D.B.'s WICKED in Chicago review- Page 2

[SondhFan]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 10:35pm

DB,maybe we could resurrect the Akroyd- Curtin point-counterpoint. LOL
Updated On: 8/11/05 at 10:35 PM

[SondhFan]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 10:44pm

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Gasteyer / Reinders Interviewed...
2 witches for the price of one! Both Kate Reinders and Ana Gasteyer were given the star treatment in the Chicago Tribune who interviewed them both seperately this week. All the reports out of Chicago so far are saying that the company is artistically as, if not more successful than the other currently running productions of the show. Kudos to all involved.

Back to the main subject, the two interviews are:
Actress: Glinda's just the beginning and
Gasteyer is queen of mean in 'Wicked'

Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2005 @ 05:55 PM

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 10:45pm

SondhFan--to me, one of the great joys of my profession is discussing it with other people. I love to talk about theater and discuss shows and performances with my peers. This is supposed to be FUN. For God's sake, chill out.

[OrdinaryJukebox1]

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

I knew my point would be missed...I'm not surprised...

-Vincent

[aegeusrocks]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 11:36pm

For God's sake, SondhFan, stop beating DB over the head. It is just an opinion. Pipe down already, you're giving people, including me, headaches. There is no reason to start insulting people because they didn't like a person's performance. Maybe it was an off-night for Ana? Who knows. And please, pleeeeease don't respond to this by saying that Ana doesn't have off-nights. Every Broadway star has had at least one off-night. I will beat you over the head if you claim she couldn't.

[SondhFan]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 11:43pm

should i duck now

[aegeusrocks]

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

You might have to if you claim that Ana can't have off-nights.

[liz328]

Posted: 8/11/05 at 11:56pm

I have to throw in my two cents. When we went to Chicago recently, I fought to see Wicked. I had seen it several times on Broadway and I just enjoy the show. I was also a big fan of Ana Gasteyer's amazing performances on SNL.

However, I must agree with D.B. While Ana's singing was quite impressive on SNL, I did not like her interpretation of Elphaba. I realize that Ana has received a number of positive reviews, and I recognize that she has measurable vocal talent. Her voice was just not right for Elphaba - most of the time I was waiting for the "real singing" to begin because she was speak-singing her parts. Her voice just wasn't pleasant to listen to...and this comes from someone who admired her for years on Saturday Night Live. Though I think Ana's talent was highlighted on the over the top SNL, I felt like she was overacting the entire time. She was TOO angry when she was supposed to be annoyed, TOO happy when she was supposed to be amused -- she made Elphaba seem manic-depressive. It seemed as if she could only play Elphaba in the moment; I saw no change, no metamorphosis in the character.

Kate Reinders was perfect as Glinda, the best Glinda I've seen since Chenoweth. She made the part her own in a way that I felt Jennifer Laura Thompson never could. I was immensely pleased with her performance.

All in all, I agree with D.B., though it makes me sad that I feel this way. Though I had expected great things from her, Ana's performance ended up being the worst of the Chicago production.

[SondhFan]

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

To DB HBP and others, I sincerely apologize for annoying you.

Certainly,actors can have off nights.
Isn't amazing how few off nights most performers have especially those in long running shows. Aren't good actors truly amazing. There's probably a thread on this, but I wonder how often does a good actor misfire.

[SondhFan]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 12:04am

I better shut up about Ana because I seem to have brought out the negative Ana reviewers. Yes Ana can and may have been off according to the posts here. But the 3 times I saw her and the times my friends have, she was rated great vocally and acting wise. It's funny tonight that the posts have all been glowing for kate, and I agree with them. Earlier posts on other Wicked threads were frequently very negative.
Updated On: 8/12/05 at 12:04 AM

[aegeusrocks]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 12:06am

Well, people are allowed to not like performers. I, for one, cannot stand to listen to Bernadette Peters for too long, only in small doses. But then there's no accounting for taste I suppose. :ucks from blows given by SondhFan after this remark::

[SondhFan]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 12:08am

I agree with you on Peters

[aegeusrocks]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 12:11am

Oh good. Then you can understand how some people can dislike Ana for similar reasons in terms of voice. I mean, thousands upon thousands adore Peters, yet we can't stand her for more than small doses. I have yet to see Ana, and I'm not saying I agree w/DB, I just didn't think you should've been so harsh.

[SondhFan]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 12:20am

Absolutely. It reminds me of the Moulin Rouge with Kidman. I think the movie sucked. Many of my friends loved it and Kidman's performance. I didn't but I think Kidman is an excellent actress.

[aegeusrocks]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 12:34am

There ya go.

[hushpuppy]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 2:09am

Well, let me toss in my two cents, from a budding curmudgeon’s point of view. I live in NY and have managed to avoid ‘Wicked’ since it opened, believing the show couldn’t possibly live up to the hype. In Chicago on a business trip, I decided to see it, primarily to see that adorable Telly Leung. Cut to the chase: I really, really liked this show. Here I am, a middle aged old theatre queen who has hated pretty much everything that’s opened in the last decade, with this silly grin on my face from start to finish. I thought the book was clever and downright funny at times. I thought most of the score was superb, and all the performances, including Ana and Kate (and my darling Telly, of course) were outstanding. As soon as the curtain fell, the audience was on its feet, cheering, including yours truly. I’m only sorry I waited so long to see this show. A couple of notes: the Oriental is a stunningly beautiful theatre. It’s big, but truly one of America’s theatrical treasures. It may be the finest melding of show and theatre I’ve ever seen, with the ornate auditorium matching the opulent sets. The show itself looks fantastic, not at all like a touring company, but lavish and sumptuous. And Chicago audiences are much better dressed, and much better behaved, than their New York counterparts. Perhaps it’s because there are more locals than tourists, but they listened respectfully, didn’t blabber on during the show, and resisted the urge to jump up and run up the aisle at the final curtain.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 2:10am

I'm sorry, but Ana Gasteyer has no real marquee value. Most people I know only realize who she is AFTER having seen the show. The sit down was created because of the high demand for the tour (which I don't find credible...they knew well before the tour tickets went on sale that they were going to have a sit-down). Stephanie Block is an unknown name, and "Wicked" certainly had no empty seats at the Oriental Theatre. On a different note, I have to laugh at articles that say "Wicked" runs through Jan. 23, but possibly longer. It will definitely run through next spring, sit-downs aren't really sit-downs. The producers know how long the show will run at profitability and go from there. I'm 99% sure they booked the theatre for one year with a clause to extend for a SET period of time (don't forget, it's a Clear Channel Venue...God forbid any show have a chance for a decent length of time in the country's largest theatre market).

[aegeusrocks]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 2:25am

How I despise the Clear Channel monopoly on my beloved city's most beautiful theaters.....It better let this one run its course is all I can say.

[AllNite429]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 8:44am

I have seen Wicked 5 times on Broadway and I am flying to San Fran to see it September 9th with a friend so I probably would not be going to Chicago Labor Day weekend to see Wicked if it wasn't for Ana being in the cast. I'm really interested to see what she does with the role and how her voice sounds, particularly during DG. So I guess it was her name that pulled me. At the same time, my grandmother wanted to see the show and didn't want to fly to NYC to see it with me on Bway (she lives in MI). So that's another reason why I am going to Chicago to see it. I'm not sure if I would be taking her to Chicago to see it if Ana wasn't performing, but that is one reason I suggested it.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 2:07pm

In the spirit of reconciliation, I will say that Ana's performance is more of an "Acting" performance than a "Singing" performance: She sacrifices pretty songs for the meaning. I can understand that people might want a more polished seeming performance, but what I loved about her was the sponteniety she brought to the role. She gives a "method" style performance- very real, very beleivable. I can agree that some might not care for that.

I can only recommend her.

[RLizH]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 2:41pm

Hello, this is my very first post ever on any type of message board like this! I saw Wicked in Chicago for the very first time right after is opened and enjoyed it so much that I have since gone back to see it two more times! I just saw the Wednesday matinee (8-10) and once again was blown away by Ana Gasteyer's performance. I think she has an excellent voice and though I have only heard recordings of other Elphaba's I have no doubt that Ana Gasteyer's ability are right on par with the rest of them. I think her version of "No Good Deed" is the best I have ever heard and at Wednesday's performance her "Defying Gravity" was flawless. I don't think they picked her for this role because of her "name", but rather for her amazing voice, suburb acting ability and excellent comedic timing. I think that she has the whole package and maybe some are hesitant at first to see the greatness of her performance due to it being quite different from the other Elphaba's. I think she brings a quality to Elphaba that truly makes her someone you can identify with and not just a one dimensional character. I think that Ana has a long and happy future ahead of her if she chooses to continue with a Broadway career. (In my opinion, anyway! )

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 2:53pm

I've said it before and I will say it again, I feel like when all is said and done Ana's name will be remembered as THE Elphaba. I enjoyed Idina's performance tremendously but Ana really sinks her teeth into the role.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 2:55pm

"I'm not sure if I would be taking her to Chicago to see it if Ana wasn't performing, but that is one reason I suggested it. "

Yes but most people who will see it in Chicago have never seen it before, will not have seen it on Broadway nor on tour, and really won't care who is playing the lead. Her name isn't on the marquee, and I don't believe her name is above the title in any ads, either. The show would sell just as well without her. Since you've seen the show before, your reason for seeing it is entirely different. While there might be a few people who go to see "Wicked" specifically because she is in it, I doubt it has any effect on the box office at all. The tour sold-out in Chicago without any knowing who was in the cast, so I doubt the production would have been a tough sell without her.

[AllNite429]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 4:05pm

Fosse, I agree. I do have a different reason for seeing it since I have seen it before. My parents went to Chicago to see the touring cast and they just wanted to see the show to see why I was gushing over it so much. I have no doubt that the production wouldn't have any troubles selling out in Chicago if Ana wasn't in it, but becuase she is I am making the trip out there to see it. Otherwise I would not see it in Chicago. I hope that makes sense. So people who know who she is and who have seen the show before may be inclined to go to Chicago to see this production instead of passing on it. That's my take on it anyway.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 8/12/05 at 4:21pm

Exactly...I'm just trying to point out, tha Gasteyer isn't the marquee name producers would go to if they needed a marquee name. As I said earlier, most people (generally speaking) don't know she's in it until they get there and read the playbill.