WICKED Chicago new cast review-one possible spoiler

[PerforMeg]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 1:29am

I had the pleasure of seeing Wicked for the fourth time tonight (never seen a show that many times-I"m a dork). I was glad to finally see Kristy Cates. I don't even know her but I felt sort of proud of her since she has been with the show forever and worked her way up as a part of all three companies.

I enjoyed her performance very much. I personally was not a fan of Ana, so I was slightly bothered by some of the things Kristy did that were similar to her predecessor. But she made the awkward dialogue work a lot better than Ana. Her voice was very nice-especially thrilling at the end of Defying Gravity and No Good Deed.

Stacie Morgan Lewis definitely has the best voice of the Glindas I've seen (Stacie, Kate, and JLT) but I thought she missed some of the humor. But maybe that is because I knew the jokes already. Her dramatic scenes were very touching, particularly "Couldn't Be Happier". She used her head voice more than her belt, and it sounded incredibly easy. Those high notes can be a stuggle since they have to be so controlled, but she let them go without even thinking about it.

The rest of the cast was the same as the last two times I saw it-once on bway, three times now in Chicago.

Rondi Reed is a wonderful Morrible. I am a little confused as to why she speaks so many of her singing lines, because when she actually does sing a little in her lower register, it's very pleasant. It was fun to watch her more this time-the first time, I must admit, I was sitting close and she really looked like a drag queen. Anyway I always enjoy her, and she really brings everything out of that character and doesn't treat it as a throw away part.

Gene Weyngandt (sp?) was fun as usual too. Maybe it was the sound,(which was a little screwy tonight) but does he have a lisp? If so I definitely missed it the last two times.

Heidi Kettenring is always a lot of fun to see as Nessa. Again an example of someone who took a smaller part and makes the most of it. I enjoy the Wicked Witch of the East scene a lot every time I see it with her.

Telly Leung was wonderful. This was only my second time seeing him-he was out the last time I saw it in Chicago. I had forgotten how much I enjoy him. Great voice, great acting, very cute. I felt bad for him-when he turned into the tin man the audience barely moved. Usually they go nuts.

Kristofer Cussick: YUMMY. That's all I have to say. Don't know his sexual orientation in real life but I wanted to jump him. He is excellent. I love his physicality and his voice. I was a bit confused though reading his bio-he understudied Angel on the Rent tour? HUH?

I doubt I'll ever get sick of this show. I know a lot of people don't think it's that great but I just love it. Now I need to go back and see it on Bway with Eden and see the tour before Stephanie leaves! And maybe again with Julia...and of course I'd love to see all the understudies...something tells me if I ever have kids they will not get to go to college because I'll be so in debt from seeing Wicked so many times!

[RENThead414]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 9:09am

i <3 the chicago cast. they're fabulous! espicially telly, he's just so darn nice to everyone!

[Fosse76]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 9:51am

"Telly Leung was wonderful. This was only my second time seeing him-he was out the last time I saw it in Chicago. I had forgotten how much I enjoy him. Great voice, great acting, very cute. I felt bad for him-when he turned into the tin man the audience barely moved. Usually they go nuts."

He's fantastic. The only actor who knows how to play Boq properly.

"Kristofer Cussick: YUMMY. That's all I have to say. Don't know his sexual orientation in real life but I wanted to jump him."

He's gay. Openly.

"He is excellent. I love his physicality and his voice. I was a bit confused though reading his bio-he understudied Angel on the Rent tour? HUH?"

Why are you confused? A lot of actors have been in RENT.

[ze emcee]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 12:56pm

Bring Ana Gasteyer BACK!

[Brokenlizard14]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 1:47pm

Telly and Kris are absolutely amazing in Wicked. And they're both sooooo incredibly sweet.

[lovinlife]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 3:28pm

Kris is gay and open about that fact. He used to be married to a woman though!! (found out from an ex of his that I dated)

[PerforMeg]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 4:09pm

I was just confused because he understudied Mark and Angel both-just thought they were very specific about the races of each character.

Gay huh? Figures.

[lovinlife]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 4:15pm

I also found it a little odd that he was Angel understudy... doesn't seem to have the look I would assume. He's extremely sweet and talented though!

[Fizz]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 4:25pm

"Telly Leung was wonderful. This was only my second time seeing him-he was out the last time I saw it in Chicago. I had forgotten how much I enjoy him. Great voice, great acting, very cute. I felt bad for him-when he turned into the tin man the audience barely moved. Usually they go nuts."

I LOOOOVEd Telly. He was so sweet when I talked to him after.

[HoshiForever]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 4:27pm

Argh, this makes me want to drive to Chicago again. I agree with you that Ana was good, but did some werid things. I'm interested to see Kristy.

Telly, Hidei and Kris ARE amazing (and WHY does Kris have to be gay!? I SWEAR LIFE IS NOT FAIR!)

[lovinlife]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 4:33pm

http://www.kristoffercusick.com

some great pics...including one with no shirt on...sizzling!

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 4:33pm

"and WHY does Kris have to be gay!? I SWEAR LIFE IS NOT FAIR!"

Oy.

[uncamark]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 6:17pm

>Bring Ana Gasteyer BACK!

And break her "Threepenny Opera" contract?

[Candleshoe2]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 6:26pm

Did you go to the stage door?

[Mirama]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 7:40pm

Well, Kris's sexuality aside, I'm glad both ladies did well last night. I've heard some great feedback about the show. Yay for Stacie and Kristy!

[Overthemoon6]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 8:00pm

I wish I could go see the Chicago cast...but alas, I live in California.

[AberJ01]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 9:01pm

As a gay man myself, I'll agree that Kristoffer is a very good looking guy. Not the best looking Fieyro I've seen, but I think he just looks a little too old for my taste. Either way though, a very very good looking guy.

Vocally though, I didn't get it. Singing wise he was definitely alot weaker than Joey, Norbert, and Derrick.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 10:31pm

"Vocally though, I didn't get it. Singing wise he was definitely alot weaker than Joey, Norbert, and Derrick."

AMEN! I really don't like his singing voice for some reason.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 10:37pm

Gene does not have a lisp.

[Need2dance77]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 10:38pm

Kristopher was on The Rent tour for awhile with my X boyfriend and went on for Angel a few times. Mostly for Mark and sometimes Roger. He was a great all around performer. Very talented.