Idina's first missed performance!

[wickedfan]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 3:05pm

From an inside source: Eden will be performing for the first time on Sunday 3 p.m.

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 3:12pm

too bad for those who wont get to see her, but homegirl needs some time off

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 3:24pm

Where is this information coming from? Wouldn't there be a press release? Updated On: 3/20/04 at 03:24 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 3:25pm

That's too bad. Idina IS Wicked. She's the whole show. But, I'm sure Eden will be great. She's had lots of time to prepare. I hope Idina isn't sick or anything....this is just a scheduled break, right?

[Craig]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 3:35pm

If they already know she's missing a performance I am sure it was scheduled. I've heard Eden sing 2 songs from the show and will freely admit she kicks vocal you know what... I adore Idina, but for those people at the Gershwin on Sunday - they are in for a treat.

and no, there wouldn't necc. be a press release just because someone is or is not going on...

[Princess MimiChica]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 3:44pm

quick poll: So, will Wicked be worth seeing after Idina and Kristin leave!? I've heard good things about Mellisa and bad things about Laura...

Yeah, i've heard Eden can sing, but really, can anyone out-sing Idina!?! I think not!!!

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 3:47pm

I always question unnamed sources...

[VoiceofReason]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 3:52pm

I think Laura Bell Bundy has had ups and downs, cuz I've read the stuff on the boards abotu her bad nights, but I saw her last wed. and thought she was really great! She's no kristen when it comes to opera-voice like woah, and she had to work harder to get the audience on her side, but she was adorable and energetic and funny, and sounded splendid, expecially during thank goodness..I think people should give her a chance, she would make a great kristen replacement if she can be more consistent
always,
~m~

[Toon]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 4:56pm

Eden is supposed to go on for Idina on Sunday but it's not some secret that is being spilled by an inside source like it's breaking news. Idina is fine but has to miss on Sunday and it was scheduled. Puzzles me that people expected a press release.

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 5:07pm

"Puzzles me that people expected a press release."

If it was a scheduled absence usually it would be publicly released, so that the people who don't want to see the show without her wouldn't waste their time and money buying tickets.

[beacon1]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 5:49pm

I think that is a nice courtesy to the public. After all a grumpy public will not buy tickets and there goes the show.

Keeping the audience happy has to rank up there. No audience, no money coming in, no paychecks, no investors...no shows. I spoke with a performer a while ago who was talking about how the public had the privilege of seeing her and that they should be glad about whatever she did since she possessed a talent that they did not. I reminded her that talented or not, if no one liked what they saw...no one would spend money to watch her... which meant no one would hire her...and she'd be back waiting tables.

Seems she forgot for a moment that her livelihood is based on her ability to impress others favorably.

Updated On: 3/20/04 at 05:49 PM

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 6:41pm

I feel sorry for the people who havnt seen the show yet. I'm sure Eden will do great, but if it were me, id rather see Idina. haha i guess you can say that about anything though! =D

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 6:49pm

Somewhat off topic, but someone asked me where the stage door to the Gershwin Theatre is. Can anyone tell me?

Thanks!

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 7:03pm

Im pretty sure its on 51st street.

[Kev]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 7:26pm

"That's too bad. Idina IS Wicked. She's the whole show."

Not hardly. Yes she's fabulous, but the show's gonna do just fine with her absence.

[flaemmchen]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 7:27pm

I wish I could be at that performance on Sunday, because though I adored Idina as Elphie, I've also heard Eden sing, and she has an incredible voice. If anyone's going, please report back!

[shermanslave]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 7:47pm

I think the majoity of the people who are seeing this show are seeing it because of what it is, not because who is in it. I doubt that the tourists that I serve at the Marriott care if Menzel is in the show or not. On the contrary, when Ashely Judd was out of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, people were upset because that is what they wanted to see in the show. I had one table tell me that they were there the night Judd was replaced mid show and the understudy was not nearly as good as Judd was. That is scary, because I saw it with Judd and to think that the understudy could be less interseting on stage than Judd was is mind boggling. It just proves that most tourists only want to see "names" and Idina Menzel is not a name.

[brdwaybaby17]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 7:58pm

Has Kristin been at the shows lately?? All I ever hear is that she is out. When was the last time she was there?

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 7:59pm

Show tickets are bought to see shows not people. To my knowledge, if a lead cannot make a certain performance, it's posted in the lobby and inserted in the program, the day of the performance. Never seen any more press than that. Imagine keeping up with every lead in every show who's understudy has to go on by releasing press!
You can in some cases, request a refund or exchange at the box office if you came specifically to see a certain lead/star performer and you approach the mgmt. But they don't encourage that. After all, the ticket is for the show, which goes on regardless of the cast.

For example, Linda Eder was scheduled to appear in Philly with the Philly Orchestra, I beleive last year. She turned up suddenly ill and Alice Ripley was called in to take her place. Because the show was billed as "the Philly Orchestra featuring Linda Eder" the theater was within its legal right to substitute the featured performer and refused refunds because the show was billed as such. This made some LE fans very upset, but that's the way its done. Besides, Alice Ripley did a job on very short notice for her friend.

Understudies are often equally amazing and it's a thrill to see them now and then.

www.pbentertainmentinc.com BWW regional writer "Philadelphia/South Jersey"

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 8:00pm

____________________________________

"...and Idina Menzel is not a name."
____________________________________

Hey, Hey HEY!!! Idina Menzel is definitely a NAME in the New York Theatre district. Everyone knows who she is. She wowed everyone as an original cast member of RENT and was definitely a stand out in THE WILD PARTY. Now, she's making her name bigger in WICKED. Plus, I've had several people listen to the WICKED CD and say to me "Who is that? She's incredible." Idina Menzel is a name in my book.... Updated On: 3/20/04 at 08:00 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 8:14pm

_________________________________

"Show tickets are bought to see shows not people."
_________________________________

I disagree. If their name is above the title, as is the case with WICKED, it does say Kristen Chenoweth, Idina Menzel & Joel Grey in WICKED, then quite a few people are purchasing tickets to see that particular person. Take THE BOY FROM OZ for example. If Hugh Jackman was not in the show it probably would have closed after a few weeks. Wait and see what happens when he leaves. Another example would be CATHY RIGBY is PETER PAN. With the national tour starting up again and a posable farewell Broadway run I would be very upset to go to the theatre and find out that Mrs. Rigby was out. PEOPLE are what get the audience to purchase the tickets. Unless it's CATS or LES MIZ very few shows are able to stay afloat with just the show being the star. That is a ridiculous unprofessional comment. With all the celebrities going in and out of B-way shows and ticket sales rising and then falling when they leave (Annie Get Your Gun) it is absurd to say that the audience is only interested in the show....

[shermanslave]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 8:44pm

Yes, Idina is a name in NY theater, but do you really think that the lady who was in my station today who is from Boulder, Colorado knows who she is? She was going to "that Wizard of Oz" musical. She does not know what The Wild Party is. Maybe she has heard of Rent, but she won't know that Idina was in that too. I am talking about middle America not considering her a name. Alec Baldwin is a name in 20th Century. Brooke Shields was a name when she was in Cabaret. Melanie Griffith was a name in Chicago. Someone like Idina does not sell a show for someone coming from Zainsville, Ohio who wants to see some "famous people".

Can someone back me up?

Updated On: 3/20/04 at 08:44 PM

[LadyGuenevere]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 8:50pm

I will.

I have friends that are really into theatre, a couple don't know of Idina. Another friend of mine, who goes to Bway shows frequently, bought Wicked tickets "For Kristin Chenoweth." He told me of how much he liked Idina's performance after, and hadn't really heard of her before.

"EVERYONE knows who she is!"

Keep assuming that, Idina worshippers. Updated On: 3/20/04 at 08:50 PM

[shermanslave]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 8:53pm

why thank you, lady.

[tappedout]

Posted: 3/20/04 at 8:55pm

Yes, I would have to agree that Idina is not a name. When I'm listening to my ipod, people constantly ask "who are you listening to?" and expect me I guess to say Jack Johnson or Christina, Briteny etc. and I go "I'm listening to Idina Menzel" Every single person I have ever said that to(which is a heck of a lot) has always responded with "WHO IS THAT??????"