#1
Posted: 6/29/05 at 12:15am
And thought I would give a quick review while it's fresh.
Let me start by saying that having seen the Original Broadway cast and the touring cast, I was hesitant about this evening.
I walked away mostly pleasantly surprised.
I said this would be quick, though, so here is the jist.
Ana Gasteyer-She has two things going in her favor, one: audiences will not expect her Elphaba to live up to the others because they have visions of SNL Celine Dion in their heads and two: she can really, really, sing. She is a bit awkward, not in a young Elphaba way, but in a "I have only done this five times in front of an audience" way, but she came into her own as the evening progressed and her "No Good Deed" was dead on. I would love to see her again six months from now, I think she will settle into a nice groove and that comfort a great Elphaba will make.
Kate Reinders- Best Glinda I've seen. I know I am going to get slammed for this. She is sweet, funny, natural and not over the top.
Rondi Reed-She is a fine actress. Best acted Morrible, although in my opinion, not the best sung Morrible. It is nice to have a Chicago icon on stage.
Telly Leung- He was adorable and I don't use that word lightly. He has a glorious voice and his acting was spot on. I always find it sad that we don't get more Boq, the casting for this role is always great. Telly was a treat.
Heidi Kettering-Seems that she might have seen Michelle play the role. Very similar approach but a far stronger singing voice. Her Wicked Witch of the East was fiercely acted and equally well sung.
Kristoffer Cusick-The only disappointment of the evening. I thought his acting marginal and his voice was just not up to par with the rest of the cast. For those of you who know the ending, let's just say that what usually makes the whole theater go ballistic, fell completely flat this evening, and I believe it was because the audience was not rooting for him.
Gene Weygandt and Steven Skybell were both good, not much to point out about either of them.
The Ensemble was excellent, not touring company excellent, but five performances in, they are on their way.
Susan Hilferty's costumes are still the third biggest star in the show in my opinion and I was mesmerized by them once again.
Overall, I was impressed and happy that Wicked has found a home in Chicago.
Goodnight!
Let me start by saying that having seen the Original Broadway cast and the touring cast, I was hesitant about this evening.
I walked away mostly pleasantly surprised.
I said this would be quick, though, so here is the jist.
Ana Gasteyer-She has two things going in her favor, one: audiences will not expect her Elphaba to live up to the others because they have visions of SNL Celine Dion in their heads and two: she can really, really, sing. She is a bit awkward, not in a young Elphaba way, but in a "I have only done this five times in front of an audience" way, but she came into her own as the evening progressed and her "No Good Deed" was dead on. I would love to see her again six months from now, I think she will settle into a nice groove and that comfort a great Elphaba will make.
Kate Reinders- Best Glinda I've seen. I know I am going to get slammed for this. She is sweet, funny, natural and not over the top.
Rondi Reed-She is a fine actress. Best acted Morrible, although in my opinion, not the best sung Morrible. It is nice to have a Chicago icon on stage.
Telly Leung- He was adorable and I don't use that word lightly. He has a glorious voice and his acting was spot on. I always find it sad that we don't get more Boq, the casting for this role is always great. Telly was a treat.
Heidi Kettering-Seems that she might have seen Michelle play the role. Very similar approach but a far stronger singing voice. Her Wicked Witch of the East was fiercely acted and equally well sung.
Kristoffer Cusick-The only disappointment of the evening. I thought his acting marginal and his voice was just not up to par with the rest of the cast. For those of you who know the ending, let's just say that what usually makes the whole theater go ballistic, fell completely flat this evening, and I believe it was because the audience was not rooting for him.
Gene Weygandt and Steven Skybell were both good, not much to point out about either of them.
The Ensemble was excellent, not touring company excellent, but five performances in, they are on their way.
Susan Hilferty's costumes are still the third biggest star in the show in my opinion and I was mesmerized by them once again.
Overall, I was impressed and happy that Wicked has found a home in Chicago.
Goodnight!
