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.
Now what would you say if today I started over?
Without a thing but this taped together four leaf clover
And I'll pretend like everything is already alright
And I'll run toward the sun till the castle's out of sight
