Have you seen Ben in Wicked? Anything new for the role?

[peach]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 10:23am

If it's been posted, I couldn't find it. So, my question for those who have seen Wicked with ben Vereen...

Have they added any additional staging or dancing for him (particularly in "Wonderful.")? Root of the issue - the Wizard has bland material to work with, and I saw George Hearn (not impressed really, but then again, maybe it was the material).

Given Ben's a genius dancer, I always wondered if they'd add some of his moves to Wonderful (it's the only number the Wizard has that has a little oomph!)

If you've seen it, let me know - dancing specifics, please!

Merci.

[trpguyy]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 10:26am

I saw it with George and then with Ben. I liked Ben much better. He made the Wizard "fun." What Ben did on stage matched his style of music.

As for any extra dancing, I don't think there's anything new. I don't believe Ben dances much anymore. But he sure did own the stage whenever he was on it.

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 11:00am

When I first read the topic I thought you were talking about Ben Cameron. LOL

[peach]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 11:16am

LOL! I should have said Vereen in the subject!

That said, I know Ben V's not dancin' much anymore (he's getting older) but he can still "move" and with that stage presence, I was keeping my fingers crossed that they would have adjusted some of the staging to show him off.

Glad to hear he's better than Hearn at least. Again, I blame some of this on boring material. I think the role could have been more interesting with one more number - maybe a scheming duet with Wizard and Morrible.

At any rate, I digress.

EDIT: SPELLING (diet vs. duet among others....oy)
Updated On: 6/24/05 at 11:16 AM

[Zenachick]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 11:19am

Ben Vereen was ok in the beginning of 'wonderful' but then they changed the ending of the song and completely ruined it. It no longer had a great punch at the end and I was so disapointed when I saw that scene because I know Ben Vereen is amazing. I understandpeople like to put their own mark on new roles, but they shoudn't change the songs so much that they no longer have the effects they orignally had

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 2:23pm

Im glad he can dance better than Geogre. George was just not a dancer.

[QHDramaQueen]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 2:28pm

the man is in his 70's for christs sake!they all were! i dont know aout you, but i dont expect a man in his 70's to be dancin all that much. Besides I like it better when the Wizard doesnt have a dance break, it takes away any feeling of presence or power to the role, and sorta makes the charecter goofy.

The one thing I loved about Hearn, is he made the charecter frightning, which is how I will always imagine him.
Updated On: 6/24/05 at 02:28 PM

[trpguyy]

Posted: 6/24/05 at 3:05pm

When I saw Hearn, he kept reminding me of Sweeney. Maybe it was just me, though.

I understand that in Wicked, the Wizard isn't a nice guy, but he has to be likeable. Ozians wouldn't have made him all-powerful if they didn't like him at all.

Ben didn't really take a "dance break," it was the same as it has been with previous Wizards- he danced with Elphaba.