Teal Wicks is Broadway's Next Elphaba; Kyle Dean Massey to Return as Fiyero — Page 5

I think Wicked needs alternates for Elphaba, due to the wear and tear on the voice. Eden Espinosa’s voice in San Francisco was…not good. Marcie Dodd usually took one or two shows off a week in San Francisco. Sure, some of the Elphaba go eight times a week, but that doesn’t mean they sound good.

I think the Germans got it right with their alternate system for WICKED.

Does Oberhausen 6/2 Elphaba alternate rotation?

Ooops sorry, stupid phone/internet!
Does the German production have the lead do 6 shows and s/b/alternate do 2?

I saw Kyle in Next To Normal. I can't stand his whiney voice. He is nothing like Aaron Tveit. I didn't see him in Wicked, so I'll save that judgment for now.

Now now its all a personal taste in music.

inick, I believe that Willemijn (Principle German Elphaba) does all the evening performances (which is a total of 6 shows a week)
Her alternate/standby Roberta Valentini does the matinee's (2 shows) and I believe it's customary in German Theater that the understudy will go on at least once a month during a matinee...at least that's what I heard.

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In response to saying that Teal hasn't worked since her run as Elphaba in SF- that's not true. She's working in a new musical at the A.R.T. called The Blue Flower right now. She was phenominal, and her voice sounded great. I don't know what technique(or lackthereof) she was using in Wicked, but her voice was absolutely lovely and her placement for the higher notes sounded spot on. Of course the material she was singing is not nearly as vocally demanding as Wicked, but let's hope she takes how she was singing in Boston with her to New York.

Kyle might only be doing a limited run because people from the first national tour are saying that Richard H. Blake is going to play Fiyero on Broadway.

Just what they need, another Fiyero in his late 30's.

In the debate as to whether anyone can play Elphaba for more than 10 months and survive - Kerry Ellis played her for around 2 years. Taking over from Idina in Jan 2007 and leaving the London production in May 2009 with the Broadway run in between. Her voice is still in place and she took up another musical very soon after. Admittedly she broke herself early on in the run (on the first night almost) but she seemed to learn from that and recover.

I agree however that the use of an alternate would help the majority of actresses and wouldn't serve as a hindrance to the show. Heck the day queue in London was almost always at it's heaviest when a stand by was on.

Anyhow - I'm in the city in early Feb and I was considering Wicked as a show to see, however the reviews here of Teal don't fill me with excitement.

I think Wicked needs alternates for Elphaba, due to the wear and tear on the voice. Eden Espinosa’s voice in San Francisco was…not good. Marcie Dodd usually took one or two shows off a week in San Francisco.

Eden's problems were due to San Francisco-induced allergies, as she frequently tweeted. I believe she said she'd never work there long-term again.

Marcie's absences were apparently not related to vocal issues. It was rumored to be migraines.

I adored Teal during her time in San Francisco but got pretty frustrated trying to see her. I'm wishing her all the best in her Broadway run and hoping I get a chance to see her there.

Hey adamgreer... Since you know a lot about Wicked, do you know if the lotto will die down a bit now that it's January?

OK, thanks.

^ Ugh... THAT guy.