The whole Lea as Elphaba matter

Being the objective individual that I am (Ahem! I hate having to blow my own horn but it has to be done lol), I am now soliciting the impartial opinions of those who saw the highly controversial footage of the 3-month pregnant Lea's DG performance. Could she or could she not pull Elphaba off? Let's settle this once and for all.

*Note to those who have the footage... Please don't post the link here anymore so as to avoid deletion.. I have been apprised by the moderators that it is not ethical to do such..

Updated On: 12/29/05 at 01:12 AM

Well she definitely impressed me more than Stephanie Block did. I saw her at the Kennedy Center in DC. Having heard Lea's rendition, I expected so much of her. Let me just say I was rather underwhelmed.

Updated On: 12/29/05 at 01:26 AM

Stephanie did good apart from the ending where she avoided hitting the higher notes entirely. Her performance was still very reasonable. And yes, I also think Eden will blow anyone away as Elphaba. The Brooklyn guys are even marketing her as "having the same range as Mariah Carey". Only she has "more charisma", according to them. I have her live rendition of DG over piano and yes, the woman has barrel-sized pipes. The question though is whether or not she would bring anything to the role. Everyone who has sung DG, apart from Lea that is, sounded very much like Idina (Eden screamed higher notes to be fair). I believe Lea can add her own flavour to the role and make it her own instead of just being another Idina replica.

Updated On: 12/29/05 at 01:44 AM

Yeah, i wish Eden was touring because I would travel great lengths to see her. I wish I could score Wicked tickets for March. If anyone has the Lea clip...not that i'm asking for it cause that's wrong...but um yeah, pm me please ha. thanks.

while the clip may serve as some sort of a gauge, in all fairness, it sounded nothing like the original performance. she was fantastic! hence the ballistic crowd. keep in mind that the footage was taken using a digital camera and not a regular camcorder so it's as raw as it can get.

Updated On: 12/29/05 at 01:01 PM

I saw her perform it and.. well... she was "ok" it was a safe performance.. wasnt too bad wasnt too good. and she couldnt do it 8 times a week. But maybe if it was a one time thing she could but her voice couldnt do it.

It BAFFLES my mind that people don't like Stephanie...


I have never seen a better performance in ANY role, by ANYONE. Vocally, acting...her voice was crystal clear, HEALTHY, proper belting..and HOW the hell does she put THAT much energy into a role 8 shows a week??

She is my idol, she gives me hope that someday I too can be a soprano belter and not damage the hell out of my voice like Idina.


The End..sorry if that got off-topic :)

---

I don't dislike Stephanie at all. Vocally, I don't believe she is that impressive but I think she is tops in the acting department.

it depends on who the singer is as to whether Elphie or Kim is tougher....for LEA, who Miss Saigon was written around, Kim is easier for her ..plus she is amazing and makes it sound easy! I like a different voice quality for Elphaba that what Lea has but i ADORE Lea and i think she would be a fine Elphaba. i can assure you SHE wouldn't do 8 shows a week of it though and i don't think ANYONE should be doing 8 shows a week as Elphaba OR GLinda. Those are two of the toughest roles out there. Kim is a definate MIX belt whereas they seem to want a 100% chest belt for the endings of the songs out of the Elphies. i think Stephanie is amazing, i really do..but her voice seems split in this role..she has the crystal clear thing and then she goes into this deep dark part of her voice at odd times...i am not saying she isn't great..but i feel a jolt whenever she switches..in other words her voice isn't as seamless as other elphabas...that doesn't mean she is BAD so please don't say nasty things to me!! i think her acting is AMAZING...probably the best as far as acting...i am still pretty blown away by ana at the moment...