How much details do casting directors look for........or let pass by...

[BwayLeadman]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 1:39am

What I am refering to is WICKED and Shoshana Bean.
I haven't seen or heard her in Wicked and I am not refering to her talent. I really do like her. I have a demo cd from Hairspray where she sings "Welcome to the 60's" which is GREAT!!!!

What I am talking about is her look as the infamous Wicked Witch of the West (Elphaba)
I thought it was a good idea when I first heard about S.Bean portraying Elphaba, but when I saw a backstage clip of Wicked and her in costume....
The thing is Elphaba is "suppose" to have a bony sharp edged face. Shashona has a round chubby face. I thought Idina's look was ideal.

I guess some roles are versitle. If looks aren't that important to Wicked. The next Elphaba could be Marissa Jaret Winokur??
(hope the ropes in 'Defying Gravity' can support her weight in the air)

[Joshua488]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 1:45am

Who said Elphaba's face has to be bony?

And there are no wires in the "Defying Gravity" effect.

[BwayLeadman]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 2:00am

My point exactly.
The movie and the book describes her this way, and this is the image we have embeded in us since we've seen the movie (Wizard of Oz) and read the book (Wicked) (some of us)

...so there would be no problem if Wicked casts a black performer to play Glinda...

[Joshua488]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 2:03am

What do you mean 'my point exactly'? I wasn't agreeing with you... I was asking a question.

The musical is only based upon the book and, in case you didn't notice, there are many changes. They obviously didn't feel that Elphaba needed to have bony features.

And we've already had a thread about casting a black actress as Glinda. Needless to say, it got pretty heated. I, personally, see no problem with it. They should not have to try to follow the preconceived images of these characters.
Updated On: 4/10/05 at 02:03 AM

[Swiftynifty15]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 2:04am

What do you mean a demo with Shoshana? Shoshana is amazing!
She looks good as Elphaba! Marissa Jaret Winokur would be an interesting Elphaba. Can you imagine her painted in green with the blue hat and blue outfit singing Wizard and I? She might not be totally bad.
Updated On: 4/10/05 at 02:04 AM

[Joshua488]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 2:10am

Marissa's voice is too nasal and grating to sing Elphaba. I would give anything not to hear her sing the part.

[Swiftynifty15]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 2:17am

If you think about it they do have a bony structure to their face. Aot of people who have played/playing Elphaba that is. See: Jenna, Saycon, Kristy.....but some don't like Shoshana and Eden doensn't really does she? Also, the new wizard is going to be Ben Vereen. Megan Hilty is awesome as Glinda but she isn't super tiny like Kristin, and Megan is amazing! So they can switch things around I think.





Updated On: 4/10/05 at 02:17 AM

[BwayLeadman]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 2:51am

Joshua488- I was agreeing with you. Elphaba doesn't have to have a pointed face.
I know there was a thread of a black Glinda. That's why I used that example because it was discussed already.

Swiftynifty15- I have a CD from when the music of Hairspray was not totally finished and had just a couple of songs (which was then later edited, added and some parts removed) Shoshana sang "Welcome to the 60's"

[bbroadwaybb]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 3:51am

I cannot believe this is a real thread or that anyone is taking this seriously. Bone structure is not a DETAIL - details are... too short, too tall, not a belter etc. Especially on stage - NO ONE in the room is looking for bone structure - and the break down certainly doesn't ask for a bone structure type. This is a ridiculous topic and absolutly not how things are cast. Shoshanna got it because she has a kick-ass voice. So did Eden. Whoever was asking this doesn't have a real concept of how things work. Who can see bone structure from the back of the Gershwin Theatre?

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 5:12am

I just can't believe you're actually suggesting Shoshana shouldn't be playing Elphaba because her face is round!

"Looks aren't that important in Wicked"- what the hell?!? You make it seem like she's a 300 pound troll or something! How is she the mid-step between Idina and Marissa Jaret Winokur? Have you even seen her?

Updated On: 4/10/05 at 05:12 AM

[Swiftynifty15]

Posted: 4/10/05 at 8:19am

I don't think it matters that much either, but as pointed out it actually does seem like alot of people who have played Elphaba have a certain bone structure lol.