Gasteyer in "Wicked" Chicago sitdown

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 11:15pm

According to Rob's blog:

"Rumors have been swirling for a few weeks now, online and off and the latest batch says that Saturday Night Live vet Ana Gasteyer is indeed looking official to play Elphaba in the Chicago production of Wicked."

hmmmm...I knew she could sing...but can she hit those notes?...I've honestly never heard her live or a recording so I don't know...but I have heard she is a very talented singer.

Check Rob's blog for the whole piece.

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 11:18pm

Also, no offense to her, she's great, Ana's in her 40s, no? Can she pass for a young girl in "Dear Old Shiz"??

[Mattio98]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 11:20pm

Don't know about the age thing but I saw her at the Hair concert and she can REALLY belt. I was pleasantly surprised.

[Glebb]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 11:20pm

Glad I saw it in NYC last July.
I do have tix for May here though.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 11:23pm

She's 37...she'll be 38 in May.
Idina is 33...she'll be 34 in May.

4 years...not a huge difference I guess.

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 11:27pm

FOA, I guess not, aside from the fact that

a) Idina can pass for ten years younger than she is
and
b) Ana would be starting the role at 38, as opposed to Idina starting the role at 30.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 11:32pm

37 is YOUNG.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 11:45pm

She's great, she'll hit the notes and maybe she'll turn that sow's ear of a show into a silk purse.

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 11:57pm

She can belt quite well (also saw her at the Hair concert), but I don't know if she can hit those F's and she doesn't really have the pop type voice required in my opinion.

[Mattio98]

Posted: 3/16/05 at 12:04am

Well as long as were comparing Ana to Idina, Idina never quite hit those F's herself.

[WildhornFanatic]

Posted: 3/16/05 at 12:08am

Haha Amen, Mattio. When I saw Idina, she was OUT OF TUNE and could not hit those high notes.

Ana Gasteyer, while she may be too old, I don't know, she is an AMAZING singer who can belt!

[bjivie2]

Posted: 3/16/05 at 12:13am

They obviously wanted a name for the show, and Ana Gasteyer is definitely a name. I'm thinking that she's wanting to get more into musical theatre since she left SNL, because she had a stint in Rocky Horror a few years back, she was in talks to join Urinetown before it closed, and didn't she do Fanny Brice somewhere? I think she'll be fine. She's a trained singer and can definitely act it.

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 3/16/05 at 12:32am

this woman is quite a talent. I have been hoping that she would star in the Broadway revival of HELLO DOLLY!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 3/16/05 at 12:40am

I'm a huge fan of Gasteyer. However, I saw her cabaret act last year, and she's not much of a singer. A charactery voice, not a lot of strength. Proof positive that Elphaba does NOT have to be a great singer, all you who believe Idina is just because she played that role...

[Jon]

Posted: 3/16/05 at 5:28am

The green make-up covers wrinkles nicely.

I don't think Ana Gasteyer is that big of a "name" - if that's what they are looking for regarding ticket sales. Folks in Chicago ae not particularly starstruck.

[shira467]

Posted: 3/16/05 at 5:40am

I didn't even know the name until you guys explained it...

[wildcat]

Posted: 3/16/05 at 9:05am

Maybe she gave the best audition.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 3/16/05 at 9:22am

A few things that should be said, first Gasteyer is the same age as Jennifer Thompson, and Chenoweth so either she's shaving many years off her age or she just happens to be one of those women who looks every day of her age and then some, second, I agree, she's not a big enough name to have hired her for *that*. I've also seen her outside of SNL and agree that she's more of a character singer. Seems like a very strange choice.
Updated On: 3/16/05 at 09:22 AM

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 3/16/05 at 9:42am

NOO NOO NO...not COOL....

get one of the many people who need their big break...and someone who can really REALLY sing not just sing good for a comedienne...

Of course I've never heard her sing..so...give me proof and i'll be ok...lol

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/16/05 at 9:57am

Jesus Christ. "get one of the many people who need their big break..."

WHAT THE HELL FRICKIN DREAM WORLD DO YOU LIVE IN, ANYWAY?

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 3/16/05 at 10:05am

well i personally would rather see a up and comer than someone from SNL

*and I LOVE snl and ana...but i don't wanna see her as Elphaba!*

[robbiej]

Posted: 3/16/05 at 10:16am

Then don't buy a ticket.

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 3/16/05 at 10:18am

What is it with you people and opinions!! gosh..i repect yours-respect mine!

I am buying tickets no matter what...I met Kris and I can't wait to see him as Fiyero.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/16/05 at 10:22am

What an interesting choice. It will give the "sitdown" quite a different feel I'd imagine. While I'm only familiar with Gasteyer from SNL (And even there I can't really remember her in a particular role), Rob's item says she studied Classical voice at Northwestern, so I can't imagine she can't sing it. On top of that "Ana Gasteyer" is in no way shape or form a big enough name to sell tickets, so I have to assume the producers thought she was the best choice for the part.

And again, I guess I'm naive, but why is there this obsession that a total unknown is always the best choice? Do you all really want every performer to have ONE part and then never work again? What kind of world would that be?

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 3/16/05 at 10:26am

I'm not saying its the best choice if you wanna sell tickets it's just what I'd personally like to see

But SOME PEOPLE feel the need to hate on others opinions...we all have em...deal with it!