Kristen VS. Jennifer Laura
Kristen VS. Jennifer Laura
Pink
Chorus Member Joined: 6/13/04
#1re: Kristen VS. Jennifer Laura
Posted: 8/23/04 at 7:57pmJENNIFER LAURA IS SO MUCH BETTER!!!!!!!!!! She brings so much more to the character then Kristin. Although I liked Kristins Glinda, Jennifer has a better voice and his SO FUNNY!!!
BwayTheatre11
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/25/03
#2re: Kristen VS. Jennifer Laura
Posted: 8/23/04 at 7:58pmI have not seen Wicked, but have more of a desire to see Jennifer than Kristen.
CCM '10!
#3re: Kristen VS. Jennifer Laura
Posted: 8/23/04 at 7:59pmI saw Wicked with Kristin but I might see it again because I saw Eden (who was amazing) instead of Idina.
#4re: Kristen VS. Jennifer Laura
Posted: 8/23/04 at 8:00pmI saw Kristen and will be sieng Laura this Winter I will let you know...
"as good or quite likely better than any other show with killer rabbits and a legless knight opening on Broadway this season."
-Eric Idle on SPAMALOT
#5re: Kristen VS. Jennifer Laura
Posted: 8/23/04 at 8:04pm
I saw both- they were both great in the role. I think Kristin's Glinda was more perky and silly, whereas JLT's was a LITTLE more down to earth. JLT had some great physical comedy moments and I was really impressed by her voice. I don't think there is a BEST Glinda.
Besides...why does there have to be a "best?"
#6re: Kristen VS. Jennifer Laura
Posted: 8/23/04 at 8:05pm
I've seen three Glinda's, Melissa Bell Chait, Kristin and JLT and I have to say, I think overall I enjoyed JLT's Glinda more. It's not necessarily that she's the more talented actress or even more talented singer, but I felt like she understood Glinda in a way that Kristin didn't, and she understood that Wicked is essentially Elphaba's story.
Since Melissa was the first Glinda I saw, I think I felt less married to Kristin's interpretation and was actually a little bothered by Kristin the first time I saw her, because I found her Glinda very distracting to the story. The few times I saw her afterwards, I grew to appreciate her comedic timing, but still liked her best when she was not *on* all the time.
JLT brings much more emotional depth to Glinda, IMO, and I get a sense from her Glinda that there's a real desire for that power somewhere lurking under the bubbly exterior, unlike Kristin, whose Glinda just seemed like a bubblehead that was never truly changed by Elphaba.
There were also some spots where JLT made me laugh harder than Kristin ever did. Overall though Kristin probably had the better comedic timing.
Vocally I think they're pretty comparable.
So, adding it all up, JLT comes out on top.
"Too young to hold on and too old to just break free and run" - Jeff Buckley
Updated On: 8/23/04 at 08:05 PM
#7re: Kristen VS. Jennifer Laura
Posted: 8/23/04 at 8:09pmi've only seen JLT but she was AMAZING!! i have the sound track with Kristen. i enjoyed JLT's voice and her physical acting was very comedic. i loved her. shes very talented and even reminded me of Kristen somewhat.
sometimes i think my head is so big because it is so full of dreams- the elephant man
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#9re: Kristen VS. Jennifer Laura
Posted: 8/23/04 at 8:16pmyeah, I've only seen Kristin but I can't wait to see JLT, either. I'm going in December. I saw and loved JLT in Urinetown and Footloose, and I think she's a great actress. I can't wait to see how she plays Glinda, I've heard only good things about her in the role. I'd like to see more depth to the character, so I'm glad to hear that she is adding that.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#10re: Kristen VS. Jennifer Laura
Posted: 8/23/04 at 8:16pmi have jlt singing popular and she sounds AMAZING! this may be weird, but i have a desire to see melissa bell chait.
#11re: Kristen VS. Jennifer Laura
Posted: 8/23/04 at 8:17pmMelissa Bell Chait was fantastic. Wicked was barely on Broadway for a month at that point, I believe. Other than being a little nervous at first, she didn't miss a beat.
"Too young to hold on and too old to just break free and run" - Jeff Buckley
elphie bowles
Swing Joined: 8/23/04
#12re: Kristen VS. Jennifer Laura
Posted: 8/23/04 at 8:25pmi saw jlt and i thought she was awesome!! she had me laughing so hard. I would have liked to have seen kristen though. IDINA IS AMAZING!!
#13re: Kristen VS. Jennifer Laura
Posted: 8/23/04 at 8:30pmI cant imagine anyone except for kristen playing galinda but im anxious to see jlt.
"as good or quite likely better than any other show with killer rabbits and a legless knight opening on Broadway this season."
-Eric Idle on SPAMALOT
BwayTheatre11
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/25/03
#14re: Kristen VS. Jennifer Laura
Posted: 8/23/04 at 8:31pmFrom what I have heard/seen, she is awesome!
CCM '10!
ponine24601
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/03
#15re: Kristen VS. Jennifer Laura
Posted: 8/23/04 at 8:38pmi wish that i could hear jlt. i've been trying to find clips forever!
"People asking questions, lost in confusion. Well I tell them there's no problems, only solutions."
~The one and only John Lennon
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
ponine24601
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/03
#17re: Kristen VS. Jennifer Laura
Posted: 8/23/04 at 8:39pmlucky.
"People asking questions, lost in confusion. Well I tell them there's no problems, only solutions."
~The one and only John Lennon
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
ponine24601
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/03
#20re: Kristen VS. Jennifer Laura
Posted: 8/23/04 at 8:46pm
darnit.
"People asking questions, lost in confusion. Well I tell them there's no problems, only solutions."
~The one and only John Lennon
PJ
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#21re: Kristen VS. Jennifer Laura
Posted: 8/23/04 at 8:50pm
It's KRISTIN. Not KRISTEN. Sorry that just irks me.
Kristin was untouchable as Glinda as far as I'm concerned. I'm sure JLT is giving a fine performance at the Gershwin these days, but Cheno will always reign supreme.
#22re: Kristin VS. J-La
Posted: 8/23/04 at 9:18pmI did not see Kristin's performance, but I greatly enjoy her performance on the OBC recording. I saw J-La, who I thought was amazing. She wasn't, however, the kind of amazing that makes you wish that she was on the recording instead of Kristin. Kristin is amazing and so is J-La. I imagine that the next actress to play Glinda will be amazing as well. I'm pulling for Christiane Noll.
JC14
Stand-by Joined: 3/25/04
#23re: Kristin VS. J-La
Posted: 8/23/04 at 9:21pmKristin was better. JLT's good, needs more time...Kristin's better.
#25re: Kristin VS. J-La
Posted: 8/23/04 at 9:23pm
That's my girl PINK!
I probably shouldn't even respond to this question, b/c no one is better then Jen in anything. But I will say that Kristin had a more solid voice----but who am I kidding?
Jen freaking RULES!
WiCkEd4LyFfE
Broadway Star Joined: 6/13/04
#26re: Kristin VS. J-La
Posted: 8/23/04 at 9:24pmI saw Kristin and saw JLA in Footloose. I might go back in December around Christmas time to see Idina and JLA because i saw Eden and Kristin back in late June. Eden I can not stress enough was fablous! If you are in town go see BROOKLYN!!!
*Kristen*
ponine24601
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/03
#27re: Kristin VS. J-La
Posted: 8/23/04 at 9:24pmhaha. i wish that i had seen jenn in something. i'm dying for clips of her in anything!
"People asking questions, lost in confusion. Well I tell them there's no problems, only solutions."
~The one and only John Lennon
Derek2
Broadway Star Joined: 8/10/04
#28re: Kristin VS. J-La
Posted: 8/23/04 at 9:29pmI saw them both. They are both excellent. Glinda was originated by Kristin and she brought much character to the role. She has an excellent voice and is very funny. JLT was also very good. There were certain parts in her performance that I personally liked better than Kristin, but that doesnt really mean she's the best. JLT is so funny though, she keeps her voice at one level when she's telling her jokes and doesnt emphasize anything, which strangely makes it funnier. I enjoyed JLT's version of Popular better, however I enjoyed Kristin's No One Mourns The Wicked and For Good better. It depends. Both are great. You could not have asked for anything more :)
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