Kristin Chenowith
The Music Man didn't come to life for me until mid-point when Marian realizes how Hill's deceptions lifted her little brother out of his three-year depression, and she somewhat unbelievably falls in love with Hill. This defrosting in Marian, to me, was the emotional content of the show that would carry the thin plot forward with sufficiently satisfying resolve.
Librarian Marian took the risks of conspiring for Hill in the face of the Mayor, and by luring the anvil salesman away from his prey. The emotional investment paid by Hill did not seem matched, even though Hill, at the end, paid by agreeing to be caught by the mob, and getting his "foot caught in the door", the transformation in his character from con man to reformed man was done almost nonchalantly without much drama.
Kristin is convincing in her scene at the bridge as she sings to Hill "Till There Was You". She emotes her character's love for Hill and it seems almost as if Broderick could do little more than to kiss Marian, seeming more shocked than reciprocating the flood of emotion coming from Kristin/Marian. It appeared to me that Kristin's ability to dominate the climatic scene from Broderick in this way meant that the real leading role was Marian's.
I enjoyed Kristin's range of emotion only after realizing her appreciation for Hill. I appreciate when an actor like Kristin can summon up emotion, like getting teary-eyed at the appropriate time and in a manner that seems genuine. Kristin was able to provide this emotional content during the bridge love scene while singing which, to my critical mind, means that she can deliver a song. Well-trained vocalists are fine as a rule, but to me the essential ingredient in an entertaining performace is the ability to draw upon the emotional content of the song. As a musician, I think it is a mistake to give priority to the technical aspects of a performace over the emotional content. I think that Kristin scores 10 out of 10 for this ability.
I wanted to validate this appreciation for Kristin's contribution to this Music Man remake because I think that her performance contributed greatly to the flow and interest of the story. I might even go as far as to say that she carried the movie from mid-point. As a musician myself, I find that it is generally a thankless profession and encouragement for musicians and performers is not as common as criticism. Unlike many of the other comments found here critical of the movie, I could not agree, and felt that the actors in general did a good job. As for Broderick, he was fine as Hill, although I think he was eclipsed by Kristin. Finally, as far as comparing this version to the original version, I don't go there because I don't that that would be fair to the actors or directors to express their own concept and artistry. If any actor or artist gives their performance all they got, they can achieve greatness for us yes, but especially for their own development as an artist.
The only objection I can muster is that I felt just like other did that they felt that the dark side of the mayor was a bit over the top. Considering the context of the movie and the fact that the dim-witted mayor was almost flim-flammed by Hill at the beginning to purchase a coronet for his non-existent son, the mayor showed inappropriate anger and rage at Hill. In fact, the anger and rage directed at Hill seemed totally inappropriate for these midwesterners who had the ability to break into song and dance at the drop of a hat. It was as if Hill had murdered someone, the rage directed at him seemed so harsh.