she was AMAZING.

[boynamedalexxx]

Alice Ripley *WAS* Diana. She was absolutely incredible in the role.

But, many people here, I suspect, are unfamiliar with Marin, and need to show a bit more respect. Marin Mazzie is a spectacular actress with an amazing voice. She brings an entirely new element to this role, & creates a new, equally terrific Diana.

I mean, if you *had* to compare the two at all, it would have to be vocally. C'mon, Ripley's got an awesome voice...but Mazzie's pipes take the cake.

Both are INCREDIBLE though.

[MsLauraferry]

She is an amazing Diana. And I couldn't believe how well she sustained her voice, there wasn't a single slip when I saw her in the production.

Don't knock her until you've seen her in the entire two hours.

Literally, she went through every emotion possible, it was truly incredible.

Next to Normal was my first Broadway show..(I'm from Leeds, England...so I'm a west end show-see-er :) .And I'm so glad it was.

[Jarrod005]

Yesss Marin!

She was exquisite!

[BwayBoundChristian]

Marin and Alice have two different voice types. They both play the role beautifully from my understanding. I wish I could see this cast live...

[kaleelee2309]

@BwayBoundChristian you should have... Marin was AMAZING.

[hank4senate]

two people don't miss the mountains.

[watcherofvideos111]

the new cast is amazing. really, everyone should stop being so judgemental! they really carry the show very well

[Kdelossantos2]

I saw her live and she along with rest of the cast were awesome, however one of the lyrics in the beginning were about how her tears are all dried up because the meds keep her balanced so the tears don't work. This song should be sang with more passion than sadness.

[fatfck69]

I don't understand why everyone HAS to compare Marin and Alice. They are both excellent singers/actresses and do this role justice. :)

[pudgeuncle]

There is no comparing these two women. Mazzie is an astonishing talent. Ripley is so overrated. I have never seen Mazzie be less that amazing. I had the misfortune of seeing Ripley in Little Shop. Thank God she was replaced before the Broadway run.

[cooleo505]

I think she's good. Her and Alice bring completely different aspects of Diana to the table. I think what others aren't getting is that Marin is using her vibrato to support her depressed acting. IDK I love them both and hope I can see this show soon!

[showtunestarpower]

Marin Mazzie gave one of the most amazing musical theatre performances I have ever seen last week when I had the privilege of seeing her in NEXT TO NORMAL - and I've seen the greats: Ethel, Mary, Gwen, Chita, and Carol.

[Kris1907]

Marin sings with vibrato... its what you get when you hire her. Her voice is amazing and the acting is beyond... I needed tissues with Alice because she was amazing as well, but I ran out with Marin and had to do the embarrassing sniffle effect! lol

Alice is the original, no disputing that and she will always have a staple on Diana. Marin, however, is doing a fabulous job stepping in and adding something new. Its all you can ask for when you are replacing the Tony winner.

[Rainbowbright83]

Do you have I've Been? If you do, can you post it?

[marcxxmaverick]

I saw BOTH Alice and Marin. Personally, I like Marin better. It felt so much more real. And the emotion she brought into the show hit me like a train. It had more impact on me. Alice is still amazing, but you guys CANNOT say Marin had no emotion in this song, you have to SEE it. The only difference with Alice and Marin is that watching Alice, I felt like she was acting. Watching Marin, I really believed it was the truth.

[shadowfax43]

I think her voice is beautiful. It has a much richer quality than the original. I'm so glad I got to see her perform!

[pudgeuncle]

Mazzie is a far superior actress and singer. Ripley is so "actressy". I have always found her self indulgence so annoying. And her Tony speech....who on earth told her that she won the Nobel Peace Prize. Get over yourself lady.

[Puppies140]

U SUCK!!!!! She doesnt even do the high part at the end... And it sounds like a dying, yodeling, horse...

[Puppies140]

shes amazing... but please dont compare her to Alice... There's no comparison whatsoever...

[gotzgirl1989]

I saw Marin during early August & she was/is amazing.! I personally like her better than Alice, but they both have such different color & tone to their voices. I think Marin's voice is/sounds richer & part of that I believe is to do with her vibrato. She brought so much emotional depth to the character & I felt so connected to her & the cast b/c of the emotional intensity they worked together to bulid. I was & am truely moved by this phenomenal piece of musical theatre!

[fludu1]

My opinion is: I saw Alice Ripley on Broadway doing the part! She was absolutely fantastic! Fact is Alice created the part! She is the original so there won´t be anybody out there who can do it like her because it all has been written for her and she´s been the part for several years!

Listening to that I think: Marin Mazzie is absolutely fantastic because she sings it totally different but beautiful! You made the song different and yours and that´s acting! Go girl

[pudgeuncle]

@fludu1 Just because anyone does a part first does not mean that they necessarily are the best. There are far too many examples of performers who have been replacements or starred in revivals who outdid the original performer. Keep an open mind.

[TheOutsidersloover]

i hope i like the new cast, they sound really good of what i've heard on Youtube, going on sept 5

[soretiro]

In my opinion, there's too much vibrato. There's not one note she really sings, alice made it more clear AND used vibrato too. I don't like her, Alice is and will be the original diana. I don't hear any emotion in this.

[eelw33]

@soretiro But there is far more emotion in the acting by Marin.  She is in tears the entire song.

[kaleelee2309]

@eelw33 she is. i love her interpretation of Diana. i went through every emotion she went through when i saw this.

[shortbreadfinger]

@eelw33 being in tears does not equate to good acting..... not saying she isnt great but if thats your reasoning...... your not doing her justice

[uncletibs]

go ! I love it!



[thelivesofme1]

woww, she sounds great

[vivalavieboheme14]

a lot of vibrato but shes really good! cant wait to see her!! :D

[gotgrammar45]

Marin Mazzie is a goddess in her performance as Diana. I paid a $120 but it was worth a million.

[AtLastOnTheGround]

So much better than Alice Ripley's hamming and affectations. I love Marin.

[underscoreian]

marin blew me away, i'll admit i was dubious before going but the way she sings these lyrics is so intensely emotionally it cuts you up inside. she had the whole audience sobbing on multiple occasions. brilliant.

[prarafan727]

When I saw her, she made me love this song. I never liked it before

[roandrew26]

dear people,

yes. marin does use vibrato, that is a nice observation. it would be a better observation if you realized that having vibrato means that you are using proper vocal technique to sing. marin mazzie is a broadway genius, and i know without even seeing the video for this audio clip that marin's acting was just as good as alice's, if not better. i saw alice ripleys performance and it was amazing....but it also hurt my ears a lot. this recording of marin....doesn't. =/

[omerific55]

well, Marin sure does like her vibrato, doesn't she?

[umkcconsboy]

Alice was the original, she in my eyes is the best!!! But no one can say Marin Mazzie doesn't do her thing!!! She is not Alice, but she did her own thing, and I was extremely suprised and happy with the choices she made! She made me a fan!!! and I'm happy she took the role!!

[eelw33]

@ny10019mike I'm sorry, but you have to see her perform it live before making this comment. Marin actually brings even more vulnerability and intensity than Alice in this song.

[TheHouseThatBuiltMe]

@eelw33

Agreed. Marin was fabulous and flawless and this song was AMAZING live.

[smarlie]

@eelw33 I agree. Marin's voice may not be my favorite but the intensity of her performance in the show... completely blow me off... it feels more like a woman who's at the edge of insanity to me.

[kaleelee2309]

@eelw33 you do really have to see it. 

[mjvelli]

sHE IS AMAZING! i WAS THERE A WEEK AGO AND SHE ROCKED! PLUS SHE IS VERY NICE AND GAVE US AUTOGRAPHS AND CHATTED WITH US AT THE END OF THE SHOW! wELL, THEY ALL DID!) IT WAS GREAT!!!

[PippaZoraXanadu]

I had some apprehension about Alice Ripley not singing, but Marin Mazzie sings this song well... I am still impressed as ever about N2N... they know how to pick performers and write a good musical. :]

[dudewheresmydignity]

wow. vocally it's masterful.

[golferchick92]

the vibratto in her voice is just so distracting in this song. 

[nancybotwin]

@golferchick92 i agree. 

[MickeyT1129]

i just saw marin in the show this past tuesday. i was already so used to hearing alice so i wasn't sure what to expect. but i was definitely impressed with marin. she definitely seemed to put her all into the performance and acted and sang everything wonderfully. just in my opinion i think her voice is a little bit too pretty for the part as a whole i really missed alice's raw emotional sound but i was definitely satisfied :)

[liamazingx13]

If not Alice, definetly her. I approve.

Or Jessica!

[oprahismyhomegirl]

its sweeter and more fragile, which i like but i do miss ripleys belt.

[calihills09]

she was beautiful

[atlfuzzy]

seems the show is in great hands.........I'm impressed.

[makinbacon254]

her voice is beautiful.  I can't wait to see her.

[crazytheatregeek]

She's not Alice, but she is damn good.

[Lionrampant3]

I miss Alice's optional high belt at 2:45... But sounds great.

[happywash]

@Lionrampant3 I don't think it should be "optional." She's great...just not for this part. She's too "trained." Acting wise, she's good in the role, but this is a pop score, and she's got a straight score voice.

[thishatandyou]

@Lionrampant3 I agree, that really gave it punch for me. But still amazing all the same.

[katiewasherexoo]

amazing. I'm glad the role is in good hands post-Alice

[TheHouseThatBuiltMe]

Goddess. She was flawless live!

[NikitaItaPita]

I just saw her, and her performance was absolutely incredible. She is so fabulous and so amazingly talented! Love this show!

[hulloitsjamess]

this is a vocal masterclass

[aasjb4ever]

Mazz sounds amazing!

[BiteMe1132]

Thank you so much! Whatever you can post more, please do! :)