Character Study: Michele McConnell on Playing Carlotta Giudicelli in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

[@VocaSabourn]

Having played Carlotta, it becomes evident as soon as you start reading her how relatable she is in terms of how she feels cheated by the whole situation that she's worked hard for. She's understandably bitter by the second act. On top of that, her Beloved tenor/ partner gets murdered for no good reason other than for creepy phantom to have a touchy feel of Christine with an audience! She's worked hard, been traumatised by an unknown person, threatened, had her career absolutely slashed, and had her husband murdered! How the audience every night just writes her off as a one dimensional diva, I will never know! *throws fur over the shoulder and strides away*

[@bitchass7198]

Kathryn Sabourn I want you to read this comment aloud at my funeral, in full costume as my queen Carlotta.

[@salamzander]

YES ALL OF THIS

[@MrsScott-bx8sb]

When I was a teen, ALW's Phantom of the Opera was out of my reach. I read Leroux's book, and watched the Charles Dance mini-series where Carlotta wasn't a great singer and was very unlikable. When I finally got a hold of the ALW soundtrack, I went into it thinking Carlotta an over-the-top not that great soprano. A friend of mine pointed out how true to the art Carlotta actually is and how the role requires supreme skill and talent to sing, perhaps more than Christine's role. And what fun! Who doesn't want to be a wealthy, talented diva!

[@VocaSabourn]

bitchass sorry, got a booking already that day 😎😂

[@VocaSabourn]

Mrs. Scott you are so right! Carlotta was a true artiste! Because of my age at the time and just how I sound, I couldn’t play her the diva who’s voice was awful. I just had to play her as very difficult to work with. And understandably so when your manager ignores the blatant death threats you’ve been receiving at work for the last 3 years. I like to think of Christine’s role as a marathon and Carlotta a sprint. Lots of runs and stratospheric high notes all in quite quick succession. Christine has the luxury of a lovely slow build to her top E.

[@marielidejesus]

She was my vocal coach for my four years of college... could not have been more blessed to have had the privilege. Love for her always. Incredibly and insanely talented.

[@lifethroughcoraslenses36]

Wow cool!

[@juonithzramos1089]

It's nice to hear how she relates to Carlotta, and how the character may be a little warranted in her disdain of Christine and her instant-mega overnight fame. Most people just write her off as a diva when it might not be exactly true.

[@soopersalad2509]

Juonithz Ramos i agree, she’s the sharpay evans of phantom. Like how sharpay has been so dedicated to theater but gabriella comes and gets the lead at her first audition not only in high school, but ever. sometimes the diva is jealous for a reason haha

[@theycallmezeal]

She has the warmest and friendliest voice, I love it!

[@laurenconrad1799]

I love these character studies so much, especially ones like this where it isn't the most obvious actress or role to feature but it's such a fascinating one.

[@71crm]

Yeah, especially it makes these characters feel a little bit more human-even when she says that thing about how Carlotta feels she works hard for stuff and she doesn’t get it-that’s something we all can identify with, and if any of us hadn’t watch this video we probably wouldn’t have thought of that with this character!

[@MrsScott-bx8sb]

Me too. I love getting into the psychology of the characters.

[@keiko4043]

It's amazing to hear her say that this is her Broadway debut role! she definately earned it :)

[@marybethrodgers2464]

She is so nice! When I was in RENT a few summers ago she gave us a masterclass/lecture thing and it was so awesome learning about her process of becoming Carlotta, and working in the part for so many years.

[@LadyHawke78]

OMG I love Carlotta... (Phantom is among my fave musicals!) You are gorgeous... be the DIVA you were born to be, girl!! 😃👍🏼

[@randzTP08]

I was blown away by her voice! My gosh. She is amazing. ❤

[@ryanrafuse9054]

Amazing performance! Saw Phantom front row with her starring, and what an amazing performance!

[@crisjapopcris1564]

Without Carlotta Christine would not look such a Disney-princess-like heroine: Signora, the story so needs you!

[@zhenwang284]

I've seen Phantom on Broadway for 22 times in less than a year and Michele is definitely one of the reasons why I do so! "As someone who has done more than 1800(or perhaps 1900) shows, her singing and acting are undoubtedly perfect!! And that 180° difference between her role and herself is too huge to let me come up with a word to describe that shock. She, as many of her co-stars, is worth watching for every second whenever she's on, even when she's not singing." (My Instagram page). Thank you so much Broadway.com for doing such amazing Character Study!!

[@lucydeep2156]

What kinda job do you have that financially allows you to see PoTO 22 times in a year? Kinda jelly lol

[@zhenwang284]

@@lucydeep2156 lottery&TKTS~

[@SmilingSas]

Carlotta is my favorite character in the whole play. She is so funny because she is that over-the-top glamorous diva.

[@stefano4456]

I had the honor of meeting her and she's incredibly nice❤️

[@carolineguercio4057]

She's so lovely

[@l.n.3372]

Great video. I especially love that cup at 0:35 I want that cup xD

[@Judas88-f3m]

I just came back from NY the other day staying 5 days with my BF. We saw phantom on our second day in NY it was a great show my first time and his second time!! Great Great show i will always remember it.

[@daniellemusella1594]

I'd love to meet her. She seems like a really sweet person.

[@miawatson2146]

I got to see Michelle on Broadway in Phantom back in May and she was AMAZING❤️❤️

[@juliacleary21]

she's wonderful as Carlotta ❤️

[@iLikePotato3s]

I absolutely love love love Michele she is amazing

[@KentuckyWallChicken]

I died laughing when I saw the mug!

[@tacobunnyproductions2313]

Omg! I love her so much, I just went to broadway to watch the phantom of the opera in November 😍

[@devanalaya]

I'm sure nobody will believe me but j am telling the truth here. I just took a voice lesson with her and she is the most kind and lovely human being ever! She gave such good advice and was so so sweet. I will admit I was intimidated at first but she made me feel very comfortable. I admire her and her work and overall had a wonderful time.

[@finch7243]

SHE'S ADORABLEEEE 💕

[@Pandahluvr]

Oooh, I loved those close ups on her skirt.

[@keverdeen395]

very lovely

[@jacobkeppler1984]

I really like this musical phantom opera great musical

[@TheNuvob]

I love character study- exhibit a!

[@b.d6642]

I love when actresses try to analyse carlotta, she can be annoying but there are so many more layers for the character

[@emnem57]

YES 😍

[@michrybski7595]

We have the same first name! And it’s spelled the same. That’s crazy!

[@iLikePotato3s]

Carlotta is beautiful on stage!!!

[@clown-cult96]

I always felt the same about Carlotta, like she was areally misjudged character. Probably contributes a lot to why I severely dislike Christine.

[@mayaharrison3138]

cooool

[@michellebetman4731]

How come in the video her name is "Michele" and the title of this video is "Michelle"? As a fellow Michelle this bugs me.

[@michaeladkins4664]

Michelle Betman, I was thinking the same thing!!!

[@claudefrolltomstein8935]

Unpopular Opinion: Carlotta is actually very similar to the Phantom! She's just not as popular in the fandom...

[@Landis963]

I can see that, yeah. Phantom's definitely approaching those character flaws from the auteur perspective, rather than the prima donna: Carlotta's vision starts and ends with her in the limelight, Phantom's with his scripts performed to the letter. Really, the only reason the two can't work together is that the Phantom refuses to consider anyone but Christine as worthy of his spotlight.

[@hannahwalker924]

Do à Hamilton person

[@joncampos5551]

"Too big for her britches" ha! Look who's talking