Am I the only one who thinks the current wicked leads are....- Page 2

[BroadwayBettini2]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 11:17pm

I can tell by listening that she will eventually ruin her voice. I'm not going to fight you. I have my own oppinion. I have heard her, and yes I have listened. I will never like her in a broadway sense.

[freeadmission]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 11:22pm

I am NOT a Sho fan. She takes pop musical music and attempts to turn it into R&B musical music with her riffs, runs, and careless pronunciation and it just doesn't fly.

Megan, I've never seen nor heard, so I don't have an opinion on her, though I am firmly convinced that no one, not even Kristin, can top Jen. Jen is perfect in the role and it's pretty damn hard to top perfect.

I am done.

[willact4food]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 11:22pm

Shoshana is the one Elphaba, in my opinion, that knows how to take care of her voice. Idina, toward the end of her run, started litterally screaming Defying Gravity, I am sure some of you can attest to this. I love Idina and I think she is an amazing talent, but she did just let it all go towards the end. And other Elphabas have been put on vocal rest numerous times because they simply don't know how to control and keep their chords healthy.

Shoshana is consistent at every performance. The only time she has ever had a bad show vocally is when she has been sick (early March are the dates I remember the most when she was out). I have never heard Shoshana "scream" a song. I mean, we all have our opinions, but let's get our facts straight before we start trying to cut down Broadway leads.

~Brandon

[BroadwayBettini2]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 11:25pm

I agree about Idina. I have a recording *blushes* that has a "bad" Idina night, where you can hear the scratches and nodes forming on her vocal cordes. Awwwh it sounded so bad it hurt my vocal cords. But then again, I don't like Idina's voice live much at all really. I prefer J. Block and Ana.

[Conor]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 11:25pm

Loved Sean McCourt as the wizard thought he was a bajillion times better than Joel Grey! I also agree on comments about Idina screaming, towards teh end of her run (actually by like May) she really sounded bad at times, and I was always nervous as to whether or not she'd hit the notes, even still I like her better than Sho. And finally, I don't think anyone will ever beat Cheno in my book she is just incredible, and teh only reason I saw the show to begin with.

[Aigoo]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 11:26pm

Shoshana screech? Heavens no. She has a whistle tone thing going on for her as she demonstrates on the HAIR recording, which frankly scares the bejeesus out of me. But Shoshana mixes...whether one enjoys it or not is..their own...thing. Sorry, I'm a bit flaky today.

[BroadwayBettini2]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 11:33pm

I know about whistle tone, I have whistle tone myself, I have heard her use it in Home from Peice, which is the only song I like hearing from her. I wasn't talking about that part of her voice. I have heard some recordings of her where she is belting and I can hear the pain of it, and almost hear the scream of it, if I would call it that...., whatever. I don't like her, whether she screams or not. I have even heard mean things about her personality. So I can't say much about her.

[Conor]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 11:39pm

Sho was at the ASU stage door one night waiting for Jen, and she refused someone an autograph which I thought was kinda rude.

[willact4food]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 11:43pm

Did Shoshana come right out and say, "No, I will not sign for you,"?

[BroadwayBettini2]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 11:45pm

I have been hearing alot of things along those lines. Refusing autographs and being mean to her fans.

[Conor]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 11:48pm

Actually she more ignored the person, and then when they persisted snapped that she was busy. I mean the person was annnoying but it still seemed rude and it escalated into somethign bigger than it had to be.

[PJ]

Posted: 9/8/05 at 11:51pm

Well she can be a bit of a diva sometimes. But who can't?

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 12:38am

i persoanlly would love to see the following combination of principals back in this show;
elphaba- ana gasteyer
glinda- megan
fiyero- norbert
wizard- ben vereen or david garrison
morrible- carole shelley

[forgetregret]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 12:52am

I think Megan has grown so much in the role and that now she does a very respectable job as Glinda. In my opinion, she's still third to Thompson and Chenoweth, but she can definitely hold her own up there.

Shoshana, on the other hand... I don't mind her voice too much (although I prefer it on non-Wicked recordings) but I think her acting in Wicked is atrocious. The way that she portrays Elphaba makes it seem like she never took the time to think about the character. In my opinion, she plays her ALL wrong.

And on a this-shouldn't-matter-when-rating-a-performer-but-still-does level, she's entirely unappreciative of the opportunity to play the lead in one of the hottest Broadway shows EVER. I think she should keep her opinions about the paychecks and limo rides home being the best part of the job to herself.

[BroadwayBettini2]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 1:00am

forget- What did she say about pay checks and limo's?

[forgetregret]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 1:08am

In a recent interview with her (either on a fansite or her own site, I'm not positive which) someone asked her what her favorite part of Wicked is (implying a scene or song, I'm sure) and her response was, the paycheck and the limo ride home.

Pretty ungrateful, if you ask me.

[bwaybound865]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 1:35am

OH MY GOD!! Those damn EEEE's get on my nerves! I can't stand Shosh! I'm sure that would be able to do something nicely but just not Elphaba, she just can't sing those songs! As for Glinda is concerned, I like Megan just fine, but prefer either Cheno or JLT!
Updated On: 9/9/05 at 01:35 AM

[StarbuckQAF]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 6:35am

I rather like Shoshana, but along with what some other people have said, she just isn't right for Elphaba. I've heard a recording of every single person that's played the role, and she's one of my least favorites. While Shoshana has a gorgeous voice at times, her technique (in the role! not in general) doesn't do it for me.

And in response to Sho's "screeching"... she does sort of. Not always in the BAD way that some performers do, but her vowels come out very sharp. The harsh "EEEEEE"s are quite obvious, and if you can't hear them, you're not listening, because she does it EVERY TIME (especially during "Wizard and I"... damn.) Now, whether you think they're nice or not is a completely different issue. I'm personally not a fan of them, especially paired with the Wicked score and music -- Put her in a show where she can soul the place up! I'd be all for that, because I think Sho has a lot of talent in that area and could really bring a lot of a different kind of role. Wicked just isn't the right place for her, in my opinion.

Megan? She's a cutie. That's as far as my opinion goes there. Jen's forever and always my favorite, but I'm not particular. :)

[bythesword84]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 7:18am

I haven't seen Megan but I did see Shoshana when Jen was still in it. I can't stand Shoshana's Elphaba. She was horrendous. She screamed, she sounded tight, and she put nothing emotional in the songs whatsoever.

[DefyingPopular]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 10:24am

Forget - she has NEVER said that about Wicked on the fansite or her official site. First of all - she doesn't do anything on the official site and the only thing she's said on the fansite about Wicked 'recently in an interview' aka questions from fans is this, and i quote.


"Question:: Do u ever get tired of getting green every night and doing a good show ever night ? some days do u feel like u dont wont to go to work ?
NOT YET. I STILL LOVE IT. AND I CERTAINLY DONT GIVE A GOOD SHOW EVERY NIGHT! I'M HUMAN!!! OF COURSE THERE ARE TIMES I'M EXHAUSTED OR DONT FEEL WELL AND I'D LIKE TO CURL UP IN BED INSTEAD, BUT I LIKE DOING MY JOB MORE!
"

and Question:: Thank you soo much for taking the time to answer questions. i havent seen u in wicked i just saw idina and jen . anyway i was wondering how long do u like to stay in a show . how long were u in Hairspray and godspell ? oh and 1 more question i know u leave wicked in January what date ? thanks
I STAY IN A SHOW UNTIL I FEEL ITS TIME TO GO! I WAS IN HAIRSPRAY FOR 2 YEARS, I DID GODSPELL FOR PROBABLY A TOTAL OF 9 MONTHS, BUT IT CLOSED, AND THIS I'LL DO FOR A YEAR. "

How in any way does that signify she only loves the paycheck and the car ride home? Exactly, it DOESN'T. Try getting your facts straight before calling them on things.

[TheBalladeer]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 11:02am

BroadwayBettini, and company, I usually don't partake in "discussions" like this about a particular performer, and the criticims of their technique and performance, but I have to say that you have no idea what you are talking about when it comes to Shoshana's vocal technique. You can say whatever you want about her acting, or even her vocal style, but to say that she can't sing and that her technique is terrible is ridiculous, and leads me to believe that either you don't know what you're talking about, or that you have a personal bias against Shoshana.

Listening to how easily she sings this score is incredible. She really does have the technique to sing this show as flawlessly as she does. I am sorry, but I have seen Idina a few times, and it was clear to me that she didn't sing this show as easily as Shoshana does, although she did do a fantastic job. And yes, Idina has had BAD nights vocally, but she's human too as well. Shoshana definitely does NOT screech/scream. As someone else mentioned, she has an incredible mix, and range that allows her to seemingly belt some higher notes than most singers, and her whistle tone is incredible.

Yes, she seems to have an R&B influence on a lot of her singing, but is R&B and Pop that much different? Not really, if you listen to any pop music right now, you will hear a lot of runs and riffing in popular music which too, is also influenced by R&B. Her riffing - which she does not do as much as you claim really, in my opinion brings something to what's singing, and it is most welcome for me. ALL of the Elphaba's have their own vocal stylings that they have brought to the role. Saycon and Idina have done it too, so I don't see why you single out only Shoshana.


Just my 2 cents.

Cheers,
The Balladeer

[xxnewgirlxx]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 11:32am

"And Ben Vereen is the best Wizard to date. "


That's cause you haven't seen Gene! :)

Actually, I haven't seen Ben, so I can't comment...just saying Gene rocks.

[ElphabaRose]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 11:33am

I have to agree with popular_elphie. Shoshana has a wonderful voice and never struggles with the notes. However, I cannot stand Shoshana's portrayal of Elphaba. I don't find her as entertaining to watch as the other New York Elphabas. I don't enjoy many of her character choices. I also do not enjoy some of the riffs that she has added. For example, she riffs the last note of Defying Gravity, which sounds very pretty, but, in my opinion, takes away from the power of the song because it weakens the last note.

On the other hand, I have never been anything but delighted with Megan's performance. She has always hit the optional notes and her comedic timing is impecible. She has wonderful stage presence and, if I did not know it, I would be shocked to find out that this is her Broadway debut.

[BroadwayBettini2]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 1:05pm

I don't care if you guys are spouting about how her vocals are perfect her I just don't like her, I'm entitled to my oppinion.

BroadwayBettini and company- good one, Like I'm leading a rally for Shoshana haters. I don't HATE, hate is a strong word, I don't LIKE her or her VOICE. And I'm not leading the pack of Sho haters at all, in fact I'm not a leader on this board in anysense. I just wanted to contribute my dislike for her and her voice, which I'm aloud to do. I'm not obligated to think her voice is amazing. I think sometimes it can be pleasent for instants in the song HOME by Scott Alan, I love that song, it's beautiful, and it show Sho's voice in it's best light. But as Elpahaba, and other things I heard her sing, she has never failed to annoy me or hurt my ears ( same goes for Idina, which I like on the recording, heard her live and then changed my mind.)

Don't jump down my throat with your knowladge of "singing", It doesn't matter wether I think her technique is good or not. I don't like her singing.

And I have no personal bias against Shoshana. I have only heard stories of her rudness, but I have never met her. I simply don't like her acting nor her singing. That does not in anyway attribute to me being biast. I would be biast if she had personally upset me, and then I called her a bad singer/actress. Which is not the case. And I will stick ture to my guns, I have def heard recordings of her singing where I could of sworn she was pushing so hard she was near to screaming. Wether you believe it or not. I don't much care. The only thing I care about is when people jump down my throat for not liking THE GOD OF ALL ELPHABA'S SHOSHANA BEAN! Jump down some one else's throat, like someone who thinks Christy Carlson Romano was a good Belle.

Posted: 9/9/05 at 1:13pm

Isn't it written in the music is shriek at the top of your lungs? Cause every Idina - I mean Elphaba - does that, no?