Review of Ana Gasteyer Tonight?- Page 2

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 10:08am

I would love to see Ana - she is what could get me to see WICKED. However, Kate Reinders gave me hives in GYPSY, so I am hesitant.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 10:14am

I thought she was terrific in CHICAGO. And frankly, just about everybody who has ever played the role has had performances where they are vocally under-par. I love how people analyze these Elphabas like they were a science experiment.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 11:13am

PJ - one sour note, from an otherwise excellent performance put a damper on the entire evening? That's kind of sad.

I have worked in theatre and opera, and believe me, I have heard some klunkers (even from me) along the way. It happens. We're human. From what I hear Ana recovered nicely. That's the beauty of live theatre.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 11:35am

I love how when I typed the city Chicago, I accidentally typed it in all caps. Am I a show queen or what. I think I'll leave it.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 11:50am

Haha, MB. An honest mistake...

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 12:04pm

Yeah, I was all, wow, she was in CHICAGO? How'd I miss THAT?

[BroomstickBoy]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 2:43pm

Wow, it seems January 7th is like a total cast turnover.

I don't think Ana seems old for the role, I mean she has that mature quality about her, but isn't that what makes Elphaba different from the other students (aside from the hue of her skin)?

[bugsers]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 3:27pm

Re: Ana's age on-stage... Certainly she comes across as no spring chicken, but, IMO, I never really thought about her age during the show. She doesn't try to act like an energetic teen, rather comes across as more world-weary and very sarcastic. She knows she couldn't pull off trying to literally act like a college student (which isn't really the character, anyway). Very few of the cast members seem to be college-age anyway, so, at least for me, it was never a distraction. Her characterization of Elphaba is so compelling that it transcends the, "oh wait, isn't she supposed to be in her 20s?" kind of thing.

[actor]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 4:50pm

I had tickets for Wicked last night and did not know that it was Ana's first night...

She was ok. In my personal opinion, she isn't the best. I missed the second half of act one because my son thought he was going to throw up.

I'm going to see her again tonight. I might post a review on my blog -- https://www.actor.broadwayworld.com

[Elphabuff2]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 6:56pm

I cannot believe PJ happened to mention the thing with her hands! I just noticed that as well! It's like she squeezes, swats, and swoons with every note/syllable change. It is very distracting and, I'd say, amateur-esque. She's far too spastic and scatterbrained as previously said. She was much better at the beginning of the Chicago WICKED run.

I ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY, WITHOUT A DOUBT HATE-HATE-HATE-HATE-HATE how the character of G(a)linda has evolved (or rather regressed?) from classy (Chenoweth) to "cutesy". I put the blame on JLT. I just think she completely ruined that character forever. As a result, she is copied relentlessly (Think back to Kristin...Remember how she made that "toss-toss" no big deal? Think about it NOW.).

Sorry, that's been bugging me for a while. Continue.

[alliez92092]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 7:17pm

JLT did not ruin that part forever. I happened to love her. She played Glinda her own way that wasn't completely spaztic or completely prim and proper. People just do different interpretations.

[Freckles1329]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 7:21pm

yeah I agree with allie. I happen to love Megan Hilty's interpretation of the part just as much as I like Kristin's. They are very different but it worked in both cases. Even when I saw Kate in August I thought she was pretty good. I mean she IS very spastic, but she's fun. I can't wait to see her with Ana.

[actor]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 7:28pm

I thought JLT was absolutely hilarious as Glinda. I loved her interpretation of the role. In my opinion, she was funnier than Kristen. I don't think you can blame Kate's awful acting on her.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 9:04pm

I don't understand all the negative comments towards Kate's Glinda...she is really good!

IMO, JLT's Glinda was the weakest I've seen (not including the god awful understudy Analeigh Ashford on tour).
Updated On: 10/11/06 at 09:04 PM

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 9:56pm

i also thought Megan Hilty's "Popular" was absolutely hilarious, but i do agree that no one has been able to play the role like Kristin, as far as i know

and i dont mean to sound like "omg, only the original cast can do these roles!" personally, i would say Idina would have to be one of my least favorite Elphabas...

[Freckles1329]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 10:00pm

I can't wait to hear reviews from this afternoon and tonight's shows!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 10:01pm

I was absolutely bored by JLT. I saw her during her last week on Broadway. It was my first time seeing the show and I had nothing to compare it to. My reaction was, "this is what everyone is going crazy over?"

[joanntom]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 2:33am

i though SB was dreadful as elphaba---never did she ever listen to the other actors on satge--she emoted and closed her eyes while she sang..... gawd awful

great voice--but ..well thats all

[PJ]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 3:06am

Shoshana Bean is no actor. I love her, but the woman isn't exactly a Redgrave. But there is no denying the fact that she sang the **** out of that score. I saw her more than any other Elphaba, and not once did she disappoint. Even when she was sick, she was leagues better than most Elphabas that I have seen/heard.

I wish she would come back. By far my favorite Elphaba.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 6:39am

I agree with the comments on Shoshana Bean. Nice voice, but hideous acting. I didn't like her performance at all. It just seemed so distant from the show. It was like she wasn't in the moment at all. She felt as though she could get by by just belting out the songs.

I actually, however, really enjoyed JLT's Glinda. I don't "blame" Kate Reinders, or any of the "bad" Glindas on her. JLT was very different from Chenoweth (who I think will always be the best Glinda), and while she was more manic, there was still a nice character arc, and it worked.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 6:39am

I agree with the comments on Shoshana Bean. Nice voice, but hideous acting. I didn't like her performance at all. It just seemed so distant from the show. It was like she wasn't in the moment at all. She felt as though she could get by by just belting out the songs.

I actually, however, really enjoyed JLT's Glinda. I don't "blame" Kate Reinders, or any of the "bad" Glindas on her. JLT was very different from Chenoweth (who I think will always be the best Glinda), and while she was more manic, there was still a nice character arc, and it worked.

[Freckles1329]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 8:42am

Not to get off the Glinda/ Shoshana bean topic, but did anyone see Wicked yesterday that has any sort of comments or review?

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 11:47am

I am thrilled! A mature, positve, rational thread of discussion for and on WICKED! *sniffs a happy tear* THANK YOU!

When I saw Ana preform on the MDS telethon, I thought she was pretty decent and coulsd imagine her doing a lot with one of all time favorite roles in one of my all time favorite shows. I actually have a couple of friends who just saw the show and said thr same about Kate. Maybe Ana will help tone her down

Thank you for these reviews and this discussion!

[mikeyb16]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 1:26pm

well at least Ana is doing fine and nice to see that she's doing really well. seeing she's on broadway now, why isn't her picture on the website as Eden's is still on it?

[actor]

Posted: 10/12/06 at 5:37pm

"isn't her picture on the website as Eden's is still on it?"

They usually take a long time to upload new pictures. Sometimes they can take weeks .

"Shoshana Bean is no actor."

You're right. She's an actress.