Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen

[iholland95]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 5:21pm

What is the best production of Wicked you've ever seen? Who played Glinda and Elphaba? What made it the best production? Mine was seeing the national tour last January and seeing Jessica Vosk as Elphaba  and Amanda Jane Cooper as Glinda 

Updated On: 2/15/18 at 05:21 PM

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 6:45pm

The current 2NT company with Mary Kate Morrissey and Ginna Claire Mason.

[Loopin’theloop]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 6:46pm

Without being pedantic, I assume you are referring to the English language productions. Therefore, it’s favourite cast. They are the same production.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 6:49pm

The one I stage in my living room when no one is home.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 6:50pm

adamgreer said: "The one I stage in my living room when no one is home. "

The one with the step stool?? I know it soo well

[binau]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 6:59pm

Loopin’theloop said: "Without being pedantic, I assume you are referring to the English language productions. Therefore, it’s favourite cast. They are the same production."

Actually, they have licensed the rights to this show in Australia. Here is a production I saw (NOT my website or review):

https://musicaltrioblog.wordpress.com/2016/08/08/wicked-at-riverside/

The show felt a little like a cheap rip off the original production, but it was surprisingly effective and still 'worked'. I'd like to see a complete reinvention of the show one day. Someone somewhere will have a bizarre idea of a 'concept' and run with it (e.g., making Glinda re-tell the story from inside a WW2 concentration camp).

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 7:38pm

Here in NYC a couple years ago - Rachel Tucker as Elphaba and Carrie St. Louis as Glinda. I think Rachel Tucker is the best Elphaba out there. I felt like her interpretation of the character stayed very true to the characterization of Elphaba in Gregory Maguire's novel (which I consider to be a literary masterpiece). I LOVED her portrayal as Elphaba. It was very visceral and real.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 8:48pm

I loved the original cast, but the best Elphaba was Stephanie J. Block.  I was blown away by her in the first national tour.

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 9:11pm

The OBC.

Saw it with Block and also the second time it came to Denver when I went on "preview" night. I think Julia Murney was Elphaba but her umderstudy went on and blew the roof off of the place. I forget her name but she was outstanding.

[Zamedy154]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 9:50pm

I've never seen a Broadway cast for this show, but my best experience was with the North American Tour starring Carmen Cusack and Katie Rose Clark. I was equally as impressed with Alma Cuervo as Madame Morrible. She was divine, and every MM I've seen since have been a bit of a letdown.

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 2/15/18 at 10:27pm

^ Morrible! Actually, I think having gone specifically to see Sheryl Lee Ralph who was fierce, the current Morrible Isabel Keating is stellar! She had the vocals, which sorry, they usually do not, the humor, all around she was the total package. Jackie is the closest to Idina we’re gonna get- Tucker and Dwyer are also my other top contenders- honorable mention to Teal Wicks- you never forget your first Lindsay Mendez scores high for making it her own, she was all around just spectacular! I have to say, having seen the current production this week, Jackie and Isabel are the only positives for me- Ashley Parker Angel does a nice job of filling out those white pants though Amanda has a strong lower register and channels Kristen an awful lot, but the upper range was really inconsistent, her acting saved her performance for me. Katie Rose Clark and Kara Lindsay are my only comparisons, however I did see Tess Soltau on for Kara once and she was really great! Wicked is magical no matter what, I’ve never left completely disappointed, I’m a sucker for spectacle and it always gets me!

Updated On: 2/16/18 at 10:27 PM

[broadwayliz22]

Posted: 2/16/18 at 12:31am

Saw it this summer in NYC with Jennifer Dinoia and Kara Lindsay. Kara was truly an amazing Glinda and my person favorite!! Wicked is such a great show!

[greensgreens]

Posted: 2/16/18 at 12:46pm

I was lucky enough to see Eden Espinosa & Megan Hilty on B'way. I want to say that Ben Vereen was the Wizard at that point. I appreciated that none of them were copying performances from actors who previously played the role, which doesn't always happen. And from the moment she entered, Megan was an absolute sensation and I knew she would go on to great things. She honestly outshone Elphaba, which I have never seen before or since. It was so cool to see a "star in the making." However, Rue McClanahan was the worst Madame Morrible ever - and it pains me greatly to say that.

Second favorite was original Chicago cast with Ana Gasteyer. I was really excited to see what she could do with the role and she delivered. Her vocals were great and I appreciated that she restrained on the riffs/pop sound and focused on delivery and storytelling. Too many Elphabas seem to be unable to maintain their "acting" through the songs, they completely lose the character and just go straight for belting and riffing. She was the only Elphaba that balanced the acting and singing elements of the character. She gave that role nuance and depth that I have never seen before or since.

I wish Megan and Ana had performed on B'way together. They would have been an astounding cast.

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 2/16/18 at 1:03pm

Lindsay Mendez is tops in my book. Just outstandingly funny and brilliantly nuanced.

[darquegk]

Posted: 2/16/18 at 1:06pm

I'm always sad when I remember how Ana Gasteyer has forever remained a C-lister in both stage and TV, despite so many opportunities to break out. Granted, she's constantly working- like Tim Meadows, she appears on about one sitcom a week- but other than "Reefer Madness," she's never had a big star turn that she can absolutely sink her teeth into.

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 2/16/18 at 1:52pm

broadway, london, first and second national tours, SF sit down.

Im stunned at how well Wicked has invested in the franchise with consistently outstanding casts and leads over the 14 years of the show.

Idina and helen in london 

Teal and Kendra in SF

Eden and Megan in LA

Jackie Burns (current broadway) is a beast-simply amazing...

 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/16/18 at 3:42pm

Gasteyer was my least favorite Elphaba.  A couple of funny moments, but her voice lacked power and her "dramatic" acting was Theatre Major 101.  I thought she had improved as Fosca in Passion, but I never understood the love for her in Wicked outside of landing a few jokes (I'll admit she did the best clumsy "toss-toss" bit in Popular).

Kendra was WAY too hyper as Glinda for me.  It didn't make sense with the rich and spoiled characterization.  She seemed more like a nerdy cheerleader.

[WickedFan1615]

Posted: 2/16/18 at 7:56pm

Second national tour with Jessica Vosk and Ginna Claire Mason

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 2/16/18 at 8:08pm

My favorite trio is still Kerry Ellis, Dianne Pilkington, and Oliver Tompsett from the London cast. Jackie Burns gives Kerry Ellis a run for her money, but I wasn't a huge fan of Chandra Lee Schwartz or the Fiyeros when I saw Jackie on tour and on Broadway. 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 2/16/18 at 8:59pm

Wicked with Jackie Burns like 6 years ago and she's back...Don't miss it w/ Jackie Burns she owns the part now!

Updated On: 2/16/18 at 08:59 PM

[HighFlyingAdored97]

Posted: 2/16/18 at 9:41pm

I've seen the Broadway production 4x and Donna Vivino gave one of the most incredible performances I've ever seen. She was Jackie Burns' standby around 5 years ago. Her singing and riffs were killer and her acting was so nuanced. Teal Wicks was great as well. The best Glinda I've seen is Laura Woyasz who went on for Katie Rose Clarke in 2011.

[Rainah]

Posted: 2/16/18 at 11:36pm

I've seen a few of the heavyweights, including Dweyer and Burns, but my favourite pairing to date was Jennifer DiNoia and Kara Lindsay. This was also backed up by a friend who's seen the production 20+ times in four countries, those two in particular were outstanding. I am fussy about my Glindas but felt Kara did an excellent journey, from superficial schoolgirl to public figure, and really brought depth to numbers like Thank Goodness. 

[Shannon Bo Dannon]

Posted: 2/17/18 at 4:28pm

I loved the 1st national tour in 2009 with Donna Vivino as Elphaba and Katie Rose Clarke as Glinda. Richard H. Blake as Fiyero and Ben Liebert as Boq were also great.

[Plannietink08]

Posted: 2/17/18 at 8:28pm

The amateur premier performed by CLOC theatre company in Melbourne. The show felt fresh, the characters were reinvented and it was the first time I saw the show and felt genuinely captivated by the performances. Elphaba's voice grew more hoarse as the show went on which added to her character, giving the impression she was exhausted and frustrated and angrier in every scene. It truly was breathtaking. The girl playing Glinda was, without a doubt, my favourite Glinda. She could have played the role professionally.

 

My one note would be Nessarose's wig was horrendous AF and the Wizard's giant head look tacky and cheap. Apart from that the show was stellar.