BRANDI CHAVONNE MASSEY AS ELPHABA!!!- Page 3

[atlsuperstar]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 6:13pm

Thank you Bobby, that's exactly what I mean

[C is for Company]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 6:15pm

Do you know who Joohee Choi is? She nominated the same year as Idina, would you consider her a big name too just cause she was nominated? Both were nominated and lost, I don't think that makes someone in high demand. I'm pretty sure Idina got it because people saw what they wanted in her and she did the role justice. After all she is the one who won the Tony for the role.

"There's no point in ignoring the truth sweetie"

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 6:24pm

"What is funny about what MenzelManiac's comments is that Idina is a HUGE riffer as well. "
Woah, woah, back it up there. Just because she happens to be very good at riffing, it doesn't mean she's a "HUGE riffer." She changes things here and there, but it's never to the point of absurdity. One thing that she lacks that so so SO many other young belters do today is musical and dramatic sense.

And the first time Elphaba flies in "Defying Gravity" is not a green light to "let it rip." It's a moment of intensity, but so many people who find it appropriate to "let it rip" at that point just give me a big ol' headache. It has to work musically and dramatically. Too much is too much.

EDIT: HOW did I miss this gem:

"NO ONE wants to come to Wicked, and see a girl just act."

Hahahahhahahahhaa. You know, it's sad and pathetic, but it's true for a lot of people who go to the show. However, go watch Mariah Carey scream her lungs out like a diva on crack if all you want is inane vocal acrobatics. I'm afraid you're going to have to go to London to see someone who really knows what she's doing in the role.
Updated On: 8/7/06 at 06:24 PM

[bobbystrong]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 6:34pm

By saying Idina is a "huge riffer" - I wasn't speaking negatively of her. But that is kind of her thing...well ONE of her things. You know when she was in Aida, they actually added a break in "Strongest Suit" for her to riff? And have you ever heard "Over The Moon" and "Life of the Party"? heh.

Changes things 'here and there'?? Haha... And you don't think she "let it rip" at the end of Defying Gravity?? Any Elphaba that doesn't (and almost all of them have) is vocally weak. Idina certainly "let it rip" at the end of DG and NGD...

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 6:41pm

"NO ONE wants to come to Wicked, and see a girl just act"

Nope, they just come to see the cherry picker in action.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 6:43pm

You are missing my point. If by "letting it rip" you mean riffing all over the place like a big diva, no, she did not. She always ALWAYS sang with dramatic sense. She never resorted to the level of vocal acrobatics that some of the other ladies do--it's really a trick to hide lack of acting ability. Idina could hold a note for more than a beat without riffing. And when she did change the melody, it was something sensible. Musically, it brought out something different, perhaps something more in tune with how she was feeling that day. She never just showed off. THAT is what people are protesting in these other "actresses."

[HatBoy]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 7:55pm

To be completely honest, I know Shoshana is the "riffing queen" but I honestly don't think she riffed her way through the songs all that much.

She riffed "kiss me goodbye"-- Every Elphaba does it differently.
She riffed "..find me-EE-EE"-- Since when is she the only one?
She riffed "Everyone deserves"-- A lot of other Elphaba's does that as well (Kristy, Eden, Saycon, Brandi)
She riffed "Solo"-- Eden does that, Idina did it on occasion.. as do others.
She riffed "I'm flying high, defying gravity"-- a very appropriate time to riff, it's a high F. Most Elphaba's make use of it.
She riffed the ending, but that's expected.

Now, I understand that's only a brief generalization of her riffs, she often changes here and there, but I've never once heard or seen her perform too many riffs that it was all I could pay attention to. Little "garnishes" so to speak, but nothing over the top that you wouldn't find Eden doing right now.

I think what Bobbystrong argued was valid because Idina is at just as much fault as any other if you're comparing how true she stuck to the score. I believe that this all comes down to a matter of acting, because it'd be redundant to argue about vocals.

Some believe Shoshana took a very "sassy" approach to the character, which DOES still work. I suppose it's just different interpretations and different preferences. I personally think that each portrayal is able to communicate what needs to be communicated. HOW they choose to communicate it, all depends on the actress.

$0.02

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 8:20pm

It depends on when you saw the show. By the end of her run she riffed a lot.

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 8/7/06 at 8:54pm

I've heard mixed reviews, I'm glad to know she's gotten better. It's nice to see someone besides Saycon and Eden, mixes it up a bit.