Ana as Elphaba and the first showing of Glinda's Chicago Understudy- Page 2

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/6/05 at 7:30pm

I'm a little confused. On the tour do Morrible and Boq speak on the balconies?? If not, where?

[DefyingEDCT]

Posted: 7/6/05 at 7:32pm

I thought he said that they do.

[TheColorOfFlame]

Posted: 7/6/05 at 7:46pm

HAHAHAH THE LUNT OF BLAINE!!! Too funny.

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 7/6/05 at 10:44pm

How's the Boq????

[halyiaganitefiz]

Posted: 7/6/05 at 11:32pm

on tour, Boq and Morrible do use the balconies/towers on SL and SR. they aren't as big or elaborate as the Broadway set, but they suit the purposes of the blocking and are just as good-looking as the Broadway set. i can only assume the Chicago cast/set is the same.

[manatee]

Posted: 7/6/05 at 11:42pm

Kristy played Elphaba on the July 3 performance. She was great. I was wondering why she filled in for Ana since Ana made an apperaance on a live local TV show that evening. Do the stars not perform all shows during the week? If that is the case, I wish they would publish the schedule so ticket buyers who want to Ana will be able to see Ana (baring illness, etc).

[HBP]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 12:05am

"For some reason the stage looks different then the broadway one, The clock looks amazing!!"

The clock is pretty much the same, but the colors all over it are actually just from the lighting. It's deceiving, haha. I'm pretty sure they do those colors on Broadway, too; just not so bright. You can kind of see them if you look hard...

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 12:30am

Ana said in an interview with Seth Rudestky that she intends on doing all 8 shows a week.
So, she probably, just didn't want to do that one?
Performers also get one day off a month w/ pay. maybe she decided to take that one.

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 1:04am

I have tix for the evening performance on Saturday, July 23rd. I hope Ana goes on that night. I really want to see her in this role. I've seen the show twice in Chicago--once with Stephanie, the other time with her understudy. Here's hoping I see Ana...

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 2:38pm

Well, I'll let y'all know whats up with the July 7th performance - because I'm randomly going to see the show tonight. Anyone know anything about Dress Circle seats?

[chitown]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 2:52pm

I sat in the dress circle for the touring production. Seats are terrific all around. You'll have a nice viewpoint of the production. Enjoy! Can't wait for you to hear Ana.

[wendy72]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 2:53pm

Yeah for Ana--I thought she'd be good..BUT, I have a hard time believing anyone's vocals (on anything) can match or be better than Norbert's..who I thought was very good in the role.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 2:56pm

Thanks chitown, we were literally handed the tickets and were wondering if they were going to be insanely obstructed or something. I'm so excited...mainly for Kate as Glinda. I hope she's feeling better.

[chitown]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 3:08pm

I hear she's back on and doing great. Can't wait to hear your review! Get ready for as long as you're mine. True, Idina and Norbert are unbelievable on that song, but I truly think Kristoffer and Ana have them beat!

As far as obstructed viewing - if you're on house right or left of the circle, you will miss some tiny things that go on in the wings, but nothing to take you out of the show.

Have a terrific time :)

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 3:11pm

Thanks chi...I can't wait to write a review:)

[loudasthehelliwant]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 3:47pm

OMG! I saw this last night (7/6/05), and it was FANTASTIC. I would highly recommend this production to anyone.

I saw the touring cast, and loved them, but I think this one is stronger (save for Ana, who was amazing, but who I didn't think was better than Stephanie... I also didn't think Ana was worse than Stephanie; they're both incredibly talented women, and I'd see either one of them in the role again w/o blinking an eye, and they each have very distinct Elphabas, and personally, I think they're equally as good- I cannot pick between them!). Maybe its just that they're in previews, but they seem to be more into it and having more fun than the other cast.

And the lighting IS better, and I'm pleased that they're using the trapdoors, etc. Everything that has been said about the set and the lighting (and the Oriental!) is very true, methinks.

Kate Reinders is just wonderful as Glinda. (And, if she was at all under the weather, it was impossible to tell!) Her voice was excellent, she was hilarious at being the ditzy blonde, but we definately saw Glinda's journey toward becoming more mature in act two. I would love to see her again, she's excellent. And she seemed to be having a lot of fun and was over the top when it worked (without being TOO over the top). Her Popular was fantastic. She nailed every funny line she was given, and she stole the show when she had the oppurtunity, but she worked extremely well w/Ana and they balanced each other out nicely, w/o one really stealing anything from the other.

The entire supporting cast nailed their roles and gave their characters as much depth and personality as they could (which isn't a lot, but that isn't their fault). They also seemed be to enjoying themselves a lot (except, obviously, in their more serious scenes, they were serious). The man who played Dr. Dillamond was perfect. Telly as Boq was adorable and perfect in his role... the only problem was that he towered over Glinda, even when she was in heels. So whenever he made reference to being a munchkin, people kind of chuckled. Kristoffer as Fiyero... I loved him! He was just, so... into his role, I guess? He was VERY believable, and had a great voice. Heidi as Nessa made her transition from good to wicked more clear than Jenna did (oh, I wish the 3rd witch of oz was given more to do!!!!!!!!). Madame Morrible had a great stage presence. The wizard I enjoyed much more than I thought I would- he was delightful in Wonderful and he seemed to have fun, despite that his song was not of the highest quality.

And Ana... amazing. Played young Elphaba as a more awkward personality (had much less control over her magical power than Stephanie seems to), but still very passionate and naive. Her The Wizard and I was a bit... off, I thought. I didn't think she was too manic or used too many hand gestures. But, there was just something about it that was odd. It wasn't bad, but it was different, and it will take some getting used to. She was VERY effective in I'm Not that Girl, though. The audience clearly felt for her during that song- something I didn't feel when I saw Stephanie. Her rendition was just beautiful. And then her Defying Gravity- perfection, engergizing, amazing. Especially once she gets in the air- there are no words to express it. In the second act- though we do see her pure intentions, she definately channels a bit of Margaret Hamilton. We even get one classic Wicked Witch cackle. Her As Long as You're Mine is BEAUTIFUL, GORGEOUS, and as another reviewer said- worth the ticket price. And, once again, there are no words to describe her No Good Deed. Very dark, very tormented, very angry. TOTALLY AMAZING. Blew the roof off the theatre, I tell you. Ana and Kate's For Good was very sweet, touching, and heartfelt too.

This is a great production. Go see it if you have any chance at all.

Sorry, guys, I'm longwinded... :P

[Sally]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 8:58pm

I don't know what I could add to loudasthehelliwant's review. I saw the show---for the first time (no basis for comparison) on Tuesday, the 5th---and thoroughly enjoyed it. All Singing! All dancing!

--and I love trapdoors, just strange, I guess

[folydcollinsfan83]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 5:02pm

If you want to hear Sara Ford, I found this:

http://willreynoldsonline.com/Music.html

It has clips of her in a new musical, and also a song sung by Megan Hilty!

[QueenAnne82]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 1:38pm

YAY for Ana! LOVE HER! OK.... whoever made the post about actors taking a show off..... HOLY SH*TE! There's eight shows a week. That's insane! And especially if you're in a lead, very very demanding. Both Glinda and Elphaba are emotionally and physcially demanding roles. If they need a night off... so be it. That also gives there standbys (who also work thier arses off) a chance to shine. I have major respect for these people. I have seen the show twice, and the freshness and energy they bring is incredible!

Somebody also asked about Boq. He was a doll! So cute, and very likeable. Very well done.

And here's my two cents about "Wizard and I". Yes, Ana does sing it very differenly that other Elphaba's. However, I really like it. We see Elphie go from an akward, almost timid schoolgirl to a powerful soceress in "Defying". She build her vocals so so incredibly. If not for backing off a bit in "wizard" we wouldn't notice the transition as much. And she still nails it.I have so much respect for her.... embarking on an almost totally different career and wowing us all.

This entire cast is incredible. Chicago would benefit from more amazing shows like this. They have working truly hard to make this an amazing show, and Chicago loves them. I hope they are all eligible for Jeff Awards, as Chicago is proud to claim this "wicked" for as long as any of the cast choses to stick around the Windy City's Oz.

[AllNite429]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 2:07pm

I am so excited to see this show in two weeks. These wonderful things being said about Ana and Kate are great. They both better be performing September 3rd!