Is Julia the standby Elphaba now?- Page 2

[WilliamT]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 8:59am

Sho *IS* taking over in September (along with Megan). Don't know where Julia is going or if she's coming back.

[wwasser]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 10:59am

Julia Murney has been having trouble in the role since she opened. In Boston she missed atleast two and half weeks worth of performances because of an illness. She is not vocally powerful and struggles to let the notes just flow.

Victoria Matlock started was pretty new to the cast in Boston and was not doing that well (she had a lot of trouble reaching the higher notes) but then, as she picked up more performances she started to shine. I remember being at a matinee near the end of the Boston run and Victoria nailing every part of Elphaba. Julia won't last long...I do not think she is up for the demands of the role...hmmm and BFA in musical theater...

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 11:15am

somethingwicked and ashley0139 both make excellent points.

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 11:45am

Alma Cuervo is really wonderful in a very underwritten part. I'd love to see her get moved up to the Broadway cast.

Julia Murney is absolutely wonderful in the role. She is by far my favortie Elphaba that I have seen play the role. Her acting is superb, and her voice continues to blow me away. Her "No Good Deed" was astonishing. The role of Elphaba is obviously one that is very difficult, especially for someone battling an illness. People need to give it a rest. Until you go out and belt that crazy ass role to a 3000 seat house while battling laryngitis, I say keep your opinions to yourself.

[Popular]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 11:52am

"Until you go out and belt that crazy ass role to a 3000 seat house while battling laryngitis, I say keep your opinions to yourself."

That sounds so much better than how I tried to put it! LOL
It's nice to see a few people here who actually THINK before they make rude and assuming comments.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 12:15pm

She is not vocally powerful and struggles to let the notes just flow.

Julia pretty much blew the roof off the Fox theatre (which is just under 5000 seats). She nails the role of Elphaba in every way. Of all the Elphabas I've seen (I've seen 4 and heard others), she is the strongest, solidest person to play the role. I have no idea where you get the idea that she is not powerful. Have you heard her sing? But this even the point of the thread. The point was about her illness not about how she plays the role in the first place.

Until you go out and belt that crazy ass role to a 3000 seat house while battling laryngitis, I say keep your opinions to yourself.

Thank you! Usually I'm not an advocate of this position, but this role is extremely taxing and these performers work their asses off trying to stay in good health. Some people just don't know what they are talking about.

[soapguy17]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 12:39pm

TheActr97J, I say this to someone everyday, but this time I really mean it. You are my new hero. *bows in your presence*

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 12:51pm

Julia won't last long...I do not think she is up for the demands of the role...hmmm and BFA in musical theater...

She does have a BFA in musical theatre. If you're going to attempt to insult someone, at least know what the hell you're talking about.

And anyone that claims she's not a strong enough singer has obviously never heard her, so clearly you can't make a judgement like that.

Updated On: 7/17/06 at 12:51 PM

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 12:56pm

She is the best Elphaba vocally I've ever seen (next is Brandi Massey).

[FosseBoi]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 12:59pm

OH MY GOD! Ok, I am all for people having their own opinions, but saying that Julia Murney does not have a powerful voice is just wrong. wwasser, do I need to direct you to some performances of hers on YouTube.com(Yes I menioned the big no no but I could really care less).

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 2:12pm

I think her voice is beautiful and powerful; however, I'm not sure it works with this score. I think the role of Elphaba works better with someone who has a more r&b type voice. At least that seems to be how the fans like it. I've noticed that Sho, Eden, and Idina have thier loyal fans, but people like Stephanie, Ana, and Julia don't seem to have those loyal fans? What's up with that? Also, people seem to be obsessed with Megan Hilty, but seems nobody cared for Jennifer Laura Thompson or Kendra? I just think it's weird how certain performers are heralded as being "amazing" yet others who play the same role aren't?

[Popular]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 2:16pm

There were plenty of people that flew in from across the country and drove long distances to go see Stephanie in WICKED, and at her Birdland concert last month. Her fans are definitely there! Loyal and plentiful... just not always as loud and obnoxious which is how we like it! :)

Updated On: 7/17/06 at 02:16 PM

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 2:19pm

Until you go out and belt that crazy ass role to a 3000 seat house while battling laryngitis, I say keep your opinions to yourself.

I love you.


Seriously, some people need to get over themselves. Who are you to judge? Julia's been really sick. It has absolutely nothing to do with her not being "up to the demands" of the role.

[dancersheart]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 2:26pm

Bravo, Pop! Let's use these forums for productive discussion and entertainment, rather than bashing the talented ones we all love and watch! They give us so much, good for you for being a voice of reason!

[SweeneyPhanatic]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 2:33pm

What's up with all of the hate for Maria? I saw her in Atlanta and thought she was perfect!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 4:40pm

Julia has a lucrative voice-over career here, in NY. She probably wants to get back to that.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 4:48pm

" but people like Stephanie, Ana, and Julia don't seem to have those loyal fans?"

JULIA MURNEY doesn't have loyal fans? I've been a fan for years now, and am kind of overwhelmed by the immediate growth of her fanbase here. She has some pretty loyal fans.

"but seems nobody cared for Jennifer Laura Thompson or Kendra?"
Isn't Jennifer Laura Thompson the one who got everyone saying that precious Kristin Chenoweth was NOT the best Glinda? I think you've just been selectively reading/hearing buzz...
Updated On: 7/17/06 at 04:48 PM

[ashley0139]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 5:17pm

but people like Stephanie, Ana, and Julia don't seem to have those loyal fans?

I beg to differ on that one. I have been a fan of hers for years as well. Plus I've heard of tons of Stephanie fans. Just because they're not crazy, loud, obnoxious fangirls doesn't mean they aren't there. I think the less crazy the better. Maybe it's because... never mind. Too mean.

I think her voice is beautiful and powerful; however, I'm not sure it works with this score.

I respect your opinion, but in mine, I think she has the best voice I have heard for this role. It's a little more mature than the others so it's different, but I love what her voice brings to the role.

[Yero]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 5:27pm

I pretty much agree with everything you've said, Ashley.

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 5:32pm

I think many of Julia's fans are older and therefore less vocal about their "fanaticism." Since Julia has previously done more mature shows, like The Wild Party, I think people who were fans of hers prior to Wicked are generally older, whereas people knew Idina from Rent and the Rent movie and Eden from BKLYN, which have obviously large, young, and VERY vocal fan bases. I don't think it is saying anything about Julia or Stephanie's talents that we can't pick out their fans in a crowd. Their fans are out there and plentiful.

Julia Murney isn't a powerful vocalist? You must be joking. Wasn't there a thread on here before titled something like, "Julia Murney, the belter's belter"? She sings the sh*t out of this role, and I would take her as Elphaba over Idina any day.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 6:09pm

Very well put, TheActr, although I don't know what you mean by "older."
Julia Murney IS the belter's belter!

[ashley0139]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 6:12pm

Since Julia has previously done more mature shows, like The Wild Party, I think people who were fans of hers prior to Wicked are generally older, whereas people knew Idina from Rent and the Rent movie and Eden from BKLYN, which have obviously large, young, and VERY vocal fan bases.

That is EXACTLY what I was going to say in my last post before I thought it sounded too mean, but I was going to say it in a much more negative tone. Yours sounded better.

Dancingthrulife- I don't think they necessarily mean older, just more mature. And mature tends to be older. The shows she has done do not have the same fan bases as the shows Idina has done.

ETA: I have never posted on one of those fan threads (not that they're bad, I just can't keep up with them), but if there were one I would have, that would have been the one. I remember reading a lot of it. Ah Julia love.

Updated On: 7/17/06 at 06:12 PM

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 6:17pm

Okay, that makes more sense.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 6:37pm

Updated On: 7/17/06 at 06:37 PM

[swerve]

Posted: 7/17/06 at 7:04pm

Just a note because it's been referenced several times- Menzel was also in The Wild Party, and in SWIWS (which is even more adult-oriented). The teenybopper (and I mean that more in manner than age) fans are more visible and more vocal, but that doesn't make them the entirety, or even the majority, by any stretch. It's presumptuous to forget she does in fact have a quite substantial "mature" fan base as well. And given the backlash at Idina's popularity, such fans are more inclined (certainly than Murney's) to avoid the glare. I'm just saying, because it seems to come up often.

Also, while I thought Julia was quite good in the role, she certainly isn't everyone's cup of tea. Which doesn't reflect on her talent- she has a very large and dedicated following, as well. And the absence record, while more unfortunate than anything else, is... noticeable.