Idina Menzel to Star in London WICKED- Page 9

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 1:37pm

Does anyone else think that this will make an OLCR doubtful since Idina was already in the OBCR?

[Claire2141]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 1:40pm

While I agree there is a good chance it will get mixed reviews here I doubt it will affect the box office.

Looking at what's on the WEnd now, there is little covering the 'teenage' market. Especially now WWWY is closing, only Billy Elliot is left in that market and unless they want to see something nostalgic (Poppins, Mamma or LK) or a Lloyd Webber production there's little there. Wicked has the ability (as people in the US have seen) to reach the teen/tween market and get people in.

With Idina...well she's been through it once! Better to get mixed reviews than solely bad ones.

And yes I think it makes the OLCR look less likely now Idina's going in. But who knows? They might wait until after her run to do it...well we can hope cant we?



Updated On: 4/22/06 at 01:40 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 1:54pm

I think her coming over there turns the show into much more of an "event." They can have all kinds of ads now proclaiming the chance to see "the original star in her Tony-winning performance."

[Claire2141]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 2:07pm

Yes, this way they can intice the general public by saying the show is staring the woman that won a tony for the role she is playing AND keep the fans of the show happy at the same time.

I was petrified that they would cast a z-list celeb (ex-soap actor) who would ruin the show. This keeps me happy.

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 2:20pm

I think Idina being the only one with an american accent would be better, because it would help make her more of an "outcast".
Updated On: 4/22/06 at 02:20 PM

[algy]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 2:29pm

Claire2141 - Brian May's been dropping some fairly heavy hints on his website that WWRY is going to extend, despite announcing closing in October, and letting all the fans pay over the odds for tickets to the last night. I think it has something to do with the notices given to the LOTR in Canada.

[Claire2141]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 2:31pm

^Good point - would be another good way to show the outcast-ness. Well minus the full green make up...

I really would rather her use her own accent than a bad English one so I have no qualms with the accents not matching. When the accent is done badly it's just distracting and slightly grating.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 2:48pm

I think if they do retain American accents it may be because "The Wizard of Oz" is an American film.

[Marlene]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 2:58pm

"Idina confirmed on her website, in case anyone is interested. =)"

She did? I didn't see any updates...

[Bohemian1232]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 3:03pm

She did. Check the news section.

[Marlene]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 3:06pm

Oh silly me...I thought she would put it up in the box on the main page.

"It's all true. I'm going to be playing Elphaba again --- in London!"

[Claire2141]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 3:09pm

Yes it's there! In the news section she's confirmed it.

About the accents..while the film DOES have American accents the musical is based on the book which follows on from 'The Wizard of Oz' the book NOT the film. Though The Wizard has to have the Kansas accent, that's for sure.

Just because the film makers let the cast have their US accents doesn't mean that's the accent of Oz.

[mrkringas]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 3:36pm

Re Accents

The word from people in auditions was that they asked for Glinda and over characters with British accents. Elphaba and the Wizard were to stay American.

That kinda makes sense no? It sets her apart from everyone else and also links into the Wizard. Also remember we are getting a different production in London. They are playing up the politics and allowing new interpretations on the characters. I can just imagine an English/Home Counties Glinda (or better yet a Chav Princess!). Although if the continual buzz about Jane Krakowski is true... well you never know until its all official and the curtain has fallen on the first preview.

[Zachary Goldfarb]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 4:19pm

WICKED the novel doesn't soley follow the original book. In that book, the Wicked Witch isn't even green, right?

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 4:28pm

In what book? Because in Wicked the novel she is most certainly green...

Are you talking about Wizard of Oz? in which case I have no clue
Updated On: 4/22/06 at 04:28 PM

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 4:41pm

This is the third time I hear Jane Krakowski's name mentioned as a potential Glinda. I wonder how true the rumor is. If someone could own the role of Glinda, it's Jane Krakowski. And if she gets cast in the role, there would be a higher possibility for an OLCR.

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 4:47pm

Either way I'm hoping for an OLCR so they can put in WWOTE, even though I don't enjoy it too much it's nice to be able to follow the story. Also I hope they don't edit the songs and leave Defying Gravity the way it was meant to be!

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 5:06pm

i'm also hoping that if there is a olcr morrible's defying gravity speech and that which i mentioned earlier get on there

[Claire2141]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 5:32pm

Hmmm having The Wizard and Elphaba with US accents is fine, it makes sense. Just don't really want bad accents!

With Jane (cannot spell the surname)...if Idina wasn't doing it then I would say great but I want a British talent in the part. Ok I want Emma Williams as Glinda. She's an amazing British talent...well IMHO and I think she would be fantastic.

I want an OLCR too...but as much as I love Idina, without her on it. Give someone else a chance!

[YessicaB]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 5:48pm

I have an Opening Night Ticket, and am very exited. I read about this yesterday and am very exited about seeing her in the role since I missed her on Broadway. I like her voice and judging from what I saw in See What I Wanna See, she's a fantastic actress. So again... very exiting news to me...

[Zachary Goldfarb]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 6:00pm

ExCited. Not exited.

[YessicaB]

Posted: 4/23/06 at 10:41am

Zachary, just get over yourself, okay? English is not my native language and I can still articulate myself better than 90% of the Americans I have met.

[AngusN]

Posted: 4/23/06 at 10:58am

I for one am very disappointed that Idina is going to reprise the role of Elphaba in London, I think she has definitley been one of the weaker Elphaba's, her voice is reasonable, but her acting leaves a lot to be desired, as confirmed by the film version of Rent. I personally loved Stephanie and would have loved her to play the role. It is obviously a publicity stunt to get people talking; The OBC girl is back!
They must have a recording of some kind up their sleeve because they wouldn't lose out on all the profit they would make from an OLC recording. I wonder what it is. ??????

[Zachary Goldfarb]

Posted: 4/23/06 at 11:33am

Yessica, I apologize. I tend to jump to the conclusion that mistakes like that are made because of age (i.e: why else would I keep seeing "Elphaba's" instead of "Elphabas"...it's a pet peeve.), but I apologize.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/23/06 at 11:48am

Andrea McArdle opened ANNIE in London for the first three months, and they waited until her departure to record the Original London Cast recording with her alternate/replacement: Anne Marie Gwatkin.

It is possible that the London cast will still be recorded either with Idina or whoever replaces her, but sadly, because of recording costs, it seems that it's becoming increasingly rare to get a London and a Broadway cast recording.

Most of the last big American exports: MILLIE, THE PRODUCERS, RENT, THE LION KING, RAGTIME, etc. didn't get London cast recordings.

Ditto most of the British imports on Broadway: MAMMA MIA, WOMAN IN WHITE, OKLAHOMA, etc.

I think most producers bank on the fact that unsavvy theatre audiences won't really care if the cast on the recording is the same as the cast they saw in the theatre.

They'll probably wait at least to gauge how big a hit WICKED actually is in London. Having some other bankable names in the cast as Glinda, Morrible, etc would certainly help the incentive for a second recording.
Updated On: 4/23/06 at 11:48 AM