Casting "Elphaba" as older . . .

I find that I don't like the younger Elphaba's as much as I do the older ones. Maybe it's because they have more experience to draw off of? I have no idea! But the portrayals for the most part are more to my liking then younger Elphaba's.

I hate the show, but I noticed how Ana brought so much more to the role when I saw her in it than the previous people I have seen/heard.

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Haven't most of the Broadway Elphabas been in their 30's? Idina Menzel, Ana Gasteyer, Stephanie J. Block, and Julia Murney were all in their 30's when they played the role. I don't follow the show closely enough to know about all of the stand-by/understudies, but it seems like Eden Espinoza and Shoshona Bean were in the minority.

I think it does come down to knowing that your singer can handle the role--and handle it eight (or at least six) shows per week. The same thing happens with Phantom of the Opera. Most of the Christine Daee's have been more age appropriate for Carlotta. (Okay, maybe that's a stretch). There are younger performers out there who can handle it, but without the experience to prove they can, it's risky for a casting director.

In my opinion, there are two problems with this casting. The first being that the producers seem to think that makeup will cover most signs of aging. What they forget is that women's bodies and physicality are just as good of, if not better signs of age as face wrinkles.

One can argue that the character of Elphaba is only supposed to be college age for the first act of the show, and therefore does not have to be cast with a younger actor. But, this leads me to problem two. The Glindas seem to be getting younger and younger. Having a 3? year old Idina Menzel is fine as Elphaba when you have a 3? year old Kristen Chenoweth as Glinda. Putting 3? year old Lisa Brescia next to 22 year old Annaleigh Ashford is another story completely.

I think that both Kristin and especially Jennifer Laura Thompson were some of the best portrayals of the role and they were both in their 30's. It clearly works with a Glinda in her 30's. It's interesting that they've begun to cast Glinda's 10 years younger then what they started out with.

I hope that all makes sense!

>> I think the nature of the role and the make-up might allow
>> you to cast an older actress without having to stretch your
>> credibility too far.

I think fantasy make-up (i.e. green face) allows you a lot of room with age, etc. In fact, I've said it before -- it would not be unusual for a 'wicked witch' to look 'older' than her peers as she is "different". I mean, all the actresses portraying have been estremely pretty. And in the book, she is never described as "pretty" or "cute". She has sharp teeth and even in the musical . . . "froggy skin". To me, it just wouldn't be green, it would be bumpy, ugly and maybe "old" looking. Nevertheless, I love 'my Elphaba's' -- Ana, Julia and Lisa (to date); and to a lesser degree, the youngest one I've seen [she was 26-years old], Cassidy [on the West End]was good, but definitely will be better, in my opinion, when she is in her 30s. She was a bit too, well, young to have the passion that is needed for the role and the dramatic depth (of voice) that can only comes with age.

>> there is a certain point when she is supposed to be playing a
>> SCHOOL GIRL that might come off more comical for the wrong
>> reasons if a person older than Ana or Julia were playing it.

This depends on how "old" the actress appears, actually. I know several actresses in their 40s (early to almost 50 years old) you cannot tell they are near their 40s! They look about 33 to 35 years old and are cast that way, too. Thus, it would depend on how "old" the person 'older than Ana or Julia' looks.

I also thought, out of make-up, both Julia and Lisa do look their age if not a bit older. I may have thought they were already 40.

>> Plus, there are certain things that could be overlooked as
>> long as the actor makes up for it in every other department.

Totally agreed, though!

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Also...Glinda and Elphaba are only in college in the first act. By Act Two it is suggested that they are no longer at Shiz and probably in their mid to late twenties. I know that many years are supposed to have past.

If Lea Michele gets the role, will she be the youngest Elphaba yet? Or am I just opening a can full of worms? lol.

Id actually rather see them act. It doesnt bother me when people crack or such as they are human. I find Kerry Ellis's Elphaba makes me want to drill out my own eyes shes such a dull dud of an actress. Musical Theatre is about telling stories ... if not they would be just concerts.

I thought Jenna Leigh Green was great when I saw her go on as Elphaba. Dee Roscioli not so much.

Of course, I haven't taken my "vibe" on watching 'The Wizard of Oz' these days. But, I always thought of Margaret Hamilton/Wicked Witch as much older than 38!!! LOL! Maybe it's from the books . . . a mean, "old" wicked witch!

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Somewhere out of this discussion does Rachel York get to play her?

This is one of those roles that, on stage, doesn't matter so much with age. I was close to the stage when I saw S. J. B. do it, and I never flinched at her ability to convincingly portray the school girl Elphie. I never questioned it.
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"I am not sure there is one ULTIMATE woman who has played the role. It's a killer."

I saw Julia Murney, and I can't imagine anyone being as perfect in the role as she was.


broadwaylvsong.....I agree she WAS perfect as Elphabe....and I've seen Idina, Ana, Stephanie and Jenna Leigh in the role.....