Another Review of Laura Bell in Wicked

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 2/19/04 at 12:13pm

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

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 2/19/04 at 12:53pm

Not to burst her "bubble" but I think that there are alot of people out there on Broadway who are as good and better than Kristen. I hope I get to see Laura next time I go. I have seen Kristen perform a few times and could never understand what the big deal was. Updated On: 2/19/04 at 12:53 PM

[A_Boy_From_Oz]

Posted: 2/19/04 at 1:01pm

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)

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 2/19/04 at 1:05pm

NYuniq, I totally agree with you. I didn't find Kristin's performance to be anything hugely spectacular.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 2/19/04 at 2:17pm

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.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 2/19/04 at 2:22pm

I think it is well for people to remember that she has only gone on a total of 3 times in the role and as a standby, they don't recieve an abundance of rehearsal time and those performances are likely the only times she has worked, in character, with the principal cast.
Kuddos to Laura Bell

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 2/19/04 at 2:28pm

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.

Posted: 2/19/04 at 4:01pm

A little off the subject but wouldn't Kerry Bulter be the PERFECT replacement for Glinda. She is perfect and I think she could be even better than Kristin.(Kirstin fans dont hate me for saying that)

[TheBalladeer]

Posted: 2/19/04 at 4:07pm

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

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 2/19/04 at 5:10pm

I don't think Kerry would work because Glinda has all that operatic material in "No One Mourns the Wicked". She hasn't been trained in that genre, and I don't know if she can sing like that. At least, it doesn't say so in her very long bio on her website, I don't think.

[BudFrump23]

Posted: 2/19/04 at 5:21pm

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.

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 2/19/04 at 5:41pm

I love Kristin but her "acting" as Glinda isn't much more than her just being herself on stage. I dont think it's any huge acting challenge...Idina has the more difficult role since it is more serious and demanding.

I can not imagine Kerry Butler in this show. But I also could not stand Kerry Butler in Little Shop either.

After seeing Stephanie Block do the role of Elphaba one night in San Fran, I would love for her to take over for Idina whenever Idinia departs (she is contracted through September) and I've heard rumors there have been talks.

I would love to see Laura do Glinda just to see someone else's intrepretation of the role. I took a look at her website and had some good chuckles.. it looks like a site made from one of those "make your own website" programs. Do we really need to see "20 years of headshots"? And something about the wording of "Laura is scheduled to be the Star Replacement for KRISTIN CHENOWETH " really bugs me.

Thanks for posting your thoughts as I always enjoy hearing what people think about understudies they have seen. I got to see some understudies recently for Chicago, Hairpsray, and Taboo and its nice to see different ways in which roles are played.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 2/19/04 at 6:31pm

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

[Al Dente]

Posted: 2/19/04 at 6:54pm

I agree with newyorkunique a million percent as well.

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 2/19/04 at 6:58pm

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

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 2/19/04 at 7:12pm

Kerry Butler is a terrible actress. Speaking of which, I would love to hear Shoshana Bean sing Elphaba's songs. I would not like to see her act the part.

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 2/19/04 at 7:36pm

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.

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 2/19/04 at 8:09pm

Actually, I read it online..playbill or broadway, not sure which that the leads are contracted through September.. this goes for Joel, Norbert, Kristin, etc.... Most ensemble contracts expire in June . As of now, no leads are expected to stay past September. Joel Grey has stated publicly he wants to go on tour. Kristin has another show.. not sure about Idina as it hasnt been published any future plans, I guess a possible Tony Award might change things.

No big inside secret there...

[flaemmchen]

Posted: 2/20/04 at 12:43am

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.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 2/20/04 at 4:28pm

if i HAD to see an understudy for Kristin chenowith, Laura Bell Bundy would be my first choice. But i hope when i see it in june ill see Idina and kristin...just because i wont be able to see Wicked again....maybe.

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 2/20/04 at 4:33pm

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.

[mamamia sammy]

Posted: 2/20/04 at 4:44pm

Never say never!

[brdwaybaby17]

Posted: 2/20/04 at 4:50pm

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.....

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 2/20/04 at 5:06pm

"I think she [KERRY BUTLER} has the most talent of all of the leading ladies on Broadway"

Are you for real?!?!?! What are you smoking cause I need some!

[mamamia sammy]

Posted: 2/20/04 at 5:06pm

Why does everyone pick on Kerry Butler?