London Wicked

[ThePinballWizard]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 12:39pm

Isn't this due to open sometime soon? In any case I just had a random thought of who could play Glinda and Elphaba.

Glinda - Laura Michelle Kelly
Elphaba - Sally Ann Triplett

Let me know what you think.

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 12:42pm

nonno.... i don't think so.. Sally Ann could sing it, but just like Ruthie, I think I want a young star with a rock belting voice to do the role. And Laura Michelle Kelly wud prob be better off doin Elphaba than Glinda!

[Princeton78]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 1:14pm

Wasn't there a rumor floating that Ms. Menzel and Chenoweth would open the show in London for a very short run?

[wickedfreak]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 1:16pm

If they did there would be a mass migration of teens to london.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 1:17pm

In that case, pray they don't.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 1:37pm

I think that was just a rumor. I am sure there would have to be a lot of money involved to get Idina back in the green paint. I am sure Chenoweth wants to move on, too.

[tophertilson]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 1:43pm

Laura Michelle Kelly is about as funny as a moldy dishrag. Gorgeous voice. Zero charisma.

TT

[Matty]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 1:53pm

the cast will be brand new. dont listen to rumours, wait for casting news in may,

[anne3]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 2:16pm

Well, the cast isn't brand new, as Ben Vereen is doing it...

[Justin D]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 3:59pm

Sally Ann Triplett? No way, I saw her in cats and she was terible (does not sound much better singing it (Memory) on the CD either)so i cant see her as Elphaba.

[jasobres]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 4:43pm

Idina will never fly to London because she has never been away from Taye before, which is why she didn't do Evita in London. Plus don't you think Kristin has enough on her plate?

[Horton]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 4:59pm

I think that the producers want different people to do Wicked in London. I mean I think that at the end of the run both Kristin and Idina gave only half performences. I personally think that Stephanie J. Block, Eden Espinosa (did you know that in the tony playbill her name was spelled wrong) or Julia Murney.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 5:18pm

Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth are:

A) Busy
B) Not on particularly warm terms
C) Not proven names in London, so it would be absurd to pay their salaries to open the show in the UK.

There are plenty of people better known in England who could do these roles well and would sell more tickets (if they even want names).

[Broadway_Boy]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 6:38pm

They Definately do not need any names to sell this show hence why after Idina and Kristen left they stopped billing the leads above the title so people would not be able too return tickets when there was an understudy going on.

Updated On: 3/30/06 at 06:38 PM

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 6:55pm

who are some big West End stars who could do this? i'll have to check out the west end board for this...

but yeah, just to add on to the kristin thing, she is very busy, with plenty of movies shes doing, working on a new album, so yeah, she wouldnt be doing it.

thank you.

:)

[FoscasBohemianDream]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 7:49pm

I would suppose the producers would be looking for two different leads for the West End production in order to release a second cast recording, not that this would be the main reason, but I'm sure it must be a factor in their decision.
As for some West End names, how about Frances Ruffelle and Jane Krakoswki as Elphaba and Glinda?

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 7:53pm

They Definately do not need any names to sell this show hence why after Idina and Kristen left they stopped billing the leads above the title so people would not be able too return tickets when there was an understudy going on.


Opem your playbill, they are still billed above the title!

[Horton]

Posted: 3/30/06 at 8:19pm

they are there, however if you wish to return your tickets when the leads are out, the box office will not let you.

[mrkringas]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 10:59am

Frances Ruffelle? As Elphaba?!!!! No way. Love her to bits and she was fab at the JRB gig last december but cmon. She just doesnt have the right voice or the range for this role. Plus she is kinda in the same age range as Ruthie or Sally Ann Triplett.

As for West End stars.... well sadly there are very few "stars" who have a name value just from doing theatre work. There are certainly a list of people who those in the industry and theatre queens/students know of but to joe public its not going to play well outside of London beyond that special interest group.

IMHO "names" of west end performers who are in the right age/vocal range would be people like

Kerry Ellis, Anita Louise Combe, Rebecca Thornhill, Sophia Ravageleas, Joanna Ampil, Julie Alanah Brighten (dont be fooled that she is simply a soprano. Listen to La Cava to hear her belt! Quite a few of these ladies can sing legit and contemporary. Better than being a one trick poney eh?)

But we shall find out who gets cast in May!

[Philomena]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 11:06am

I thought I read somewhere that Elaine Page might be Glinda, or is she too old?

[astonishing1985]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 11:14am

Menzel and chenoweth are not on good terms? Wow what happened?
tell me more since I know nothing

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 11:16am

ELAINE PAIGE? Methinks that would not be the best idea...

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 11:23am

there have been alot of rumours bout Elphie n Glinda, but most rumours sayu the same casts for Fiyero n Wizard n Mdm Morrible:
Morrible: Elaine Paige
Fiyero: Adam Garcia
Wizard: Ben Vereen

i hope they're true!
And I want that girl who played the lead in WWRY Ldn (also cast album) to play Elphaba!

[mrkringas]

Posted: 3/31/06 at 11:43am

Hannah Jane Fox was the lead in WWRY. However her voice is apparently wrecked after doing such a long run and abuse.

The second lead in WWRY is the far more impressive sounding Kerry Ellis. If I recall she was the second cover for Martine in My Fair Lady and earned her stripes in the powers that be's eyes for stepping up so well and quickly.