New WICKED Cast Replacements this month and next? — Page 39

Call_me_jorge said: "Well, If it takes someone to have done 3 previous contracts prior to taking the role full time, I am not hopeful there will be a black actress as Elphaba any time soon. There is currently only 1 actress of color covering the role across both North American companies. The show should be going out of its way of moving a black actress through the understudy-standby-lead pipeline. Similar to Brittney Johnson’s experience playing Glinda."

This.  If the shut-down line to anyone (rightly) lamenting the lack of black actresses in the starring roles in this show whenever new white witches are cast is that so-and-so white person earned it after multiple standby/tour contracts (which is true), the obvious solution is that black women and women of color need to be put into the mix in those understudy/standby/principal contracts on tour (and should have been for the last several years) so that they ALSO have the opportunity to also become fan favorites and earn their way to the star dressing room at the Gershwin. 

But also, over the last few years specifically, there have been a number of brand new-to-the-show actresses that joined immediately as Broadway principal Elphaba, and a number of others who went straight from tour principal to Broadway principal.  When the show chooses to go this route, there's no reason the performers they put straight into the lead role cannot be black.  Saying that does not negate the talent of or how much any of the actresses they DID select deserved the role.

I've been a huge fan of this show for all of it's 20 years and fully believe everyone who has played Elphaba or Glinda has earned it/deserved it, Mary Kate Morrissey included - I don't see anyone saying she doesn't deserve it, because she does. But that does not change the fact that after twenty years and a dozen plus companies worldwide, there has only ever been one full-time black Elphaba in the world plus a very small number of black women who have covered this role.

I'm thrilled for these new company members and all of them are going to be great!

While it is awesome to promote tour leads, who can definitely carry a show and are without question talented, it is really annoying that they haven't realized how important it is that someone other than a white woman portray the role of Elphaba. I hope you're right emlo99! 

No, there is nothing in regards to the makeup that dictates the skin color of the performer.

Christian Thompson and Tim Shew left the tour this weekend and was replaced by James Gish and Tom McGowan.

Anyone at the show tonight? I’m eager to hear how Alexandra Socha is as Glinda. 

I need a review on Donna's debut!

Ball of Buttah said: "ACL2006 said: "I need a review on Donna's debut!"

I just thought she was okay in the beginning. A couple one-liners didn't land because the timing was off. But, she improved greatly in the second half. I think she'll build a more believable rapport with Glinda in the coming days.
Also, we had a LOUD audience member in the back mezz hooting and hollering louder than the actors. Why?"

I think those types of..overly enthusiastic audience members show up in full force during cast change performances. I want them to express themselves but can't they remember they're not the only ones there and people want to hear the performers? Save that stuff for the curtain call. And it's not necessary to cheer loudly before someone finishes a song either. Like during lift off in Defying Gravity- I want TO HEAR THAT For the love of God 

gordi_92 said: "Did they anounce the New leads for the Tour yet? I think they have their last Show on the 10th of March."

They are not leaving until May

I'm interested to see what happens with the tour. This next contract should include the LA stop unless they split it like they did in 2018. Wicked usually calls back veterans to lead the run. Last time, they split a typical year-long contract into two chunks. Jackie and Kara were back for three months to do San Diego, LA, and Salt Lake City before Mariand Torres and Erin Mackey were brought in for the rest of it. 

Both Allie Trimm, Glinda standby, and longtime Production stage manager Marybeth Abel depart the show after today. Happy trails to both. Marybeth has been with the show for 15 years!

I believe Allie was in workshops for Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Could she be moving forward with that?

WldKingdomHM said: "So they have a Morrible standby? Does Donna perform matinees ? Who is the new Glinda standby? Also what’s going on with Lissa? So many questions so little time"

1) I haven't heard of Donna being out so far. I believe it's just extra protection, given her age. Michelle Pawk ended up missing a fair amount, and Wicked really doesn't like to put on ensemble covers.

2) Allison Bailey or Jennafer Newbury will be coming in to replace Allie. 

3) Lissa was sick this past week, and the show (again) has hesitated to give Emily Rogers more than one show at a time. I don't think she's even done two in a row. 

Keep an eye out on Allie, the tour is doing a full cast change in about a month.

 

I wonder why they’re hesitant to put Emily on for more than one show. I’ve heard some slime tutorials and she sounds fantastic as Elphaba