Nicole Parker reviews here- Page 7

[bwayguy22089]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 2:36pm

So yes, she does sound a little iffy on some of the notes. I expect that will change over time. Her acting "sounds" amazing. From what I've heard from almost everyone, that is true live as well. I'm really rooting for her. Personally, I think she needed a little more rehearsal, or maybe she would have been better off being a standby first? I don't know.

[g4rat]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 3:15pm

Nicole does sound a little shaky, but I don't feel my ear drums exploding, so.....If she's an amazing actress, I'll forgive her vocals. Not everyone is as good at singing as some, or acting, or dancing. A true triple threat is rare.
Updated On: 1/24/09 at 03:15 PM

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 3:17pm

When I saw Alli she was amazing and played Glinda how I have never seen it played before, and I really liked that.

As for Nicole, she is a lot better then I thought she would be, I'm definitely going to try and see her.

[beltingbaritone]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 4:08pm

I do have to agree with Blaxx here. I don't think she was well enough prepared. Whether that's her fault for not working the material, or the higher ups for putting her in too soon, I think she could have standed to have more rehearsal.

On the riffing: I don't think its her voice that's the problem. I just don't think she's comfortable enough with what's written in the score to be adding in nuances just yet. Shoshana Bean is a special case, but for most singers need to sink into the role first.

It sounds like she's improving, but I'm still somewhat skeptical.

[changinandhow]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 4:35pm

WithoutATrace, Kevin Kern is still there? I though Aaron Tveit was starting on the 21st. Odd. Updated On: 1/24/09 at 04:35 PM

[HBP]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 4:47pm

Everyone has been saying that Nicole's improving, and I'd have to agree. Personally, I think she's great
...

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 6:33pm

Aaron Tveit was originally supposed to start on Tuesday, January 20th. Then there were rumors that he was taking a few more days off and was going to start on Friday, January 23rd (which is why I bought tickets for that date).

In reality, Aaron is starting on Tuesday, January 27th. He was listed in the playbill though, and Kevin Kern had an insert with his picture and bio on it (since Kevin's last performance was supposed to be Sunday, January 18th.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 7:04pm

I was at the matinee today.

Nicole is getting better, but I don't know that she'll get much better than she is now. This seems to be her pinnacle. Her acting is pretty good, and she had a couple of really nice scenes. Her singing, however, is still not that great, and she is easily one of the weaker-voiced Elphabas they've ever had. She's never going to be a big-voiced, belty Elphaba, because she simply doesn't have that kind of voice. She is fun during What is this Feeling, and As Long As You're Mine is easily her best number.

Her acting choices are fairly interesting, like I said. However, you need to have the big voice for this role. Her 3 big numbers just don't really take off. She is still straining for the higher notes.

Alli Mauzey, on the other hand, is carrying this show at the moment. Not sure where that bit of negativity came from about her upthread, but she is a positively brilliant Glinda. Great voice, excellent timing, and delivering a very layered, nuanced performance that is constantly changing. Her performance has a lot of repeat value to it, because she is always adding in little bits.

Yes, unfortunately, Kevin is still there until tomorrow. The less said about that performance, the better.

Posted: 1/24/09 at 9:34pm

Anybody know how long Aaron Tveit is going to be in the show?

Updated On: 1/24/09 at 09:34 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 9:47pm

If I recall, he only has about two or three months left- he's finishing out the length of his original contract. He took a LOA to do Next to Normal and is now returning to finish out his run.

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 1/24/09 at 9:53pm

And here's to hoping that Constantine Rousili takes over!!

[buffyactsing]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 12:55am

I can HEAR her acting which is exciting. This makes me almost want to see Wicked.

[ChristineAngel]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 12:56am

I saw Nicole on Tuesday, just got back from New York today. Wow I seriously loved her. Her acting was so good, and singing especially in defying gravity. It was an amazing show, the whole cast was great. Poor Alli fell in Popular though and Nicole got up and asked if she was alright. This cast is realy great where I wish I could've saw them again.

[Ole Chum]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 2:35am

i think nicole voice is as strong as ana gasteyers was, for sure, and actually sounds about as pitchy and iffy as...wait for it... Idina Menzel. She MORE than adequately sings DG, and while she sounds like she might struggle toward the end- so did Idina!

shes not eden, shes not shoshana, not everyone has to be.

[provocation]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 7:02am

If I may interject, I think Nicole adds something to the role not only acting wise but vocally. I think people mistake her more relaxed sound for something else because they compare it to Eden Espinosa's and Julia Murney's throaty sounds. They push the notes out and it sounds bigger, but not always as nice. And if I may say so as well, Shoshana Bean and Dee Roscioli are probably the only two women who have the voices (and training) to run the show well vocally. Shoshana and Dee are such spectacular vocalists, it's hard to find replacements that even come close. NO ONE has lived up to Shoshana Bean vocally on Broadway and probably won't unless they get a Natalie Weiss or Carrie Manolakos to take over the role. On the flip-side, Dee and Shoshana had bland interpretations of the role if I remember correctly. Vocally-flawless, however.

[bubbleblonde]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 8:36am

She reminds me of Victoria Matlock with a weaker upper range. It's something about the way they both sing, like they're ****ting themselves with nerves at the same time. I think her Sarah Palin DG is better. Even though she was doing a character voice, she hit the notes much more solidly and with what sounded like more ease.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 9:24am

provocation, Carrie Manolakos is about to head out with the second touring company as the standby for Elphaba.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 10:19am

RE: provacation's post-
I like Shoshana Bean and Dee Roscioli, but I definitely wouldn't call them vocally flawless. That title goes to Stephanie J. Block, who every time I have seen her sang all the notes/songs perfectly and sounded well... flawless!

There are several others I'd say have better vocals than Shoshana and Dee. Trust me, I love Shoshana and like Dee (from what I've seen of her...), but I wouldn't consider them the best Elphabas vocally.

I have to disagree with you about Nicole having a "relaxed sound." I'd say maybe someone like Lisa Brescia, who isn't very belty, has more of a relaxed sound. Nicole sounds shaky and nervous to me.

That being said, I hope Nicole gets over her nerves quickly and settles into the role. Based on the reviews, she sounds like an outstanding actress. I really hope I get a chance to see her.

[Kev]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 10:35am

And if I may say so as well, Shoshana Bean and Dee Roscioli are probably the only two women who have the voices (and training) to run the show well vocally. Shoshana and Dee are such spectacular vocalists, it's hard to find replacements that even come close. NO ONE has lived up to Shoshana Bean vocally on Broadway and probably won't unless they get a Natalie Weiss or Carrie Manolakos to take over the role. On the flip-side, Dee and Shoshana had bland interpretations of the role if I remember correctly. Vocally-flawless, however.

OT - Those are some bold statements about Shoshana. And rather laughable.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 10:42am

From my recollection, Bean is one of the few to maintain and sustain her vocals for a long run, so I would support the above statement. Bean handled the vocals (whether you like her voice or not) with strength and capability and left the show with just as strong voice (if not stronger) as it was in the beginning. Many Elphabas have been fatigued by the end of their contracts in comparison (not all...Block is a great example of another powerhouse).

This isn't to say the others have been less that up to par. The role is just a monster, and many of the actresses playing the role have acknowledged this fact.

Updated On: 1/25/09 at 10:42 AM

[EvanK]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 12:55pm

I would agree that Shoshana had the stamina and the voice to maintain that role, and when I saw her on the tour she was absolutely mind-bogglingly amazing.


oh and P.S....


NGD Updated On: 1/25/09 at 12:55 PM

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 1:18pm

That "Fiyero!" is painful.

I actually think she's OK, which is to be expected, considering this is her first leading role on Broadway, let alone first time playing this part. She'll get better in time, and I have to say she's already exceeding my expectations.

Perfect or not, it's nice to see a fresh face in the show that recycles like poor college kids trying to get a quick 5 cents.

[EvanK]

Posted: 1/28/09 at 10:57pm

I like her :)
...

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 1/28/09 at 11:28pm

I saw Nicole at the matinee today and this is gonna surprise you all but....

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED her. I thought she was great. Second only to Marcie in acting and about 5th(out of 9) vocally that I have seen. She doesn't sound like anyone IMO. She sounds like Nicole. The only song that I didn't like was I'm Not That Girl. She did hit the last note waaaaaay better than Julie(yes I really said that). Her and Aaron set the stage on fire in ALAYM. Thank god he is back. She can definately hang with the big boys ummm girls.

Her Defying Gravity was great but she needs to work on her broom work while up in the air.

No Good Deed was really strong. Loved her acting in it. Held out the last again looooong.

ALAYM is HOTT as I said before.

For Good was one of the saddest things I have seen. Both Nicole and Alli were crying hard.

"Poor Alli fell in Popular though and Nicole got up and asked if she was alright."

Alli did that today also. I think that Alli was drunk today. She was doing stuff and saying stuff I never heard her say.

[amoni]

Posted: 1/29/09 at 7:52am

"Nicole is getting better, but I don't know that she'll get much better than she is now. This seems to be her pinnacle."


Wow, thank you Miss Cleo.