Trace Sees WICKED in Chicago

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 9:36pm

So, I was in Chicago, IL on business for the end of this week, and what did I do on my one free evening there? I went to see WICKED! It was Thursday evening, May 17th at 7:30pm - my 12th time seeing the show and of course, I loved it all over again.

The Oriental Theatre is absolutely gorgeous. Honestly, I think that theater is a better fit for the show than the Gershwin.

Just a few notes on the production itself before I get into the performances: the orchestrations seemed kind of synthesized to me. Did any of you who have seen the NYC and Chicago productions notice a difference? Also, the lighting in the Chicago production seemed a lot different than in NYC. Specifically, during the song "No Good Deed," the lighting going on behind Elphaba was breathtaking to look at and really enhanced the song, IMO. Also, there was some cool lighting/colorful projections when Elphaba was saying the spell to turn Boq into the Tinman (during "Wicked Witch of the East"). Another thing I noticed were red projections of flying monkeys on the wings of the dragon clock when the monkeys were set free in Act 2. Is the lighting different in Chicago, or do my partial view seats in NYC now allow me to see this?

K. Todd Freeman was fine as Doctor Dillamond. It's difficult to make that role memorable, but I did enjoy the over-the-top way he stomped his hooves to get the classes' attention in Act 1.

Summer Naomi Smart was also fine as Nessarose. Again, not a role you can do too much with, but the most memorable Nessarose for me was Jenna Leigh Green.

Stanton Nash as Boq was excellent. I loved his take on the role. A close second to Rob Sapp.

Peter Kevoian as The Wizard was honestly, not very good. He was kind of bland and didn't make much of the underwritten role.

Barbara Robertson was fabulous as Madame Morrible. Her characterization was different from every other Morrible I've seen and I thought it totally worked in every scene. She had all her lines down perfectly (and I think this was only her 9th performance or something like that). Really brilliant.

Derrick Williams was Derrick Williams playing Fiyero. Didn't enjoy his performance in NYC and didn't enjoy it in Chicago. He's been playing this role too long. Give it to someone else.

Erin Mackey was fabulous as Glinda. As soon as she made her entrance, I knew she was going to be fantastic. She made the character her own, got all the laughs, hit all the notes, and really knew how to work the audience. Loved her "Popular," "Thank Goodness," and "For Good."

Carmen Cusack was on for Dee Roscioli as Elphaba. At first, I was unimpressed, since "The Wizard and I" was not very powerful. She hit all the notes and held that last note the full length, but it just needed more power. Her "Defying Gravity" though, was excellent. Maybe it was a character choice of her's to really let her voice go on "Defying Gravity" rather than at the beginning, showing how she has changed as a person. Also, by Act 2, she really sold herself. Her acting and singing improved greatly and I loved her "No Good Deed" and "For Good." Oh and her "I'm Not That Girl" was also gorgeous. I don't know how many times she has gone on as Elphaba, but she did a great job Thursday evening.

Overall, it was a fabulous experience at WICKED in Chicago, and if you are fans of this show, I would definitely recommend seeing this company. They have tons of energy and clearly are enjoying being on stage performing.

On a side note, at intermission, I ran into BroadwayWorld's very own Glebb, and we found two seats next to each other in the rear orchestra for Act 2. Glebb, as you all know, is one of the nicest, coolest guys you will ever meet and it was thrilling to be able to chat with him and spend some time with him.

After the show, Glebb and I waited at the stage door for Barbara Robertson (one of Glebb's personal friends) and then the three of us went out for a drink. Unfortunately, the place we wanted to go to had already closed so we were sitting there for 15 minutes chatting until we realized that no one had come up to us to take our order. Then we asked this guy and he said they closed at 10:30pm. Oh well. So, instead, Barbara drove us back to Glebb's apartment where we got to meet Tanny, his Italian Greyhound, who I am now in love with. We hung out there and chatted and played with Tanny and had a really fun time. Thanks, Glebb. You are awesome!

[sarab]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 9:41pm

It sounds like you had a great time! I'm glad you enjoyed yourself!

[Glebb]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 9:56pm

Trace, your review is spot on.
I agree completely.
It was lots of fun seeing you and getting you to meet Tanny.
Here's a pic of three of my favorite people.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 9:57pm

Awwwwwwww....me, Tanny, and Barbara. What a fun evening!!! Thanks, Glebb.

[Glebb]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 9:59pm

Here's another.

Cute!

[Raviolisun]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 10:02pm

I'm very glad you had a good time!

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 10:36pm

I'm glad the Chicago company is in good shape. I'll be seeing the show for the seventh time in June (five in Chicago--two on tour).

[Glebb]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 10:39pm

I'm listening to gorgeous Kristin right now.

[Candleshoe2]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 10:49pm

Did Carmen seem to riff a lot during 'Defying Gravity' or was it pretty normal?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 10:56pm

I don't recall too many riffs during DG...she sang that song well!

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 12:15am

So glad you had such a fab time, Trace. Jealous you got to meet Tanny though!

Glebby, I think we have the same rug! (Targét, n'est-ce pas?)

[singingbackup]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 12:23am

Glad you enjoyed it. Chicago is a geat town too. Now I really have to get off my butt and see WICKED out here at the Pantages.

Glebb Tanny is sooooo precious.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 12:26am

Sorry to intrude...

Attn: singingbackup. Your PMs are turned off, dude, so I can't respond.

...back to your regularly scheduled programming.

[Glebb]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 4:58am

Thank you very much singingbackup. Tanny truly is gorgeous.

My tatami mat is from Pottery Barn misspennywise. Having no car to get to Target I actually carried it home along Michigan Ave.
(The only nice thing my apt owns!) :)
But I think of Christine Ebersole every time I look at it or step on it. :)

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 7:42am

The rug is not the only nice thing your apt owns, Glebb..it also owns you and Tanny!

Your apt is so cute...and so is Chicago! Can't wait to spend more time in the Windy City!

[Glebb]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 9:27pm

Oh Trace, I forgot to mention that Carmen Cusack was very beautiful and looked like a green Carolyn Jones (as Morticia).

[Tom148502]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 10:10pm

Why have I never heard of Glebb? :)

[harris007]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 10:15pm

sigh everyone meets tanny but us fl crew*

[wendla5000]

Posted: 6/18/07 at 2:19am

that's too bad you didn't get to see dee...i saw her this month and actually preferred her performance over julia murney's. actually...overall, the whole thing seemed more organized than when i saw it on broadway. when dee held out those final notes on the wizard and i and no good deed, it was just like WOW. her vibratto was absolutely perfect! erin mackey was also brilliant. and i actually thought derrick williams was good. sebastian arcelus is better vocally, but derrick was funnier and more charasmatic.

glad you enjoyed yourself! and isn't the oriental absolutely breathtaking? what a theater. what a show!

[wendla5000]

Posted: 6/18/07 at 2:20am

that's too bad you didn't get to see dee...i saw her this month and actually preferred her performance over julia murney's. actually...overall, the whole thing seemed more organized than when i saw it on broadway. when dee held out those final notes on the wizard and i and no good deed, it was just like WOW. her vibratto was absolutely perfect! erin mackey was also brilliant. and i actually thought derrick williams was good. sebastian arcelus is better vocally, but derrick was funnier and more charasmatic.

glad you enjoyed yourself! and isn't the oriental absolutely breathtaking? what a theater. what a show!

[wendla5000]

Posted: 6/18/07 at 12:00pm

double-post...sorry about that.