Annaleigh Ashford's Wicked Vacation?

[Dazeto12]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 8:05pm

I read on Wikipedia that Annaleigh Ashford is going to be taking a break to play Wednesday Addams in a staged reading of the Addams Family Musical... I'm both wondering whether there's any validity to this (Being from Wikipedia, and all) and if anyone knows when this'll be. I'm planning to see her in Chicago on September 13, and I really will die if I paid top-dollar for an understudy.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 8:06pm

I really will die if I paid top-dollar for an understudy.


That is very sad.

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 8:12pm

you mean understudies like Annaleigh Ashford was on the first national tour?

[Kalimba]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 8:13pm

I think the reading was last week.

If you did pay top dollar to see her, you paid top dollar to see a mediocre performance.

[toanythingtaboo 2]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 8:13pm

I'll hazard a guess and say no, it's probably not true.

Plus, some of the best leading ladies/men in Wicked started off as stand-by's and understudies. Give them a break.

P.s Annaleigh Ashford as Wednesday Adams? I really, really don't see that.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 8:30pm

The Addamms Family reading took place last week and yes, she took a couple days off to do that (she did play Wednesday, btw). I don't know when any future readings/workshops will take place and if she's going to be a part of them or taking more days off.

She rarely ever misses a show though, and if it is a planned absence you may be able to find out ahead of time. Of course when I went to go see her (on Broadway), she was out and it was disappointing at first, but don't get upset about seeing an understudy.

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 8:34pm

Kalimba, what's wrong with you? I've never read one positive post of yours. It's like looking for Bigfoot.

[Dazeto12]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 8:53pm

Stop fighting! Let's all love each other? Sorry if my original post came off as anything it wasn't meant to be, I was slightly rushed and didn't put much into my phrasing... You see, I really have my heart set out on seeing Annaleigh, it's nearly obsessive, and I paid a bit for the seats closest to the stage, so really my worst nightmare would be an understudy announcement.

And yes, I know Annaleigh herself was an understudy once, but I'm sure if someone had really wanted to see the main Glinda that night, they'd be a bit miffed.

Thanks to the people who tried to answer my question though?

[Kalimba]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 8:59pm

Defyinggravity, nothing is wrong with me. I'm opinionated.

Oh by the way, here's a "positive" post from July 10 regarding the closing of Passing Strange:

I hope I'm not too late to get tickets to the final performance. I have a feeling it will be an event.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 9:02pm

Dazeto - if she is out, I think you can get a refund (if it's the same rule as Broadway). But I hope you see her, I loved her as Glinda!

[Joshua488]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 9:20pm

Neither of the witches are billed above the title. Since when do you get a refund if one of them calls out?

[legally_popular]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 11:09pm

I thought both leading ladies in Wicked were billed above the title. I don't know if it's changed or is different in Chicago...?

[bwaybound865]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 11:21pm

yeah I originally saw Annaleigh as an understudy. Be more open minded to who might be taking over.

[PlayhouseBeauty]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 8:34am

I have to agree that Annaleigh is very seldom out. What you can do is try and call the box office to see if she has a planned vacation that day and if she doesn't maybe call the day of so you can sell your ticket if you really dont want to see an understudy. But unfortunately there really is no telling whether she will be there or not until u get to the theater that day! Have a great time!

[Glory]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 9:10am

isn't annaleigh not even in wicked anymore and kendra is playing Galinda?

[legally_popular]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 9:13am

^Annaleigh moved to the Chicago production and Kendra came back to Broadway.

[Glory]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 9:28am

ohhh, I did not know that, thanks for the information :)

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 9:58am

"Kalimba, what's wrong with you? I've never read one positive post of yours. It's like looking for Bigfoot."

I agree with Kalimba. Anyways, it is not like Ashford is getting across the board raves - I know there are other people here who think she is pretty mediocre.

Annaleigh Ashford is a talented actress/singer, and may look the part, but I think she was a bit miscast for this role. I didn't find her singing as pleasant. Her acting was better.

I don't see why the OP is making that silly comment, though...you should give the understudies a chance as they can be equally as good, if not, better. I have been surprised by the understudies I have seen:

Lisa Brescia as Elphaba (instead of Stephanie J. Block)
Little women tour understudy for Jo (forgot name)

[jordangirl]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 10:20am

I agree about the "I'll DIE if I get an understudy" sentiment. The first time I saw Wicked ~ while Idina was still in, and yes at the time she was the big draw for me ~ my parents had given me a ticket for my birthday for an evening when I was going to be in Princeton having just finished attending a conference. I had everything worked out and timed perfectly.

Well, other than rain, but I made the best of it and got to the Gershwin to find the understudy board up. With "In tonight's performance, the role of Elphaba will be played by Kristy Cates". I was upset, but I didn't know when I'd be able to get a ticket and get back up (moving here wasn't even a speck on the horizon at the time), so I opted to go ahead and see the show.

And I was blown away by Kristy. Turns out it was only her second time on, but she was incredible. She even won over the girls who were behind me who were with a group and complaining that their leader wouldn't let some of them leave since "Idina is the only part of this worth seeing and the only reason we wanted to come." They were among the loudest cheers for Kristy by the end.

Give the understudies a chance and don't automatically pitch a fit.

[toanythingtaboo 2]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 10:32am

I fully understand why your heart may sink a bit when the person you specifically went for, isn't in.

But, take a positive spin on it. The standby/understudy you're seeing might be the 'next big thing' in Wicked, or in general.

I'm sure people seeing Shoshana Bean, Eden Espinosa, Kerry Ellis, SJB etc instead of Idina at the time weren't over the moon, but I bet they'll be smiling now.

Same goes for Laura Bell Bundy, Megan Hilty and Annaleigh instead of Kristen etc.

Just think 'Positive' haha.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 10:53am

I agree with what's been said regarding seeing understudies. That's the problem when people go to see a show ONLY for a particular person (I'm not saying that's what the OP is doing, just in general). I know people who only go to see shows for a huge celebrity and would absolutely die if they were out that day. It can be a huge disappointment if they're out. I admit that I've been attracted to certain shows because of certain actors/casts at the time, but mostly it's for the actual show. And trust me, I have been a little disappointed a time or two because of an understudy board. But the understudies are SO talented and do such a great job, you'll enjoy the show nonetheless.


millie - I think that defying's comment about Kalimba sounded like it wasn't necessarily about her opinion of Annaleigh (I know not everyone has liked Annaleigh in the role), but moreso about the negativity in Kalimba's posts (not just on this thread).

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 11:43am

I could understand people getting upset over not seeing Menzel, especially after she won the Tony. It's understandable wanting to see the actress who won a Tony award for this particular role.

But, we're talking about Annaleigh Ashford, not Idina Menzel, for crying out loud.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 11:54am

Yeah. I was upset at first, but I really wanted to see the show, so I did and loved it. Once I saw Kristy, I found it hard to imagine what Idina would have been like. And when Kristy went to Chicago and one of my friends was raving and raving about her I was all "Yeah...saw her second ever performance as Elphaba. She rocks it." That was fun!

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/12/08 at 11:57am

Idina was a bigger draw to the show than Annaleigh is, so I can see why someone would be upset. Up to this point, there have been so many actresses who can pull of the role of Glinda beautifully that I don't really see why a person would be extremely devestated if she wasn't in the show.