Tonights WICKED Blooper- Page 2

[TheBalladeer]

Posted: 1/14/04 at 11:33am

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

[LChaifetz]

Posted: 1/14/04 at 11:38am

Professionalism should always come first. Watching the DVD of Elaine Stritch's "At Liberty", after having seen it live, is a perfect example of a completely written and rehearsed play with music. It seems spontaneous on first watching, but then you realize what a pro does to keep it fresh with the appearance of spontaneity. What these very talented women are doing in "Wicked" is unprofessional. I'm not thrilled with the 70's pop score, or the changes to Gregory Maguire's great book, but the show is still entertaining and moving for a large part of the audience. Kristin is amazing, but she does need to mature on stage.

When I saw a final preview last year, she dropped an earring during her curtain call, and completely ignored the audience's applause, chatting and giggling with Idina. Ungrateful, I'd say.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 1/14/04 at 11:48am

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!

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

Posted: 1/14/04 at 11:53am

I am glad the cast well as the audience is having fun. This kind of stuff goes on with all shows. Of course now we have chat rooms and the internet so it gets "reported" on... Oh brother.

[robbiej]

Posted: 1/14/04 at 11:54am

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.'

Posted: 1/14/04 at 12:22pm

I just hate the intonation this thread has just by its title. Like it is reporting something scandlous and really bad. Theres nothing unprofessional going on stage at the Gershwin. Just a wondeful show with the spontaneity of a live performance.
We could be so National Enquierish sometimes. I hate it. I also feel this and other similar boards are responsible in some way ( just in a small part) for the demise of Taboo. Anyway.. gotta go... spit flew out of the Phantoms mouth at the Majestic. Oh my god.. how unprofessional.. lets close the show! :) Updated On: 1/14/04 at 12:22 PM

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 1/14/04 at 1:40pm

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.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 1/14/04 at 1:50pm

This has been debated to death.
In my opinion, there is a difference between a good blooper and an extended demolition of the 4th Wall.

During the Hairspray tour, Bruce Vilanch picked up the phone in the Turnblad house, and the speaker fell right out of the hand piece and rolled to the floor. He picked it up (difficult task as Edna Turnblad) screwed it back in, and quipped, "Can You Hear Me Now?" (a 'la Verizon Wireless). That was it. No huge delay with laughing (execept from the audience), no "what do I do now"...

I can understand mistakes/bloopers, its live theatre, it happens.
These Wicked examples just seem so blatant, and long.

[DefyingGravity2]

Posted: 1/14/04 at 1:51pm

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.

[wally]

Posted: 1/14/04 at 3:16pm

"(Will someone PLEASE bring back Floyd!!!)"

Have you seen The Machine (themachinelive.com)? Fans say they are just as good, or better, than Pink Floyd was.

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 1/14/04 at 3:32pm

"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?

[wally]

Posted: 1/14/04 at 3:44pm

:) They are a tribute band. There is a schedule and message board on the website - or there should be, haven't been there in a while. They put on a great show. Updated On: 1/14/04 at 03:44 PM

[MyQueenPattiLupone]

Posted: 1/14/04 at 3:47pm

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.

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 1/14/04 at 4:47pm

I don't mind Kristin always ad-libbing. I really have no problem with her asking Idina to pick up the mirror. What I HATE is when she uses these ad-libs to break character, for example, inserting the line about having a day off. Bloopers are funny, but breaking character is not. At least that's my opinion.

[StateOfJade]

Posted: 1/14/04 at 5:04pm

This all seems VERY unprofessional of them...

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 1/14/04 at 5:52pm

It really doesn't seem to me that Kristin's ad-libs are intended to be out of character. I think it's pretty clever that when she's covering ablooper, she'l bring some sort of thing from real life into the show. But I think it's silly to fret over funny ad-lib moments in Popular, I mean, it's supposed to be a funny scene. AS long as it's nothing drawn out, and completely out of character. Now with the yellow brick road scene, I can see where this might be a problem, because this moment is rather serious.

As far as Popular goes, they're friends hanging out, they're supposed to have fun, and if it works, why panic about all this? If it starts ruining crucial moments in the show, and becomes completely drawn out and unprofessional, then I see a reason to make such a big deal.

[Phantom05]

Posted: 1/14/04 at 6:26pm

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

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

[tappedout]

Posted: 1/14/04 at 7:37pm

ok so since there is so much talk about breaking character i have o admit that a lot of times i watch productions as actors are entering, exiting or the scene is almost over etc.. to see if they ever brak character. I don't know why i do this but it always impresses me when people don't...as much as it is amusing and sort of triumphant when people do break character-i lose respect for them. OK now a little more on topic. I love kristin but seriously what a diva?!!! the only reason i have a problem with here ad-libbing and doing what she feels like is that she is being a stage-hog. She takes away from idina and everyone knows that when you are up there you are a team.

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 1/14/04 at 7:52pm

tappedout spoke my thoughts about kristin PERFECTLY.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 1/14/04 at 8:04pm

Somehow, I always knew this would turn into an Idina vs. Kristin debate.

And what would this board be without those two, bless 'em. I mean, does anyone think BOMBAY DREAMS will provide half as much hot air from all of us?

[wickedfan]

Posted: 1/14/04 at 8:44pm

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.

[tappedout]

Posted: 1/14/04 at 10:06pm

auggie-sorry definitely didn't want to turn this into ANOTHER kristin vs. idina..because we have definitely been over and over and over that. Just trying to express my disdain for stage-hogs.

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 1/14/04 at 10:42pm

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.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 1/14/04 at 10:54pm

tapped: Sorry, perhaps I was just trying to get us all to lighten up--ah, that magic phrase.

I think this thread demonstrates the passion of this board, how strongly people support the performers and their plight. I got an email today from a very savvy friend who was there last night, and had felt excited to see the flub and fix. So, I did something strange today (for me anyway)--I was so baffled by the sustained back/forth, since this is our 2nd go-round with this debate in about a week ... I just ... tried to see it from the other POV. To simply understand the affection shown the performances. We may never agree on this here, but we all do root for these people to do their best. I guess "their best" just means different things to different folks, in various circumstances.

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 1/14/04 at 11:23pm

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

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