#1
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!!!
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
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