Kristin Chenoweth to leave WICKED July 18th- Page 3

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 4:54pm

Let me begin by stating that I, myself am not a christian (at least not by the standard description used so loosely these days) I don't call myself one because most people who DO call themselves christian (and notice I said MOST and not ALL) are such hypocrites, because the definition I was taught is: to act in a Christlike manner. Most "christians" are the first ones to be racist, cruel, hating bigots, and therefore do not fit the definition. With that said - I admire anyone who tries to fit the definition and I think that people like Kristin and Kathie Lee should be allowed to think and do as they please and that we have no right to try to put them down for it. For if we put them down, how, then, are we being Christlike? Jesus (if you choose to believe in him) loved everyone regardless of their lot in life, their beliefs, sexual preferences, skin color - hell, I could go on for hours, but won't. When are people going to "live and let live"??? When are people going to start loving themselves enough so that they they don't feel petty jealousies and the need to bring others down to their level? I am not perfect and never will be. I struggle with self-loathing every day of my life - but I do believe everyone has a right express themselves in whatever way they deem appropriate, and seeing that so many on these public boards continue to hate, taunt, and find as many ways as possible to put others down, I find it sad and a very unfortunate comment on what the world has come to.

[tpdc]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 4:57pm

I don't think Glinda is an easy role to put across. After Chenoweth leaves, we're going to loads of postings about how the replacement isn't as funny and so on.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 5:08pm

Actually, Jesus was pretty big on telling people to shut up about how great they think they are. That's all I make fun of Christian for, not her beliefs.

Updated On: 4/15/04 at 05:08 PM

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 5:08pm

I agree, tpdc. She thoroughly impressed me when I saw her, and she carries a great weight of the show on her shoulders -- and I have no problem with that. It would probably be a little more 'blah' just having Elphaba the entire time crying about saving the animals of Oz.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 5:12pm

No, actually it wouldn't be. You're assuming that without Glinda being the bubbly basically nice girl who goes down the wrong path for a little while before coming to her senses at the end, there would be nothing but Elphaba struggling. On the other hand, if Glinda were the person everybody perceives as The Good Witch but in reality is making horrible decisions in order to maintain her political connections regardless of who gets killed, THEN you would have a highly compelling story. In fact, that was supposed to BE the story before it got botched so badly on stage.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 5:15pm

namo, quit making me think! it's the green one is good and the white one is good too, just a li'l confused. sheesh, is it that hard? why can't we all have two good witches in our lives?

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 5:17pm

Well, if that was supposed to be the story, then it WOULD be the story, but somewhere along the lines it was decided that it was best to have the show the way it is. The story as it is at the Gershwin seems to be perfectly fine for the average theatre-goer, and I thought it tied up everything nicely. I still felt it was a compelling story, but again, everyone has their own opinions.

I just think it's pretty clear that the current story seems to be making audiences very happy. Updated On: 4/15/04 at 05:17 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 5:17pm

"Well, if that was supposed to be the story, then it WOULD be the story, but somewhere along the lines it was decided that it was best to have the show the way it is."

Something tells me after reading that Toronto article (bubbly, sweet!) that as they developed and beefed up the character and to "play to Kristen's strengths" that they were probably brow-beaten by her bubbly sweetness into going on and on and on until basically, the dramatic arc of the story was completely ruined.

Updated On: 4/15/04 at 05:17 PM

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 5:23pm

Funny how this turned into a "Bash Kristin Chenoweth" thread.

I'm a little upset that she's leaving, but I got to see her in it once, and that's fine. The role was perfect for her, she did an amazing job in it, and I wish her luck in her future endeavors. I saw Laura Bell Bundy in the role the second time I saw it, and she was good----so the show won't go down the drain without her.

Who does everyone think should get cast in her place? I saw keep Laura Bell Bundy...at the moment I can't think of anyone better, though.

[BrooklynsChild]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 5:26pm

Felicia Finley would be a good Glinda! She has killer comedic timing and an amazing voice! She would have to work on the opera a little bit but I know that she could do it! Or maybe Lisa Brescia! She is another one with good comedic timing and an absolutley beautiful voice!

[mominator]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 5:27pm

Thank you Auggie for using the word "boink"

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 5:29pm

Who here hates Kerry Butler? Show of hands...

[BrooklynsChild]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 5:31pm

*raises hand*

[TheGirlinTheFrock]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 5:33pm

Lisa Brescia would be perfect! saw her yesterday in AIDA loved her. Wow i really hope she comes into WICKED!

[Al Dente]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 6:48pm

I'm laughing so hard at Namo and Papas posts that I can barely type. I don't think this has ANYTHING to do with jealousy. I think it has more to do with people "in the know" who are rendered incredulous over Chenoweths "behaviour" time and time again. I think it's more a relief that perhaps, just maybe, possibly, GOD WILLING, the average "not in the know" amongst us, will finally see the saccharine sweet, little tyrant for who and what she is. Who in their *RIGHT* mind, would leave a tailor-made,obscenely lucrative job in their home town, for the things that she's leaving for? We saw how her last attempt at *stardom* beyond B'way turned out... Oh and I'm CRAZY for the one sh(R)ill that suddenly decided to defend her. Publicist,agent,manager,Kristin? Beuller?? If I haven't said this already 1,000 times, you cannot axt like a tempermental a-list star unless you ARE one. (note to Patrick wilson as well).

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 6:49pm

She would be great for the part....she is a little bit old looking, though---I don't know if she could convincingly pull off Glinda.

I actually mentioned Butler before, but forgot about her in my last thread. I think she'd be great. Felicia Finley is another great choice.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 6:52pm

I like Finley but in no way does she have the chops for that role. Impossible.

[musicaltheatreman]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 7:03pm

alice ripley would be awsome in the role!!! she has the vocal chops and has great comic timeing!! :)

[Al Dente]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 7:07pm

Yes, but she's way too old for the role. And she's not one of the 35+ ladies that wears it well, if you know what I mean.

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 7:07pm

after reading (or- to be honest- while reading) the book, i tend to have a different opinion on what the show is and could have been. i thoroughly enjoyed it when i saw it, and i think it is good musical theater, but i think that wicked fell short of the dramatic standards set by the book.

kristen chenoweth is an exceptionally talented comic actress, and i respect her for holding true to her religious beliefs in a place where she is the minority in doing so. yes, i can see why so many people dislike her- but i dont think it is altogether justified. we know nothing about her except what we see in interviews and they can be very misleading. it is not her fault if the producers (or director/writor-something) shifted the weight of wicked's plotline to her, unless you want to fault her for being so talented, because that is undoubtedly why the decision to do so was made, blame those who made the decision.

im not sure that leaving wicked so soon is a smart decision though, and i think she owes it to her fans to stay around a little longer than that.

and in response to al dente; as one who is... i suppose *not in the know* (and therefore, i suppose, not worthy of voicing an opinion) tell me, do you consider ben brantly of the ny times in the know? because (and i guess this is just my ignorance speaking) i do, and he sure does seem to like ms. chenowech. honestly, i really do not mean to be rude, but these are opinions- some people who know a lot about these things like kristen, some do not. some who know less about it like her, some do not.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 7:15pm

I too enjoyed her performance in the for-the-most-part-otherwise-destroyed show, and it isn't even the articles about her difficult spiritual path that completely turned me off on her. It was the breaking character stories that all the Wicked Addicts loved that really made me lose respect for. But why would she need my respect? She's popular. Oh gosh, look, I made a reference to the big number. Tee hee. I had a day off yesterday!

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 7:51pm

wow, glad i got tickets to see it again at the end of june, loved kristen in the role
i'd love to see the replacement, cause they're bound to take a different view on the role, and glinda's music might be changed if they can't or don't wanna do the opera stuff

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 8:05pm

This is not meant as a bash against Kristin at ALL, but the writing of her role and the process from a supporting character to lead was helped by Kristin a bunch.

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 8:08pm

yeah, she contributed a ton to that role i heard, the jokes and the timing, especially the music...the opera parts jeez, shes trained in opera

[Benzy92]

Posted: 4/15/04 at 8:23pm

DIVA.