Stephanie J Block to be replaced by Kerry Ellis in WICKED this summer

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 10:43am

Ellis will play her final performance at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre June 7; she will begin her New York run as the not-so-wicked green-faced witch June 17. Following her Broadway run, Ellis is scheduled to return to the London production.


http://www.playbill.com/news/article/115331.html

For those that are interested.
Updated On: 2/25/08 at 10:43 AM

[folkyboy]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 10:50am

i've never even heard her before. does she have a great voice?

[RyToast1]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 10:54am

Will she use the British accent?

[maya5892]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 10:59am

That's actually pretty cool. I've heard great things about Kerry's voice. A lot of power that seems effortless.

[Marcus2]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 11:05am

Kerry is an amazing Elphaba, her voice is clear and effortless. My only fear is sometimes she seems a bit bored and doesn't always take alot of 'risks' on stage. Yet this is only if you know her good days, which I suppose can be said of any performer.

She is however and amazing women who's voice soars with the score and really shows a great British talent. She is also very down to earth and an all round nice person.

Broadway is in for a treat.

However I am going to her performance on the 7th in London, was hoping it was her 'last' I see it may be one of three final performances she will be doing! Ha!

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 11:09am

Does this mean Stephanie's last performance is Sunday, June 15th at 3pm? I should buy my ticket now...

[maya5892]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 11:13am

Another article, for kicks.
http://www.broadway.com/Gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=561148

[maya5892]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 11:17am

AND Wikipedia has already picked up on it too:

"On February 25, 2008 it was reported that Ellis would be re-creating Elphaba for the Broadway production of Wicked. Starting June 17 she will replace actress Stephanie J. Block. meaning Kerry will be the first Elphaba to go from West End to Broadway. Vise versa to what Original Broadway cast member Idina Menzel did when she went to London."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerry_Ellis

[sgv123]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 11:19am

kerry has got an amazing voice. one of my fav. elphabas.

[twitchy+bitchy+manic]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 11:21am

they held auditions for elphaba in the london production last week, around thursday I think, so they should be announcing the london replacement soon. They're considering a few unknowns for the role I think, a friend of mine auditioned for it, and she's still waiting for a callback or not. I wonder, will american audiences be able to understand her if she keeps her English accent for the show?

[maya5892]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 11:31am

Not only first Londoner, but I think first Elphaba with blue eyes. It looks really cool with the green makeup.

[sgv123]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 11:35am

here is a pretty good video.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lEMtlgc2AZc

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 11:35am

*Yawn*
I'll go see it on Broadway when they stop the recycling. I was hoping the Lea Michele rumors were true.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 11:36am

And she joins the rotating wheel of cast members.

[maya5892]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 11:40am

On "Loose Women"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yq5sj-ohdXY

[BlueWindSadness]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 11:51am

I saw Kerry Ellis this summer in Wicked in London- She was very, very good...there was just a couple of things that did bother me though- (this may have changed though, as I saw her very early in her run)

...She spoke with her British accent, as did everyone else, but when it came to her singing, she sang in a totally American accent, and it sounded like Idina Menzel on the OBC recording...

Now, I am british, and when I sing, sure, it comes out American sometimes, as it does with a lot of British singers, but hers was like a carbon copy of Idina Menzel, and it bothered me just for the fact that felt she wasnt making any of the songs her own.....I mean, her voice was awesome, and powerful, but just not so original...

Besides that little rant, she was very good! haha....

[Marcus2]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 12:00pm

I don't know how you can say her voice is like Idina Menzel's, it's like the complete opposite. But thats your opinion I guess.

Very excited to hear how she goes down in Broadway!

[Miss Elphaba]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 12:00pm

I've oved Kerry since i saw her in les mis, I think she's an incredible Elphaba, her acting style is very different to other Elphabas (from what i've seen) and her voice is just incomparable.

Can't quite believe she's going to NY, but since shes coming back it's okay! lol

[phantomo88]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 12:01pm

By it's 5h anv. Wicked broadway will not have had one elphaba that had not played the role before. SH*T.

[HoshiForever]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 12:06pm

I love Kerry. She's one of my two fav Elphaba's. Her voice is so powerful and she acts Elphaba incredibly different than anyone else I've seen. It's a much more subtle, quiet journey and it's fantastic.

However; seriously guys...bring in some new people. This is redonk.

[threatXthree]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 12:09pm

Does anyone know who will replace Annaleigh?

Unless she decides to extend.

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 12:10pm

I've heard Kendra is coming back.

[RyToast1]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 12:14pm

I would love to see Kerry & Kendra!!

[bwaygal1]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 12:20pm

I am soooo excited to see Kerry in this. I saw her on youtube a long time ago and really like her voice.

I wish (I know it won't happen) they could get Helen Dallimore to come to be Glinda. I already saw Kendra and I'd like to see someone else.

[maya5892]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 12:23pm

It's one thing when they recycle one of the characters, but putting Kendra back in as well would be even more annoying I think. I REALLY want to see at least one newcomer in the duo.