Tonights WICKED Blooper — Page 2

Robbie, I agree completely with everything you posted, and my response to Namo and Auggie wasn't neccessarily condoning whatever's "supposedly" going on at the Gershwin these days.....but I have only heard of this happening twice since I've seen the show, and when I saw the show, there were no bloopers or anything of the sort. So rather than going by hearsay, and believing it, I am going to go with what I saw, and assume that these are isolated incidents, and not a full representation of their performances. Furthermore, I have seen performances of Hairspray where leads have improved and added lines, and thoroughly enjoyed it myself - but you don't see the boards getting into an uproar about it. But I do agree - if this continues to happen on a nightly basis, then something is wrong. But then again, why should we worry about it, if the producers and the production staff don't care about it?

Cheers,
The Balladeer

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Amen, Robbie.

I've developed a real appreciation of the people at this board who tell us to "lighten up" whenever we leave the fan club mindset behind, speaking ex-Cathedra to take issue with some behavior or ethical issue. I can't speak for any of the other ogres, but it cracks me up that taking a stand on getting what you pay for makes me -- a jokemeister in other circumstances -- somebody's idea of a "heavy."

Oh, I'm off to hum zippedy do da and light a sandlewood scented candle under Kristin's photograph -- one in CHARLIE BROWN, though! And when she goes up and gets the giggles in "Glitter and Be Gay" while performing CANDIDE, I'm gonna ... heckle the bitch! So THEEEERE!

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Updated On: 1/14/04 at 11:48 AM

Balladeer,

You're right. We have no idea if this is an epidemic or it this is a fluke (or two). The only reason I find it important to talk about on this board (in particular) is that some people seem to equate breaking character and losing concentration with 'having fun'. If one cannot have fun on a stage whilst belting high F's and being lifted 20 feet in the air or having every single laugh line and being staged to hit an 'Evita' pose, then one shouldn't be acting. One of the reasons I (and you, I'm assuming) are pursuing this career is that not only is it hard, rewarding work, but it is work that provides a great deal of fulfillment and, yes, fun. It's why we're lucky in a way. I know of so many people whose work lives are so boring that they must reach far and wide to find some meaning in their lives. Not we, my friend. Somewhere along the line, hard work, fun and meaning have melded to create in us a dizzying desire to change people...however momentarily. And it is important for all of those wishing to take the stage some day, or those just supporting us, to understand that what we do is noble and sacred. Theatre (and its fans) is not here to serve actors. Actors serve at the pleasure of the play and the audience. The minute one loses sight of that is the minute one's integrity as an artist is compromised.

Again, I'm not saying that is what's happening at the Gershwin. My response is mostly to those who wave it away with an 'it's fun...get over it.'

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Ya' know, maybe it's partially an age thing. I remember paying big bucks to see The Doors play live circa 1969 or 70. Jim Morrison staggered around the stage ripped out of his mind. My recollection of that concert is that I had a great time, and felt special, because I'd seen Jim Morrison "the night he was really drunk on stage". Of course, as we now know, that was true of pretty much EVERY Doors performance. Anyway, I don't remember feeling cheated that the music wasn't as good as it might have (should have) been. It was an event. I'd never tolerate that now. And yes, I still go to the occasional concert... (Will someone PLEASE bring back Floyd!!!)..and I'd be livid if I bought tickets and someone didn't deliver a decent show. I'm essentially the same person I was back then, but my focus and expectations have changed over time.

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So. i love wicked. i've seen it twice so far, and i'm going a third time, both times have been FLAWLESS. its live theater, that kind of stuff happens. When i saw On THe Town the taxi didn't work and when hildy arrived on stage w/ no taxi... there was laughter and then Lea said "That's live theater folks!" she walked off stage brought on 2 chairs and sang the **** out of come up to my place. sometimes that stuff happens. yeah, its broadway and you expect MORE but as a performer, its nice to see that our/my icons are humans too.... not to say that it is completely excusable... but i hope you understand what i mean.

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"Fans say they are just as good, or better, than Pink Floyd was."

BLASPHEMY !!!!

But seriously, no I don't know The Machine. Are they a tribute band or do they do their own stuff?

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I think it's really disheartening that Kristin keeps allowing these long drawn out breaks of characters or "bloopers" to happen. I've been on stage with highschool, college, and community theatre actors that have more sense than to allow something like a dropped mirror to disrupt an entire scene. Isn't this one of the first "rules" we learn is that under no circumstance, you do Not break character? I've been in shows where there have been mishaps with the props, like a picture falling from a wall, or a prop being dropped and nobody EVER broke character or addressed it, just continued with the scene.

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This all seems VERY unprofessional of them...

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Someone earlier in this thread mentioned that if something were to happen such as a picture falling, or a mirror falling, etc, that you should ignore it and go on with the scene. I have always been taught that if something irregular were to happen onstage, that you should go with the moment. If a picture suddenly falls and the entire cast ignores what happened, the the audience will know right away that something went wrong! This doesn't however mean...Break Character, but as an actor one would hope you are flexible enough to just spontaneously go with the moment/action if a situation such as this were to arrive. I do remember hearing someone say in another thread that Idina, Kristen, and Taye , had some kind of bet going, maybe that is what happened here...Who knows?!?!?

See Ya!

Phantom05

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Updated On: 1/14/04 at 06:26 PM

tappedout spoke my thoughts about kristin PERFECTLY.

Nathan Lane and Matthew Brodercik cracked up in The Prodcuers practically EVERY NIGHT. and they improvise EVERY NIGHT. It's nice to see people ad lib. It shows what they can do on the spot.

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I can't believe I'm still reading this thread, let alone posting in it... Sigh.

"Nathan Lane and Matthew Brodercik cracked up in The Prodcuers practically EVERY NIGHT. and they improvise EVERY NIGHT. It's nice to see people ad lib."

Different show. Different dynamics. Different cadence. The Wicked ad libs, as reported, don't sound particularly witty....they sound like a lot of girlish giggling. Betcha Nathan and Matthew's banter is razor sharp. and doesn't disturb the essence of the show or get in the way of telling the story. Does anyone even care about the story anymore? It seems like this all about unbridled worship of the Goddesses Idina and Kristen? You know...the story be damned as long as they can do their thing? Good grief, this is irritating. I don't even feel like listening to my Wicked CD anymore.

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Having a kumbaya moment, are we, Auggie? It happens.

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Updated On: 1/14/04 at 11:23 PM