Casting "Elphaba" as older . . .- Page 2

[theatregeek2]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 5:44pm

"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.....

[bkonbroadway]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 6:26pm

The only Elphaba who has made me think, "Oh, she's a bit too old" when she first runs onstage is Ana. It never crossed my mind with anyone else. It's all about how they look and not how old they really are. I saw Lisa last week and would think that she is in her mid to late 20's. Love her, but Ana is probably my least favorite. I think she started the show WAY too emotionally heightened and had nowhere to go from there for the rest of the show. She didn't vocally blow me away either. The age thing also bothered me and she seemed to do that thing where you don't have a line but you're mouthing what you're thinking...she did that a lot. She had good qualities too, but for me the bad outweighed to good.

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 12:21am

From your lips to God's ears, melody2!

I'd be leavin' on a jet plane in a New York minute.

[jake6970]

Posted: 11/10/07 at 12:24am

Christina DeCicco was hands down the best Glinda I've ever seen. She NAILED the role.

[miss_molly]

Posted: 11/23/07 at 9:45pm

to an extent, Elphaba should be somewhat youthful, but not too terribly old. It's not a stretch to see a 30-something play a younger Elphie, if it's done correctly.
And to correct someone from earlier, it still burns my butt that the musical isn't right, but originally Elphaba and Galinda are approximately the same age--Nessarose is a year or two younger than Elphaba. I don't think I'll ever truly enjoy the show, because all I ever think is, "It wasn't that way in the book. No no no, that's all wrong. She dies, oh my gosh, people! This isn't a happy story!" Yeah...i'm that person that goes to see film adaptations of books then whines about how badly (or well) the movie adhered to the book's plot progression.