Kate Reinders' First NY Performance As G(a)linda

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 5/31/06 at 12:51am

When the official announcement was released stating that Kate Reinders would take over for Megan Hilty beginning May 30th. I went out to buy a ticket for her first performance the next day. Yes, as bad as Good Vibrations was, Kate was still a standout performer and I was eager to see her in this role. I had only heard good things about her from the Chicago run of Wicked and she certainly did not disappoint!

I'll start off with the supporing players.

Rob Sapp as Boq: I have seen him three times so far and he is definitely the best Boq I have seen. He makes this thankless role into something very memorable. I love when he gets his book back right at the beginning of "Dancing Through Life." (If you've seen his performance, you know what I'm talking about) He is also one of the hottest men on Broadway right now...damn!

Jenna Leigh Green as Nessarose: Again, the best Nessa I have seen. I was fortunate enough to see her as Nessa in Washington, DC and loved her there as well. She was even better tonight. Her "Wicked Witch of the East" was flawless.

Derrick Williams as Fiyero: This was my second time seeing Derrick and I must say, his voice kind of annoys me. He is fine (much better actor than Joey McIntyre - not saying much, I know) but for me, Sebastian Arcelus is the best Fiyero.

Carol Kane as Morrible: My second time seeing her in the role. Very very funny. I love her characterization. The scene during "Dancing Through Life" where she gives Galinda her training wand is hilarious. No, she doesn't have a great singing voice, but does have great comedic timing. My favorite Morrible so far is Alma Cuervo.

David Garrison as the Wizard: The best Wizard I've seen. I was lucky enough to see him once in Washington, DC. He did not disappoint in NYC either. He is the only Wizard I've seen where I am actually enjoying the scenes with the Wizard. Vereen, Hearn, Benjamin (yes, even Grey) were just not as animated as Garrison is. Excellent.

Eden Espinosa as Elphaba: This was my third time seeing Eden in the role and she has really improved a lot. Her characterization is much better, comedic timing has improved and she really looks like she belongs on that stage in the role. It is no secret that she has an amazing voice. "The Wizard and I," "Defying Gravity," and "No Good Deed" were all fabulous. My only criticism would be to improve the annunciation. Stephanie J. Block had the best diction out of all the Elphabas I've seen. Still, incredibly impressed by Eden tonight...what a powerhouse!

Kate Reinders as G(a)linda: Fantastic. I loved her. One of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to replacements is when they try to copy someone else who performed that role. I am happy to report that Kate's performance did not copy Kristin, Megan or any other Glinda before her. The one word that I think describes her Glinda is spastic. Kate is all over the place and is absolutely hilarious. During "What Is This Feeling" when she took out her makeup mirror to check her appearance, it flew out of her hand and landed center stage (and broke in two, I believe). She was probably just so exited to be playing the role on the NY stage and it just flew right out. She handled herself like a true professional though and didn't even flinch. Eden picked up the half of the mirror during an opportune moment and they went on with the song. Kate is also gorgeous in her costumes. And for such a petite woman, she has an amazing soprano belt, which she got to show off in "No One Mourns the Wicked" and "Thank Goodness." And her "Popular" was hilarious. The audience was in stitches. Kate was just all over the place...spastic...it was great. She and Eden worked incredibly well together and you couldn't tell at all that it was their first performance together. "For Good" was heartbreaking. Their voices meshed perfectly. At the curtain call, when Eden and Kate came out together to bow, Eden stepped aside and let Kate bow first, as a gesture to congratulate her on her first NY performance and welcome her to the cast.

Congratulations, Kate, and here's to a healthy run as G(a)linda! You were wonderful.

Updated On: 5/31/06 at 12:51 AM

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 5/31/06 at 1:15am

I'm glad you liked Kate! :) Was Sean McCourt in tonight?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 5/31/06 at 1:24am

yes, he was. great, as always, in a horrible role.

[cathywellerstein]

Posted: 5/31/06 at 1:33am

I loved Kate in Gypsy! I'd love to see her portray Glinda as well. I'm sure she's great.

[wishinguweresomehow]

Posted: 5/31/06 at 2:17am

I saw Kate several times when she was in Chicago, and she never failed to impress the audience. She indeed is very spastic, but it's amazing to watch her. I am happy that she gets to bring her talents back to the Broadway stage!!

~Meg~

[rosekwbp]

Posted: 5/31/06 at 3:09am

You know I wasn't going to see Wicked again but I LOVED Kate in Gypsy and I think this review just convinced me to get some Wicked tickets for July.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 1:32pm

Thank you for your review! Very well written and thoughtful.

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 2:31pm

I'm so glad you love Kate! She is my favorite Glinda (out of Kendra, Stacie Morgain Lewis, JLT, Sarah Jane Everman)!

Jenna is also hands down the best Nessa anyone will ever see. Second (that I've seen)is Heidi!! she is also amazing and has come a long way since the last time I saw the show. (Jacqui was not good at all when I saw her-now current u/s in chicago, was tour) and I think Michelle just got bored with it and ran through the motions...though she wasn't bad.

[deeply_shallow]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 2:44pm

I'm glad you all liked Kate. I saw her in Chicago and thought she was great, but she was the first I saw in the part, so I thought I may have been slightly biased. I'm glad New York is loving her too.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 3:23pm

I couldn't agree with you more. Excellent review. Thanks for posting, Trace.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 3:36pm

I hate this show. I recently found out that I'll be seeing it again in July, the first time since the Idina/JLT cast.

Glad you liked it. Hearing your review gives me some shread of hope to enjoy myself. I'm a big Reinders/Garrison fan, so their being cast is a big plus.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 3:43pm

I saw her in Chicago with Ana, and she was great. I don't remember too much about her performance because it was a year ago, but I remember her being great.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 11:17pm

Kate is amazing. I wish Ana was Elphaba in NYC.

Updated On: 6/1/06 at 11:17 PM