Stephanie Block and WICKED

[Sparklesss]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 1:52am

I know Stephanie originally read the role of Elphaba in San Fran but then was replaced by Idina...does anyone know why? I never quite understood that part of the story. I can't imagine being set on a role and then it getting taken away like that...

[Popular]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 2:03am

Stephanie had no broadway credits at the time. It was business politics driving that decision and nothing personal from what I understood.

She's talked about the disappointment of that many times before... and also of having to trust that where you are is where you need to be. Had Idina not taken over, she wouldn't have went on to do BFO and the Wicked tour, and everything else that's come from that.

[Horton]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 8:40am

Stephanie J. Never played the role in San Francisco, she played the role in development workshops and readings. Then Idina Menzel was brought in to do readings, because just like Popular said "Stephanie had no Broadway credits at the time". It is also coming knowledge that Stephen Schwartz wanted Stephanie to play the role on Broadway, and offered her the part.

[wickedobsessed]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 8:48am

Exactly, the only thing that Stephanie did with Wicked before the tour was being Idina's Standby. She never held the title of Elphaba. Does anyone know if Stephanie ever went on as Elphaba in SF?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 8:55am

I believe she went on once, though if I am wrong, I am sure someone will correct me.

[HeyJayNYC]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 9:03am

This is such a perfect story and example of events happening the way they are destined to happen.
I saw Stephanie in one of the table readings at Universal. She sang beautifully, but there was something kind of cold to her interpretation.
I knew when they replaced her that she'd end up doing the tour. As sad as it may have been for her, as has been mentioned, she got to do "Boy From Oz" with Hugh Jackman, I think she was nominated for the Tony but didn't win, and she then indeed got to do the tour.
Have faith and never give up. Trust in the Powers that be, and never give in to sour grapes.

[Horton]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 9:10am

Stephanie was NOT nominated for a Tony, and you are correct, she went on once. Also, she was not Idina's standby, she was her understudy-- for she was also in the ensamble.

[wickedobsessed]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 11:12am

I know that she was in the ESEMBLE, and she was indeed the STANDBY for Elphaba. My friend has the SF playbill.

[Sparklesss]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 12:47pm

You guys are right, it is a very good story about just having faith in everything and knowing it'll work out. I'm sure it had to be hard on her to almost have it but yet not...and to be a member of the ensemble when you'd been reading for the lead. I bet success is that much sweeter for her now :)

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 12:52pm

I find it weird that she wasn't nominated for the Tony because I hear that she was a hit! Also, I guess you could call it one of those "Julie Andrews/Audrey Hepburn-My Fair Lady Things", So I would have expected the voters to recognize this and nominate her.

[Horton]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 12:59pm

http://www.wickedonbroadway.net/ then click on San Francisco, and then click on look inside the San Francisco playbill. It says that she is listed as an understudy. Not a standby.

Updated On: 4/9/06 at 12:59 PM

[X x Fiyero x X]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 1:06pm

The Sf cast,she only got to go on once...that was pretty much it!

[Popular]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 1:23pm

So what is the confusion here exactly? I've got a cold and I'm not sure I'm following. She understudied Idina in SF and she did go on once, but I think that's already been established.

[GretchaSketh]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 1:50pm

I don't believe in SF there WAS a standby...only an understudy like on tour. Stephanie was Idina's first cover and went on once for her like everyone said. And I believe that they wanted her to stay on as Standby in NY...I don't believe they wanted her to BE Elphaba. She didn't stay because of BFO.

[xluckystar2107x]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 2:29pm

yes yes. look at her now. shes amazing.

anyone going to birdland? cause i know i am!

[ACTlete676]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 2:59pm

oh, wickedobsessed looks like your friend is a lair. Ya, Stephanie talks about the time she went on for elphaba in SF on one of the radio shows with Jim.

[Sparklesss]

Posted: 4/9/06 at 3:26pm

So...what's the big difference between a standby and understudy? I know understudies are other roles in the show too, are standbys just nothing unless they need to go on?