Saycon Went on for Act II Tonite!

[PJ]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 11:27pm

Tonight at Wicked, Shoshana Bean only performed for the first act. Thirty seconds or so before the curtain came back up for Act II, an announcement was made that due to illness, the role of Elphaba would be played by Saycon. Quite a few people in the audience were noticeably upset. If they were this distraught over Shoshana, I can imagine how people must have been when Idina was out.

But as far as this show is concerned: The ensemble needs to pick it up or get out. They were horrendous this evening. Completely lifeless and just going through the motions. When the ensemble can't keep up the energy, something's wrong.

In fact, the entire cast tonight seemed to have taken NyQuil prior to going on. Even the usually perfect Megan Hilty seemed dead. The vocals were there, but there was no energy. And even though Shoshana left sick, she still managed to deliver her songs in her usual stellar manner. Which is why I was quite surprised to see she had left.

In other news: There were so many technical malfunctions! I swear, I lost track after I had to start counting on my second hand. And these were noticeable slip-ups that even those who have never seen the show before noticed. Here are a few of the major mess-ups: Everyone's mic had static through out the entire performance. Shoshana even at one point had to turn her back to the audience and mess with the tear drop mic on her forehead. Megan's mic went out once or twice, as did Ben Vereen's. The trap door Glinda exits down into right before "As Long as You're Mine" was not working. So Megan had to stand there for several moments until it opened up. She did manage to get off stage the split second before Saycon and David began singing.

And as for Saycon's performance: The girl can sing. I will give her that. But while watching her, I never once thought "Oh wow. This girl should be the star!" Her vocals were there, but there was something missing. And her acting was so over the map, too. One minute she would be sassy and distinguished, and the next she would be a blubbering mess. If these were her characterizations, I certainly hope she improves in the event she does take over for Bean in January.

All in all, this was the worst Wicked I've ever seen. I was quite disappointed, really. I've seen the show a number of times, but this is the first time I truly wondered when it was going to end. I heard several audience members saying they were expecting more. One woman even said "We should have gone to see Chicago or The Lion King."

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 11:31pm

Yeah, lady you should've definitely seen Chicago. Could've caught Brooke's opening night.

Anyway, negative review from PJ. Sorry to hear it wasn't a good night.

I would imagine it was hard for Saycon to try to get into the role halfway through the show, you know? I can't imagine that's an easy thing.
Updated On: 9/9/05 at 11:31 PM

[Marlene]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 11:34pm

I can generally imagine that people will be concerned when a lead can't go on during Act II. Was there anything particularly wrong that happened to Sho? I hope she's okay. There was a previous post about Saycon going on another performance as well.

Lifeless and Wicked...it's not really encouraging that they are synonymous terms. At least you know a better Wicked exists PJ.
Updated On: 9/9/05 at 11:34 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 11:37pm

but they are!

[PJ]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 11:39pm

She was coughing a bit during her book scenes. But she still knocked it out of the park with her vocals. Oh, and her voice did crack during the final note in "I'm Not that Girl." However, I have heard that she's done this before.

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 11:40pm

Well I'm glad you enjoyed both Sho and Saycon. I was there the night Idina left after Act I and it was a night I'll always remember. As much as I love Idina, Eden blew me away as well.

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 11:48pm

I have heard clips of Idina when she was VERY sick and left after act 1, and they are QUITE atrocious. She completely changed the tune so she didnt have to hit high notes, it was a little sad.

As for tonight's performance, I heard that Shoshana almost didn't fly--is this true?

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 11:52pm

Last time I saw it, the curtain for Oz-mania almost broke while it was going up. Megan and Shoshana both looked up at it...I thought it was gonna crash back down.

I swear, the ensemble is a mess.

[theatreboi11]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 11:56pm

I agree that the chorus is lifeless on Broadway. When I saw Wicked in Chicago its totally not the same show. That chorus is AMAZING! so much fun to watch!

[.LittleWing. 0224]

Posted: 9/9/05 at 11:59pm

geez, sounds like this show is a mess right now. Maybe someone should email the producers and say something about all the tech difficulties and lifeless-ness of the ensemble. I mean, seriously, you never know... it could really help. They put millions of $$ into the show, I'm sure they wouldn't want to lose any money for whatever reason.

[PJ]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 12:00am

I couldn't really see her getting into the cherry picker, since I was far off to the left side on the aisle. There could have been problem, but I couldn't see. Since I heard all these reports about other Elphaba's not flying, I always get nervous at that exact moment.

[Blue J]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 12:12am

I'm glad that Saycon has got to go on a quite a few times recently. Good for her! She's fantastic!

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 12:12am

Me too!
(about getting nervous whenever she goes up--PJ's post) Updated On: 9/10/05 at 12:12 AM

[PJ]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 1:11am

A few more mental notes I took during the show that I just remembered:

Michelle Federer and David Ayers need to leave, now. They both gave two of the most amateur performances I've ever seen on a Broadway stage. David was flat the entire evening and when he wasn't flat he was sharp. And for some reason, everytime he sustains a note for longer than two seconds he gets a deer in the headlights look to his face. That actually made me laugh. As for Michelle: Aye, aye aye! I realize it's difficult to find a job in this business and once you do find one you should stick with it, but come on. This woman is obviously going through the motions. She didn't sing a single note of "Wicked Witch of the East" except for the "We deserrrrrrrve each other" part at the end. The rest of it was whispered. Yes, folks. I said whispered.

I've really been ragging on this show tonight, I know. I am an admitted fan of the show. No, it's not Sweeney Todd or West Side Story, but I find it to be an enjoyable crowd pleaser. And up until this evening I've thoroughly enjoyed the show each and everytime I've gone to see it. I think after tonight I'm not returning to the Gershwin until January 8th--Shoshana's last show.

Oh, and I certainly hope Sho gets back to health before Monday evening. I bought tickets to Broadway Kitchen Sink III mainly to see her perform.

[Parks]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 1:11am

I HATED Wicked this last time I saw it. The chorus really is boring. They are lifeless. I think that's what ruined the show for me this last time. It was one of my least favorite shows to see this last time I went to NY. I can't wait to see the tour though. Hopefully that's a better cast.

I LOVED the show in March. July was just bad.

[cathywellerstein]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 1:34am

that's really sad that wicked is so bad right now. i only saw it once (when jlt and idina were in it), and i want to see it again. but i think i'll wait till they start clearing things up. those technical difficulties are so unfortunate, but confusing. so much money went into that show.
as for the ensemble troubles. i think they should start highering some new people. i'm sure there are many chorus members who'd die to be in wicked right now. they'd probably bring more life to it.
i know i'll see wicked a second time...but that may not be for a while.

[PJ]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 1:42am

I know at least a dozen people here at my college who would sell their mothers to get into the show. They really do need to clean everyone out and start fresh. It would be sad for those in the show right now, but they're not effectively doing their jobs. They're paid money to entertain and they are no longer doing that, as this evening's performance is evidence of.

[cathywellerstein]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 1:44am

do you think they are bored with the show? or what? why is everyone so down??

[PJ]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 1:46am

I honestly couldn't tell you. I know a few new ensemble members joined this summer, so they shouldn't be completely bored yet. If they are, I'd say it's time to go back to Ohio for them.

They all just seemed bored out of their skulls. Usually, if you're in the first row or two, they get up in your face and sing right to you. None of that tonight. Just hitting the marks and getting through the show was their philosophy tonight.

[cathywellerstein]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 1:52am

booo. they've got to step it up. i don't understand why they get the chance to be in such a huge blockbuster show that still recieves great reviews, when they really don't seem to be into it. lennon, on the other hand, gets terrible reviews and a half filled audience, and the cast always has so much great energy. sorry to be plugging lennon in a wicked thread...but i just don't see how this makes any sense.

[ally_kay_on_broadway]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 1:59am

possibly just a bad night?

thats awful to hear that though, imagine the tourists who paid all that money for it...

[PJ]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 2:11am

Performers can individually have a less than great night. But an entire cast?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 2:16am

I've seen other shows have a bad night including the entire cast -- it can happen.

[Radioactiveduck]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 2:58am

Perhaps it was just an off-night. That's the danger of live theatre.

I saw a particularly horrendous performance of Phantom once, but I went back and it knocked my socks off.

[willact4food]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 7:34am

I love Wicked, but I find it amazing that the ensemble of 'Hairspray', who dance their asses off night after night, never seem to have an off-night or look bored.

To the Wicked ensemble:

Either pick it up, or go home! Because WE want your parts!!!!

~Brandon