The next Elphaba? — Page 6

I really think everyone needs to stop complaining about the recycling. If somebody is good in the role, they should play it! Julia Murney is an amazing talent, and she played Elphaba magnificently (I saw her in Boston). It is one of the hottest roles on Broadway - once you land it, you're famous - the pre-teen girls will flock to you and scream at your final performance.

Why does it need to be someone different at all? If they are good it should not matter. I feel like most people just wants to see a different vocal performance of these songs. Not even to go see it, but to hear it in ways that they should not even be doing (now I said most, I'm sure there are some people who really would want to REALLY see some new blood). But Wicked is a thrilling show, and everytime i see defying gravity it is thrilling - i dont need different riffs or a different style. Once you're there you forget that you've seen the person before - it seems all new, and it is all so great.

So I don't care about them recycling actors.. I would pay to see any of the actors i have already seen play the role. If only I could afford it - heres to winning the lottery during winter break! Cheers.

So a friend of mine, former director all through high school/college is a very close friend of Julia's (they went to college together and are still incredibly close). Probably a month or two ago, she told us all that "Julia's going to be doing something huge" but she couldn't tell us what it was. After some speculation we all assumed she'd be going back to Elphaba for the LA run of the show, but now I'm wondering if perhaps she is returning to Broadway in the role - ? I dunno if that'd be considered huge though, for someone who's been on Broadway in a few shows already and someone who's played the role before...so I dunno. If she's not doing this, then fans of Julia should expect to hear some news soon about an exciting new project or "something huge" lol.

And I have to agree that I'm also sick of the recycling. I don't mean to demean any of those being recycled because having seen some of them, their performances are wonderful, however I dislike that Wicked is becoming a 'network' in and of itself. It reminds me of Disney. I have some friends that work there and they always reiterate that Disney is a 'field' in and of itself - no matter what experience you have in other areas of entertainment, when you start with Disney you start from the absolute bottom and work your way up - but when you get 'in', you're set.

With Wicked it just seems elitist - unneccessarily so - and I just find it hard to believe that, time and time again, the same people who've been with the show are the best out of all the people I'm sure they see. Just kinda sounds to me like they're afraid to take a chance on someone - they make people prove themselves worthy.

I dunno - I'm just rambling here but it's sad to think that no "unknown" stands a chance, no matter how great they may be, at being cast in this show. I'm being naive and idealistic here, but I always wanna believe that anybody with enough talent and drive can make it on Broadway, y'know? The "business" and politics of it that wipe away that illusion are just depressing.

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I still think I should do it (lol -- with a little bit of sincerity)

it would sell tickets, for pure shock value

and it thrilled a lot of people the LAST time

no one gets this unless they know me LOL

Oh Brian!! I still think you should do it, too!! Honestly, you would be amazing - I mean, when are you not? It would definitely sell tickets, I just don't know how the little 13 year olds would react!

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ashley - as long as she doesn't do that awful yell in Nobody's Side. She would be fantastic.

Julia would be amazing as Fanny but she isn't a big enough box office draw. Maybe one day she can do it regionally and make a CD. HA!

I still think I should do it (lol -- with a little bit of sincerity)

it would sell tickets, for pure shock value

and it thrilled a lot of people the LAST time


I'd come see you!

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softershade......not official yet BUT a hint.....
here check out number 10: http://www.andrewlippa.com/news.htm

crossing my fingers that Julia Murney plays Queenie!!!!!

Updated On: 11/7/06 at 10:47 PM

hey would anyone happen to know when Saycon's contract is up!?

and by Eden do you mean Ana?

Lippa has announced a possible "major production" of The Wild Party, dare I hope that means a reunion of the cast on the recording?

Ah! That just made my day.

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Updated On: 12/3/06 at 01:38 PM

I must say I was a little shocked with everyone hoping for Julia as the next Elphaba. While I've always enjoyed her in Lippa's Wild Party, I must say her run in detroit does not lead me to believe that she would come back. For those that don't know, Victoria Matlock was the one who did most of the shows in Detroit, and she was actually fantastic, when Julia was in, the show was way under par... Maybe she was sick but Victoria had to pull the show out of the gutter...

As for a new Elphie, University of Michigan has had some GREAT graduates such as Whitney Bashor. She did the concept recording of White Noise for the New York Musical Theatre Festival, though she got replaced for the actual performances.
Another girl I think would be amazing is this girl, Sarah Hilarides (sp?) I saw in a college theatre festival showing of Urinetown, where she played Pennywise. Absolutly amazing belt. I think she's currently doing Belle somewhere in LA.

ps. I LOVE Kristy.

ashley - as long as she doesn't do that awful yell in Nobody's Side. She would be fantastic.

Wow, just saw that too. And I have to agree. I ADORE her performance in Chess. I think that almost everything about it is flawless. But that one note was not so much. And a couple of the notes in "You and I," while I don't think were painful, were not as good as she can do them. Hey, I can tell when my favorite performer isn't perfect.

Aaaannddd, back on topic, I still hope it's not Julia. I really enjoyed Victoria and think she can do the role justice.

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Lippa has announced a possible "major production" of The Wild Party, dare I hope that means a reunion of the cast on the recording?

Ah! That just made my day.

yeah, that definitely made my day too. Seriously, that would be INCREDIBLE!!

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Really? No way.

Did anyone catch julia singing all that jazz on rosie o'donnel's gay family cruise documentary?

Yes. It was great. "If she'd hear her baby's queer..." Julia: "That's absolutely fantastic." Hysterical.

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