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Kendra Kassebaum Absences Solved

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#1

Kendra Kassebaum Absences Solved

Posted: 11/25/05 at 1:19pm

I have solved why Kendra is out so much on the "Wicked" tour. Just got this email from her:

I am contracted till March 1st
I do not do the matinees.
Love
KK

So the first time I see the show I get Kendra (assuming she's not sick,) and either Emily or Katie the second time.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#2

re: Kendra Kassebaum Absences Solved

Posted: 11/25/05 at 2:15pm

But I saw her during a matinee....weird.
"The only way we live beyond our lives is to connect and carve ourselves into the souls of those we love." -Little Fish
#3

re: Kendra Kassebaum Absences Solved

Posted: 11/25/05 at 2:18pm

Gclef, was it on a 2 show day or was it on, let's say, a Sunday like tomorrow where they only have one matinee show?
#4

re: Kendra Kassebaum Absences Solved

Posted: 11/25/05 at 2:27pm

Hmmm. It was on a Saturday, Im pretty sure.
"The only way we live beyond our lives is to connect and carve ourselves into the souls of those we love." -Little Fish
#5

re: Kendra Kassebaum Absences Solved

Posted: 11/25/05 at 2:27pm

I think she only does one show a day..so if it is an evening/matinee day she does not do the matinee.

She was great on Wednesday..hilarious.
Jim Caruso: You know, you are doing Wicked.
Stephanie J Block: I am!
Jim: Is anyone coming to that old thing?
#6

re: Kendra Kassebaum Absences Solved

Posted: 11/25/05 at 2:29pm

It was also the first time that Kristy Cates was stepping into the role, so maybe she made an exception to just do it so she could get a better feel for the role.
"The only way we live beyond our lives is to connect and carve ourselves into the souls of those we love." -Little Fish
#7

re: Kendra Kassebaum Absences Solved

Posted: 11/25/05 at 2:58pm

wait...she doesn't do matinees but the ELphabas DO???!!!
i have ALWAYS thought that both of those roles should only do a 6 show week..its too tiring for the voice...look at all of the leading roles that do 6 show weeks...i think Elphaba and Glinda are right up there as far as challenge....
#8

re: Kendra Kassebaum Absences Solved

Posted: 11/25/05 at 3:18pm

From what I understand, it is just something she contracted..
Jim Caruso: You know, you are doing Wicked.
Stephanie J Block: I am!
Jim: Is anyone coming to that old thing?
#9

re: Kendra Kassebaum Absences Solved

Posted: 11/25/05 at 3:51pm

I'm pretty sure she misses a LOT more than just the matinees. That tour is full of drama. And on average, they have at least 3 people out of each show. Kendra is often one of them.
#10

re: Kendra Kassebaum Absences Solved

Posted: 11/25/05 at 3:57pm

Where are you getting this information from? Please don't start rumors about things you know nothing about.
#11

re: Kendra Kassebaum Absences Solved

Posted: 11/25/05 at 4:03pm

What makes you assume I don't know what I'm talking about? This info is straight from company members themselves.
#12

re: Kendra Kassebaum Absences Solved

Posted: 11/25/05 at 4:19pm

When I saw it in LA on vacation Kendra Kassebaum was out in was Katie Adams who had a nice voice, but Eden was to die for, this will get a lot of controversy, but she was the only Elphaba I liked, and afterwards She was so sweet and nice and one woman said that she was brought to tears from her voice. So Eden ran inside and gave her a free copy of the BKLYN soundtrack and signed it, the woman was in disbelief. That one moment was alone worth the price of the ticket.
#13

re: Kendra Kassebaum Absences Solved

Posted: 11/25/05 at 4:34pm

Hmm..I've read some nice things about the tour from tour members.

That's a great story about Eden.
Jim Caruso: You know, you are doing Wicked.
Stephanie J Block: I am!
Jim: Is anyone coming to that old thing?
#14

re: Kendra Kassebaum Absences Solved

Posted: 11/25/05 at 4:58pm

I feel cheated!! I saw a matinee and i don't remember if it was Saturday or Sunday and i got stuck with Kendra and i thought that she was very less than par...her acting can be argued though i found it way too over the top...but man she must have been sick because her singing was HORRIBLE!! Even my mom who knows nothing about singing was like...man she was bad. I walked out really wishing that we could've had the understudy because i found kendra to be the one weak link in an amazing production
RIP Natasha Richardson. ~You were a light on this earth ~
#15

re: Kendra Kassebaum Absences Solved

Posted: 11/28/05 at 3:38pm

So, I know this was originated a couple of days ago, but I couldn't resist. I don't get this "I do not do the matinees" thing explaining her absences. Yes, I think it's a tough role (and I agree, I have no problem with Glinda's and Elphaba's being contracted to only do six shows a week), but I saw an evening performance and she was out. I'm not complaining--Emily was fabulous and I'd much rather have someone who's feeling healthy and strong than see someone who's not really up to par go on just because people expect them to! But, I don't think the being out for matinees explains the rest of the absences.
#16

re: Kendra Kassebaum Absences Solved

Posted: 11/28/05 at 3:44pm

Come on guys, what does it matter what she says, we all know why she has the absences, because she's a snob.
when ducks grow thumbs then maybe my opinion will change.
#18

re: Kendra Kassebaum Absences Solved

Posted: 11/28/05 at 3:48pm

I made inquiries about the "no matinees" thing in her contract, and apparently it is untrue. She is just frequently out, and allowed to get away with it, I assume because Joe Mantello must really like her. She's been allowed to take liberties with the role that NO ONE else is allowed to do (i.e. doing the splits during "Popular").

I don't wish to speak ill of anyone, but I have a hard time showing respect for people who don't do the job that's asked of them.

Updated On: 11/28/05 at 03:48 PM

#21

re: Kendra Kassebaum Absences Solved

Posted: 11/28/05 at 5:50pm

no one get mad at me....i saw Kendra once and her understudy(Kattie?) twice. I thought that her understudy was better. I thought the quality of her voice was better and her performance in popular was better. She was so funny!
#22

re: Kendra Kassebaum Absences Solved

Posted: 11/28/05 at 5:56pm

Honestly, who's business is it but Kendra's? If she's out, she's out. She doesn't need to explain why.
http://www.beintheheights.com/katnicole1 (Please click and help me win!) I chose, and my world was shaken- So what?
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
"And when Idina Menzel is singing, I'm always slightly worried that her teeth are going to jump out of her mouth and chase me." - Schmerg_the_Impaler
#23

re: Kendra Kassebaum Absences Solved

Posted: 11/28/05 at 6:05pm

What's wrong with doing the splits in Popular, Augustus? I'm not sure I understand what you are saying. Not being mean, just honestly don't understand what you are getting at...
Jim Caruso: You know, you are doing Wicked.
Stephanie J Block: I am!
Jim: Is anyone coming to that old thing?

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