2 Wicked reviews - London/Toronto

[Ryguy7]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 9:51am

Hello everyone,
I know Wicked gets a lot of attention on this board, but I had the opportunity to see it in London recently and twice in Toronto this weekend, so I thought I would post my thoughts for those that were interested.

I was very excited to see the London production because of Idina Menzel. Needless to say, she was fantastic. She was the first Elphaba I saw, and it was interesting to see her after going to the show a few more times since then. She really gives Elphaba an 'innocent' characteristic that some other portrayers sometimes lack.

Aside from Idina though - I have to say that I wasn't too impressed with the cast. Sorry to any Helen Dillamore fans - I thought she was awful. I found her comedy and aloofness to be very trying. However, I do remember reading about other Glinda's and how it takes actors awhile to get in their groove with a character - so maybe she will define herself into a good Glinda.

The rest of the cast was ok - Adam Garcia wasn't my favorite Fieyro (but not my least favorite either). He defintely had a comedic charm on stage and was very popular with the audience. James Gillan was good as Boq - he had an impressive singing voice. I actually really enjoyed Nigel Planer as the Wizard, and thought he did a good job. Also, Miriam Margolyes defintely had a strong Morrible character - but she did not sing any of her lines - which for some reason irks me a bit.

Overall - it was interesting to see the production in London. It was weird at first to hear all the British accents, but you got used to it after a bit. There was one new effect that I noticed - right when the curtain goes up there is a projection of green dust swirling and it becomes the shape of a witch. I thought it was a really cool effect and hope they bring it to the other productions. The audience for the show was hyped - I think mostly for Idina? There seemed to be a LOT of Americans there and she got huge entrance applause. From what I've read in the papers over there, and what has been posted on this board - Wicked is getting good reception in London and the city is not used to its loud crowds.

I'm sure it will do well!

Now for Toronto. This was really neat for me to see - I saw the production two nights in a row which I've never done before with anything. On one hand, it was interesting to see the how lots of lines are repeated identically in emotion/conveyance etc (as I figured they would) but also to see how there are little differences.

Shoshana and Megan were amazing both nights - it was a wonderful treat to see them both on stage again. I've always been a fan of Shoshana, but not Megan - and both of them blew me away. They had a case of the giggles on Friday night, and Sho started to laugh a few times (like in Defying Gravity). I wouldn't say it took away from the show, I thought it was amusing to see that they get along so well.

As for the rest of the cast - wow! This is the first cast I've ever seen where I liked all of them. Alma Cuervo was a fantastic Morrible with her voice and her portrayal. PJ Benjamin was a great Wizard and Cliffton Hall was a wonderful Fiyero.

There was one technical difficulty on opening night - at the end of the show Glinda's bubble did not come down so she had to go stand at the side of the stage for her final moments. It took me a second to realize it (why is she going over there??) but it was a seamless flow for an error. Clearly it is something they have practiced about (or maybe it's happened before) - but other than that - the productions went off with a hitch.

Hope you enjoy my take on the shows - if you have any questions, hopefully I'll be able to answer.

Thanks,
RYan

[WiiCKED x3]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 9:55am

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Great review!

[JamesMacon]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 10:20am

Thanks for the review. I LOVE Megan!

[FinallyAmember]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 12:46pm

Wait! Did Sebastian leave the tour? I read things about him maybe going to broadway. Is Derrick leaving soon enough that Sebastian has left the tour to rehearse with the broadway cast and performance space? If anyone knows when he starts let me know. He is really great. One of my favorite Fiyero's; he has such a good voice.

[Yero]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 12:57pm

Derrick is leaving the Broadway show today along with Eden. No one has been officially confirmed, but it's rumored Sebastian is moving to Broadway.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 10/8/06 at 2:59pm

Sebastian was pretty good when I saw him.