D.B.'s WICKED in Chicago review

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 4:16pm

Having moved from New York to attend Indiana University, I was able to see far fewer Broadway shows than I normally would. Instead of attending just about everything "big" that year, I would have to settle for two to three shows, depending on how long my annual visit back to New York would be (my parents moved to Arizona after I graduated high school). So, since "Wicked" got mixed to negative reviews from many critics, and since a musical drawn from "The Wizard of Oz" didn't seem that exciting to me, I never really got around to seeing it. However, having been a member of BroadwayWorld.com for over a year, and having read and seen countless threads about this show, I decided I finally had to buy a ticket. Having just moved to Chicago, I felt that this would be a perfect opportunity, even if it isn't the Broadway production.

Let me say, first off, that I generally agree with what most major critics have said about the show. Schwartz's score, with only a few exceptions (most notably "Defying Gravity," of course), is mostly generic pop. Many of the songs simply sound the same, while some are so generic they could be put into just about any show (i.e. the Frank Wildhorn-esque "As Long As Your Mine"). The book also has some major flaws. The story of "Wicked" is fascinating and often ingenious as a "prequel" to the famous story of Dorothy and her friends, but Winnie Holzman's adaptation is, frankly, not a very good one. I could spend another paragraph ripping into the problems with the show's book, but enough people have already done that, so I'll refrain. I'm also aware that "Wicked" has a huge following this board, so I'll hold back on some of my criticisms of the material itself and instead focus on the Chicago production that I saw.

The cast was, for the most part, excellent. As Glinda, I cannot praise Kate Reinders more highly. True, I haven't seen Kristen (or any other actress) in the role, but I thought she sang superbly (actually sounding a lot like Chenoweth), and nailing both the comedy and drama. Her rendition of "Popular" was particularly outstanding. Rondi Reed was perfect as Madame Morrible, Gene Weygandt did all that can be done with the severely underwritten role of The Wizard, and Steven Skybell made the most of his small role as Dr. Dillamond. In the younger roles, Kristoffer Cusick, Heidi Kettenring, and Telly Leung all did well, although I felt that Cusick was a little stiff.

The only real beef I had with anyone in the cast was, unfortunately, the most important person--Ana Gasteyer. Her singing voice is good, even if it has a strange huskiness. But the role of Elphaba and all the vocal pyrotechnics involved require much more than a "good" voice, and Gasteyer really doesn't have the chops for it. Much of this has to do with her rather limited vocal range--the low notes during "I'm Not That Girl" were almost out of her reach, and she had to reach so much for her high notes that I kept on worrying that she was going to crack (and, in fact, she did--or at least ran out of breath or something--on the end of "No Good Deed"). Her acting is also problematic--she over-emotionalizes her dramatic scenes (the second-act fight with Glinda in particular), and goes for each of her comedic lines like she's still on "Saturday Night Live," which is not only distracting, but probably less funny than a more truthful comedic approach would have been.

What's troubling about all this is not that she's "bad"--she's servicible in the role I suppose--but obviously she was cast because of her marquee value, which "Wicked" doesn't need. The show is such an established hit already that people are going to go see it no matter who's in it. Case in point, the Broadway production, currently featuring two "unknowns" as the leading ladies, is still selling out. Stunt casting for box office purposes is annoying, but when such a boost isn't even necessary, it's even more aggravating. Although Gasteyer hits the marks, there are many women out there who could have surpassed them.

The rest of the production, since it's all a clone of the New York production, is what's expected. The sets and lights are amazing, and the costumes are creative and serve each character well. However, if you're a "Wicked" fanatic, I wouldn't bother making a special trip to Chicago just to see this.


Updated On: 8/11/05 at 04:16 PM

[Fosse76]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 4:38pm

Hmmm...you are in the minority. Most people thought Gasteyer does a phenomenal job. I plan on seeing it next time I'm in Chicago.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 5:10pm

Please explain what "Marquee Value" Ana Gasteyer has. Other than her seasons of Saturday Night Live (Where she was hardly a household name) she has appeared in exactly zero Broadway shows and zero films. Her "Claim to Fame" was a relatively minor part in a made for Showtime film that I'd guess has been seen by less people than will have seen Wicked.

While I disagree with your opinion that she was not equal to her role, the assertion that she has some sort of "name" that would have gotten her csat in the part is factually incorrect. I am curious which of her rather obscure roles you think have given her "Marquee Value."

[leon1489]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 5:17pm

I'm interested in finding out about the problems you find with the book. I thought it was a great one, but aknowledge there are some flaws. What exactly are the issues you had with it?

[Joshua488]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 5:22pm

If Ana Gasteyer wasn't "Ana Gasteyer" and hadn't been on Saturday Night Live for years, I doubt she would have gotten the part. I'm not saying she's not good enough for it, because I think she is, but why did they hire Ana over some unknown actress? Probably because her name is more well-known than the other woman.

[greatdct]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 5:24pm

I actually am pleased to read your opinions. I feel the same. I am a Wicked fan but see no need to see any other production than the Broadway one for exactly those reasons.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 5:27pm

I think the book definitely has some flaws. It has some cute and clever moments - but it needs (needed) work.

The score definitely has some good moments. I don't even think the Wicked haters can deny that GRAVITY is a very good song.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 5:28pm

Joe--Ana Gasteyer may not be as famous as Julia Roberts, but after six season on Saturday Night Live, one of the most popular comedy programs in the country, she's quite well known. Also, Broadway's standards of "marquee value" are pretty low--David Hasselhoff, anyone?

Leon--the book isn't terrible, but I think that some of the dialogue is kinda melodramatic, and the whole love triangle between Elphaba, Glinda, and Fiyero is pretty tiresome. I also think that the role of Boq is pointless and annoying, and that the character of the Wizard is severely underdeveloped. It's a great story, just not a good adaptation.
Updated On: 8/11/05 at 05:28 PM

[Joshua488]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 5:49pm

That's exactly what I mean. "Ana Gasteyer in Wicked" is going to bring in more people than "Susie Brown in Wicked." People recognize it more. It might not be a household name, but it's big enough.

[leon1489]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 5:50pm

Okay, so pretty much the same issues I had with it. I definitely don't see the point of Boq, aside from the Tinman reference, which I thought was clever.

[OrdinaryJukebox1]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 5:58pm

I enjoy reading people's reviews, to see how varied they are, and how different some people find things. One person's rags is another person's riches, kind of thing. However, some of the people on this board go on and on, in such detail, about the "flaws" and such, I just want to know, what is it that you do that you have such a detailed critique? Have you studied writing and theater and all that sort? DON'T GET ME WRONG people. I'm not saying you HAVE to have studied these things to form an opinion, but some people go on and on and on and on and on and on as if they have GREAT knowledge.

-Vincent

[HBP]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 6:21pm

DB, I couldn't agree with you more. I heard Ana on an audio singing DG and I was soo excited to see her, but once I actually saw her, I was pretty disappointed. She's looks OK in the role, very witchy in my opinion. However, it was her acting that bothered he, and her facial and body expressions. I didn't hate her in the role at all. I was mostly disappointed with how she looked/acted in "Defying Gravity." If you're playing Elphaba and you disappoint me in "Defying Gravity," you lost my vote. That's why I'm such a fan of Idina, Stephanie, Shoshana and Eden. Kristy did a VERY solid job in my opinion, but I saw her as u/s in NYC in September 04, I'm sure she's progressed a lot.

[SondhFan]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 6:55pm

Hey DB are you and HBP brothers? I think identical twins. But it just shows there is always some look-a-like out there for everyone. Your takes on Ana Gasteyer are so off the wall. The reviews of the Chicago production have not been mixed. The show has received near unanimous acclamation. The person receiving the greatest adulation: Ana Gasteyer. She is fantastic. The old adage of there being no acounting for opinion and taste has been well proven by your takes.
Updated On: 8/11/05 at 06:55 PM

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 7:00pm

I like grapes.

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 7:02pm

Gravity would be the best song in the show but Shwartz ruins it. Gravity would be the best if the rest of the songs didn't require the constant belting that they do. Which makes Gravity nothing really special. In a show with more balanced songs and not just constant balls out belting, Gravity would easily stand out more.

[Kimmygonbefamous]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 7:11pm

Actually, Ana was in "What Women Want". For about a half a second...but still.

[SondhFan]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 7:12pm

Mr. Fosse
You are so right. She does a phenomenal job. It's a production not to be missed. Many people who have seen the original broadway production and the current NYC one(and enjoyed both of them) have opined that Ana and the Chicago Wicked are outstanding.

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 7:31pm

Gasteyer was also in "Mean Girls" with a decent sized part.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 9:16pm

SondhFan--don't be so offended. It's just my personal opinion. What, is Ana Gasteyer your mom or something?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 9:37pm

I guess there is no way to convince people other wise, but in this universe, on this planet, Ana Gasteyer is NOT a "Name." Comparing her to David Hasselhoff is absurd-- and I am NO David Hasselhoff fan, but his TV show probably was watched by 20 or 30 times the audience SNL is-- and he was the absolute star of it.

I guess I'll just say this: Go ask people on the street who Ana Gasteyer is. Even people who watched SNL couldn't put her name to the face. AND-- as someone who lives in Chicago and has seen Wicked hype from day one: There has not been one single ad that featured her name. Even now when she has recieved phenomenal reviews, the ads do not mention her. I just don't understand why people think she is a big star. I don't think even SHE thinks she's a big star.

[Sunfish]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 10:06pm

OJ1, intelligent people can discuss topics in depth without working in those industries. They continue to add to their knowledge, probably over years, from various sources. Generally, those sources do not include reviews such as "Wicked rules! Idina/Stephanie/Ana is AWESOME!"

I found much of interest in DB's review and some areas of agreement as well. There seems to be no point in discussing it, however, as defensive juices are quick to rise when Wicked is the topic!

[SondhFan]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 10:14pm

DB, I am not personally offended. You certainly have a right to your own opinion no matter how baseless or isolated it may be. I just don't understand how you can so "generously" call Ana's performance "servicible". It's like saying Mickey Mantle or Joe Montana were "decent" players. Maybe she's not the absolute best Elphaba but your description is laughable. That's all.

By the way welcome to Chicago. Your critique would be similar to calling Mayor Daley an ok mayor. No, Ana is not my mom but I certainly wouldn't want such a fatuous and gratuitous comment to be made about anyone who turns in a great performance day after day.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 10:20pm

So, you're saying Ana Gasteyer is to theater as Mickey Mantle was to baseball?

[SondhFan]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 10:22pm

Joe. You are dead on. I think that's why people are so surprised when they see and hear Ana. I wasn't that big a fan of her on SNL. She was good not great. The Minnesota radio show skit was kind of lame. However, Ana's Elphaba is simply great. If she can translate that to other roles(and I don't see why can't) she is going to be a star. Let's face it as wonderful as Cheno is, how many movie or televison fans know she exists.

[SondhFan]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 10:33pm

Absolutely not. Mickey had a long and fabulous career. Ana's stage experience is virtually brand new. But her Elphaba performance is outstanding. Her Wicked performances to date are like Mickey's early play, great. Maybe Ana will be a flash. However, I just can't agree with you that she is simply servicible. I could understand (though not agree with) an opinion that she was good not great. It's funny because I agree with your opinion on Kate and the other main cast members. But I also enjoy our strong difference of opinions. It's like the pro and anti Hilary factions.