Another Review of Laura Bell in Wicked

Sorry bout all these Wicked posts, everyone. But I know some people want more on Laura Bell's performance so here 'tis:

I personally enjoyed her very much. She wasn't as good as Kristin(who is?), but she really played the role her way and it was hysterical. The choices she made were wonderful, and her vocals were great as well.
I had had doubts about her singing "No One Mourns the Wicked", but she sounded incredible! I was really, really thrilled with her. As the show went on, she got stronger and stronger. I found, though, that her belt wasn't as powerful as Kristin's. The harmonies in "What is This Feeling?" were a little off as Laura Bell couldn't really be heard. "Popular" was adorable. She cracked once or twice in the beginning, but it could have been a character choice. Either way, it worked, accident or not.
Again, the harmonies were a little weak in "One Short Day", but she was great in "Defying Gravity" during "You can still be with the Wizard..."
I ws REALLY impressed with her in Act II during "Thank Goodness". She belted it out and it gave the song power in many places I didn't notice with Kristin on the recording. She kind of talked/cried her way through "I'm Not That Girl(Reprise)", and the last note she kind of spoke with a solemn face on. Her tearing worked for her, though. She did that pretty much all through "For Good" but it was touching. Surprisingly, I felt a little bit more from that song than I did the first time, so I applaud Laura Bell.
Her speaking voice was very similar to Kristin's at times, but that character needs the squeaky character voice to really work well.

And that was it. Idina, Norbert, Carole, Christopher Fitzgerald(who was also quite good)and Mr. Grey gave stellar performances, and for my second time seeing it, I enjoyed it immensely. Laura Bell was a treat.

Updated On: 2/19/04 at 12:13 PM

I'm going to see "Wicked" in May or June and would actually prefer to see Laura Bell over Kristin(because I've been a fan of Laura since her Guiding Light days)

Personally, Kristin was great as Galinda/Glinda, but it wasn't much of an acting stretch. I mean she had the comedic timing from Charlie Brown and not to mention the serious moments in Music Man. Nonetheless I loved her. I definatley wouldn't mind seeing Laura Bell Bundy in the role. I would love to hear her rendition of "Popular". It's a shame her harmonies weren't great. But I think she'll make great progress as she goes on more.

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Agreed broadwayguy. She has not had a lot of experience at all in the role, and she was fantastic.

I don't understand why no one saw anything special in Kristin's performance. Her vocal range in that show is pretty remarkable, not to mention every line is delivered perfectly practically all the time.

I have been a fan of Laura since Guiding Light too! I almost had a heart attack when I saw Hairspray for the first time and found out she was playing Amber!

I think when Kerry Butler leaves LSOH, that she would be a good replacement Audrey.

Cheers,
The Balladeer

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I think I'm going to replace both Kristen and Kerry at the same time. "Popular, you're gonna be somewhere that's green..."

I got it down pat. See all my adoring fans soon.

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BillyLawlor...I know you commented on Kristin's range in Wicked, vocally, but in reality, the role of Elphaba requires a larger vocal range.

Kerry Butler has some operatic qualities to her voice in Bat Boy, especially during "Inside Your Heart". Or at least I noticed.

Agree with newyorkunique as well. Kristin was very good, but not the once-in-a-lifetime performance that everyone made her out to be.

Both of the leading ladies' leaving the show has been discussed many times before but so far no one has known for sure when either is leaving...lilhead how do you know Idina is contracted through September? Oh of course...your precious backstage pal.

I'm also going to have to agree with what everyone has been saying about Kristin. This show is just another opportunity to do her schtick, and why not? The role was tailored especially for that purpose. It's definitely Idina who has the better material to work with, vocally and character-wise. It seems to me like she's a bit of an unsung hero in this production; even though she gets plenty of praise, she is often overshadowed by Kristin, when I think it should be completely the opposite. Don't get me wrong, though--I enjoyed both of them immensely...but who gave the better performance and actually stunned me into noticing their talent? Definitely Idina.

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I really want to see Eden do Elphaba as I've heard her sing and this girl can belt it out of the park..but with the Tony nods coming, Idina wont be missing any shows till after Tony's.

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I don't know if I could necessarily see Kerry Butler in this show, not that I don't think she is awesome, cause, well she is. I think she has the most talent of all of the leading ladies on Broadway, but her as Glinda just doesn't rub me the right way. And, oh yeah, lilhead, why are you always saying such negative things about her?? It is about the most annoying stuff I see on this website.....

Why does everyone pick on Kerry Butler?

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