Anyone catch Mandy Gonzalez in 'Wicked' tonight?- Page 2

[bwayguy22089]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 1:28am

I'm glad she's happy lol.

[BwayBoundJoe]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 1:58am

I think it's a great photo. Thanks for fixing it IdinaBellFoster

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 6:58am

She seems so happy going into this show, good for her! The show definitely needed some fresh meet.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 7:05am

<< Actually, she doesn't sing any of the songs in a lower key. I'm Not That Girl is written in a much lower key. She sings it in the same key as every other Elphaba>>

Adam... At least to my ears, definitely lower than most of the other Elphabas--- Yes, I'm Not that Girl IS written in a much lower key, but doesnt mean they all sing it alike...

"As Long As You're Mine" was lower as well-- I guess what I mean is lower than I was used to hearing it-- All in all, sounded great !

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 8:34am

Looks like I'll be hitting up the WICKED lotto with a gang of helpers soon hahaha. I'm so happy we finally got a genuinely NEW Elphaba and not some tired, recycled actress who just plays into the theme park aspect of the show. I'm glad Mandy is bringing some depth and her killer vocals to the role.

Best wishes for a healthy and happy run, Mandy! (Not that you're reading this.)

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 10:05am

I was there last night as well. I've seen the show four times now, with four different Elphabas. Mandy was my favorite, and is probably the best I've seen. Her voice is absolutely INSANE. I really liked her acting choices, and her facial expressions were perfect. If she was that good at her first show, she is going to be SCARY once she gets more comfortable.

[VMA118]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 11:16am

Thanks so much to everyone who posted their reviews!!

I'm dying to see Mandy in this role, although it would be my first time seeing Wicked so I suppose I won't have much to compare it to. I saw her in ITH, and was immediately stunned by her powerhouse vocals in combination with her ability to convey such a grounded and humble presence on stage; I bet that has a lot to do with why her acting choice of Elphaba as "dorky" really works (according to everyone's reviews anyhow). It’s as though she truly makes room for her character(s) to shine through, instead of her ego (which someone with her voice could certainly have, and which sadly I think we see in some of the b'way 'divas' in general)...and aside from the plain finesse of her vocals, it’s like you can really FEEL the specific emotions in every twist and turn of each song she sings. Anyway, just some thoughts lol...


I'm wondering - can anyone offer any suggestions about how to get decent priced tickets to see the show in the next month or two? Is that like a totally ridiculous question? haha. I would spend up to say $100-$115, but don't know of many discount sites etc. I’d prefer not to sit in the Rear Mezzanine, but I’m pretty flexible.

Suggestions?

Thanks!

Updated On: 4/2/10 at 11:16 AM

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 11:19am

Get the partial view orchestra seats? They're $55 and they're actually not bad.

[VMA118]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 11:25am

Oh ok cool, good to know! I was curious about the partial view orchestra seats, becuase I considered getting them, but don't know the theater well etc and was nervous about them.

I saw ITH in the last row - partial view bc there's an overhang - and was frustrated at parts that I missed. But it makes sense that partial view in the first couple rows is not the same thing lol.

I'll look into it...

[bwayguy22089]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 11:32am

Soooo apparently you can hear Mandy singing a song from the show on a certain site. It's a song that happens near the end of the show when her character becomes "wicked" lol.

[VMA118]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 11:37am

I think it's a great photo too, she is too cute

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 2:38pm

What are her mannerisms during No Good Deed and so on? Does she play the character in a pure evil way?

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 5:23pm

<< Get the partial view orchestra seats? They're $55 and they're actually not bad.
>>

Def go partial view !!! You really dont miss that much at all, and cant beat the price !

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 5:41pm

Adam... At least to my ears, definitely lower than most of the other Elphabas--- Yes, I'm Not that Girl IS written in a much lower key, but doesnt mean they all sing it alike...

I can tell you with certainty the keys are not lowered in this song for Mandy or anyone else. Trust me. Some just sing it much better than others. Many of the actresses that have played this role have a lot of trouble with this song because it's out of their range, but on the low end. The last note has given many a talented Elphaba fits.

"As Long As You're Mine" was lower as well-- I guess what I mean is lower than I was used to hearing it-- All in all, sounded great !

They key to ALAYM IS lower than what you hear on the cast recording. It was lowered when Joey McIntyre took over the role, and was never changed back. So, if you're comparing to the cast recording, than yes, it's a lower. But it hasn't been changed specifically for Mandy.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 6:35pm

<< It was lowered when Joey McIntyre took over the role, and was never changed back. So, if you're comparing to the cast recording, than yes, it's a lower. But it hasn't been changed specifically for Mandy. >>

Oh, didnt mean to imply that it was changed for her--- yep...just sang it lower. The more I thought about it today, more I loved her !!! Just picked up tix for 3 more dates.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 7:29pm

Alex Brightman told us at the stage door that Mandy hadn't even heard the cast recording prior to getting the role. For me that makes her performance vocally even more impressive.

[threetwoone]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 7:38pm

Re: As Long As You're Mine being lowered post Joey McIntyre.

If you ever hear an Elphaba/Fiyero choose the high note at the end of the song (even higher than the cast recording) it is just divine live. It really ends the song a lot better, and not just because it is high note thrown in for ****s n'giggles. I know Idina and Norbert, Shoshana and David, and Eden and Derrick did it sometimes for sure!

Re: Mandy

I'm SO glad she had an amazing first show! I hope she does nothing but improve from here!

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 3/24/10 at 7:39pm

She said in Andy Karl's vlog or her interview video on here that she'd seen Indina in the show.

[Gothrockboheme]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 2:42am

I have been waiting for this day!! Ever since I saw Mandy in "Dance of the Vampires" I was BLOWN away by her vocals and have been dreaming of the day she would play Elphaba. BEST CASTING DECISION EVER!!! Can't wait to see her.

[CPat6783]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 7:40am

I just saw Mandy last night 3/24 and let me tell you, everyone is in for a treat. This will be a report strictly based on her and none of the other cast members. It was my 12th time seeing it, and I now have my number one Elphaba. Like a few have said, she starts off in a kind of geeky way, but by Defying Gravity, she is nothing but angry imo. In act two she takes on a vulnerable and angry side. Her acting did not bore me at all, unlike Dee. Not trying to bad mouth Dee, I enjoy her vocals, but not her acting choices. I'll now talk about Mandy's top 3 performances.

Mandy entered to a large entrance applause and did an amazing The WAI, nothing really special in terms of riffs, but a great performance and she has amazing belt. Defying Gravity was one of the best if not the best I have seen. She sang the second bring me down in a high octave and added a weird riff in there similar to Shoshana. Voice wise I really think she has a mix of Eden and Stephanie Block. A few people at SD were also mentioning some resemblances to Eden. Don't know if others will agree.

NGD- I'll leave this one short, but her Fiyerro riff got an applause in the middle of the song which I have never seen! Her ending was nothing special, sort of just like whats on the cast recording, but still an amazing performance.

I'm not one who particularly dislikes recycled cast members, but I can say I am quite happy to see someone fresh to the role. I think Mandy will do excellent in this role and will have a really big fan base. I can't wait to go back and see her in a few weeks. I can't imagine what she will sound like after growing into the role. If anyone has any more specific questions, post and I'll be happy to answer.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 9:17am

Voice wise I really think she has a mix of Eden and Stephanie Block. A few people at SD were also mentioning some resemblances to Eden. Don't know if others will agree.

She sound the most similar to Eden Espinosa, yes. And in fact, she is by far the strongest singer they've had since Eden Espinosa.

Alex Brightman told us at the stage door that Mandy hadn't even heard the cast recording prior to getting the role.

She certainly wasn't unfamiliar with the role or show, however. She has mentioned in numerous interviews seeing Idina and being inspired by her performance, and also how she has wanted to play the role for years (and was in fact offered the tour at one point).

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 9:59am

I never said that she was unfamiliar with the show..just passing along what he told us

and CPat, thanks for your review

[WickedlyEdna1962]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 12:40pm

I saw her on her opening night and I was completely blown away by her. Her acting choices were PERFECT (though she does need to work on her comedic timing a little bit.) However, being it was only her first night I think she is going to be a FORCE on that stage once she adjusts slightly. Her vocals though were flawless. I have never heard those songs sung with such power before. TOTAL sweetheart at the stagedoor, too.

[Trainwreck]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 2:43pm

How was For Good? That's one of my favorite showtunes of all time.

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 3/25/10 at 7:36pm

Here are bits and pieces of my mother's review from the show yesturday. This is almost exactly how she said it.

- Oh, it was so good! (haha)
- I liked when they were writing letters to their parents and she was like "blonde."
- Ah, she was just so pretty. (Mandy)
- I really liked the make over scene. She (Katie R.C.) was so funny!
- When she went up, there was an uproar up appulase. People were going crazy and I was like "WOOOO!!!!"
- I was so happy she was still alive.

:)