New WICKED Cast Replacements this month and next?- Page 28

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/19/22 at 12:09am

They brought back Alyssa fox literally so Jennifer could stand in for Lindsay. 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 2/19/22 at 12:47am

hearthemsing22 said: "Can anyone name a performer who played Elphaba who consistently turned up every single week, with the exception of maybe some scheduled vacations? It’s a HARD role. And when I saw the show, it was incredible all around. For god sakes if you haven’t even seen Lindsay how dare you judge her."

Are we talking consistently in terms of actual performances, consistency of the performance, or both? Because there are plenty who have done both. Aka the first five years of the show. 
 

You’re absolutely right in that it’s a hard role. It’s also her Broadway debut. Should the standard be lowered for her specifically because of this? Not sure about that. 

[pattilupony]

Posted: 2/19/22 at 2:27pm

Call_me_jorge said: "They brought back Alyssa fox literally so Jennifer could stand in for Lindsay."

They brought Alyssa back again last month to standby for Lindsay because Jenny had Covid. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/19/22 at 4:43pm

pattilupony said: "Call_me_jorge said: "They brought back Alyssa fox literally so Jennifer could stand in for Lindsay."

They brought Alyssa back again last month to standby for Lindsay because Jenny had Covid."

I could be miss remembering, but Alyssa was brought back in mid October after lindsay had injured her back. Carla stickler was brought back as a standby for when Jennifer was out with Covid.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 2/19/22 at 6:15pm

WldKingdomHM said: "
Her current standby .."

Jenny DiNoia is a work horse who has been flown all over the world to provide emergency cover for Elphaba. Not many are made like her. I don't understand why Elphaba is not a role that has a baked in Alternate schedule. I mean I haven't been actively involved in fandom of Wicked in many years, but it's always been a role that's caused vocal & stamina issues. It's not a show that is being sold on the names of their leads so putting them through 8 performances a week with such a demanding score is a little much. I mean when I was in my hey day I remember Wicked was just shuffling the same Elphabas all over the country because they could handle it while rarely bringing in new blood. 

Jenny DiNoia's can't be around to save everyone's ass.
 

Updated On: 2/19/22 at 06:15 PM

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 2/20/22 at 1:03am

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "hearthemsing22 said: "Can anyone name a performer who played Elphaba who consistently turned up every single week, with the exception of maybe some scheduled vacations? It’s a HARD role. And when I saw the show, it was incredible all around. For god sakes if you haven’t even seen Lindsay how dare you judge her."

Are we talking consistently in terms of actual performances, consistency of the performance, or both? Because there are plenty who have done both. Aka the first five years of the show.


You’re absolutely right in that it’s a hard role. It’s also her Broadway debut. Should the standard be lowered for her specifically because of this? Not sure about that."

Have you actually seen her in the role? Because I’m not so sure about that. Her standards aren’t lowered. Stop. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 2/25/22 at 6:42pm

At the behest of Jordan Catalano back on reopening night, I may return to the Gershwin soon to see this one again. 
 

I look forward to seeing how it has held up after nearly two decades. 

[HBP]

Posted: 2/26/22 at 5:55pm

Emily Rogers (u/s) was on as Elphaba today. I've seen Wicked many times since it opened on Broadway. I have to admit that the last few times the show was feeling pretty stale. Today was an exception. It was so refreshing to see Brittney Johnson as Glinda. She looks stunning in each of the costumes and has a beautiful voice. I thought she was especially impressive in the more 'serious' scenes. 

Emily Rogers was excellent. The best Elphaba I've seen in a long time. I was bummed not to see Lindsay Pearce but Emily did not disappoint. She's a great actress, not too over-the-top as I've seen some Elphabas act of late. She stuck mostly to the score and weaves a beautiful vibrato into almost everything she sings. I hope she has more chances to play the part and I'm grateful I made my way back to the Gershwin this weekend.

The rest of the cast was in good form and I was glad to see more energy on stage than the last go around. 

[kylegfil_]

Posted: 2/28/22 at 2:25pm

I got to see Emily's debut as Elphaba and at this point that was THREE years ago - I'm happy she's doing so well still and would love to see her again!

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/12/22 at 9:47am

I am seeing today's matinee - will offer my thoughts as soon as I get the chance. 

Super excited!

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 3/12/22 at 3:45pm

If Lindsay doesn't extend her contract, does anyone think Talia from the national tour could come to Broadway? I've been hearing VERY good things about her performance. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 3/12/22 at 4:36pm

It was mentioned in the hadestown understudies thread that Mariand Torres was back at wicked. Does anyone know in which capacity?

 

I truly hope Wicked takes the time to replace Lindsay with an actress of color. Particularly a black actress.

If talia joins the Broadway company I don’t think it will happen right after her tour contract. They might give her a period to rest before joining. At least that is what they did for Jessica Vosk.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 3/12/22 at 4:38pm

Call_me_jorge said: "It was mentioned in the hadestown understudies thread that Mariand Torres was back at wicked. Does anyone know in which capacity?



I truly hope Wicked takes the time to replace Lindsay with an actress of color. Particularly a black actress.

If talia joins the Broadway company I don’t think it will happen right after her tour contract. They might give her a period to rest before joining. At least that is what they did for Jessica Vosk."

Good point. 

I wonder if Ciara Renee could be considered. That would be in the same vein of Elsas going to Elphaba, or Elphaba going to Elsa. But I just also think she'd be incredible in the role! 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/12/22 at 7:15pm

How fitting that a bomb cyclone drenched much of the East Coast today...

Today was my third time seeing Wicked, and first from the Gershwin mezzanine (interestingly enough, all three trips were on March 12). It was my first Broadway show since Omicron was first detected, and it felt GREAT to be back. 

It's been 18+ years since this show opened, and it still holds up beautifully and in all its glory. Because of my mezz seat, I was able to get a full view of Eugene Lee's set design (including the dragon animatronic), and what a beautiful set it is. 

Wicked is in excellent shape musically; it no longer feels somewhat stiff and stale, as it did at many points before the 2020 shutdown. Dan Micciche conducted this afternoon and continues to kill it. 

LINDSAY PEARCE - Easily the best Elphaba I have seen. There's a quiet intensity to her voice that seems ready to explode at any given moment; when it does, she is absolutely electric.. A couple shades of Menzel, but she makes the role entirely her own. If you watch the video of Pearce in the show's first rehearsal back, her voice has dramatically improved, which felt so good to hear. Of note, she didn't hit the low E at the end of "I'm Not That Girl," instead opting for the higher E (Anyone, is this common with her?). She sounded excellent on both "Defying Gravity" and "No Good Deed," hitting high Fs on the tail end of "Tell them how I..." and "Fiyero." Great actress too, rock-solid book work. You only have just over 2 more months to catch her!

Brittney Johnson has been getting a lot of mainstream attention this last month, but what all these sources never mention is that Johnson is one of the best Glindas PERIOD - easily top 5 in my book. She nails all the big, comic, egoistic moments in Act I like any Glinda should (The sass! The intonation!), but then comes Act II where she does an outstanding job with the more serious and intense moments. I echo the fact that her "Thank Goodness" is a masterclass. I was lucky enough to see Johnson play Heather in the recent revival of Sunset Boulevard, and it's amazing to see how much she's grown since then. What a leader she is. 

The male principals are all comfortable in their roles: Sam Gravitte, Jordan Barrow, and especially Michael McCormick as a deliciously evil Wizard. Michael X. Martin made a good Dillamond, he didn't overdo anything.

Just one swing was on today (Micaela Martinez), and I got to see Courtney Iventosch play Nessarose because Mili is on medical leave for a few weeks. Courtney was also good, way to step in there. 

Schwartz's score is a mixed bag, as everyone knows by now. Some strong melodies, but several weak ones as well. There are many lyrics throughout that could possibly displace "It's the 'Thrilla in Manila' / But with Diana and Camilla" and haunt me for some time. The house was well-sold and the audience was respectful today. Perfect mask compliance. Pearce, Johnson, and McCormick received some nice entrance applause. Some of the blatant foreshadowing in Holzman's sketchy book did not really get any reaction. 

Hilferty's ensemble costume design... yowza. Just ugly to look at.

 

Other notes:

"...although some of us still tend to favor form over content..." Thank you, Doctor Dillamond, for reminding me that the last time I saw a Broadway show was the day Sondheim died. Cue me shedding a tear.

"Fellow Ozians... friends... we have been through a frightening time, and there will be other other times and other things that frighten us..." During the shutdown, I have to think more people were imagining Glinda's first line of dialogue than her last. This line hits MUCH different after the COVID shutdown. 

There was a slew of latecomers blocking me a bit during "Dancing Through Life," but having seen the show already, I didn't mind at all. 

The show began at 2:03 today, and ran closer to 2 hours 40 mins, rather than the listed 2 hours 45. 

 

I had seen a few shows since Broadway reopened, but this felt more like a proper "welcome back to Broadway." A new interpretation of a tried-and-true product I appreciate despite its flaws. There has never been a better time to go see Wicked. It has now become the Broadway show I have seen the most times. Could cases please stay down so I can have more days / nights like this?

Updated On: 3/12/22 at 07:15 PM

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 3/12/22 at 7:59pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "How fitting that a bomb cyclone drenched much of the East Coast today...

Today was my third time seeingWicked, and first from the Gershwin mezzanine (interestingly enough, all three trips were on March 12). It was my first Broadway show since Omicron was first detected, and it felt GREAT to be back.

It's been 18+ years since this show opened, and it still holds up beautifully and in all its glory. Because of my mezz seat, I was able to get a full view of Eugene Lee's set design (including the dragon animatronic), and what a beautiful set it is.

Wickedis in excellent shape musically; it no longer feels somewhat stiff and stale, as it did at many points before the 2020 shutdown. Dan Micciche conducted this afternoon and continues to kill it.

LINDSAY PEARCE - Easily the best Elphaba I have seen. There's a quiet intensity to her voice that seems ready to explode at any given moment; when it does, she is absolutely electric.. A couple shades of Menzel, but she makes the role entirely her own. If you watch the video of Pearce in the show's first rehearsal back, her voice has dramatically improved, which felt so good to hear. Of note, she didn't hit the low E at the end of "I'm Not That Girl," instead opting for the higher E (Anyone, is this common with her?).

I've been fortunate enough to see Lindsay several times, and each time I saw her, she usually did the lower note. So not sure. Maybe it's a choice they make they day/performance depending on how their voice is. 

She sounded excellent on both "Defying Gravity" and "No Good Deed," hitting high Fs on the tail end of "Tell them how I..." and "Fiyero." Great actress too, rock-solid book work. You only have just over 2 more months to catch her!

Brittney Johnson has been getting a lot of mainstream attention this last month, but what all these sources never mention is that Johnson is one of the best Glindas PERIOD - easily top 5 in my book. She nails all the big, comic, egoistic moments in Act I like any Glinda should (The sass! The intonation!), but then comes Act II where she does an outstanding job with the more serious and intense moments. I echo the fact that her "Thank Goodness" is a masterclass. I was lucky enough to see Johnson play Heather in the recent revival ofSunset Boulevard, and it's amazing to see how much she's grown since then. What a leader she is.

YUP. Totally agree. Saw her...last week maybe and she's incredible. Just amazing. One of the best-if not THE best-Glinda's I've seen. 

The male principals are all comfortable in their roles: Sam Gravitte, Jordan Barrow, and especially Michael McCormick as a deliciously evil Wizard. Michael X. Martin made a good Dillamond, he didn't overdo anything.
 

I ADORE MICHAEL MCCORMICK. He's such a wonderful Wizard (honestly as I was typing that I was thinking 'this is completely NOT intentional!) and I adore him in the role! 


Just one swing was on today (Micaela Martinez), and I got to see Courtney Iventosch play Nessarose because Mili is on medical leave for a few weeks. Courtney was also good, way to step in there.

Schwartz's score is a mixed bag, as everyone knows by now. Some strong melodies, but several weak ones as well. There are many lyrics throughout that could possibly displace "It's the 'Thrilla in Manila' / But with Diana and Camilla" and haunt me for some time. The house was well-sold and the audience was respectful today. Perfect mask compliance. Pearce, Johnson, and McCormick received some nice entrance applause. Some of the blatant foreshadowing in Holzman's sketchy book did not really get any reaction.

Hilferty's ensemble costume design... yowza. Just ugly to look at.



Other notes:

"...although some of us still tend to favor form over content..." Thank you, Doctor Dillamond, for reminding me that the last time I saw a Broadway show was the day Sondheim died. Cue me shedding a tear.

"Fellow Ozians... friends... we have been through a frightening time, and there will be other other times and other things that frighten us..." During the shutdown, I have to think more people were imagining Glinda's first line of dialogue than her last. This line hits MUCH different after the COVID shutdown.

There was a slew of latecomers blocking me a bit during "Dancing Through Life," but having seen the show already, I didn't mind at all.

The show began at 2:03 today, and ran closer to 2 hours 40 mins, rather than the listed 2 hours 45.



I had seen a few shows since Broadway reopened, but this felt more like a proper "welcome back to Broadway." A new interpretation of a tried-and-true product I appreciate despite its flaws. There has never been a better time to go seeWicked. It has now become the Broadway show I have seen the most times. Could cases please stay down so I can have more days / nights like this?"

 

[MattieIce2018]

Posted: 3/13/22 at 3:10pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "Fellow Ozians... friends... we have been through a frightening time, and there will be other other times and other things that frighten us..." During the shutdown, I have to think more people were imagining Glinda's first line of dialogue than her last. This line hits MUCH different after the COVID shutdown."

I saw the show on 9/14/2021, its first performance back and my first Broadway show since Doubtfire on 3/11/2020, and this was the line that reduced me to a crying mess. Ginna Claire was crying too.
 

 

[angoradebs]

Posted: 3/13/22 at 3:22pm

Call_me_jorge said: "It was mentioned in the hadestown understudies thread that Mariand Torres was back at wicked. Does anyone know in which capacity?"

I don't know where the person in the Hadestown thread got that info, but Mariand seems to have heard the rumor too - she posted on her IG stories that she is NOT back with Wicked and hasn't been since 2019.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 3/13/22 at 4:22pm

Mary Kate Morrisey is leaving the Mean Girls national tour  just in time to replace Lindsay…would love to see it, she was fantastic on tour and deserves a run at the Gershwin. 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 3/13/22 at 4:37pm

VotePeron said: "Mary Kate Morrisey is leaving the Mean Girls national tour just in time to replace Lindsay…would love to see it, she was fantastic on tour and deserves a run at the Gershwin."

Where has it been announced that MK is leaving??

Updated On: 3/13/22 at 04:37 PM

[cookie17]

Posted: 3/13/22 at 4:41pm

VotePeron said: "Mary Kate Morrisey is leaving the Mean Girls national tour just in time to replace Lindsay…would love to see it, she was fantastic on tour and deserves a run at the Gershwin."

I am so here for this. Mary Kate Morrisey is my favorite Elphaba! 

Her insta says she’s moving into her Leading Lady phase.
 

Any idea when she’s leaving Mean Girls? I’m seeing the tour at the end of this month. 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 3/13/22 at 4:45pm

cookie17 said: "VotePeron said: "Mary Kate Morrisey is leaving the Mean Girls national tour just in time to replace Lindsay…would love to see it, she was fantastic on tour and deserves a run at the Gershwin."

I am so here for this. Mary Kate Morrisey is my favorite Elphaba!

Her insta says she’s moving into her Leading Lady phase.


Any idea when she’s leaving Mean Girls? I’m seeing the tour at the end of this month."

Aw man. I'm supposed to see the tour...next month...I think...ah well. I'm sure whoever will replace her will be amazing!

[hayleyann]

Posted: 3/13/22 at 11:27pm

VotePeron said: "Mary Kate Morrisey is leaving the Mean Girls national tour just in time to replace Lindsay…would love to see it, she was fantastic on tour and deserves a run at the Gershwin."

I have been waiting patiently for years for MK to be Broadway's Elphaba.  I so hope this happens, though bummer GC is gone because they were golden together.  However, I think the pressure is on production to cast POC and I don't see them not doing that as soon as possible which means MK, Talia, etc. likely won't get the next look.  

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 3/13/22 at 11:28pm

hayleyann said: "VotePeron said: "Mary Kate Morrisey is leaving the Mean Girls national tour just in time to replace Lindsay…would love to see it, she was fantastic on tour and deserves a run at the Gershwin."

I have been waiting patiently for years for MK to be Broadway's Elphaba. I so hope this happens, though bummer GC is gone because they were golden together. However, I think the pressure is on production to cast POC and I don't see them not doing that as soon as possible which means MK, Talia, etc. likely won't get the next look."

Think Ciara Renee could be considered?? 

[hayleyann]

Posted: 3/13/22 at 11:44pm

hearthemsing22 said: "hayleyann said: "VotePeron said: "Mary Kate Morrisey is leaving the Mean Girls national tour just in time to replace Lindsay…would love to see it, she was fantastic on tour and deserves a run at the Gershwin."

I have been waiting patiently for years for MK to be Broadway's Elphaba. I so hope this happens, though bummer GC is gone because they were golden together. However, I think the pressure is on production to cast POC and I don't see them not doing that as soon as possible which means MK, Talia, etc. likely won't get the next look."

Think Ciara Renee could be considered??"

I don't see why not

[TravisOKC]

Posted: 3/15/22 at 12:09pm

Just announced that Allison Bailey and Talia Suskauer will be playing their final performances with Wicked this upcoming Sunday.  Very sad to see them go, but excited for what's next for them. 

 

Jennafer Newberry will replace Allison, and Lissa deGuzman will replace Talia (and is completely new to the Wicked Fam).  Also joining the cast are John Bolton as the Wizard, Michael Genet as Dr. D, Kimberly Immanuel as Nessa, and Jake Pederson as Boq.  Their performances begin next Tuesday in Spokane