I'm pretty sure Idina Menzel got fairly unanimous raves as well...
"The show is steeped in talent. There is, for starters, Idina Menzel, the vulpine vocal powerhouse who created the role of the omnisexual Maureen in 'Rent' and who here brings her larynx of steel to the role of Glinda's dearest rival, Elphaba, aka the Wicked Witch of the West." - NY Times
"Idina Menzel's Elphaba is a powerfully human sorceress, particularly when delivering haunting new songs such as No Good Deed and I'm Not That Girl." - USA Today
"She performs with an appealing simplicity, and her powerful voice is perfectly suited to the ardent, emotional anthems that pepper the score. Granted, the songs tend to sound similar, but the metallic edge in Menzel's voice cuts through the synthesizer-heavy orchestrations with an ease and electricity that inspires shivers." - Variety
"In the tougher role of Elphaba, Idina Menzel is possibly even better, a mix of vulnerability and feminist passion, with a rock voice to raise the roof." - Time
"Idina Menzell, who wowed us in “Rent,” is doing the same now. Elphaba is an extremely challenging role but Menzell sets the stage on fire, convincingly switching from good to evil with chilling ease." - NY1
Not to imply that any of the other women were undeserving.
Updated On: 4/21/11 at 12:35 AM