Saycon Sengbloh to replace Eden Espinosa?- Page 2

[pippin2]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 9:59pm

I must admit I'm a bit sad at hearing that Saycon won't be replacing at this point, what a voice on that girl. But alas, business is business, here's hoping that this isnt the last we see of her.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 10:06pm

I still never heard of her before this thread so I guess if I don't hear of her again, it won't be that bad for me.

I take it she is well known by the "Wicked" crowd but unknown elsewhere?

[mijofly19]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 10:13pm

I think she's been the Elphaba standby for quite some time now.

She's also the best Aida, aside from Headley, that I've ver seen. She was amazing. I think I also read that she was supposed to be in the OBC of The Color Purple, but I may be mistaken.

[JamesMacon]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 10:15pm

She has also done RENT.

[broadway_show_fan]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 10:25pm

Kind of off-track, but: in reference to The Distinctive Baritone's comment from the first page: "I am hesitant to believe people on this board who claim to know Broadway actors personally (cough cough ilovetheatertrash cough cough)"" - some people, yes, do know Broadway actors personally. And perhaps some people do supply the general BWW world with what info they can because they want to let others know (and I'm sure some others have to feel important or brag or whatever). I can understand being hesitant, but it isn't as far-fetched as you might think. And, btw, ilovetheatertrash does indeed know Ms. Benanti well.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 10:25pm

Besides playing Mimi in Rent, she was the matinee Aida for Toni Braxton, Michelle Williams, and Deborah Cox (I personally didn't like her). She was also Nettie in the Atlanta production of The Color Purple.

[missyrose87]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 10:37pm

I think Maria Eberline should replace Eden Espinosa when she leaves. Then Victoria Matlock could be the understudy instead of the standby and go on more.

[Johnny Can't Decide]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 10:56pm

Does anyone know how many times Saycon has actually done the part on Broadway? She did it when I went last Wednesday night, but I'm curious as to how many times she's performed the role. She was pretty good, but kind of breathy in her lower register.

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 11:00pm

Ummm missy..standbys perform the part more often than understudies.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 11:03pm

"I think Maria Eberline should replace Eden Espinosa when she leaves. Then Victoria Matlock could be the understudy instead of the standby and go on more."

If no one takes a vacation then, a understudy will probably on go on 1 or 2 times in a role.

[Holly Therese]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 11:07pm

Maria was fantastic when I saw her, I'd like to see her on broadway, if not in this, something else for sure.

[missyrose87]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 12:35am

It seems that Maria goes on a lot more than Victoria....

[dididda]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 12:52am

eden leaves oct 10, eh? interesting...how long is kate r on for? i saw sengbloh as aida.... an incredible talent, i wish her all the best.

[broadway_show_fan]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 12:54am

missy - maybe that's because of lengthy vacations or times out of the show? Maybe it's just how it seems? Not sure. Whatyouown223 is correct; generally, if "star girl #1" is out such as an Elphaba, her standby goes on instead of an understudy. In The Wedding Singer, the Girl with the Golden Hair (my favorite - Tina Maddigan) is the standby for Laura Benanti and they turn to her when Laura's out.

[Yero]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 12:56am

Eden leaves October 8, Kate on January 7.

[missyrose87]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:00am

The current tour Elphaba, Julia Murney, does not perform at matinees, (about 3 a week on tour). Her understudy, Maria Eberline, and her standby, Victoria Matlock, appear to be sharing the matinee performances evenly. Maria is good enough to go to Broadway- I would even venture to say she's better than Eden Espinosa. However, I think that the reason they keep her as understudy instead of standby is because the ensemble sounds much better with her voice in it.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:13am

"The current tour Elphaba, Julia Murney, does not perform at matinees, (about 3 a week on tour). Her understudy, Maria Eberline, and her standby, Victoria Matlock, appear to be sharing the matinee performances evenly. Maria is good enough to go to Broadway- I would even venture to say she's better than Eden Espinosa. However, I think that the reason they keep her as understudy instead of standby is because the ensemble sounds much better with her voice in it."

I've never seen Maria or Victoria but, since Julia dosn't do matinee's or if someone is on vacation that's what they do, they trade off standby's and understudies. They don't just keep her in the ensmble because her voice sound's good.
Updated On: 8/13/06 at 01:13 AM

[BillFinn]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:31am

I think it's Shoshana Bean. At Broadway in Bryant Park, before she performed, Seth Rudetsky introduced her and said something like "Formally Elphaba on Broadway, but don't worry folks. She's coming back. SHHHHH though! That's a big fat secret." I love the guy.

[Maefae]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:36am

BillFinn, I believe Seth Rudetsky was referring to when Shoshana will join the tour along with Megan Hilty for a couple of months after Julia leaves.

[musicalsFan]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 7:42am

BillFinn,

The word Seth used was probably formerly as in that she had been in it before and not the word formally.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 7:45am

Yes, he was referring to the tour.

[Horton]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 9:35am

Seth Rudetsky went to my camp as a child, and now he comes back every year and talks to us, I LOVE HIM HE IS SO MUCH FUN, a picture of him is sitting on my wall.

[admanrich]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 11:15am

I wouldn't be surprised if it was Ana Gasteyer.

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 12:23pm

I am pretty sure I read somewhere that Ana does not want to do Wicked anymore.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 12:42pm

I hope the new Elphaba is someone who we haven't seen play this role before.
Updated On: 8/13/06 at 12:42 PM