Go Ahead Derrick Williams!!!

[SimpleJoysHaveSimpleVoice]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 7:29pm

I wanted to shout out a big "Congrats" to Derrick!!! There is not a more deserving actor. His portrayal of Fiyero is well discussed, but I saw him 3 times in Los Angeles, and I loved his Fresh Prince/Joey Tribiani take on the character. A soulful Fiyero never hurt anybody!!!

I have seen Joey Mac and Chicago's Fiyero (sorry but his name escapes me)and I feel that Derrick's take is fresh. His 'ALAYMine' was the most passionate of the lot.

Go ahead Derrick, continue to make your family proud!

Updated On: 11/28/05 at 07:29 PM

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 7:31pm

I thought he was good, but not great.

[Kringas]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 7:32pm

I don't like how he sings. At all.

[JACXR71]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 8:15pm

Unfortunately, I feel like this thread is going to bring out more of the people who don't like him (myself included) than those who do. Nevertheless, it's a great opportunity for him, and despite not liking him as Fiyero personally, I've heard tons more good things said about him than about David Ayers, so I suppose this is a step forward.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 8:33pm

I saw him, thought he was fine, but he just didn't seem right for the part. There is something about him that just doesn't work for me. I'm really disappointed with this decision.

[SirLiir]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 9:38pm

Can't we all just wish the guy good luck rather than having to listen to personal opinions of how terrible he is. You do know he worked very hard to get where he is? I will say this once more and I mean it. He auditoned for the role for the tour and the producers wanted him. He obviously has proven himself on the tour that he can handle the role on Broadway. As with David, he is the Fiyero the people who run the show want. He is obviously doing something right. Geez, just give him an iota of support and hope he does well.

[Popular]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 9:46pm

Yeah for realz yo, what up with the hate?

I just love the title of this thread so I'll add...

play on playa! Do yo thang on the broadway :)

Ok, I'm done... carry on

[wishinguweresomehow]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 9:46pm

I have complete respect for Derrick, he is an amazing actor. Derrick is an amazing person, and congrats, but he is not the best Fiyero I've seen. Perhaps he was having an off day, but yeah...Again, Congrats, Derrick!

~Meg~

[SirLiir]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 9:49pm

Yes meg I do not think he is the greatest Fiyero either but he does a good job and I am sure he will do fine on Broadway. Again, congratulations on his hard work.

[ThE nEw KiD]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 10:24pm

I thought he wasn't good at all. I don't mean to sound harsh but not for one minute did I believe he was straight.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 10:36pm

Which is ironic, since I believe he is married with child on the way.

But, I felt the same about David Ayers, who is also married.

[SirLiir]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 10:44pm

David isn't married. Wasn't he going out with that very beautiful Angela Gaynor (spelling I know). I didnt hear about him getting married.

[missy2]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 10:51pm

I have seen Wicked 11 times (New York/Chicago and Touring Group in Toronto) and Derrick, unfortunately, was the weakest Fiyero of the bunch.

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 10:53pm

Here, here!

We saw Derrick Williams as Fiyero when Norbert was out and I truly loved his performance. It's really interesting to see so many comments indicating the opposite because he was absolutely wonderful in my book.

[halyiaganitefiz]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 10:59pm

It's nice to see that there ARE people out there who do like Derrick... I have heard so many people who disliked him. And that is, obviously, their choice, and their freedom and right to say so. I can completely respect that. But it makes me happy to see there are people who support him regardless of their opinion of him. Thank you guys for a nice post about it.

And let me take a moment to say, "SQUEEEEEEEE. MY BOY IS BACK!"

*ahem*

Thank you. :P

[adamgreer]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 11:00pm

Maybe they're not married yet, but I know he's with Angela Gaylor.

[cubbiegirl]

Posted: 11/28/05 at 11:53pm

Derrick is very sexy in person..I met him last week. I have never seen any other Fiyero but I thought he was really good.

Congrats Derrick!

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 1:48am

Derrick is one of the sweetest people I've ever met (up there with Jenna Leigh Green!)...they actually care about their fans and take time to talk with them...
and his ALAYM is the hottest thing ever...just like him :)

I miss the tour cast....

damn chicago..I love you too but...MY TOUR!!
-Steph

[BwayBoy25]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 2:02am

i agree that more of those how do not like Derrick will be brought out by this thread...myself included...but i really didnt think about wether his fiyero was straight or not...that didnt make him a bad fiyero in my mind...but rather that his vocals were just all together terrible...but as i always say

to each his own

[MLE]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 2:02am

Yes, it's going to be a wonderful opportunity for him!

I've seen him 5 times. I like him, not my favorite Fiyero, but he's still good. There is one area where he blows all other Fiyeros out of the water. Heat (LOL). He and Steph have AMAZING chemistry, especially during ALAYM (he and Jenna are excellent, too). I hope he can bring some of that to Broadway with Eden!

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 2:08am

MLE--I think so too!! I saw him with Steph and Jenna..and the ALAYM is soooo hot!!

I was sitting quite close both times too (2nd row Steph, 5th Jenna) and almost had to excuse myself! lol j/k!


but yes...I've seen him 2 times, David 1, and Kris 3...Kris is my favorite probably but I love Derrick so much I hate to say that!

-Steph

[LeaGirl]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 10:04am

I haven't seen him yet, so I can't pass judgement, but if he looks at his Elphaba with ANY INTEREST AT ALL during the love scenes, he'll already be about 10 steps ahead of David Ayers, whos apathy bothered me so much I vowed not to return to Wicked until he was gone.

[SimpleJoysHaveSimpleVoice]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 6:48pm

I love the passionate talk about Derrick's Fiyero!!

This supports my view of why you can not gage the arts or performances against each other, i.e. awards.

You simply hope to bring out some emotion from the audience with what you do on stage, hopefully in a positive light. Wicked allows for Derrick to show a side of Fiyero that I believe is the strength of the part that Winnie wrote, and his acting/singing validates that he gave the part a different or more soulful touch. And I do believe that Broadway, as a whole, could use a lot more soul in it's approach.

[linmill6]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 11:48pm

I think Derrick has done a wonderful job on tour and will continue to do so in Broadway. He and Steph were a blast to watch all the times I've seen them so I hope he and Eden will have the same chemistry. Congrats to him!

[SirLiir]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 11:51pm

Well, I always saw a lot of chemistry between David and Shoshana but again to each their own.
Updated On: 11/30/05 at 11:51 PM