Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
katie_spain
Chorus Member Joined: 3/3/06
#0Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Posted: 8/4/06 at 10:04am
Martin Ball gives 'Wicked' fans a behind the scenes look at the musical, rehearsals and daily dramas of performing in London's west end.
Post questions, comments and reviews at the bottom of each entry. Video diaries, ticket deals and updates will be added daily.
See Martin's exclusive video diary here.
ohjustjake
Leading Actor Joined: 4/18/06
#1re: Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Posted: 8/4/06 at 12:05pmVery interesting, I'll have to bookmark it to keep updated.
#2re: Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Posted: 8/4/06 at 3:26pmWow that's great. Can't wait to see updates. Question though . . . who is that singing Defying Gravity? Anyone know? Seems like she has an accent.
"I wrote a book: "How to Be Popular". Now I've put together a top ten list of how to help you:
-Elphie, everyday... shower. I mean, who knows? Maybe some of that green is gonna come off!
-Deodorant Elphie. No body likes a stinky witch!
-I think we've covered the hair, we'll get to that.
-Clean underclothes. That's all I'm gonna say.
-Look at your posture. That's no way to be popular!
-Bed made, room straightened. We've done that.
-Colors blended. Oookay.
-But the most important thing to have, to make yourself popular, is to keep your beautiful smile."
~Kristin Chenoweth in her last performance of the song "Popular"
HereNowhere
Understudy Joined: 7/21/06
TheBoyfromChi
Featured Actor Joined: 10/11/04
#5re: Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Posted: 8/4/06 at 3:35pmI think that's Stephanie J Block.
"I hope you're all happy, keeping Alan off the team. Couldn't you, for once, open your minds and hearts and hear something that he couldn't see? I, for one, am glad that Alan is blind, so he can't see what, I am so sad to say, you can't hear." -Jerri Blank
#6re: Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Posted: 8/4/06 at 3:36pmStephanie J. Block is the one in the trailer. No accent, thats just how she sings.
#7re: Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Posted: 8/4/06 at 6:06pmYeah, I was talking about the trailer. Wow, I have never seen her before. She has a great voice . . . now I know what all the hype was about! But there really isn't an accent? Huh . . . could've fooled me! Going to have to listen again. :)
"I wrote a book: "How to Be Popular". Now I've put together a top ten list of how to help you:
-Elphie, everyday... shower. I mean, who knows? Maybe some of that green is gonna come off!
-Deodorant Elphie. No body likes a stinky witch!
-I think we've covered the hair, we'll get to that.
-Clean underclothes. That's all I'm gonna say.
-Look at your posture. That's no way to be popular!
-Bed made, room straightened. We've done that.
-Colors blended. Oookay.
-But the most important thing to have, to make yourself popular, is to keep your beautiful smile."
~Kristin Chenoweth in her last performance of the song "Popular"
#8re: Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Posted: 8/4/06 at 7:28pm
VERY cool. Interesting. Thank you for the link 
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES---
"THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS
#9re: Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Posted: 8/4/06 at 7:52pmI always think it's funny that the "Wicked" trailer features Stephanie and Kendra, not Idina and Kristin. Thanks for the link to the blog.
#10re: Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Posted: 8/4/06 at 8:05pmI had never seen them before (actually I have never seen the trailer before!) and I kept thinking that it should be either Idina and Kristin or the current cast but it certainly wasn't Idina and Kristin and I have seen most of the current cast and it wasn't them so I just had no clue who it was! I was so confused! lol
"I wrote a book: "How to Be Popular". Now I've put together a top ten list of how to help you:
-Elphie, everyday... shower. I mean, who knows? Maybe some of that green is gonna come off!
-Deodorant Elphie. No body likes a stinky witch!
-I think we've covered the hair, we'll get to that.
-Clean underclothes. That's all I'm gonna say.
-Look at your posture. That's no way to be popular!
-Bed made, room straightened. We've done that.
-Colors blended. Oookay.
-But the most important thing to have, to make yourself popular, is to keep your beautiful smile."
~Kristin Chenoweth in her last performance of the song "Popular"
#12re: Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Posted: 8/4/06 at 11:46pmHaha the tour press reels are so much better than the OBC ones.
#13re: Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Posted: 8/5/06 at 12:01amPopular--thanks! I will have fun exploring her site tomorrow when I'm more awake. :)
"I wrote a book: "How to Be Popular". Now I've put together a top ten list of how to help you:
-Elphie, everyday... shower. I mean, who knows? Maybe some of that green is gonna come off!
-Deodorant Elphie. No body likes a stinky witch!
-I think we've covered the hair, we'll get to that.
-Clean underclothes. That's all I'm gonna say.
-Look at your posture. That's no way to be popular!
-Bed made, room straightened. We've done that.
-Colors blended. Oookay.
-But the most important thing to have, to make yourself popular, is to keep your beautiful smile."
~Kristin Chenoweth in her last performance of the song "Popular"
snl89
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/05
#14re: Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Posted: 8/5/06 at 12:12am
"Idina Menzel, star of the Broadway production of Wicked, is reprising her Tony award winning performance as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, in London and she flew in yesterday. Now bearing in mind she’s already played the role, has nothing to prove and to her body clock it’s not quite 4 am yet, she could be forgiven for giving herself a gentle morning. But no, from the first word, there’s Elphaba. And when she starts to sing “The Wizard and I” it’s so thrilling that hot tears spring suddenly to my eyes. I look away from her, embarrassed by this unexpected emotion, and quickly see that I’m far from alone."
um... yeah.. being an idina finatic, that practically made me tear up a bit... and get really, really REALLY mad that I have no way of getting to london. haha
I don't need a life that's normal. That's way too far away. But something next to normal would be okay. Something next to normal is what I'd like to try. Close enough to normal to get by.
snl89
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/05
#15re: Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Posted: 9/4/06 at 11:08am
bumping this to say, the newest blog video is simply... the greatest thing ever. hehe
and seriously, who could HONESTLY say idina isn't adorable? even if you dont like her voice or whatever, you've got to admit she's just so friggin funny and cute!!
I don't need a life that's normal. That's way too far away. But something next to normal would be okay. Something next to normal is what I'd like to try. Close enough to normal to get by.
snl89
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/05
#16re: Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Posted: 9/4/06 at 6:25pmsigh... bumpin again.. cause this blog is just too amazing. hehe
I don't need a life that's normal. That's way too far away. But something next to normal would be okay. Something next to normal is what I'd like to try. Close enough to normal to get by.
#17re: Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Posted: 9/4/06 at 6:38pm
You beat me to it! I got home from work and went to check Martin's site and hooray! New video! :)
The whole cast looks like they are working hard yet having a great time. Adam with his stomach thing, so funny. The whole bit with Idina, priceless! They look like they get along well. She looks so happy and relaxed. Also looks like she may be growing those bangs out already.
Ok, I'm done. Really is a great site though. And did you see that Misty now has a myspace? lol
"I wrote a book: "How to Be Popular". Now I've put together a top ten list of how to help you:
-Elphie, everyday... shower. I mean, who knows? Maybe some of that green is gonna come off!
-Deodorant Elphie. No body likes a stinky witch!
-I think we've covered the hair, we'll get to that.
-Clean underclothes. That's all I'm gonna say.
-Look at your posture. That's no way to be popular!
-Bed made, room straightened. We've done that.
-Colors blended. Oookay.
-But the most important thing to have, to make yourself popular, is to keep your beautiful smile."
~Kristin Chenoweth in her last performance of the song "Popular"
snl89
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/05
#18re: Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Posted: 9/4/06 at 8:36pm
I knowww, I love how they all genuinly seem to be having SUCH a great time together!!
clearly, the best parts of the video were:
-Helen being all adorable and bubbly (she's gonna make SUCH a wonderful G(a)linda!)
- Miriam and her... plum? (with I belieeeve idina in the background doing the amazing idina giggle! hehe)
- Adam and his stomach thing (which I actually think I can kinda do.. not quite to that extent, but a little! lol), and idina being all grossed out by it
-cearly the BEST best part of it: Idina! and the sneaking up behind Martin.. amazing :P
oh and of course,
Martin himself!! I love that man soooooo much. His blog is seriosuly the most amazing thing ever
so yeah, everyone go watch it! lol
and I still mantain that you can dislike idina all you want, but find it very, VERY hard to believe anybody could NOT find her completely and utterly adorable!
and I'm sorry guys, I get fangirly over these things. haha. I swear, it will wear off and I'll go back to normal! but... it may take a little while seeing as this whole wicked london thing has brought back my idina obsession full force lol
I don't need a life that's normal. That's way too far away. But something next to normal would be okay. Something next to normal is what I'd like to try. Close enough to normal to get by.
Updated On: 9/4/06 at 08:36 PM
BSoBW2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
#19re: Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Posted: 9/4/06 at 8:37pm
Hardly sneaking up behind him. Unless you missed the joke :)
Anyway, I love the English. Don't have a clue what they are saying, but love them anyway.
snl89
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/05
#20re: Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Posted: 9/4/06 at 8:41pmlolol, no, I totally got the joke, but you know what I meant. the COMING up from behind martin I guess is a better way to put it hehe
I don't need a life that's normal. That's way too far away. But something next to normal would be okay. Something next to normal is what I'd like to try. Close enough to normal to get by.
#21re: Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Posted: 9/4/06 at 9:37pm
I thought that was Idina next to Miriam, but wasn't sure so didn't want to get made fun of, lol. Thought maybe I was just seeing her everywhere!
She really did make that video though. Not that it wouldn't have been cute and funny on its own but . . . well come on!
"I wrote a book: "How to Be Popular". Now I've put together a top ten list of how to help you:
-Elphie, everyday... shower. I mean, who knows? Maybe some of that green is gonna come off!
-Deodorant Elphie. No body likes a stinky witch!
-I think we've covered the hair, we'll get to that.
-Clean underclothes. That's all I'm gonna say.
-Look at your posture. That's no way to be popular!
-Bed made, room straightened. We've done that.
-Colors blended. Oookay.
-But the most important thing to have, to make yourself popular, is to keep your beautiful smile."
~Kristin Chenoweth in her last performance of the song "Popular"
BSoBW2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
#22re: Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Posted: 9/4/06 at 9:54pmNJRae - I thought it was her as well...
#23re: Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Posted: 9/4/06 at 11:13pm
Loved seeing the video too!
and who was the guy who was randomly showing up, saying what shows he had been in? that was funny. great editing job Martin!
<--- the set of A Midsummer Night's Dream that I was assistant stage manager for during the 2007 season at the STNJ outdoor stage.
-Dre- You must remember all the same that at the crux of every game is knowing when it's time to leave the table... And it's important to be artful in your exit. No turning back, you must accept the con is done... It was a ball, it was a blast. And it's a shame it couldn't last. But every chapter has to end, you must agree.
~Dirty Rotten Scoundrels~
There's a special kind of people known as show people. We live in a world full of dreams. Sometimes we're not too certain what's false and what's real. But we're seldom in doubt about what we feel.
~Curtains~
It is a far, far better thing I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest I go to, than I have ever known.
~A Tale of Two Cities ~
~Dirty Rotten Scoundrels~
~Curtains~
~A Tale of Two Cities ~
swerve
Chorus Member Joined: 3/8/06
#24re: Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Posted: 9/4/06 at 11:27pm
Actually, I thought the girl next to Miriam was the one who was wondering what to wear to Idina's party. It did kind of sound like her giggling off camera, though.
First encounter with the mysterious Helen Dallimore- she's very cute (and I love that she's not going to play Galinda as an airhead). Adam is welcome to come to my house anytime and do whatever he wants with his clothes off. And Idina was adorable, obviously.
Very enjoyable vid this time. And everything is more charming with British accents.
#25re: Martin Ball's West End 'Wicked' Diary
Posted: 9/5/06 at 12:18amThat was the best video so far! I'm glad we finally got to meet the cast/crew, even though I love watching Martin! He could keep me amused all day! haha
"For example, if I should paint my fingernails green -
and it just so happens I do paint them green. Well, if anyone should ask me why, I say: 'I think it's pretty!'"
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