Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/04
Idina and Kristin opening the show in London would be great. It wouldnt happen for a while, so Idina's voice could rest a bit, itd be a good idea.
Just a question, kinda off-topic, but is there a British equivalent to the Tony? And does anyone know if anyone has won both for the same role?
London has the Oliver awards which are esteemed at the same level as the Tonys.
I'm not sure about people who have won both for the same role.
I very much prefer Shoshana's voice over Stephanie's.
It would be nice if they actually replaced Idina with somebody would could ACT rather than just sing the role. That's my only hope.
Yay. I'm seeing Wicked in February and loved Stephanie in BFO and I would rather see her as Elphaba than Idina (that's why I've waited so long to see the show).
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/18/04
Actually BroadwayGirl107, Idina has come a long way in the role. Her acting has improved DRAMATICALLY (not pun intended, i luv that word:pun) Anyways, I love Idina but it is time for her to move on to bigger things. She will have bee nwith the show for over a year and after that she will do new things. I would love to see SJB in it. She would be great.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
I would also like to see Stephanie in the role of Elphaba. In the last performance of THE BOY FROM OZ, her number ( I WANT TO HEAR THE MUSIC) got such a long standing ovation that she almost stole the show from Hugh
She is very talented - and is such a friendly soul at the stagedoor, too.
wickedfan, I should've worded my post better. I'm a huge fan of Menzel, particularly her work as an actress, and I think she was fantastic in Wicked. She grew better with each viewing.
I was referring more to my hope that they would cast someone equally as talented to replace her.
I have seen and heard a couple different Idina performances and have some Eden files of her doing Elphaba. Eden was so shrill and so unsuited for the part it was painful. Her belting voice is placed wrong in her chest/throat creating a very unpleasant sound. I hope Idina does the whole tour and they get Heather Headley to do Elphaba...or Sherie Renee Scott...
Heather?
Sherie Rene might work.... might.
I've suggested heather headly in previous posts, and I'll suggest it again.
Call me crazy, but there was an interview with her about a month and half ago and someone asked her about taking over current roles on broadway and listed a few possible roles, including elphaba. She expressed interest in serving as a replacement actress and specifically mentioned this role.
My friend bet me that heather headly will be idina's replacement. I don't think she will be, but I would love to see it.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/12/04
i would die to see heather as elphie, that b*tch can sing, and we already know shell be able to hit the f's every night.
wouldn't mind her as elphie, but i would rather see julia murney.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/10/03
An Elphaba who's "on" every night, now THAT would be interesting.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/10/03
Mattio's List of Good Elphaba Replacements:
Stephanie J. Block
Mandy Gonzalez
Julia Murney
FOCI- hair color shouldn't be much of a factor in casting elphaba (or glinda for that matter) since the actresses wear wigs the whole show
"I love to hear the music
I've got every lyric down
I love to hear them say
I've got the greatest ears in town
I'm there at every studio
There ain't a pop star I don't know
And sometimes they take me home
But I always wake up alone..."
She has a gorgeous voice!
Could a black woman really play Elphaba? Would the make-up look right? I would love it if she did get the role, but I'm not sure that they would cast a black woman right off the bat.
Understudy Joined: 2/24/04
I know how you feel, we've grown accustomed to her face. But Eden just proves that someone else can do the role and now Mrs. Bean is proving that now.
I'm sorry...have i been living in a cave for the past few weeks?! Is Shoshana Bean playing ELphaba?!
HMMMMMMMMMMMM. Heather as Elphie would be interesting. But as someone mentioned, would the make up thing be an issue? She SOOO could sing the role.
Sherie Rene might be good, but when she belts, her voice fall's thin. Plus she's gonna be busy with DRS for a while.
I would love Julia Murney, but I don't think that's going to happen.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/18/04
Shoshana will be playing Elphaba the 19th-23rd. I really wanna go!
I dont think Sherie has the vocal capacity to handle Elphaba, first of all. Heather would probably be amazing!
But I still am hoping and praying for Ms. Block. I couldn't get enough of her performance in the Boy from Oz.
Actually, Scott has a perfect voice for the role and if I recall from Aida, a rather strong belt. Much stronger than the women you repeatedly mention. While we're on Blondes with strong belts,I would pay to hear Orfeh sing that score. Mandy Gonzalez, another interesting (albeit, young), off the beaten path choice, but of course, I would think that. As for Headley, I don't think that her first foray back to B'way, would be to replace Menzel,or anyone for that matter. No way, never gonna happen.
JULIA MURNEY!!
I'd die to see that.
Someone a while back on this thread asked when Idina left Rent. She left July 1st, 1996. She was the second person to leave the cast, Daphne being the first.
Idina needs a break. Hopefully, her mini-vacation this month will do her some good. And honestly, people getting all upset about her leaving - she's been in this role longer than most people stay in lead roles on broadway. Especially original cast.
My hopes for replacements - Stephanie, Shoshana, Sherie. The latter won't happen, seeing as though she'll be with Dirty Rotten Scoundrels on broadway when Menzel leaves. Her and Idina do have a knack for sharing leading men and roles - so who knows for the future.
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