Saycon Went on for Act II Tonite!- Page 2

[missy2]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 7:45am

Very interesting posts. I am a huge WICKED fan. I've seen it 8 times on Broadway. Once in Toronto and I flew to Chicago last week.
Chicago blew it out of the water! As I said to my sister who went w/me "this cast is totally, fresh - they are into it 100% and it's MUCH stronger than the last few times I saw it on B'Way". Ben was in it (it was his last day of the week) and even he was terrific. Kate and Ana were fantastic and, as I said, the entire team was totally into it. Maybe then need to get some new blood into the NY cast.
It'll be interesting to see what happens. It's unfortunate that such a great show is in such not-so-great shape.

[kim1061]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 7:47am

wow i'm so surprised to hear wicked is doing not so good in the performance dept. Maybe their high life is over.

But yay for Saycon. I wonder what it was like to get "the call" Hopefully she was near and didn't have to run far.

[Forester]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 8:09am

Maybe the Wicked producers need to do what Cameron Mackintosh did with Les Mis.

[Social*Dynasty]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 8:57am

As far as Sho is concerned, she was in LA this week; She performed at the Tribute to Aretha Franklin on the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards (airs 9/17!), and she caught a cold on the way back, but didn't want to miss another show.

As for the ensemble, they've been tired since I saw the show this winter. Granted, I saw them on a Tuesday night, but they were a hot mess. People stepping on ribbons, flat out TALKING on stage...I know they have some new kids joining the ensemble who are currently in rehearsal, one of which I know personally who will inject some life into that production. It's really sad though. And you're right, the producers need to come in and clean house.

David Ayers has been less than impressive out the gate, but it takes an act of God to get someone released from an Equity contract, so I seriously doubt that he'll be going anywhere, but I would bet the farm that he wont' be back after his 8 months are up.

[WickedGeek28]

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

Galinda never exits through a trap door. She sings her part, ALAYM starts, her light dims, she stands there and then she walks off.

[elphaba3]

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

Wow what a mess, im sure it was just an off night

[WickedGeek28]

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

David Started on January 11, 2005. It's September 10th, his 8 months are up tomorrow. I thought he was contracted for a year. When does he end?

Also, I really liked his Fiyero, I found Norbert made fun of the role and was way too old to play a college guy.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 9:33am

Sounds like a crazy night! But it is possible that there was major drama going on backstage and everyone had an off night. While they should definetly not bring it out ONSTAGE, in front of an audience, it could happen. It can plain and simple just be a bad show.

And I saw David Ayers in February and was not impressed at all. Actually, very disappointed. But that's another story.

[Swiftynifty15]

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

That is horrible for the cast, crew, and audience. I hope Shoshana feels better and the cast gets back to tip-top shape!

[billee0918]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 10:23am

And now, a somewhat different take on last night's Wicked (9/9)...

This was my 4th time at Wicked, my 1st non-Idina Menzel performance. My honest reaction was that I've never seen the ensemble perform better, much tighter and more energetic than previous shows I've seen. Not sure what happened with Shoshana Bean, but I agree her performance was very good in Act I.

However, something definitely went wrong at the end of "Defying Gravity". From my perspective, it looked like multiple set pieces were not cooperating and the big finale suffered greatly for it. Bean looked confused, and even frustrated when it was her time to fly.

As for Saycon, I thought she did remarkably well with the songs, particularly "No Good Deed". I agree with PJ in that her acting was somewhat inconsistent, but I feel she brought a quiet regality to the empowered rebel that Elphaba becomes in Act II.

Rue McClanahan (whose TV work I'm sure we all love), is definitely miscast as Morrible, but does her part adequately.

I still think it's a terrific show and thought audience response was quite strong and positive.

Enjoy the weekend~

[BwayBaby18]

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

Hey when i saw the show over Christmas the first year it was open i was complaining about the ensemble....

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 12:08pm

The Wicked ensemble should take a lesson from
the SWEET CHARITY ensemble..

They dance their asses off, sing harmonies, and most have little individual acting roles. And they are always fresh.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 12:57pm

Well lucky for us all...after like three years as Nessarose, Michelle is finally leaving...I think in January(?), but don't quote me on that.

[PJ]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 1:19pm

Glinda sings the reprise, a trap door opens, and she walks down the stairs, WickedGeek. Trust me, I know.

And Michelle is reportedly leaving January 8th with Bean and Vereen. Not sure about Ayers though. Updated On: 9/10/05 at 01:19 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 1:22pm

Yeah. She definitely walks down the trapped door. It's one of my favorite moments.

[Urban]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 1:32pm

Saycon blows Sho out of the water. Give that women her own show somebody!

[kate2]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 5:41pm

saycon is amazing. i havent seen her in wicked, infact i havent seen wicked at all :o but i saw her as AIDA and loved her. she has a great voice and presence.

rock on, saycon! what a lame rhyme! :p

[C is for Company]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 6:01pm

UGH something similar happened to me when I saw it June 12, 2004. Kristin left halfway and Laura went on and I was so upset and miserable cause I wanted to see her, but at least I saw her first act stuff, cause she has more chance to shine it it than act 2. Sucks though, but at least you saw saycon

[alittlebit_taller]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 6:13pm

Michelle has confirmed that she's leaving January 8th.

[PJ]

Posted: 9/10/05 at 6:18pm

I wasn't the least bit upset by Saycon going on. I was just surprised since Shoshana sounded fantastic in Act I. This would have been my fourth time seeing Sho, so I know her performance pretty well. Now I can say I've seen her 3.5 times.

[Chrismas42]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 12:12am

When I saw Wicked for my First and probably only time, the ensemble was AWFUL. The opening number was so lacking because they were boring and actually couldn't sing. The one guy who sang "No one Mourns the Wicked" could really NOT SING. He was incredibly flat, and it sounded like he was just yelling it. I also hated the guy who played fyero... he BLEW. I'm not sure who it was though, I went back in March.

As for Sho.. she was absolutly amazing and I would go to just see her do it over and over... I wish they would rerecord it just for her.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 12:26am

out of wonder is there a manual override for the computer system on the d.g. lift? since i think it wouldn't be all that dangerous to lift the actress anyway even if its not quite locked in right.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 12:44am

I saw Wicked on Broadway two nights after it opened. I remarked to the person I saw it with that it struck me as odd that the ensemble, when singing together, seemed constitutionally unable to begin or end a phrase in unison. At all. Throughout the ENTIRE show. My friend says, "Maybe they have the volume turned up so loud so we won't notice." But notice we did.

I'm here to tell you that that ensemble was bad right from the beginning.

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 12:49am

And there is usually a few voices you hear out of tune or singing too loudly above everyone in the ensemble. They sound very messy.

Ensembles from some of my favorite shows like Chicago, Charity, DRS, Proucers..absolutely blow Wicked's ensemble out of the water. You would think with all the hype around this production - they would atleast have a decent ensemble that can sing harmonies, and sing in tune. and not to mention look ALIVE.

Updated On: 9/11/05 at 12:49 AM

[Benzy92]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 12:52am

A close friend saw Wicked for the 2nd time tonight, and while she doesn't know all the latest cast changes/etc.. she said she was SO underwhelmed by Saycon.. she said that Shoshana just brings so much energy and spirit to the role, it really affected the entire show.. she also said the sound mixing was horrific, and the whole cast wasn't as good as when she first saw it with Sho and Megan.. I hope Joe Mantello stops by and tells everyone to step it up!