WICKED Australia starts previews today...- Page 3

[alterego]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 8:59am

From the little I've heard of her in the role I thought she was Australian doing English. I don't think the London Glindas do an American accent. I believe they do try to localise it somewhat wherever it plays.

[toanythingtaboo 2]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 9:44am

Yeah, it was probably just her not being able to do the English accent (which is fair enough, not everyone can do it).

But someone said she is English/Australian so I wasn't sure that her Glinda voice wasn't just her natural voice, but exaggerated.

Personally, I think Dianne Pilkington's performance is spot on...its kind of ridiculous, but at the same time believable (she said she based it on someone she knows i seem to remember), i also love how English it is...but not too far off American, so it doesn't stick out oddly.

[talk about topic drift...apologies!]

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 10:07am

I think you could just ask at the box office for a free ticket to Boeing Boeing and they give you one or ten or more.

[alterego]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 10:20am

Reminds me of the time when JERRY'S GIRLS was on at the Comedy and word went around all you had to do was say you were a friend of Judi Connelli's and they would give you a ticket. Sorry, I digress.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 10:57am

SH*T i payed for Jerry's Girls ( but than again i liked the show and the cast was great ) if i had only know that all i had to do was name drop.

I was looking forward to seeing Boeing, am seeing Billy and The Pillowman in Sydney and was hoping to catch Boeing then, well not to be.

But back to the topic at hand, does anyone know the reason for which ever girl was out tonight?

[Khashoggi]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 11:07am

I work at the theatre. Jemma Stevenson covered Amanda as Elphaba tonight. She'd only had one rehearsal before today, and got notification this morning that she'd be on. She rehearsed all day and gave a superb performance tonight. The girl received a standing ovation at curtain call. Amanda simply has caught the horrible flu that is going around at the moment and will be back either tomorrow or next week.

[lfae]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 11:51am

I was there tonight as well - Jemma Stevenson was terrific. BEYOND terrific. She was ON. I dearly hope to see her again a few times! I'm also quite stoked that for my first two shows I've had two different Elphabas

The scenery extends a LOT more around the sides than it does in the Gershwin - I was sure of it, and tonight I had a friend with me who's also seen the show in NY and she agreed. It's pretty much floor to ceiling vines and cogs and cobwebs and everything along the walls, back about 6 or 7 rows. There's also these kind of wooden arches over the stalls, with the lanterns hanging from them...so it's like the entire front of the stalls is really just an extension of the set.

As for the stage - I don't know how to describe what I'm noticing as different. Just a LOT more detail in the big round clocky rims...um, it's almost 2am, you need to just be able to see in my head! But there's no plain, flat surfaces - everything is FULL of detail. And the lighting is incredible. I mean, I have seen this show a LOT overseas...and I straight away noticed that everything here seemed a little bit MORE.

Updated On: 6/29/08 at 11:51 AM

[Khashoggi]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 12:20pm

Jemma really was magnificent. And to make it clear, she had never played the role in costume, or with the orchestra, or with the rest of the cast. Her only rehearsals were today with a couple of other cast members and the piano. It was an amazing performance.

[[tos]tralia2]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 8:27pm

Fantastic to hear!

That means we shouldn't get a boo if it is announced that Amanda Harrison won't be on, like Phantom with Warlow.

Can I side track for a moment,
I was disgusted to hear something about the Sydney run of Phantom a few weeks ago. Warlow and a few other leads was sick with some form of flu and couldn't go on, so it was announced that he would be understudied. (Now in Melbourne I never saw Warlow and I got the second understudy and he was great) instead of the genereal 'awwww' that happened (even in Melbourne) I heard there was booing and that both the theatre and a number of Australian Theatre websites received hate mail in response to him not going on.

I think that is absolutely disgusting behaviour and disrespectful in so many ways.
1. People obviously want Warlow and Co. to get sicker by having them all perform for them, having no respect for the performers health and wellbeing.
2. It's disrespectful to any understudy whom I'm sure did a brilliant job filling in

I was blown away that people sent hate mail. Just blown away...

Where's the respect for those of us that are performers.

Back to Wicked- now I don't mind if Amanda's not there when I see it, Jemma sounds fantastic!

Sean

[oohshizz146]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 8:58pm

I've heard great things about the leads

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 9:24pm

tostralia,

While i do not agree with the booing, the thing was the Sydney season was sold on Warlows name, all the advance was about Warlow. Thats why they put out a press release saying he would not be doing the Wednesday and Sunday mats.

And while his name does not appear above the title, he is the star of the show and the one thing producers like to do in this country is not let the paying public know, till about 2 seconds before the curtain raises that such and such will be out. Meaning the show would have started and refunds are impossible to get.

While Simon as the unstudy is beyond wonderful, for people who forked over a $100.00 or bucks to see Warlow, they should have been given the chance to move tickets to another night, that right was taken away by not announcing earlier that Warlow would be out.

[[tos]tralia2]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 9:56pm

Mmm I know, but I hate the disrespect for a sick person. That's what I find the worst part.

I didn't see Simon,I saw the other understudy (can't remember name) he was really good though, got a right big round of applause at the end and a few woops!

*snaps* for our brilliant Aussie understudies!

Sean

[alterego]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 10:42pm

I stand corrected for naming the wrong girl being off tonight. I did hear that Anthony Callea is something of a worry in the acting department. Anyone?

I couldn't agree more with rosscoe(au) in regard to understudies in the posting above.

[Kaz2]

Posted: 6/29/08 at 12:08am

I saw the Saturday night preview and think the whole production looks in really great shape. I can't deny a tinge of disappointment at not getting to see Amanda, but the alternate Elphaba did a great job. After reading Khashoggi's comments regarding her lack of preparation, it makes her performance even more amazing. Well done to her.

Re the question about Callea, I thought he did the job he's meant to do very well. He was an extremely cute Boq and a crowd pleaser. I don't imagine he'll win any awards for his acting, and neither will Mills, but they were both a pleasant surprise to me.

The theatre looks magnificent, I thought the set was really something worth seeing in itself. So thrilled that Wicked has finally arrived in Melbourne, and am planning to see it again but will give it a few weeks for it all to settle in.

[Elpharose]

Posted: 6/29/08 at 1:15am

Ive been looking for reviews, but guess they won't do any until the official opening night,I was so excited Wicked was finally here and I went to the Friday preview show and was totally blown away by the whole production, the staging was a visual feast that you found hard to take it all in. They have transformed The Regent into something magical.

I thought that all the cast was outstanding and would stand up to any production across the the world.

If Amanda was coming down with the flu then she showed nothing of it on Friday night she gave a stellar performance,and must be very dissappointed to have to step aside, these things do happen (aka Phantom) and I read in one of the many articles that they have been working living and breathing this show since rehearsals started, but it sounds like Jemma stepped up to the plate, very big kudos to her given one days rehearsals, its better that its happened now than on opening night.

I agree with Kaz2 re: Callea, he played the very cute Munchkin role of Boq really well, acting great & vocally fantastic.

Lucy Durack was born to be Galinda she was effervescent and was just perfect, I just love her and Maggie as Morrible was the best, Rob Mills was also a surprise.

I can't wait to see it again in 3 weeks, and after seeing the previews, I think I will be going again and again.

Updated On: 6/29/08 at 01:15 AM

[lfae]

Posted: 6/29/08 at 1:41am

I did hear that Anthony Callea is something of a worry in the acting department. Anyone?

I really hate to say anything bad about our cast, but...hmm, a little. Mostly what I find though is that he seems to be playing the part a bit too 'big' when he sings, if that makes sense. The transition from acting-Boq to singing-Boq isn't natural enough - they're not *meant* to be different, they're meant to all be the same Boq, you know? But overall, I wouldn't really say it's a "worry" - he is good, he's not at all bad, he's just a little odd at times. :P

And then they've only done two shows - well, halfway through the third now - so give it time. When I was in America last year, I saw Christina DeCicco's sixth performance *ever* as Glinda and I thought she was dreadful. Yet everyone I know who saw her, all of them much later in her run, thought she was the greatest thing since sliced bread.

The idea of people booing at understudies would make me sick - and if anyone seated near me tried that I'd probably slap them! Are you seeing the entire show or just the one person?!

That said, I was very happy when Jemma received entrance applause last night. Because it's not the actor, it's the character - everyone's cheering for the green girl, no matter who it is under that make-up.

Can't wait to see the show again - however will I last until the 3rd?!

[brettystar]

Posted: 6/29/08 at 4:16am

I am so excited about seeing what our Ozzies do with Wicked.

I live in Sydney but will be coming to see this on July 26th.

I am relieved that they are doing American accents as most people are familiar with the film of 'The Wizard of Oz' in which they all had American accents. I would have been shattered if we had an Australian Galinda the way she was given an English accent in the West End production.

I suspected that this would be an excellent production and I am not at all surprised that technically it is bigger. A producer once told me that by the time the big productions make their way to Australia, the effects have been updated technically due to improvements on technology over time.

I have seen this show twice on Broadway and once in LA. Not sure if it will be as good as the Broadway production but I have no doubt it will be better than the LA production.

I am so relieved to hear that Amanda's understudy is good. I am also quite relived to hear that she was not well last night because I actually don't think she sounded as good as I was expecting in the audio of Defying Gravity. No doubt she was starting to come down with the lurgy.

Can anyone confirm if Elphaba is going to have an alternate that does two shows a week? Their schedule is rough - two shows every Wed, Sat AND Sunday. Nice to get Mondays and Tuesdays off but three days a week where they do two in one day is a bit of an ask don't you think?

[Khashoggi]

Posted: 6/29/08 at 6:04am

Nothing has been announced or decided yet regarding when the standbys will go on, but I would assume that they will do at least one show a week, probably during the weekend.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 6/29/08 at 9:32pm

There should be a cast recording by Christmas.

[defyinggravity42694]

Posted: 6/29/08 at 9:34pm

"There should be a cast recording by Christmas."

Why? There's already a recording in English.

[rabymon10]

Posted: 6/29/08 at 9:53pm

Whoohoo! Cross my fingers that it'll come to fruition. However with that said, what would be the benefits of another English language cast recording; 'cause I could think of some other damn good casts that deserved it, as much as I've loved everything I've heard of ours so far. My wish would be that it would have updated orchestrations, more dialogue to put the songs in context, and perhaps even 'Wicked Witch of the East', 'cause damn Penny McNamee shines outstandingly there (and she doesn't even have to sing to impress me)! - imagine what she does with the role once she has settled into it in a couple of months. Heck, just give me a complete cast recording, ala the Les Mis/Miss Saigon CSR.

[alterego]

Posted: 6/29/08 at 10:47pm

I'd think the main motivation for an Australian Cast CD would be Anthony Callea. His name alone would help a local CD go gold. Remember he has a big fan base and a recording contract (I wouldn't be surprised if his record lable are behind the push) and those peole will buy anything his name is attached to.

[defyinggravity42694]

Posted: 6/29/08 at 11:26pm

" My wish would be that it would have updated orchestrations, more dialogue to put the songs in context, and perhaps even 'Wicked Witch of the East' "

If they did make an new cast recording they would have updated orchestrations but I highly doubt they would include more dialogue and they definitely wouldn't include 'Wicked Witch of the East' because the producers and director do not want any of the secrets of the show given away.

For example...
In 'Defying Gravity' if they included Morrible's part you would find out how the monkey's were able to fly and if they put the magic spell part in, you would learn that Elphaba made herself able to fly.

If they included 'Wicked Witch of the East' you would not only find out who the Wicked witch of the East is but why she became it. Also, you would find out why the tin man is tin.

So, they wouldn't do that because then there would be very few secrets in the show.

[rabymon10]

Posted: 6/29/08 at 11:32pm

But surely the investment for a new cast recording needs a potential userbase that is sold beyond a basis that mostly only Australian's would understand? Boq is hardly in any of the current cast recordings, so it would only make sense to make it a more complete recording then (dialogue included - but even then it wouldn't make sense because it's not 'Anthony', it's a munchkin with an American accent!)to satisfy those Callea fans, and/or make it a viable investment for outside customers. I mean c'mon, London didn't even get their own cast recording, and they had some well enough known names in the beginning - even if they weren't exactly Idol/It Takes Two names like Callea.

[rabymon10]

Posted: 6/29/08 at 11:44pm

"If they did make an new cast recording they would have updated orchestrations but I highly doubt they would include more dialogue and they definitely wouldn't include 'Wicked Witch of the East' because the producers and director do not want any of the secrets of the show given away.

For example...
In 'Defying Gravity' if they included Morrible's part you would find out how the monkey's were able to fly and if they put the magic spell part in, you would learn that Elphaba made herself able to fly.

If they included 'Wicked Witch of the East' you would not only find out who the Wicked witch of the East is but why she became it. Also, you would find out why the tin man is tin.

So, they wouldn't do that because then there would be very few secrets in the show."

That would make better sense in the beginning stages of the show's life, but c'mon - Five years later and it's opening up in just about every new territory, and those that are likely to buy/collect these recordings nowadays are also likely to already know of the show's secrets. I mean heck, I go back to the show, even after I've already seen these secrets revealed - what's stopping other people from doing the same?
Why not give the option for people to purchase a recording that reflected the show they saw, rather than one that is more of a highlights? If it's correctly labelled as the complete show or whatever and you've picked it up and don't like that it's been spoiled for you, then tough luck.