Eslgr8 says Wicked tour Better than Broadway!

[eslgr8]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 4:08am

I finally saw Wicked at the Pantages tonight (the entire cast was there, not a single understudy!) and Eslgr8 gives the touring production thumbs up!

Only Megan Hilty of the current Broadway production is equal to this superb touring cast, and Kendra Kassebaum is every bit as good as Megan is and as Jennifer Laura Thompson was. Three amazing Glindas, each bringing her own special stamp to the role. Jennifer (delicate and goofy), Megan (bubbly and a bit hammy, but in a good way), and Kendra (bringing a childlike innocence to the role): each has given a stellar performance. In fact, Kendra was the big surprise of the evening for me. After missed performances, and some negative comments, I didn't expect her to be so downright fantastic. I loved her Glinda, not just the performance, but the character she portrayed. She brings a real sweetness and depth to the role. And her voice was absolutely up to the challenge.

Stephanie J. Block: What can I say? I've loved her since I first saw her in Funny Girl in 1993, and predicted bigger and better things for her. Well, she was wonderful as I'd hoped and expected. Like Idina, she makes you empathize with Elphaba from her first entrance. I was surprised at how young she comes across; there is a touching vulnerability to her performance, and great strength as the role develops. Her singing is as good as it gets. Shoshana can't even come close to the star quality Steph brings to the part.

Carol Kane: Contrary to what I'd read, she actually sang about 40% of her song lyrics, and did so quite well. Rue McL.'s likeability makes her transformation into evil come as a shock. With Carol, it's her Carol Kanean ditheriness that disarms the audience into thinking she's a nice guy. I loved the way she made the part her own.

Derrick Williams: After Joey McI's cute but somewhat bland performance, and David Ayers' admittedly gorgeous face but weak voice, finally a Fiyero who can sing AND who's as hot as they come (check out his arms in the short sleeved outfit he wears when he first enters).

David Garrison: My favorite Wizard, and far better than Broadway's current Ben Vareen and more bubbly and cute than George Hearn's somewhat stolid performance. Lots of charisma!

Jenna Leigh Green: She's wasted in the role, as those who've seen her do other things can attest. But she's very good as Nessarose.

Logan Lipton: Way better than Christopher Fitzgerald or Jeffrey Kuhn. He cute and nerdy and adorable.

Timothy Britton Parker: Exellent as Dr. Dillamond, though it's not a particularly big role.

Finally, on a personal note, though I had very good seats at the Gershwin all three times I went, when you sit at the side of the Gershwin as I did, you miss a lot of the stage, plus there's already quite a distance even between the front row and the stage. At the Pantages, my 2nd row extreme right seat was just about perfect, very very close, and I finally got to see the back of the stage! So a much better venue, at least as far as the side seats are concerned. I was so lucky and so happy to be up close and to see every one of the touring cast!!!
Updated On: 7/20/05 at 04:08 AM

[Whiteguy2088]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 7:23am

Im glad u loved it like i did! I got so many chills through the stellar performance..

Kendra with her leg kicks killed me...she had be roaring :)

I am going for the lottery this thursday Morning and if i lose nighttime...hehe i cannot wait to see again!

[The8re phan]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 9:16am

thank you for the review Eslgr8!

[DAME]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 9:39am

Glad you liked it eslgr8. yet....I still say you like everything. ( WHich is not a bad thing... yet...). Where were you for Suzanne Sommers?????? She could have used you.

Updated On: 7/20/05 at 09:39 AM

[Popular]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 10:39am

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the update - sorry I missed you.

[eslgr8]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 11:24am

Dearest Dame,
Eslgr8 would give decidedly mixed reviews to the following productions:
THE LAST FIVE YEARS (NoHo production): Tricia Small was an abomination)
OTHELLO (Hunger Artists production): Some mediocre acting and a Desdemona who was positively spooky
BARRAGE: Boorrrinng...
SHOOTING STARS (Actors CoOp production): Insubstantial play and some not so good acting
ANGELS IN AMERICA (NoHo Arts Center production): Most of the cast was not up to the task
SAUCY JACK AND THE SPACE VIXENS: I thought it was a local writer's vanity production. Turns out it was a hit in London.
ELECTRICIDAD: It was okay, but left me cold
CLIMBING EVEREST: Lots of A-C-T-I-N-G, plus the play was seriously flawed
FLOWER DRUM SONG (Fullerton CLO production): Drab performances made this a pale imitation of what I saw at the Taper
THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND (The Ark Production): A total mess
IMELDA: Nice music but insubstantial
I AM MY OWN WIFE: I didn't like the "gimmick" of one actor playing multiple roles (the same was true for The Syringa Tree).

All that being said, Dame, I do like most of what I see, and so I will take your comment as a compliment.

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 11:57am

Whoa...whoa...whoa. WAIT. Eslgr, you saw Othello at Hunger Artists?...did you like Mark Palkoner?

Heh...by the way, excellent review!

[defygravity2]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 1:28pm

Glad you liked the touring group...I agree with you on everyone BUT Fiyero. I am going again Thursday night, and I think I'll be seeing Maria as Elphaba. At the stage door, Jenna told me that she wasn't scheduled to be an understudy this coming weekend because she was on last weekend. I am bringing 39 people with me on Thursday, so I am hoping it goes well. My friends will now get to see what I've been saying for the last 18 months!

[SimpleJoysHaveSimpleVoice]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 4:03pm

Steven, keep the reviews coming, do not let Dame or anyone else deter you and your LOVE for theater. I still live by a very general statement, "Bad theater is still better than NO theater". So to enjoy shows without much criticism is an wonderful trait to have, keep us informed on all the shows you see...PLEASE!

As far as you take on Derrick Williams, I am in full agreement. His soulful Fiyero is by far a great take on this controversial role. I will have to disagree with you on Logan Lipton v. Chris Fitzgerald. Logan seemed to breathee for my taste and a little too hesistant on his timing on his lines. He does look like a munchkin though.

I totally agree with your opinion on Kendra...in another thread about the Leno performance people were dinging her for being to bouncey, but they obviously haven't seen her Glinda. What a magical performance!! Thank you for making that your number one point in your post.

peace

[eslgr8]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 8:50pm

Simple joys, thank you so much for the kind words. I liked Christopher Fitzgerald a lot, but there was something about Logan's performance that got to me in a way that Christopher's didn't. Just a matter of taste. I think I choose plays/musicals that I know I'm going to like, things that fit my tastes. Most of the time, there is such communication between me and the actors that I become truly involved in the experience. But bad casting, bad performances, bad writing...I have found examples of all of the above, though less frequently than some.
And yes, Kendra is an absolutely lovely Glinda. It is a real star performance, and different from her predecessors. It's funny, you'd think that Glinda would be the role that restricted an actress the most, but all three I've seen have found so many ways to individualize the part. I would love to watch side by side videos of all three performances of Popular, for example, just to appreciate the different nuances each brings to the role.
Updated On: 7/20/05 at 08:50 PM

[Dreamcatcher]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 9:37pm

I completely agree Eslgr8 with your review. I saw the show myself in LA this past Thursday and your comments about the cast are dead on in my opinion.

[Sheri]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 11:56pm

Thanks for your review, Steven! I never did get to try the Wicked lotto when I was in LA this past weekend - I had a long flight in and actually overslept and missed the lotto.

I'm anxious to hear if anyone has seen Adam Lambert go on as Fiyero. He's an incredible performer and I'm curious as to know what people have thought of his performance (and when, if ever, he's gone on for Derrick Williams.)

[RustyJusty830]

Posted: 7/21/05 at 2:02am

Awesome review!- Although many of you know that I have to disagree about Shoshana (although I have not seen Stephanie live-only audio and video clips). Still, eslgr8- Fantastic and specific notes about the production, I only wish there was some way I could get around to seeing it!

[eslgr8]

Posted: 7/21/05 at 2:32am

Rusty, in no way did I dislike Shoshana's performance. I thought she did an excellent job, and I think it's great that she got to take over the role, rather than their going out and hiring a name. The same to Megan, who paid her dues as a standby. There's just something about Stephanie (and Idina) that touched me in a way that words can't adequately describe.
You know, before last night, I thought I was Wicked-ed out. But I realized that I'd gladly see the show again (though most likely not till it comes to Orange County next August). What an amazing experience to be so close to such excellence. I was wiping my eyes repeatedly last night!