Shoshana Bean's Vocals In Wicked.- Page 2

[Momo]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 6:10pm

I am so confused. When you say classical, do you mean classical as in "opera" or classical as in "musical-theater"? I have heard all of the elphaba's - and I agree that Shoshana and Kristy both sound more musical theatre than Idina. But, I don't think that's a bad thing. You are all making it sound like it's not ok to have a singing voice like that. After all, Stephenie block is doing the tour, and she is WAY musical theater!

[kangaroo]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 6:16pm

Hi this might be a stupid question... but anyone know where I can here Shoshana Bean as Elphaba. Or Eden for that matter. I couldn't give my opinion on who I like better, because I've only heard Idina. Thanks!

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 6:22pm

I totally agree with you ljay.

No Good Deed is Shoshana's moment in the show and she really is mind-blowing when she perfomers that song. However, all her other songs left me cold.
Her Defying Gravity is not special at all and the big note just didn't impress me. And again, I agree she doesn't have Idina's rock belter voice. I have never seen her in Hairspary, so can't comment on that.
I think she plays the part well and sings it well, but can't quite 'wow' me the way Idina's vocals do.

Someone mentioned how great she was on the clips from Dec 8th. I actually saw that show and have to say (having seen Shoshana three times), I thought she was not in good shape at all that night. She interupted notes to start them again. I've seen her in better shape than on Dec 8th.

QM

[magic8ball]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 6:42pm

It might not be correct to classify Bean's voice as "classical"--sounding, but her Elphaba definitely has a "trained" sound in comparison with Menzel's. This is due to the fact that Menzel (although she IS a trained singer) does not use proper technique to hit her high notes. If she did, they wouldn't be nearly as powerful, as another user previously mentioned. And it is for this reason that Bean's voice is going to hold up and sound spectacular from the time she assumes the role in January to the time that she steps down; conversely, I believe that Idina's "rock belt" has probably taken a good, irreparable toll on the girl's chords in the long run.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 6:48pm

"I don't think that most Broadway singers learn to sing classically first, and if they do, they must have forgotten a lot of what they learned."

Forgotten? No. They just use didfferent styles of singing. It's like a different language. It's usuing the vocal chords in a completely different way to make a different sound. It doesn't mean they've forgotten it.

"This is due to the fact that Menzel (although she IS a trained singer) does not use proper technique to hit her high notes. If she did, they wouldn't be nearly as powerful, as another user previously mentioned."

That depends on what performance you're listening to her at. Most of the time, her technique is right on. Her vocal technique is perfectly safe and does not damage her vocal chords. What may have hurt her voice in the past was performing while ill. To sing the vocal style Idina uses takes a lot of refined technique that she has really mastered, and performing while ill (specifically with bronchitis) can damage her chords...not her technique. Her technique is fine. Updated On: 12/31/04 at 06:48 PM

[Broadway_freak]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 9:00pm

Where can I find clips to Shoshana Bean in Wicked?

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 9:10pm

Um.. shoshana sings the hell out of the score. you just don't like it because she doesn't monkey idina in her rendition. She sings it differenty. Get over it. She's not Idina. Get over it. Idina SCREAMS instead of actually hittinga note and Shoshana finds the note and belts it. get over it.

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 9:14pm

BG2, you haven't even seen Shoshana in Wicked, so just chill a bit. Your constant bashing gets very old.

QM

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 9:15pm

Broadwayguy doesn't know what a scream sounds like...

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 9:16pm

Do you think he's not been able to make someone 'scream' as yet?
*sigh* He's got lots to learn

QM

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 9:18pm

*raises eyebrow*



um.. the contsant WICKED crap gets annoying

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 9:20pm

That's true. But you seem SO angry about it these days!
Wanna talk about it and get it out of the system? I'm listening...

[wicked4life51]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 9:26pm

thank you broadwayguy2 i love you

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 9:37pm

noth8ing to talk about. the constant crap about idina being a goddess (which she isn't) and shoshana not being up to par (she is FAR beyong adequate) are crap. All of the Idina stuff is so much hype it's ridiculous. If she were in a lesser know show, no one would give her a second look. she gets hyped up for NO reason because she is the lead in a hit show. Her "abilities" BARELYfigure into it. And you know what is even FUNNIER?? MANY of those Idina fans have NO diea what she looks like without that green make-up. I know of NUMEROUS incidents where they have mobbed ensemble girls thinking that they were Idina!

[wicked1]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 9:41pm

I saw Shoshana in the show. I thought she was great. She impressed me once she sang "The Wizard and I". I like Idina too but in my opinion Shoshana is just as talented.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 12/31/04 at 9:48pm

broadwayguy...when exactly did you see shoshana in wicked again? :)

[IdinaFan34]

Posted: 1/1/05 at 1:20am

Just curious but Broadwayguy if you HATE Idina so much and your so sick of the wicked talk then why even bother looking at the messages and commenting? You obviously hate Wicked so i dont see the need to always comment about it in such a negative fashion. just my thoughts on why you do and if your gonna answer please give a logical and mature answer. Thanks

[FosseBoi]

Posted: 1/1/05 at 2:25am

Would yall stop BITCHING for a second and tell us where we can hear her sing!? My god!

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/1/05 at 2:38am

BG2. What the hell is going on? You are ususally a very nice guy to talk with. Lately you have just been plain rude on the board. If you don't like the Wicked threads, stay away from them. Also, don't classify me as pre-teen female Idina freak. I am a big fan of Idina, own all her stuff, but I am not one of her crazy stalker fans.

Anyway, It's an opinion. If I prefer Idina's rock sounding belt, compared to Shoshana's more trained sounding belt. It's my damn opinion. Anyway, I don't think Idina screams. My dad explained too me exactly what she does, in comparison with Shoshana. Idina dosen't have the range or as strong a voice as Shoshana. The notes are very easy for Shoshana, she dosen't really need to sing the hell out of the song, to hit the notes. Her ending note in Defying is disgusting, since the note is so easily in her range, she barely makes an effort to give a powerful ending. Idina on the other hand, almost struggles to get the notes out, and she gets them out, and it's very powerful. She isn't screaming, it's just powerful (In my opinion). That's why I feel Idina's interpretation is more powerful, more movivng, and more emotional than Shoshana.

Remember, this is my opinion. I am not always going to agree with yours, don't come b*tching at me, for this opinion. Thank you.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 1/1/05 at 7:50am

im not really following how someone struggling comes off as more powerful... ?? are you saying it appears as if shes going through the emotional aspect elphaba should be experiencing when its really just her working hard to hit a note? (im not saying *I* think that, im trying to understand your point)

ive seen them both and i think they both do a wonderful job with the role.

[Dare2DefyGravity]

Posted: 1/1/05 at 11:32am

I saw Shoshana's second show ever as Elphaba on Oct. 16, and quite frankly I found her delightful and she had a very magnificant vocal for the role of Elphaba. She matched parts with Idina Menzel in many instances during numbers, mainly "The Wizard and I" and "For Good". But songs where Idina usually doesn't strike me as that strong, "What Is This Feeling?" "I'm Not That Girl" and "As Long As You're Mine"... Shoshana did beautifully. She definately earned her stripes in those numbers. As for "Defying Gravity" and "No Good Deed", DG was perfect, she had different ways of interpretting notes that Idina normally doesn't take, and the last verse and chorus had a lot of power but there was a hint of vibrato on the last notes. As for NGD, it wasn't her strong point, she didn't make it through the final note, and repeated "AGAIN" to save it. I personally didn't think it sounded to bad at all.

As for her voice, it's a soul/R&B voice and mostly it is as you can hear it in "I'm Not That Girl" and "As Long As You're Mine", but she has the power she needs in songs such as "The Wizard and I" and "Defying Gravity". Instead of being worried, people should relax and just take into account that Shoshana has a very versatile and kind of a cool and crisp delivery as Elphaba. Idina was great, but no sense getting all uptight over her voice, she is just fine as the green girl.

[Broadway_Bound_Star]

Posted: 1/1/05 at 11:47am

amen D2DG

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/1/05 at 12:21pm

Jesus Christ, I can't say anything right in this thread.

Mistress, I don't know if "struggling" was the right word for me to use. What I was trying to say was, she has to take the effort the hit a lot of the notes, they aren't as easy for her to get out as it is for Shoshana.

Okay, why do I even bother explaining? It's not even worth trying to prove my opinion to anyone.

[OhSoWicked]

Posted: 1/1/05 at 12:39pm

Someone....anyone....
Where
Can
We
Hear
Shoshana
Sing
From
Wicked????

Let us gather informed opinions too!!! :)

[OrdinaryJukebox1]

Posted: 1/1/05 at 12:52pm

Clearly, there are a lot of LOYAL Shoshana fans here. Which is fine, there is nothing wrong with it. I kept reading raves and raves about how she'll "blow people away with her voice." So, I was expecting fireworks! I was expecting to have my hair stand up on end. However, after hearing her sing "No Good Dead," "The Wizard and I," and "Defying Gravity," I was left saying, "Eh." I'm not saying she's bad, by any stretch! She has a lovely voice, but not one that blows me away. When I first heard Idina sing in that role, way back in March of 2004, then again in Sept and again in Nov. her voice hasn't weakened on bit. Chills every time. Which brings me to the person who says that because she sings incorrectly, Shoshana's voice will be strong from her start to her finish in the role, Idina's voice hasn't given one bit. I'm sure she's had an off night here and there, she's only human, but each time I've seen her, she's been dead on. As for her vocals getting ruined, listen to the way she sang in "Rent" nearly 10 years ago. Her voice still sounds very, very strong to me. Eden Espinosa, her versions of Elphaba's songs blew me away as well. After hearing Shoshana, I wasn't blown away, I wasn't bowled over, I wasn't raving. I was like, "I'm not getting the same vibes. It's okay, but just that...okay."

-Vincent