Next Broadway Elphaba's in Wicked?

[BroadwayBoy7]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 9:41am

I've heard that after magnificent Kerry Ellis returns to London, beggining in January 2009 will be Eden Espinosa reprising her role as the new Elphaba. I may go to see the show in December, does anyone know who will be Elphaba after Kerry leaves Broadway Wicked on November 10th until Eden comes on in January for that month? Thanks.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 9:43am

Not official yet, but all signs point to the fantastic Julie Reiber taking over.

I've not heard anything about Eden coming back. She is returning to Los Angeles to close out that company, so maybe that's where the confusion is.

[4thRowAsile]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 10:04am

Kate Shindle and Laura Bell Bundy?!?!?

[winston89]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 10:34am

Shindle has been very vocal about wanting to play Elphaba. I doubt that the producers would bring back Bundy considering that they were so mad with her the first time around that they fired her.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 11:04am

Julie Reiber deserves her shot at playing The Green Girl on Broadway I have heard she is next in line, but wouldn't mind seeing Kate play the role at some point

[cglaid]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 11:16am

They fired LBB? Why?

[Popular]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 11:18am

I've not heard anything about Eden coming back. She is returning to Los Angeles to close out that company, so maybe that's where the confusion is.

Eden closing out the L.A. company is just a rumor. I believe she's more focused on negotiations with the RENT tour, although that isn't based on anything concrete either... just a feeling.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 11:26am

The recycling got old so long ago. I wish they got some recognizable Broadway names to lead the show (recognizable like Lea Michele, not actual stars) instead of picking from the understudy, tour, Chicago, LA and London pool.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 11:32am

Normally I would agree, ray, but Reiber is really sensational.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 11:49am

It drives me nuts that Wicked always announces cast changes and things last minute. I, too, am somewhat anxious to find out who the next Elphaba will be (and the next Glinda too, if Kendra doesn't extend).

But as I've said many times before...
Kate Shindle for Elphaba.
Leigh Ann Larkin for Glinda.
...pretty please?

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 11:51am

Oh, I wasn't trying to attack Reiber in any way. And if she really is sensational then she should be bumped up. But I really would enjoy it if eventually the producers brought in a new Elphaba/Glinda team. I have noticed though that they are more likely to cast a non-recycled Glinda than a new Elphaba, I assume it has to do with how vocally taxing the role of Elphaba is. They probably want to let them ease their way into the role, see if they have the stamina necessary and then promote them to full time. Still, I say bring in a Lea Michele or a Mandy Gonzales.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 12:06pm

Mandy Gonzales would be sensational in the role.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 12:06pm

I'd love to see Marla Mindelle tackle the role.

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 12:07pm

Julie should definately be the next Elphie after what happened in LA(which I'm happy about now since she in here in NY) and I have a weird feeling that Katie Rose Clarkmight be coming here as Glinda after her reaction to what I asked her at SD last night.

[it'sjustshowbiz]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 1:26pm

Next Broadway Elphaba's what?

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 1:28pm

Mandy Gonzalez would be amazing.

if Julie does take over I would go back and see the show again.

[SoFarAway]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 1:52pm

Oh DefyGravity777, do tell! What did she say?

Updated On: 10/6/08 at 01:52 PM

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 2:03pm

I really would love for Julie Reiber to take over as well. I saw her on June 28th with not the highest expectations and she blew me away! Julie Defying Gravity on 6-28... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Moc6EY4bNbc I didn't record that, it's just a coincidence.


I have a strange feeling they may bring Teal Wicks over, her contract ends in October.

Katie Clarke... I've heard from the same source who told me Kerry was coming over before the articles went up all over the internet that she will be the next G(a)linda.
But DefyingGravity777, what did she say?

Updated On: 10/6/08 at 02:03 PM

[feline0favenueQ]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 4:09pm

Eden's also in talks for Maureen on the RENT tour.

Smart money is on Julie to take over. I however, think they should get a new standby instead of bumping Chelsea up though. She's not quite ready.

I would be excited, but not surprised if Lindsay K. Northern, longtime Galinda understudy gets bumped up as Galinda or Galinda standby if they bring in Katie Rose Clark from the tour as Galinda. Rumors have been swirling about Kendra's extension though.......

[feline0favenueQ]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 4:09pm

double post
Updated On: 10/6/08 at 04:09 PM

[NGD2225]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 4:16pm

I really hope that it isn't Eden. The reason that Julie left as standby in LA is because she wanted to be the lead, so I assume that she is going to be a lead in SOME production if she came back to be the standby in NY.

[Boy]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 4:46pm

Christine Dwyer. Fresh, young, talent. Certainly proved herslf on the Rent tour to be capable of blowing a part like Elphaba out of the water. Bring her in! Updated On: 10/6/08 at 04:46 PM

[feline0favenueQ]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 4:55pm

AAHH! Christine as Elphie!

I'd go see it bazillion times.....saw her as Maureen twice...she is brilliance!

And let's keep the nose ring. It rocks... and she is so nice at the stagedoor!

Now I'll always want her as Elphie! Grrrr! (Oh wait, that's Kerry...nvm)

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 4:59pm

Why were they mad at Laura Bell Bundy?

[feline0favenueQ]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 5:00pm

Kristin had surgery and was on some serious medicine.

Laura Bell Bundy had flew out to LA and didn't tell anyone because she didn't want to take another personal day, assuming Kristin would be in.

U/S Melissa Bell Chait was in the hospital with a minor stroke.

Well, they couldn't contact LBB so Kristin had to go on completely stoned.

So they fired her and hired Megan Hilty as the new standby.
Updated On: 10/6/08 at 05:00 PM