Current Wicked Tour Cast?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 4:56pm

I'm thinking of seeing the Wicked tour next month in Seattle. Now I've seen the show with the original cast and again with a horribel replacement cast that included Shoshana Bean and David Ayers in two of the worst professional performances I've ever seen. How is the current tour cast stopping in Seattle? I enjoy the show when top notch talent is in it but find it flails like a fish out of water when duds are in the show. Thoughts? I can't bring myself to sift through the Wicked threads out there.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 4:58pm

Which tour is it?

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 5:05pm

There is more than one?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 5:08pm

Seattle is getting the first national tour. I thought Donna Vivino, Richard H. Blake and Ben Liebert were great. Donna is the first actress I've seen who, for the most part, sang the score as written instead of adding in riffs every chance she got so that was nice. I could answer more questions if you have specifics. I can't speak for Chandra Lee Schwartz as Glinda because I saw Katie Rose Clarke just before she left.

[NDR]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 5:08pm

Yes, there are the first and second national tours.
The first national is still doing longer engagements while the second national is doing shorter engagements (most of the time).
The tour dates on the official Wicked website contain links to the tour cast information.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 5:08pm

You'd be seeing the First National Tour..Donna Vivino is a great Elphaba. I saw her last summer in Rochester..no clue about the rest of the cast though.

[NDR]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 5:10pm

I agree with CATSNYrevival that Donna Vivino is great in the role. I saw her when the first national was in Rochester NY in May 08. She performed the role more often then Carmen Cusack (sp?) and was quite honestly MUCH BETTER. I was very happy for her when she was announced as the official replacement. She is definitely worth seeing.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 5:32pm

I enjoy Blake. How are Lenny Wolpe (who I always love) and Myra Lucretia Taylor?

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 5:38pm

Lenny is great.

[inick122492]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 5:50pm

Myra is animated but her voice is not high enough. It's a little low for me. She is sinister nonetheless.

[luvbrdway]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 7:01pm

I've seen Wicked, well let's just say, quite a few times. I've seen this cast (1st tour) 5 times. They are great. I believe this casts Boq, Wizard, and Morrible, are my favorites. And Richard Blake (Fiyero)is right up there, too. I've seen Donna and Merideth (Elphaba standby) and both are fantastic. As was mentioned, they don't riff every other note (i.e. Shoshana), which makes me happy. Katie Rose Clarke was so good. Have not heard anything about her replacement, Chandra Schwartz (new Glinda). Was not real impressed with the Glinda standby (Stephanie someone, I think), but I think I was just comparing her to KRC. The people sitting next to me thought she stole the show, so there you go.

Sets, lighting, costumes - all are top notch. Go see this cast.

Updated On: 8/25/09 at 07:01 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 7:15pm

Richard surprised me the most. I went in expecting Warner in Oz, and that's not at all what I got. I was pleasantly surprised and very happy with his performance.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 7:20pm

Blake is very talented.

Ayers' Fiyero was criminal.

What's Donna's attendance like. I know past Elphaba's tend to have wonky attendance records on tour (well on Broadway too).

[otis33]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 8:32pm

I've seen this cast twice in San Diego. Personally, I think it's stronger than when I saw it on Broadway. Donna is fantastic - and vocally pretty darn brilliant. A friend of mine is good friend's with Chandra, so we went to her first performance last Friday. I thought she was great. I thought she rushed some stuff, got most of her laughs, and sounded beautiful. I imagine she's going to grow into a really funny Glinda. The cast, in general, is really strong.

The link I posted below was sent to me on Facebook. It's Donna performing selections from Wicked as Hollywood celebs. Pretty fun.
Donna at Defying Inequality Benefit in San Diego

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 8:34pm

Isn't Vivino leaving soon? You might be seeing a new Elphaba in Seattle.

[otis33]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 8:35pm

She's with the tour through Dec. And, apparently, the stand-by goes on at least once or twice a week.

[threetwoone]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 8:42pm

Actually her contract is up on November 1st, as her her website. (Just google Donna Vivino)

Chandra is booked through to June 2010, also.

Posted: 8/25/09 at 9:18pm

1st National Tour:
Glinda - Chandra-Lee Schwartz
Elphaba - Donna Vivino

2nd National Tour:
Glinda - Helene Yorke
Elphaba - Marcie Dodd

the standbys and understudies can be found on this site, along with former cast members and broadway/san fransisco cast members:
www.freewebs.com/stopanimalcruelty88
(click on the "other information" button)

hope this helps!
- Chels

[NickChopper]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 9:19pm

Updated On: 8/11/12 at 09:19 PM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/25/09 at 9:20pm

I've heard Susan, Mary, Betty, Karen, Esther, or Jenna.

[NickChopper]

Posted: 8/26/09 at 3:49pm

Updated On: 8/11/12 at 03:49 PM

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/26/09 at 3:55pm

Really Bobby? I heard that Prudence from the London production was going to take over for Donna if they couldn't get Cheryl to do it.

That Cheryl is just SO stubborn.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/26/09 at 4:42pm

See I don't think Cheryl is any more stubborn than Liz or Mary. Definetly more firm than Patricia but not nearly in the same category as Anna or Barb. Though I'd say she's a match for Trudy.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/26/09 at 4:45pm

Trudy is such a bitch. She wouldn't let me get a picture with her. Babs, Gina, & Janice were much nicer and allowed me to get a picture. But Ophelia, Denise, & Chrissy only signed which is all right I guess but still a little bitchy.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 8/26/09 at 4:47pm

Totally. But don't get me started on Ophelia. Then it'll lead to a conversation on Belinda and that requires its own thread don't you think?