Eden is Sensational! 1-10-06 Review- Page 2

Posted: 1/11/06 at 12:24am

PJ..i second those comments above..your review is better than anything i have ever seen in the times or the post or variety...very good writing!
i agree 100% about david ayers..how this guy works is BEYOND me..he was the worst thing in the show when i saw it..he had no chemistry with the girls..i just didn't get it..ZERO sex appeal and i am sorry but Fiyero needs to be REALLY hot! not some sqeaky annoying thin voiced tenor.
and now back to our regularly scheduled programming..
EDEN ROCKS!

[emo_geek]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 12:25am

Broadway damn is lucky to have her.

[PJ]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 12:31am

Thank you both for your kind words. I really do appreciate them!

As far as David is concerned: He's gotten work because he's a "pretty face." I have a funny story about him, too. I was in Urban Outfitters on 3rd Avenue and he was acting like a total diva. He was being overly rude and "don't you know who I am?!" towards everyone. When someone finally opened up a dressing room for him, they all stood outside and made fun of him.

Posted: 1/11/06 at 12:36am

Somtimes I think I'm the only person with this opinion. I very much dislike Eden as Elphaba.

I witnessed her in the role in SF in early September 05.

My major problems with her performance are mostly acting issues. Although I wasn't fond of her vocaly either. Her acting, seemed 'too much' to me. I missed the subtle regal Idina. I missed the spunkyness of Shoshana. I missed the powerful/controled performance of Stephanie. I felt Eden was lost in what she wanted to bring to the role. She never really made me care for Elphaba Throppe.

I wish I could be more specific in regards to her acting. I just felt it wasn't there. I felt she was playing herself, with a mix of other actresses' interpritations of the role.

Vocaly I was less than impressed. Her Wizard and I was good. I will give her that. It seemed to go downhill from there. She had major pitch issues. Everything, including the low notes, sounded strained. While she hits te high notes, I often felt they were out of control. I was worried she was going to hurt herself.

Maybe she will grow in the role, and make it her own. Maybe she will learn to control vocals over this year of doing the role 8 times a week. Maybe she will stop having pitch issues. As of now, I think she is very shakey.

Maybe thats just me. Everybody else seemed to like her.

[PJ]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 12:42am

Wow. You must have seen her on an off night. Her acting tonight really impressed me and I'm a complete snob when it comes to acting in musicals. I thought she was sensational and had a firm grip on her character and how she wanted to play it. And her voice was in fine shape tonight, too. I've never heard so many high notes in "Defying Gravity" or "No Good Deed" before.

--

Sitting here looking through my Playbill I realized I forgot to mention two others that I originally planned on:

-Cristy Candler: Very good this evening. I saw her go on as Nessa a long time ago and thought she left a lot to be desired. But tonight, she was terrific. She's not as mousey as Michelle Federer in the first act.

-Robb Sapp: A fantastic Boq. He is the first actor I've seen to have fun with this role. I've seen Christopher Fitzgerald and Jeffrey Kuhn, and I honestly never gave a crap about the character. This wasn't my first time seeing Robb, but it was this past Sunday at Sho's last and tonight that I realized just how good he is. He's very funny.
Updated On: 1/11/06 at 12:42 AM

Posted: 1/11/06 at 12:50am

I dont think so. I have heard numerous "bootlegs" of Eden in the role. From her first public appearence on Seth's Chatterbox (which I think everyone will admit, was horrid) to many broadway performance (which were better) to SF. She was better in SF than I had ever heard her before. So I guess thats a sign shes getting better.

Personaly I dont think she is Broadway quality. I think their are other, far more talented women out there who would play/sing this role much better.

[EugLoven]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 12:53am

I found this old article written during Eden's Wicked Tour SF Engagement. Has a small cute picture of her getting in make-up

ABC (SF) NEWS ARTICLE w/PIC
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=entertainment&id=3369346

[forgetregret]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 1:20am

I saw Wicked tonight too and I agree with everything PJ said. Eden is incredible as Elphaba and I think she'll continue to get even better in the role. Her acting and singing were amazing.

[SirLiir]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 1:22am

Oh come now Andrew. "I am sorry but Fiyero needs to be REALLY hot!". As an actress, you know the auditioning process. I am sure there were many people who auditioned who had a 'pretty voice". Yet they still cast him. He had whatever quality they were looking for. Plus, its hard to compare anyone to Norbert in the role. In my opinion, Norbert was simply way too good for the role, with his deep Broadway credentials and powerful voice. He set a high standard that I doubt anyone will fill for a while.

Posted: 1/11/06 at 2:17am

i don't need Fiyero to be hot for ME...but the character kind of needs to have an overall sex appeal..the girls are supposed to be craaazy about him....david just doesn't have "it".
i am very familiar with the audition process, of course..and i know at least a dozen guys who could have done a much better job with the role, acting and singing...its NOT a hard role to sing for your average broadway tenor..and there are hundreds of pretty faces out there...so HOW did they ever settle on David? i do not know. he must audition very well. he didn't even LOOK good with Shoshana or Megan because they were bigger than him!! not height wise even..he was just not the right "type" in my opinion. too slight and not gorgeous. i am sure he is a nice guy and deserving of the role on that level..so good for him.
its really not an issue...i only brought it up in discussion..he is gone now and i am sure that there will be a better role for him out there. i hope there are no bad feelings sirliir...

[SirLiir]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 2:40am

Oh, of course not, Andrew! You are entitled to your opinion and its perfectly valid. No bad feelings at all. Please forgive me as I've just been defending David for the last six months so even though he's gone, my work is never done. He did win the role and keep it for a whole year so I guess he impressed the people who cast him. Otherwise they would have found a replacement.
Oh well, back to topic, its nice to see such good things about the cast. I just hope the chemistry is there. PJ, or anyone else who has seen them, did there seem to be that spark in the air?

[PJ]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 2:52am

There seemed to be a spark between Derrick and Eden. They did do the tour in SF together, so they've been there done that.

[jimmirae]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 2:53am

Eden always promises to be a talented performance. The lady has talent and delivers, I like her a lot!

[kim1061]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 10:27am

i think Eden will bring back some veteran wicked fans

[flaemmchen]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 11:03am

Great review, PJ! Now I'm actually thinking of going back to the show, which I haven't seen since...when were previews? 2003?

[jasobres]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 11:17am

Even though I think no one will replace Cheno and Idina, maybe seeing just one more performance won't hurt.

[LeaGirl]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 11:43am

I too was there at the performance and I have to agree.

As a long time Idina Menzel fan (the sort of fan that sold her Lion King tickets and saw Idina in Aida even though she didn't WANT to see Aida again) I thought that the bad taste Shoshana left in my mouth was sour grapes on my part, because she wasn't Idina.

It couldn't be less true.

I was BLOWN AWAY by Eden's Elphaba last night. BLOWN AWAY. She expressed a vulnerability and intensity that had been missing from the role for... well.. a year.

And admittedly, I wasn't expecting it out of Eden, after having seen her in BKLYN, I wasn't expecting much.

I was so wrong.

She sang the role with a beautiful, clear voice - and provided no unnecessary riffing or ornamentation - she let the songs speak for themselves and didn't turn it into some insane riffing contest. Her range is admirable and at no point does she have to strain to reach a low or a high note. Her belt is solid, clear, and without a hint of "screaming" - and when not belting, her voice is also quite lovely.

She actually ACTS songs - she is feeling what she says, every single second of it. This was most noticable in "The Wizard and I" - which in the last year had become more of a... showcase, and now has been returned to a wistful, girlish moment.

Little touches - her hunched posture as a schoolgirl, chewing on her lip - the way she threw herself down on the ground to mourn for Nessa, her audible choking back of sobs during the buildup to "Defying Gravity" - really put the show back into a place where I could respect it again. Even... love it.

She works beautifully with Megan Hilty - the two of them can collectively cry at the drop of a hat and already have a remarkable amount of chemistry.

I was pleasantly surprised. Truly. Loved her.

[Wicked_fan]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 12:59pm

Yay! I'm seriously sooooo excited for and proud of Eden that she's doing so well in the fan's eye's.

I'm seriously duking out with my best friend because he's convinced that Shoshana was the best Elphaba. And I'm trying to tell him that now that Eden is back that shall change, but he doesn't like Eden so it's a tough argument.

Oh, I'm sooo excited for the good reviews! I so wish I could see her! I've loved her since she was the standby!

[lovinlife]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 1:05pm

Isn't that why Baskin-Robbins makes 31 flavors? I have friends who cannot stand Alice Ripley, I cant get enough of her. I love Eden and Shoshana, you cannot compare the two. Some people like Bernadette, some don't. It's a good thing to have your own opinion as long as you don't put down someone else's. If it's in good fun, than enjoy. My personal take is that Eden is more qualified to play the role than anyone right now, for she was there for the OBC creative process, and was stand-by. Therefore, she knows "how the baby was born" if you will. She also does have a lot of Idina qualities physically and some vocally, but to me she's stronger than Idina. I can't wait to see her perform the role, I've only heard bootlegs.

[SWTaffy]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 3:34pm

I saw the show last night and I have to agree that Eden makes one heck of an Elphie. Once she sang No Good Deed, I just wanted the show to start from the beginning again. She's going to have a nice year as Elphie.

I have to agree with whoever said that Robb Sapp having a ball as Boq. I have only see Wicked two other times and I never remember Boq being the one to watch. He definitely made his role memorable.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 3:56pm

I was taken by Eden's voice the moment I heard it here in Denver when Brooklyn world premiered at our Civic Theatre. I saw the show twice here in Denver. I have only seen snippets of Shoshana and I really was not impressed. I am taking a friend to see Eden in the show this June. I have seen it with the original cast and he and I saw the touring company this past Sept. here. But I told him we need to see it in New York not just for Eden, but so that he can see the entire Broadway production. Can't wait.

[Horton]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 4:13pm

When does the Times review her?

[PJ]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 4:32pm

Well, the TIMES reviewed Shoshana and Megan a few months back. So I wouldn't expect another one until Megan leaves and there's a new Glinda.

As for Eden: She absolutely does bring back a sense of "old school Wicked." I think that's why the show seems new again. And I can't believe I forgot to mention how she cries during Defying Gravity. I thought it was stunning. I've never seen any other actor do that during those moments leading up to the "fly."

Reading all these comments makes me want to go back again tonight. haha

[lovinlife]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 4:37pm

I have to say that I've seen both Idina and Shoshana cry during the DG song, was Eden like balling or something? I would think it seems kind of wierd to have to hear someone crying out DG as opposed to showing emotion and some tears. Can you bms?

[wowobball2000]

Posted: 1/11/06 at 4:56pm

In light of the good reviews I may actually have to venture back to the Gershwin. I wasn't planning on seeing it anytime soon, but oh well... that's what money from part time jobs is for.

By the way, on average how many people try the lotto for Wicked a night?