Shoshana--Idina — Page 2
#27
Posted: 1/15/05 at 8:19pm
well shoshana is different in the fact the she actually has vocal technique.
Sorry....I know that's mean...I do love me some Idina-Scream-a
when I'm in an angry white girl mood...but after a while...eh....
Sorry....I know that's mean...I do love me some Idina-Scream-a
when I'm in an angry white girl mood...but after a while...eh....
#28
Posted: 1/15/05 at 8:36pm
First, I have to say I have been an Idina fan for many moons, however I am not close-minded, and I was actually looking forward to seeing Shoshana's take on the character.
Now that that is out...
Honestly, I did not like Shoshana's take on the character but I am sure she will get into the role, as I saw her on the 9th, and of course the circumstances were well... unlike a "normal" show day...
I thought her take on the character was too bubbly. After the first Act, I did not think Defying Gravity had the same impact that it had in the past. The build up to that moment is so intense, and I didn't feel that.
Idina's take was much, much darker, and yes more "mature", and personally I feel that is a better take on the character. It hits me harder. She didn't start truly dark, she would build to the true darkness that the character has; she'd start with this eager girl, who has had to deal with being an outcast her whole life, so she is not happy, so that makes her dark (sarcastic, and filled with dry-wit) and "tragic". But Idina would build from that and take it to another level, and by No Good Deed, you felt more frustration, and sadness for the character. (At least I did.)
Shoshana on the other hand, seems to be forcing the performance, and like I said is too bubbly, almost too eager, and oddly enough almost too perky for the way I view Elphaba. So when she gets to DG or NGD, I don't believe it, and I don't feel any attachment to the character.
I think she is adorable, and has a great voice, I just didn't really connect with her at all. I hope she finds her niche in the character, and I am sure she will.
Now that that is out...
Honestly, I did not like Shoshana's take on the character but I am sure she will get into the role, as I saw her on the 9th, and of course the circumstances were well... unlike a "normal" show day...
I thought her take on the character was too bubbly. After the first Act, I did not think Defying Gravity had the same impact that it had in the past. The build up to that moment is so intense, and I didn't feel that.
Idina's take was much, much darker, and yes more "mature", and personally I feel that is a better take on the character. It hits me harder. She didn't start truly dark, she would build to the true darkness that the character has; she'd start with this eager girl, who has had to deal with being an outcast her whole life, so she is not happy, so that makes her dark (sarcastic, and filled with dry-wit) and "tragic". But Idina would build from that and take it to another level, and by No Good Deed, you felt more frustration, and sadness for the character. (At least I did.)
Shoshana on the other hand, seems to be forcing the performance, and like I said is too bubbly, almost too eager, and oddly enough almost too perky for the way I view Elphaba. So when she gets to DG or NGD, I don't believe it, and I don't feel any attachment to the character.
I think she is adorable, and has a great voice, I just didn't really connect with her at all. I hope she finds her niche in the character, and I am sure she will.
#29
Posted: 1/15/05 at 9:21pm
yea shoshana would be a good glinda with the bubbly thing
i havent seen eden but from what you said shoshana does the same thing. plays elphaba witty and dorky. its cute.
i havent seen eden but from what you said shoshana does the same thing. plays elphaba witty and dorky. its cute.
A dancer might dream to see her name in lights and mean it,
but all she really dreams is to make someone
else feel the way she did when she first saw a dancer.
And that is so beautiful-Anonymous
#30
Posted: 1/15/05 at 9:50pm
"Well, there is absolutely a contrast between her first Act and second act Elphaba. And remember, Elphaba is supposed to have a certain maturity to her character to begin with anyway."
Yes...but she is still supposed to be around 19 years old. Who among us has never wanted to be accepted by a few people. I know I have and that is what Shosh brings in Shiz. By the Dr. Dilamond scenes she is slowly maturing and by "Defying Gravity" she has her mind set.
Don't get me wrong: I LOVED Idina, but she just didn't seem to have that "teen" feel.
Yes...but she is still supposed to be around 19 years old. Who among us has never wanted to be accepted by a few people. I know I have and that is what Shosh brings in Shiz. By the Dr. Dilamond scenes she is slowly maturing and by "Defying Gravity" she has her mind set.
Don't get me wrong: I LOVED Idina, but she just didn't seem to have that "teen" feel.
David walked into the valley
With a stone clutched in his hand
He was only a boy
But he knew someone must take a stand
There will always be a valley
Always mountains one must scale
There will always be perilous waters
Which someone must sail
-Into the Fire
Scarlet Pimpernel
#31
Posted: 1/16/05 at 12:17am
well, first, i want to say hi, because i'm new here!..i have been viewing this site for over two weeks and finally decided i should make my voice heard! so, here i am!
In terms of the Shoshana vs. Idina bit, I saw Wicked on 1/9 and obviously I was disappointed not seeing Idina, but I was curious to see how Shoshana handled the role of Elphaba. And by intermission I had come to a conclusion. The thing about the role of Elphaba is that she is a fighter. She is a strong minded, idealistic, hopeful girl. She is outspoken, fiery, and constantly misunderstood. She has something to say about everything. She is in no way very girly, or innocent, naive, shy, or simply waiting to see what happens next. She is zealous, and has big dreams. And most of all, she believes in herself when the rest of Oz does not.
In my opinion, Idina defined Elphaba as exactly this. From the moment she runs on stage, with that hopeful gleam in her eye, to the moment she takes on the staring faces of her classmates, to the ridicule she receives the night at the party, to the power of her defying gravity, Idina's Elphaba is a dynamic, emotionally stricken character. There is so much depth to Idina's Elphaba, and that is why I fell in love with her interpretation. She understands the witty humor that Elphaba has developed and her sarcasm. Idina = Elphaba. I hardly noticed Idina acting, it simply was her. And although Idina doesn't look like the youngest Elphaba, she does define her awkwardness and her out of placeness really really well. And by the second act, you find her transformation expected, because you grow to expect Elphaba to be only stronger than she was before. Her transformation from Act 1 to Act 2 is seamless.
Now, Shoshana was not terrible. The problem with Shoshana is that she simply does not understand the character as well as Idina did, and when you do not originate a role, that often happens. Idina had been workshopping as Elphaba for two years before the production began. She saw the development of her character in its writing, and therefore, was better able to interpret her on stage. Shoshana is thrust into this role not truly understanding Elphaba, and I cut her some slack for that. However, she does play Elphaba as too meek, girly at times, and definitely, definitely, not as strong of a person. Elphaba has been through so much. She has been hated - her own father hates her for god sake! - and society doesn't look kindly on her either. Shoshana doesn't seem to understand that, and her Elphaba is more confused and sheepish than strong. Her voice is incredible, so it is just the acting and development that she needs to improve on.
Also, why was Shoshana wearing hooker stilleto black boots???? Did anyone else notice that? Idina always used to wear man trench boots as Elphaba, which fits her character so well, because Elphaba is not a girly girl. Shoshana's Elphaba wears big black sexy mama boots. It doesn't fit Elphie!!! It just doesn't! And I know they are just shoes, but I can't get over it! It just was really odd.
Anyway, I've said too much..you all probably hate me now...i just really needed to let that out. Shoshana will grow in time, no doubt, and people will love her performance. Yet, I believe if you saw Idina's interpretation you were in for a real treat.
In terms of the Shoshana vs. Idina bit, I saw Wicked on 1/9 and obviously I was disappointed not seeing Idina, but I was curious to see how Shoshana handled the role of Elphaba. And by intermission I had come to a conclusion. The thing about the role of Elphaba is that she is a fighter. She is a strong minded, idealistic, hopeful girl. She is outspoken, fiery, and constantly misunderstood. She has something to say about everything. She is in no way very girly, or innocent, naive, shy, or simply waiting to see what happens next. She is zealous, and has big dreams. And most of all, she believes in herself when the rest of Oz does not.
In my opinion, Idina defined Elphaba as exactly this. From the moment she runs on stage, with that hopeful gleam in her eye, to the moment she takes on the staring faces of her classmates, to the ridicule she receives the night at the party, to the power of her defying gravity, Idina's Elphaba is a dynamic, emotionally stricken character. There is so much depth to Idina's Elphaba, and that is why I fell in love with her interpretation. She understands the witty humor that Elphaba has developed and her sarcasm. Idina = Elphaba. I hardly noticed Idina acting, it simply was her. And although Idina doesn't look like the youngest Elphaba, she does define her awkwardness and her out of placeness really really well. And by the second act, you find her transformation expected, because you grow to expect Elphaba to be only stronger than she was before. Her transformation from Act 1 to Act 2 is seamless.
Now, Shoshana was not terrible. The problem with Shoshana is that she simply does not understand the character as well as Idina did, and when you do not originate a role, that often happens. Idina had been workshopping as Elphaba for two years before the production began. She saw the development of her character in its writing, and therefore, was better able to interpret her on stage. Shoshana is thrust into this role not truly understanding Elphaba, and I cut her some slack for that. However, she does play Elphaba as too meek, girly at times, and definitely, definitely, not as strong of a person. Elphaba has been through so much. She has been hated - her own father hates her for god sake! - and society doesn't look kindly on her either. Shoshana doesn't seem to understand that, and her Elphaba is more confused and sheepish than strong. Her voice is incredible, so it is just the acting and development that she needs to improve on.
Also, why was Shoshana wearing hooker stilleto black boots???? Did anyone else notice that? Idina always used to wear man trench boots as Elphaba, which fits her character so well, because Elphaba is not a girly girl. Shoshana's Elphaba wears big black sexy mama boots. It doesn't fit Elphie!!! It just doesn't! And I know they are just shoes, but I can't get over it! It just was really odd.
Anyway, I've said too much..you all probably hate me now...i just really needed to let that out. Shoshana will grow in time, no doubt, and people will love her performance. Yet, I believe if you saw Idina's interpretation you were in for a real treat.
#32
Posted: 1/16/05 at 7:48pm
Tickets From $58
Tickets From $71
Tickets From $71
Tickets From $71
