Stephanie was my all-time favorite Elphaba. When I saw her in Washington, DC back in January 2006, it was the best time I had ever had at WICKED. She and Julia Murney are the best I've seen. I feel so lucky to be able to see Julia's final performance as Elphaba and then Stephanie's first NY performance two days later. I will be in WICKED heaven.
As far as their ages, it's different in the original book... but then we're not talking about the novel here, either! And yes, I would say they're around 4 to 5 years apart, as jordangirl says, because Elphaba remembers the birth.
In the book, Glinda and Elphaba would be the same age, though. Nessa doesn't start at Shiz until later on. Of course at the end of the book, when Elphaba "dies," she's also 38 years old. (The same age as Margaret Hamilton when she played the Wicked Witch in the MGM movie). That was Maguire's intention.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
Still, either way. I'm not worried about Stephanie. I'm worried about Carolee if it turns out to be true. She's 45 years old. TOO old to play Elphaba, no matter how good her voice is.
Stephanie is the best Elphaba I've seen. I can't believe she's just now getting to play her on Broadway.
FTR, I never got to see Idina.
Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be enbered with your old nonsense. ~ Emerson
Just throwin' in my 2 cents, but Stephanie's contract is much longer than 3 months. So, the Lea Michele date in January ain't gonna happen. Secondly it's been repoted that SJB, and SA will take 2 weeks in October (I assume late) for their nuptuals.