Kate Shindle as Elphaba?

[Littleshopofcarrie]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 5:11pm

Does anyone else see this happening?

[Visceral_Fella]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 5:16pm

If I remember correctly, she's auditioned a few times, and has expressed her interest, but the feelings aren't mutual.

[gavyj]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 7:43pm

I love her. She could probably defy gravity simply on the power of her belt...but I don't know if she still reads young enough for Act I Elphie .

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 7:53pm

I think she does. Julia Murney looked a little older than her when she was with the show but read close to the age in Act 1 to make it believable. The green makeup does seem to hide age pretty well, and than in Act 2, they can make her look older with just simple beauty makeup.

[suttonfoster]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 8:00pm

emma hunton just got elphaba for one of the tours

[steven22]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 8:12pm

Emma Hunton will sound incredible singing the score! Can't wait for an official announcement...I would guess 2nd national to replace Jennifer Dinoia!

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 9:03pm

I believe she is replacing Alison. At least thats what I've heard.

[steven22]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 9:14pm

If Emma replaces Alison and if Curt stays as Fyiero..Emma and Curt would get to do WICKED together like they were together in NEXT TO NORMAL

[RW3]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 9:35pm

I get Emma Hatton and Emma Hunton confused too often

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 9:39pm

I can't keep up with Wicked's casts anymore.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 10:33pm

Baby Spice?

[TommyFlanagan4]

Posted: 12/15/13 at 10:45pm

Maybe Allison is replacing Lindsay on Broadway because of her ankle or maybe they won't renew her contract.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 12/16/13 at 1:11pm

So I guess Diner is dead then.

[RW3]

Posted: 12/16/13 at 3:54pm

RippedMan, no not necessarily. Diner actually just ended a 2 week long workshop.

[Harpz2006]

Posted: 1/5/14 at 12:25am

Just came across this Q & A with Stephen Schwartz-- now we know why she's never been Elphaba! Wonder what the other show was...

Question:
So, I'm a actress/singer/dancer. I'm also 6'1". Do you think that would be a big hindrance to hiring possibilities? I mean, I realize that there are certain roles that I will probably never even be considered for because of it. But do you feel that there's a market for that kind of thing? Thanks for all of your wonderful shows. Wicked is amazing, as is the remarkable cast! Katie
Answer from Stephen Schwartz:
Dear Katie: Yes, I know, height can sometimes make things difficult for an actress. I am a fan of another tall young singer and actress in New York named Kate Shindle, and I specifically know of two shows of mine for which she gave excellent auditions but ultimately was not cast in partly because of her height. But Kate does get quite a bit of good work because of her talent, and I'm sure if you persevere, you will too. I wish you the best, Stephen Schwartz


http://www.stephenschwartz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/schwartz-advice-for-performers1.pdf

[Visceral_Fella]

Posted: 1/5/14 at 1:40am

A tall Elphaba actually makes sense to me. Actually he probably isn't talking about Wicked or at least the role of Elphaba because I believe that Brandi Chavonne Massey is the same height as Kate Shindle (5'11"). A tall Elphaba shouldn't be an issue. A tall Glinda is for several reasons, mainly because they won't fit in the bubble. Maybe she was up for Nessa and the height was an issue? Maybe he's talking about two other shows entirely for height reasons and not getting Elphaba was for a different reason. He does have a nice amount of shows under his belt

Kind of odd that he name dropped her like that.

Updated On: 1/5/14 at 01:40 AM

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 1/5/14 at 1:43am

Isn't SJB also pretty tall?
If height is the reason she hasn't been cast in WICKED than I would be ticked off.

[kieranbec]

Posted: 1/5/14 at 2:25am

I would love to see Shindle as the Leading Player in Pippin. I wonder if that is the other show that Schwartz was referring to.

[theCucumberSandwich]

Posted: 1/5/14 at 8:50am

Perhaps the height issue is something to do with the technical requirements of the role? The lift maybe?
Just a thought.

[steven22]

Posted: 1/5/14 at 9:08am

I remember hearing that when Jennifer Laura Thompson replaced Kristin as Glinda that the bubble needed to be adjusted for height because Jennifer was much talller.

[trentsketch]

Posted: 1/5/14 at 9:15am

Interesting. Since that letter was in 2010, the Pippin revival seems unlikely. I can't see how height would be an issue in Godspell (or Shindle fitting in with that very young cast), so Wicked has to be one of the shows Kate wasn't cast in because of her height.

Now, that could be something as simple as the Fiyero that was in the show or also being cast at the time didn't look right next to such a tall Elphaba. It could be the lift, as well, if the harness sat too high and they knew they couldn't make an adequate adjustment for safety.

I just did a quick search. Stephanie J. Block is 5'9". Kate Shindle is 5'11". That could be just enough to make a difference if it is a technical issue.

Now what would the other Schwartz show be that she didn't get cast in? That's an interesting question, for sure.

[kurt.perry41]

Posted: 1/5/14 at 11:46am

My personal bet would be on their inability to find a cast that can be built around her. You would need a Fiyero who was at least 6'4'" and the number of leading men/mangenues who are that tall and are broadway caliber is very small cause once you pass 6'2" you enter character actor territory.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 1/5/14 at 11:58am

Why does Fiyero have to be taller than Elphaba?

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 1/5/14 at 1:40pm

I really have no idea if being 5'11" would be a technical challenge with the lift but doubt it. Victoria Matlock who I know is at least 5'9 or 5'10" played Elphaba on the tour. Kate certainly has the personality and the chops to pull this role off. She's a powerhouse performer.

I've known Kate for some time, in fact we worked together on the "Broadway Sings For Newtown" event in Conn. this past Sept. where she didn't hesitate when I made the suggestion to sing "Don't Rain on My Parade" and nailed it! She can sing almost anything and make it work. She has been out on the auditioning route. I am happy to have added her to my artist roster and hope to work with her again this year. I'd love to see her land Elphaba if it's meant to be.

[kurt.perry41]

Posted: 1/5/14 at 1:50pm

I think that they would, want to maintain the "look" of the show, I mean I could be wrong but I imagine that thus far all the Fiyeros have been taller than their respective Elphabas. I think that they would have to cast the other parts accordingly. I would certainly love to see her in the part, I think she would be wonderful and frankly I think she's really due back to broadway.