Michelle Federer has stood by Wicked since the very beginning, and I was wondering if seh was planning on doing something else any time soon. I mean I love her--I was Nessarose for halloween! but i'd like to see her in something else too!
I'm sure she'll take a break after she leaves in january. But then I hope she tries her hand in more shows, she's been in Wicked much too long.
Broadway Star Joined: 12/31/69
Hey...A steady gig is a steady gig, right?
Sure it is. But if you are really talented and have a desire to spread your wings (and aren't just in it for the money) you'd try to join new projects. No? Yes.
She's leaving January 8th, 2005 along with much of the current WICKED cast, and almost everybody else in a Broadway show! :-P
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/29/05
So - since there seems to be a cast turnover in January. Who do you predict will fill those sparkly shoes?
And the other roles too? Any predictions?
lol, namffug, this is true. John Lithgow's leaving on the 8th as well. Sort of a random day, eh?
I really think it says a lot about the performer and a lot about the show. She is happy there and if she wants to stay there why not??? Maybe she's not found a better show and wants to wait until one turns up... A job on Broadway can be difficult to find sometimes...
double post.... sorry Updated On: 11/14/05 at 03:29 PM
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/30/05
Is Megan going to be leaving too?
Chances are, the person taking over for Nessarose won't be a recognizable name. They don't need big names for Nessa, Boq or the supporting characters, really. All people care about are the green girl and the bubble girl...
Kay, the Thread-Jacking Jedi
Quando omni flunkus moritati (When all else fails, play dead...)
"... chasin' the music. Trying to get home."
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(love you, girls! - 6/13/06)
Nope.
If Im correct, David Ayers, Rue McClanahan, Ben Vereen, Shoshana Bean, and Im guessing now Michelle Federer are all leaving on the 8th.
If Angela Lansbury would ever play Morrible, I would die. GAHH!
Well she's not happy to stay there. She herself has said she's bored to sobs with playing Nessa and it's all she can do to drag herself through a performance.
"They don't need big names for Nessa, Boq or the supporting characters, really. All people care about are the green girl and the bubble girl..."
I disagree. I mean, rumor has it that Liza Minnelli will be playing Morrible. And Randy Harrison of QAF took over for Boq. And George Hern, Joel Grey, and Ben Vereen all played the Wizard. And Rue is now playing Morrible.
Really, if you think about it, its more obvious that Elphaba and Galinda dont need big names. They haven't had stars play Elphie or Glinda in the past and it hasnt hurt the show. The only characters that have been taken over by "stars" are supporting. Which when you think about it is a good idea since the "stars" will draw audiences who expect to see them on stage the whole show but theyre only on it for a while. And the stars have more of a chance of being in the show weekly if they have less strenuous roles.
When I (as a male) know that I could bring more excitement and inspiration to the role (which is how I felt watching Michelle at my last visit to Wicked), you know it's time for her to leave the show. She's absolutely bored and it seems like doing the show is a chore for her. Why does she deserve to continue to play the role when there are pleanty out there who could bring ten times more energy? Why would she want to continue to do the role? Alas, she doesn't. And she's leaving.
Funny how things work out that way.
I heard she's going to be Julia Roberts' understudy/standby (not sure what the right term is)
Stand-by Joined: 11/7/05
I'm blanking on her name right now, so please shoot me. The girl who played Beth in Little Women would be great! I'd pay HUGE bucks to see that girl sing live! After Little Women...
Wicked doesn't need big names. It's famous for the show itself. Who knows why, but it is.
And Michelle will be in Wicked forever. Until hell freezes over. There's your answer
Yes, I definitely think Megan McGinnis would be an awesome Nessarose.
Stand-by Joined: 11/7/05
THAT's THE ONE! Woooo thank you.
Yes! I've thought so since forever Megan would be perfect! Only I kinda really want her to be Belle..
Megan was amazing...I wanna see her play Olive in Bee...
Broadway Star Joined: 4/3/04
I loved Michelle as Nessa, and would love to see her in something else. I saw her very early on in Wicked's run, so it was definitely before boredom set in, and I thought she was great. I think that it's good that Michelle is leaving the show in January, but I do kind of question why she stayed with it soo long. I understand not wanting to leave a paying gig until you have something else lined up, but if her performance has suffered from her being in it so long, then I'm surprised that she was allowed to continue her contract for so long. Not that Nessa is a major role, but people don't pay big money to see someone looking bored.
I've heard mixed reviews of her recent performances. I don't doubt she's incredibly bored in that role and so it's hard to be on top of her game every single show. My friend saw the show this past Thursday and said Michelle was enjoyable (and her finger was broken?!) and my friend is an actor who knows how to objectively critique a show and it's performers. Also...who cares why she extended her contract so long? I'm sure she had her reasons, and why should anyone judge her for that. I can't wait to see her in another project, she has so much potential!
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/3/05
I've adored Megan since I saw her in Little Women. Don't know if I see her as Nessa though.
When I saw Michelle in February, she was great.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
Nope. January 8 is not really a weird day. Shows usually close, have cast changes, etc. on a sunday. Jan 8 is the first Sunday of the new year (save for Jan 1...New Year's Day).
Remember - Idina et al. were supposed to leave Wicked and Dracula and Golda's Balcony closed on Jan 2 - the first sunday of the year. Idina's departure date was pushed back to Jan 9 - another Sunday.
Jan 8th's an awesome day! It's my birthday
I saw Michelle in Wicked just this Sep and she was still very commanding in the role. Of the four Nessas I managed to see (out of only five shows, lol) she was the best, I thought.
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