Mamie Parris joins 1st National Tour of "Wicked" as Elphaba October 4, 2011.

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 9/20/11 at 3:25pm

Mamie Parris, who was just recently seen as Judy Bernley in the national tour of "9 to 5: the Musical" will join the 1st National tour of "Wicked" as Elphaba beginning October 4, 2011. She has also been on Broadway in "Ragtime," "The Drowsy Chaperone" and Roundabout's "110 In the Shade."
Tour of Wicked Will Welcome a New Elphaba in October

[AC126748]

Posted: 9/20/11 at 3:29pm

She's fabulous. I'd see her in anything.

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 9/20/11 at 3:34pm

Good for her. I saw her go on as Mother in Ragtime and thought she did a great job.

I can't help thinking, though, that once you enter the Wicked Mill you never get out of it. They'll just keep recycling you from production to production until you're willing to risk a steady paycheck and hit the audition scene again. And that's show biz, kid.

[californiasnow]

Posted: 9/20/11 at 3:37pm

I'll be seeing her at least once during her first week. Saw it on Sunday, and (with the exception of Dee Roscioli), I think this cast is pretty strong. I particularly enjoyed Alma Cuervo as Morrible... she was wonderful.

[AC126748]

Posted: 9/20/11 at 3:44pm

I can't help thinking, though, that once you enter the Wicked Mill you never get out of it. They'll just keep recycling you from production to production until you're willing to risk a steady paycheck and hit the audition scene again. And that's show biz, kid.


That's true, but I don't really see this as a downside right now for Parris. In the past two years, she's gone from understudy/ensemble to lead roles in two major tours. I'm sure right now she's probably thrilled to have steady employment in a headlining role as opposed to cutting her teeth standing by. Especially considering that it might lead to her playing the role on Broadway.

Updated On: 9/20/11 at 03:44 PM

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 9/20/11 at 3:55pm

Awesome news. Can't wait to (hopefully) see her in March. With Wicked the chance of having a standby or understudy go on seems to be greater than most shows.

[everythingISpossible]

Posted: 9/20/11 at 4:35pm

I was hoping Mariand Torres would be bumped up from standby...

[Wicked Fanatic]

Posted: 9/20/11 at 4:38pm

At last they finally announced it. Heard this way back on May 10th when she was at OCPAC in "9 to 5". Was happy then and even happier now that it's official. Can't wait to see her on December 6th when she comes to the Pantages :)

[hairspraydude1962]

Posted: 9/20/11 at 4:59pm

I never thought I'd say it, but I may need to see Wicked again. I loved her in 9 to 5 and Legally Blonde. She just lights up the stage.

[NYCBound91]

Posted: 9/20/11 at 5:29pm

This is the single reason that I'm planning on seeing Wicked again. She's just fantastic, and I'd see her in anything.

[emo_geek]

Posted: 9/21/11 at 1:14pm

Does this mean she will be Elphaba in the upcoming Los Angeles stop?

[californiasnow]

Posted: 9/21/11 at 1:46pm

This is the same company that will be in LA in November, so unless they bring someone in special for the LA stop, Mamie should be there.

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 9/21/11 at 8:53pm

Great voice on the final Ragtime performances

[CleveNMLActor]

Posted: 9/22/11 at 2:09pm

When I saw her in 9 to 5 in Dayton I got drinks with some of the cast members at the local gay bars, and they told me she was next in line to play elphaba! So happy for her!!

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 9/22/11 at 4:19pm

I'll be seeing her at least once during her first week. Saw it on Sunday, and (with the exception of Dee Roscioli), I think this cast is pretty strong. I particularly enjoyed Alma Cuervo as Morrible... she was wonderful.

I think this cast is the weakest the show has ever seen. With the exception of Dee Roscioli,Stefanie Brown and Megan Campanile(who I saw as Glinda for the evening show) the rest seemed like amateurs. 3 of the leads were just downright terrible and never should have been cast in the first place IMO.

[californiasnow]

Posted: 9/22/11 at 5:37pm

I respectfully disagree. Dee Roscioli is about as exciting as watching grass grow. Her voice is good, but in the times I've always found her acting very lacking. I guess different opinions are what keeps theater interesting :). For instance, I think I am the only person I know who loved Caissie Levy as Elphaba. Oh well.

[Wicked Fanatic]

Posted: 9/22/11 at 6:13pm

For instance, I think I am the only person I know who loved Caissie Levy as Elphaba. Oh well.

You're not alone. I loved her portrayal in LA and her last show there was the best show of "Wicked" that I've ever seen. Can't wait to see Caissie come to Broadway in Ghost.
Updated On: 9/22/11 at 06:13 PM

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 9/22/11 at 7:22pm

"Can't wait to see Caissie come to Broadway in Ghost."

Are we confident that she is coming?

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 9/22/11 at 8:11pm

Thrilled. I saw Mamie do CATS at West Virginia Public Theatre years and years ago and she was jaw-droppingly talented.

It's wonderful to see people get their dues. Here's hoping a new Broadway show is next for her!

and on a side note, Alma Cuervo is so f*cking talented and is the BEST Morrible I've ever seen.

[jamiekennywicked]

Posted: 10/6/11 at 1:44pm

Anyone going tonight?

[californiasnow]

Posted: 10/6/11 at 3:34pm

I'll be there on Sunday. Looking forward to it!

[jamiekennywicked]

Posted: 10/8/11 at 1:34pm

Anyone seen Mamie yet? Hearing great things so far on Twitter/Facebook

[Actor2]

Posted: 10/8/11 at 2:07pm

Alma Cuervo kicks ass as Morrible. Her "WICKED WITCH!!" screech before Defying Gravity is chilling.

[Wicked Fanatic]

Posted: 10/8/11 at 3:33pm

Here's comments from someone who saw her 1st performance...
http://www.witchesofoz.com/wicked_boards/index.php?s=&showtopic=35245&view=findpost&p=1093121

Can't wait to see her at the Pantages on December 6th and I too love Alma Cuervo. So glad she's playing Morrible in LA.

[californiasnow]

Posted: 10/9/11 at 1:18am

Saw Mamie tonight. Her first act was very adequate. She sang the role well, acted it fine. The second act, however, is a totally different story. She was absolutely fantastic. Her voice and posture and mannerisms were completely different and totally made the passage of time between the acts very evident, if that makes sense. She had great chemistry with Colin Hanlon during their love duet, and her No Good Deed was goosebump inducing.

This was my third time seeing the tour on this Atlanta stop, and I think Alma Cuervo needs to go to the Broadway company ASAP. Her Morrible is one of the few I've seen that is not completely scenery-chewing and over the top. She is scary as hell. The rest of the cast was good as well. Overall I would say this tour is in very good shape, although I'm sure others will disagree. I didn't go into excruciating detail about Mamie but if anyone has specific questions feel free to PM me.