The Fabulous Ana Gasteyer!!!

[AlanAntonio]

Posted: 10/10/06 at 11:40pm

When I learned that Ana Gasteyer was going to essay her Jefferson-nominated portrayal of Elphaba on Broadway, I made sure I was going to be there to witness it on her opening night. I went there eagerly anticipating it, but also very skeptical that she can really essay the role that Idina, Shoshana, and Eden marvelously did before her here in New York. I prayed that she would, at least, sustain the level those divas have set. Was I wrong! She did not only sustain it, she made her own mark and brought the house to a much-deserved standing ovation!

It is my opinion that Eden is superior of them all in terms of vocal quality. Eden makes the simplest, softest note sound magical. Idina originated the role and has gotten, and continues to get praises, and deservingly so. Hurray to Ana for doing what was tough to do - to make the role her own, draw upon her strength as a fantastic actress, and sing her heart out!!! Her rendition of "The Wizard And I" was very good. It did not have the level of naive, eager anticipation that Eden and Idina demonstrated, but it was very good and convincing, nonetheless. Her "Defying Gravity" was stunning! Her delivery of the spoken lines imparted Elphaba's conviction and realization of her purpose. To those that doubt it, Ana not only can belt, but make it sound musical - not just scream. Her absolute best moment came when she sang "No Good Deed." Can she emote or what!!! She does not have the big, piercing Idina eyes, but Ana was much more frightening in that number. She was not able to sustain the last note, though. She had to take a breath and then embellished the ending a bit, but that did not take away anything from her amazing rendition. Her movements were also much more intense compared to the others.

Oh, she had the most wicked laughter after Glinda slapped her! It made the audience laugh so loudly!

What a night!

Thanks to my boyfriend Tommy for getting me center-orchestra, producer seats. Fabulous!!!!

[Freckles1329]

Posted: 10/10/06 at 11:48pm

I'm glad Ana was amazing, as usual, and that you had a great time!

[PJ]

Posted: 10/10/06 at 11:54pm

Because it would have been stupid to post in the other thread.

[PARISinNYC]

Posted: 10/10/06 at 11:55pm

Thank you for posting! It's good to hear about Ana doing more theatre. I would've have never guessed that one of my favorite SNL actresses was such a great singer!

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 12:00am

Oh jeez...stop! He/She made her own thread. If you don't want to read it....don't open it! Thank you for the review Alan!

Updated On: 10/11/06 at 12:00 AM

[TristezzaBella27]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 12:11am

im so excited to see ana as elphie!!! i cant wait i need to go soon!

[AlanAntonio]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 12:14am

Thanks, uncageg. I did not mean to ignore the other thread. I was overjoyed by the performance I saw tonight of Wicked and wrote about it as soon as I got home, and did not realize that someone already started a thread. To PARISinNYC, try to see Ana in the role. She was a revelation to me and many others in the audience who knew her only as a funny actress on SNL.

[Freckles1329]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 12:15am

I completey agree! I've been excited to go since I found out she was coming to Broadway! But, since I'm going in what seems like will be forever, I'm sure she'll be right at home and phenomenal!

[Luckydave14]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 12:19am

Ana took a picture for the Elephant Project tonight. Here is the picture...



Her page will be added to the site (http://www.elephantproject.org) later in the week. Jenna and Derrick also participated tonight.

[Freckles1329]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 12:21am

Awesome! I see she's a brunette again!

[PARISinNYC]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 12:24am

Actually, I found out she could sing after I found out she was cast in the Reefer Madness Movie Musical and every since then I have a new respect for one of my new favorite performers!

She can act, sing, AND she is a comedic genius.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 12:31am

I was there tonight as well...Ana totally exceeded my expectations...she was fabulous!

[bugsers]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 12:32am

Comedic genius, indeed! ("Schweaty balls" anyone? Hee.)

I've seen several other Elphabas since Ana and each time I'm amazed how little laughs they get. Not that Ana makes Elphaba a comedy role by any stretch, she just finds a way to make the most of the material in that regard. She knows how to time her lines and reactions to make them actually funny. (She kills during the cornfield scene!) Makes for a good counter to Galinda's over-the-top laughs.

[AlanAntonio]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 12:37am

SO TRUE!!!! I had seen the show many times before. She did ellicit the most laughs. The way she delivered her lines was perfect! That cornfield scene was a hoot and a half! It must be her training in SNL that did that.

[Freckles1329]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 12:38am

Her comedic timing is impeccable. I've heard her "blonde." It kills me every time! I feel like she has the whole Elphaba package. There are some actresses who have played the part who have had phenomenal voices and so-so acting or singing that is just ok and great acting. But Ana has the acting down, the singing, and the comedic and sarcastic elements, as well. This is one performance I definitely do NOT want to miss.

Updated On: 10/11/06 at 12:38 AM

[emo_geek]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 12:56am

Reading this makes want to see her SOOO much!1

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 1:00am

Ana is the best of them all.

[Kev]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 1:06am

I was there tonight as well.

I'll say that I think Ana is a fabulous performer. But Elphaba doesn't fit like a glove. Act One she looks like she could be Nessa's mother. Act Two had some fantastically fine character choices. Ana needs to pick up the pace on her dialogue (I've never seen the show drag as much, including musical tempos, as it did tonight.) Presentation-wise, she just appears awkward, stiff, unsure of what to do with her hands in songs. A bit more "oomph" to sell her numbers would benefit as well. I actually enjoyed her most singing the mundane numbers, minus the country twang she'd throw in there every so often. Much of this, though, could be chalked up to her first performance back in the role. Overall, 7 out of 10.

(me thinks Ana would've made a super Madame Morrible, especially over this evening's bland understudy Kathy Santen.)


and WithoutaTrace, noticed you standing near the front at intermission...only because of your avator Updated On: 10/11/06 at 01:06 AM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/11/06 at 1:19am

Kev: you should have come over and said hello! I agree that today's Morrible understudy was very bland. Also not a fan of Derrick Williams...David Garrison is the best wizard i've seen and Jenna Leigh Green is the best Nessarose I've seen. Ana's defying gravity completely blew me away...i didn't think she had it in her! amazing.

Edit: Just bought a ticket for Ana and Kate's final performance on Sunday, January 7th. Very excited!
Updated On: 10/11/06 at 01:19 AM