Derrick Williams as Fiyero

#1

Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 11:18am

How is Derrick Williams as Fiyero? I ask partly because I have heard such divergent opinions on his performance of the role, from "He is OK" to "He is fantastic, one of the best or THE best."

I'm keeping in mind that Fiyero is an an under-written character in the musical and that the emotional impact is powered by the relationship of Elphaba and Glinda. Also, that the show itself is sort of a confection where the special effects are arguably the "star" of the show. Still, I love "Wicked" and think that a good Fiyero can add a lot to the proceedings. Derrick seems to be turning up everywhere to play Fiyero, I wondered if he was just dependable or really good.

#2

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 11:23am

I saw him, I thought he was quite good. I don't think you can be spectacula in that role, but he gave one of the better performances.

#3

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 11:33am

I hated him when I saw him at one of his first tour performances, his vocals were dreadful.

But, I saw him again after he had joined the Broadway cast and had spent quite a bit of time in the role, and actually found him to be quite good. His vocals were remarkably improved and I thought he came across as very charming and effective in that poorly written role.

That and he's pretty damn fine.

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Updated On: 12/14/06 at 11:33 AM

#4

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 11:41am

I saw him when Wicked came to LA the first time and I thought he was okay.. I prefer Joey McInytre and Norbert.

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#5

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 12:12pm

He is definitely my favorite Fiyero. First of all, it seems those who cast for "Wicked" often have a hard time finding a guy who can sing, is suave, and is a good actor. It seems that with most Fiyeros at least one of these suffers. However, I think Derrick has all 3.

There are certain lines that when other Fiyeros I've seen say them don't make sense (it's as if they don't even get what they're supposed to be saying!), but with Derrick they make complete sense.

I'm thrilled he's coming to Chicago! :)

#6

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 12:23pm

I'm not a really intense Wicked fan, by any means, but I really liked him. He's certainly not the strongest singer to have played Fiyero, but I think that his acting did wonders for what's honestly a pretty thankless part.

#7

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 12:25pm

I wasn't that impressed with him. I also prefer Norbert or Joey.

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#8

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 12:42pm

Derrick might as well be wearing the ruby slippers herself..

Joey was great and norbert a notch below

#9

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 12:46pm

My absolute favorite Fiyero was Sebastian Arcelus from the National Tour...

But I also saw Derrick, and, contrary to my preconceived notions on his abilities, he was fantastic!

...but i still prefer Seb.

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#10

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 12:47pm

As much as I love Wicked, I really can't stand Derrick Williams as Fiyero. Having only seen him in the role all four times I've seen it, both on tour and in New York, I haven't been impressed and am still waiting to be impressed by a Fiyero. He may be easy on the eyes, but there's something about his vocals that I just don't like and I didn't feel that he matched up to Eden's Elphaba all that well.

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#11

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 1:16pm

I thought he was awful.
I've seen Derrick and David and I thought David was even better, which is saying something.

#12

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 1:53pm

My favorites are Jerad Bortz and Norbert. Joey acted drunk through the first act but his second act was good. Derrick is ok just like David was.

#13

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 2:27pm

First of all, it seems those who cast for "Wicked" often have a hard time finding a guy who can sing, is suave, and is a good actor. It seems that with most Fiyeros at least one of these suffers. However, I think Derrick has all 3.

You know what?? I never thought about it like that, but you're right! After I saw him, I loved how smooth this guy was on stage with his dancing - his voice was beautiful - and he was extremely charismatic. I've had personal favorites in the role, but you're right. Derrick fits the role perfectly in all areas. Never occured to me re: the other Fiyeros lacking in one/more areas - but I can see that.

#14

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 2:36pm

That seems strange though, because isn't that the description of almost every male role on Broadway? You shouldn't be on Broadway if you can't sing, act, and be suave. I don't remember who I saw as Fiyero (I think he was the first replacement after Norbert?) but he was terrible.

#15

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 3:01pm

Eh, saw him on B'way and wasn't too impressed. He wasn't bad but he didn't stand out as great; he didn't seem to create very much chemistry with Eden. I'm a little disappointed that he's coming to Chicago, especially in the wake of Kristoffer Cusick, who is my favorite Fiyero to date. (Though being a huge Norbert fan and having my first celeb crush on Joey Mac, I'm just sorry I never got to see either of them in the role!)

#16

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 3:28pm

I liked him. I had seen Norbert and Joey before I saw Derrick, and no matter how much I love Norbert, that part just wasn't for him. And Joey was just okay. So yeah, I like, Derrick, but then I saw Sebastian. Sebastian easily won.

#17

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 3:58pm

I remember him from when I saw the original cast on Broadway. He stood out for some reason to me and my friend who saw it with me. I then saw him as Fiyero when the tour came to Denver and I was not really impressed with him. Although I was a bit distracted by the less than stellar performance Ms. Block was turning in the evening I saw it.

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#18

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 4:52pm

I really enjoyed Derrick's performance, even though he is the only one I have seen in the role. I agree with what some other people have been saying - he put a lot of energy and fun into a character that is rather quite boring.

#19

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 4:54pm

I thought he was very good on tour--I've been not impressed with the other Fiyeros I've seen...Jerad Bortz was DREADFUL (saw him last summer--and he was WAY too gay to be Fiyero). David was a very weak singer and not great actor.

Is he seriously going to the Chicago cast? He needs a break from Wicked. Especially in that role! How boring.

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#20

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 5:34pm

Derrick's singing was just... annoying. As was his speaking voice and the way he presented himself on stage.

Sebastian was the best Fiyero (besides good ol' Norb)

#21

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 5:39pm

There was nothing special about him. His singing voice was actually really strange, and it made me ask myself why he chose to sing Broadway and not pop music.

#22

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 5:55pm

He was better than I expected...

But his voice sounds like chocolate, no joke.

#23

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 6:19pm

Since this is already a WICKED thread, maybe it's finally safe to ask a question. I'm going to be seeing Wicked in Tampa in March. Where can I find out who the cast will be? I know on the Wicked tour website they list the Chicago & LA casts, but what about the traveling cast? Thank you in advance.

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#24

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 6:29pm

I didnt care for him at all.

#25

re: Derrick Williams as Fiyero

Posted: 12/14/06 at 6:50pm

To be blunt, he gave one of the worst performances I've ever seen on a stage. I'd like to see the show again, but I won't waste my money on it while he's still there.