WICKED - IDINA'S FINAL NIGHT - POST YOUR REVIEWS HERE [4+ Reviews, 1 Pic]- Page 3

[SallyBrown]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 8:04pm

While I do agree that Idina was very good in her part, and that I regret not seeing her perform, don't you think that lighting candles as if it was a funeral is a bit over the top?

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 8:15pm

"Also, Jennifer couldn't get the flower on after popular, and was literally on top of her trying to clip it in. it was hysterical!!! cause then it kept falling off and shoshana was just like, what the hell, and threw it in her bag. "

Too cute.

I'm glad to hear that Idina's doing a bit better and was able to at least get to her last performance. And the whole candle thing was DEFINITELY over the top.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 8:19pm

Thanks for all the posts everyone! I am loving all these reviews and so wish I could have been there. Can someone post a complete review of the show? And what exactly happened with the whole Idina coming out thing. When did she come out and what character was she in a red jumpsuit and no green? Just wanted to say thanks for letting me live vicariously through you lucky people.

Ashley

[TVBoy]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 8:26pm

The Associated Press is now releasing it's story. For those of you who like fact based reporting, here's the story...

(Associated Press) NEW YORK -- Idina Menzel, the Tony-winning star of "Wicked," fell through a trap door during the Saturday matinee of the Broadway musical and cracked a lower rib.

The show, a prequel to "The Wizard of Oz," was halted for about 45 minutes while Menzel's understudy, Shoshana Bean, prepared to go on as the green-skinned Elphaba, according to Bob Fennell, a spokesman for the musical.

Bean also played the Saturday evening performance and the Sunday matinee, which was to have been Menzel's last performance after a more than 16-month run in the show.

In Sunday's final scene, Menzel, wearing a track suit because her injury prevented her from getting into costume, went on stage for about 30 seconds of dialogue and singing. The audience applauded Menzel after a curtain call.

"I love you all," Menzel said. "It's been the best year of my life. Thank you."

The accident occurred near the end of the performance at the Gershwin Theatre, during what's known as "the melting sequence," Fennell said Sunday. During the scene, a trap door opened and an elevator that was to have lowered Menzel had already partially descended, according to the spokesman, causing the actress to fall and hurt her side.

"Wicked," based on Gregory Maguire's cult novel, tells the story of two young witches-to-be, one green and brooding, played by Menzel, and the other blond and bubbly, portrayed by Jennifer Laura Thompson.

With a score by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman, "Wicked" has been one of Broadway's biggest success stories. In December, the lavish musical recouped its $14 million production costs, 14 months after opening at the Gershwin.

Bean originally was to have assumed the role of Elphaba next Tuesday.

Menzel, who won the 2004 actress-musical Tony for her performance, shortly begins filming the movie version of "Rent," in which she will recreate the role of Maureen, the part she played in the original Broadway production alongside her husband, actor Taye Diggs.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 8:26pm

HEre are the pics from Broadway.com
Broadway. com - Idina Menzel Departs the Merry Old Land of Oz

[musicalfandukie]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 8:30pm

thanks everyone for sharing! it sounded like a very emotional night. Idina will be missed!

[PJ]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 8:35pm

I'd love to read a transcript of what Mantello said of Idina this afternoon. From what I've heard, it was truly touching.

[idinaroxmysox2]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 8:42pm

just a quesion- when idina (went to the hospital yesterday (?) was she green?that would have been funny..so glad 2 heasr that shes ok!!!!! i woulld have been like omg ur idina menzrl!!!! and she would of been like..yes i am!!
YAAY IDINA!!

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 8:42pm

So do I. If anyone remembers, pelase share.

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 8:51pm

VERY full lotto, even though they'd announced that Idina wouldn't be going o n tonight. I didn't see that many people returning tickets, and feel genuinely sorry for those who did! :O

No One Mourns the Wicked - from the beginning, the audienc was NUTS. Stacked with people who have seen the show multiple times. The ensemble was very high energy. From her entrance, Jennifer Laura Thompson was really on the mark. What JLT does best is the fine line between comedy and drama, and in a song that allows her to run the full gamut, she really shines. In perfect voice today, she sang and acted the first song beautifully. Her "It's good to see me, isn't it?" was met with a grand reaction. Nothing out of the ordinary, besides the real buzz coming from the mezzanine and orchestra.

Dear Old Shiz - To what I'm sure was Shoshana's great relief, Elphaba's entrance was met with as loud an applause as I'd ever heard (up until that point, more later). The cast had to prolong the last "shizzzzzzz" for applause, which was nice. From the start, it's obvious that Shoshana has a very different take on Elphaba than her fabulous predecessor. Shoshana is sweet and vulnerable from the get go, a complete idealist, an optimist who is not bitter, but rather hopeful that something is going to change for her. Completely delightful. JLT's work with Carole Shelley as Morrible continues to be a highlight.

The Wizard and I - I had to remember to breathe, I think. Shoshana has a HUGE voice, and really knocked this out to every seat. While Idina has an AMAZING voice, her singing and acting are quite separate. Shoshana acts with every syllable that comes out of her, in song or not. She thinks about each line as she sings it, reacts, and moves on to the next phrase. An interpretation like this must have been what Schwartz intended when he wrote this song, because Shoshana is so absolutely loving and tender as Elphie early on that you genuinely care about what happens to her. Again, another huge and delayed applause.

What Is This Feeling? - Perfectly hilarious. JLT and Shoshana work very well together, comedically. And for those of you who remember what Eden did in this song, Shoshana does it just as well. (Won't ruin it for those who haven't seen it). Shoshana's performance here is different in Idina's in that she seems to get the exhilerated pleasure in annoying the hell out of Glinda; Elphaba as a mischevious brat? Who knew? :)

Something Bad - Nothing too different. Bill Youmans is still fine as Dillamond.

Dancing Through Life - Unforgettable: Joey McIntyre making his entrance butt-faced up. Very cute. Again, more Shoshana/JLT chemistry. The scene at the Ozdust Ballroom works extremely well between the two. JLT's "may I cut in" continues to impress in it's absurdity, especially with her lankiness compared to Shoshana's compact style. Robb Sapp as Boq was servicable, if way too tall for the part.

Popular - As if it couldn't get any funnier, JLT couldn't for the life of her get the flower in Shoshana's hair. After about a minute, she straddled the poor girl, forcing her almost missionary on the bed, and STILL failed :) At this point, both of them are almost sobbing with laughter, and JLT sticks it into the "frock", which it quickly falls out of. At the "look at you, you're beautiful" line, Shoshana thought quickly enough to put the flower next to her face, to even more raucous laughter. LONG, extended ovation for JLT. The girl has great comedic skills and timing, and a quick mind.

I'm Not That Girl - Beautifully sung and acted. I loved in particular Shoshana's "And heaven knows, I'm not that girl", simple as easy, but not resigned, logic. If she can pull this off eight times a week, there are going to be a lot of delighted audiences.

One Short Day - Nothing too different. Joy and fun.

Sentimental Man - George Hearn: still not a fan. I've seen him three times now, and I've yet to be convinced he understands the part.

Defying Gravity - DAMN. Shoshana pulled notes out I've never even heard. She is easily believable as the terrified victim of Morrible's lies, and her heartbreak at having to choose between her friend and her freedom is tangible. The final moments of the song were completely magical, with people on their feet well before the lights went out.

---

Thank Goodness - Beautifully done by Joey and JLT. What they, and Shoshana all successfully do is to make the transition in "aging" the few weeks or months between scenes, clearly inclduing the emotional toll and maturity on the characters. Nicely sung.

Wicked Witch of the East - Nothing too different, other than Michelle having similar gasping problems to Idina's a few weeks back.

Wonderful - Less than wonderful. I know the old "If you don't have anything nice to say..." rule, so I'll just obey that.

I'm Not That Girl - Reprise - In a few short bars, you understand everything JLT is trying to portray. It speaks VOLUMES about her ability as an actress.

As Long As You're Mine - Good to great. Shoshana and Joey are a mix-matched pair, if because she's a lot louder than he. Chemistry galore, though.

No Good Deed - Probably the most powerful and amazing song of the night. Must be seen to be believed.

For Good - Not half as emotional as I'd imagined, and it was clear that JLT wasn't looking at Shoshana. She was looking offstage. :)

"It worked!" I think everyone knew about five seconds before Idina walked on, as Joey didn't even pretend to go near the trap door. On to the stage she walks, looking BEAUTFIUL, to about a six minute full standing ovation. Every time it would lessen, it would start up again. Major tears form EVERYONE.

They ATTEMPTED to act out the last scene, but kept getting interrupted by their own giddiness.

JTL: Fellow Ozians, I LOVE IDINA MENZEL.

Idina: I just wish Glinda could know that we're alive.
Joey: Oh, I think she knows.

I'll leave it to others to post the curtain speeches, but there were fine ones made by JLT and Joe Montello. It was obvious how much Joey and Idina, especially, are much loved by the cast.

Well worth every second, every penny. INCREDIBLE.

[surefinewhatever]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 8:53pm

Someone please post the transcript from the curtain call speeches. .. alot of us wanted to be there so badly to say goodbye to Idina but since most of us couldn't we have to live it through you. If broadway.com could have pics by now, surely someone has a transcript!

[bwayfan3]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 9:06pm

Wow. This has been some great reading. What a special performance. I love the official pics from Broadway.com. My friend and I tried the lottery one more time this afternoon, but to no avail. I contemplated going on the cancellation line, but there were a lot of people there. I figured it was a lost cause. If you cancel, don't you just get tickets for another date or can you get a full refund? I figured maybe a lot less people than expected would cancel because it's not as though you can reschedule to see Idina at a later date.

Anyway, it sounds like it was a really exciting day to be in that theater. What a poignant way for her to make her exit.

That picture of her coming out of the stage door. Did she actually come out the regular stage door after the show? That would really surprise me.

Any word on friends and family in the audience?I'm assuming her husband, parents were there.

I wish I could have been there, but I count myself lucky to have seen Idina perform as Elphaba twice. Both times her performances blew me away. While I don't condone some of these freakish fan behaviors, I am glad that this experience broadened Idina's "fame". She deserves to be more well-known than a lot of many, many well-known entertainers.

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 9:17pm

By the time I typed up the transcripts of the curtain call speeches someone else would have done it and that would annoy me too much.

Loved the end of the show, it was PEREFCT with Idina coming out for the final scene. I was thinking about the people who had never seen the show before though, must have been a bit of a waste for them as the last scene was completely different and not acted out anymore.

Curtain call was very emotional with Joey not even being able to finish his sentences. He eventually just gave up trying to address the audience and just shook his head and went back to his position. Lots of tears all around... even the wonderful George Hearn couldn't help himself and shed a few tears for Idina.

Still not a fan of Shoshana's Elphaba but hey, I'll get over it. People will love her anyway, I'm sure.

Will miss Joe Mac and Idina a lot.

QM

Updated On: 1/9/05 at 09:17 PM

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 9:23pm

Thank you all for posting your reviews.

No matter what your feelings on Wicked no one can deny that tonight was indeed a very unique night for Broadway. They also can not deny Idina's (pardon the reference) "magic" over certain people. She has created legions of new Broadway fans who will hopefully stick around for a while.

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 9:23pm

PLEASE post the speeches!!!!! pleasepleasepleaseplease!
Please? *gives QM a puppy dog look*

Updated On: 1/9/05 at 09:23 PM

[surefinewhatever]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 9:30pm

please post the speeches....and if anyone has any pics taken from the audience (besides the broadway.com ones) please post links to see them. . .

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 9:35pm

Okay, this is rather long, as I can't help but tell the story of how I somehow managed to get a ticket so late to show that perseverence pays off...but if people would just rather skim this, I will include whatever I can remember from the curtain call speeches.

Okay, so first the story of everything perfectly working out. I had been checking ticketmaster.com at least once everyday this week, a couple times Friday night, a couple times Saturday and about during every commercial of the Jets game Saturday. finally decided it was no use. I got up this morning at about 11, ate breakfast, read the newspaper, and then came online where I usually log on to Broadwayworld.com. This is about 11:40 this morning. See I live in the 'burbs so I couldn't possibly try cancellation line or lotto or anything. So I log on and I decide one more time I'm gonna try for a ticket. Low and behold, they had a ticket up in row ZZ of the orchestra! I ran around the house screaming, w/ my mom screaming back that I couldn't get the ticket b/c she's not driving me to the city. Anywayz, I ignore her and get the ticket. And then, on New Year's I found out one of my sister's best friends and her family had tickets to today, their first time, never even heard of Idina, so I called them and they said they'd take me in like half an hour! Eeeee!! Then of course I logged on here and found out what happened to Idina on Saturday, was a little disappointed, but still excited just for what I hoped would be a curtain call. I got my ticket, and went in and realized I was sitting in what I guess is the wheelchair area, they had regular big comfy chairs there with lots of space and legroom, was pretty nice. Now, if anyone knows if they usually hang on to these seats and then release them on regular the day of the show or something and that's why I got them, it'd be great to know how I managed to get the ticket, but still, I can't believe I got the ticket. Okay, got that out. So to everyone: just remember to never give up. Okay, on with the show...

Just a couple notes on the show. As previously mentioned, the Popular sequence was hysterical witht he flower. Jennifer crawled all over her and at least from where I was couldn't see Shoshana at all, only that she was laughing hysterically, and Jennifer finally got up to reveal the flower on the dress. LOL. And as was mentioned, Shoshana then put it next to her face, more laughter. Finally, in the next scene where Fiyero tells Elphaba that she's been Galindaized, Shoshana came back on stage with the flower finally in her hair, but before he could it fell. Shoshana laughed more, picked it up, and finally got it in. He said the line, and she immediately took it off and put in her bag. That was pretty funny.

Now I haven't seen the show since July 17, so it was my first encounter with lots of new actors. I do agree I love Jennifer just as much as I loved Kristin, different but agreeable takes on the role. Ooh, and quickly, this was definitely the most enthusiastic crowd I have ever gone to a show for. Jennifer, Shoshana, Carole, Joey, and George all got huge cheers. Jennifer's seemed a little bigger than Shoshana's but it was still great and I was so thrilled they cheered Carole Shelley so much, I think she's magnificent. Anywayz, now on to Shoshana. The Wizard and I was pretty good but I was completely won over during Defying Gravity. She has an amazing voice and reached these amazing high notes, and it's still such an amazing moment in the show. She further did great with No Good Deed. Idina certainly has a more-than-adequate replacement, and I definitely recommend going to see Shoshana, she's brilliant.

I guess that's it with the main show. Now, the Idina appearance. I left too early to know anything about her going on stage, but I started thinking what if she did go on near the end, how awesome woudl that be? And like I said I was in the back(where the view was still awesome btw), and I noticed people coming in and standing near the end, which I thought at least meant Idina would be coming out for curtain. So For Good finishes and she melts and the last scene with Glinda and Morrible and the Wizard finishes and she gets in the bubble, and Joey comes on as the scarecrow, bangs on the trapdoor, says It Worked, and as stated, Idina walked on from the right side(from the audience's view) stage. Again, this part has been stated pretty much, there was about a 5-minute standing ovation of screaming, Jennifer's line of "I love Idina Menzel" and also a pretty touching line when Joey and Idina say they can never come back to Oz, someone from the audience screamed that they could. As soon as Idina said a word, you could hear terrible tears in her voice. So they walked off and the show ends...

Idina did not come out for bows. First, and this has been stated pretty well, Jennifer gives the speech about being younger and loving NKOTB and she can't believe she gets to make out with him and...sorry, I don't remember this part wonderfully(not a big Joey fan) but I do remember something about him having a very nice...and we knew what she meant. Haha. Oh yeah, I think she was talking about all the stuff she loves about him-his talent, and some other stuff I honestly can't remember and then mentioned that. I do remember when Joey stepped further they gave him flowers, he mentioned something about his sense of humor, and proceeded to make fun of the flowers in a loving way, I don't remember exactly, he asked maybe if they were weeds and asked Jenn if she was the one who got them? Sorry, don't remember that part perfectly. Then he said something like "I'd just like to say.....****." He took a few steps back, apologized to all the "kids out there" and then said sorry, he's about to start bawling which was pretty cute. I think he just thanked everyone, again remember the other speech better. I apologize.

Anywayz, now on to the one I truly came for. Jennifer stayed forward and introduced someone we may not recognize, who was Joe Mantello, which I really liked as I thought it was appropriate someone give a speech for Idina who has been involved with the hshow since the beginning with her. Then Idina walked out to another big cheer. So Joe started by talking about how even though her performance is ending, it never truly will. He talked about how great Broadway was, and the way it is, some Broadway performances live on, those that are legendary, and he would definitely call Idina's performance in Wicked "legendary."(cheers). He also mentioned of course that both Joey and Idina could always come back to Oz. Then he talked about Idina's audition. He said she was the very first person they auditioned for Elphaba. First she sang a song from Aida which they loved and called her back. At the callback, she sang "Defying Gravity," which she did a great job on but cracked on the "me...down" part and she was sure she wasn't going to be cast(she was hysterically crying pretty much throughout this but at this part she shook her head and laughed a little." Joe continued and said sure enough, she was. Then he mentioned this past year's Tony's, how Idina went against extremely talented actresses but won, to the suprise of some(most of the audience screams NOO!!). Finally, he starts to tear up a little and just wishes her health and happiness and good luck in everything she does. Then, pretty much hysterically crying, Idina stepped further with tears and said as previously posted, that she doesn't really wanna talk but she loves everyone and this has been the best year of her life." They wave, and the curtain goes on.

BTW, I was hysterically crying most of the time. It was so heartwarming, they all really seem like family, and I am so happy I never gave up and was able to see this moment. Hope this helps get out more info!

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 9:45pm

great review...

[Dreamcatcher]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 9:53pm

It sounds like it was a really incredible performance. I wish I could have been there to see it. One thing someone else touched on however, is the lack of recognicion to the other departing members of the cast. Everyone is so wrapped up in the Idina incident (not trying to say it wasnt an unfortunate thing) that there hasnt been one word about the other actors who deserve it too. Like Christopher Fitzgerald. He is a great actor with a fabulous voice and his final show just passed but no one said a word. The other people deserve some recognicion too because they did just as well as Idina and put just as much backbone into the show. Just putting in my 2 cents.

[bwayfan3]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 9:59pm

Dreamcatcher

Just so you know, Christopher Fitzgerald's last performance was LAST Sunday, Jan. 2...There was a thread on this board that discussed that curtain call. It seemed he got a very nice send-off.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 10:02pm

Ok here goes:

Tonight was an amazingly emotional one at the Gershwin. It was a wonderful show.

---I will post more tomorrow afternoon (I am VERY VERY tired).---

Shoshana was great but she seemed very nervous and kind of uncomfortable at first. I think she felt like the people who came out didnt want to see her and she was letting them down but she didnt. The Wizard and I was good but I thought Shosh should have given it a little more effort. After Im Not That Girl, she began to loosen up a little and by the end of the show, I had completely fallen in love with her. Defying Gravity was amazing. Shosh nailed every note. No Good Deed gathered applause at the first "Fiyerooooooooooo" before the song and the second "FIYEROOOOO!" after "Nessa...Doctor Dillamond..." and by the end of this single song, she had won the audience over. I thought the roof of the theater was going to fall on me. The audience went CRAZY after this song. Shosh will make a great Elphaba, but I hope she'll loosen up a bit. She just didnt seem confident tonight but she knocked everyone flat on their a**es by the end of the show.

Just briefly, when Fiyero knocks on the stage and Elphaba comes out, Idina came on from stage left in a red tracksuit and did the end of the show. The applause was at least a minute and a half long. What a trooper.

Side note: felt bad for Shosh, who got applause at the end but was not even aknowkledged by anyone. I thought Joe or someone should have said something like "Wasnt Shoshana phenomenal!?" or something.

****This is just a very brief review. I will have a full, detailed one tomorrow (hopefully with pictures).****

(ALSO: Popular almost made me pee myself. The flower thing was too funny. J.La was literally on top of Shosh trying to pin it on her head.)

[LoudIrishGirl]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 10:09pm

"ALSO: Popular almost made me pee myself. The flower thing was too funny. J.La was literally on top of Shosh trying to pin it on her head.)"

Hahaha. That scene has such hilarious possibilities...I saw it with Kristin on one night when she had to wear a neckbrace (did not take away from the performance at all, Krisin was SUCH a professional about it all). During that scene when she was trying to show Idina how to flip her hair...oh my god, you said it best, it almost made me pee myself. The line evolved from its all in the neck, to the entire body (wherin Kristin fell on the bed). The entire show was so amazing!

Ah. Memories. I just had to share that. It was hilarious. I can't wait to see it with Shoshana and J.La!

Thanks to everybody who posted a review!

[elphaba22]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 10:12pm

Okay. Guys. I posted my whole story on that other thread, but I'll say it again. Yes, I did see Idina's last show, but before you die, let me just say that she didn't perform. Shoshana did. But in the end, when Joey knocks on the trap door, she came onstage. I was bawling, as well as the rest of the audience. They did their whole finale scene, with the whole, "We can never go back to Oz, can we?" That was really sad, because some guy in the audience was like, "Yes you can come back!" Idina was crying through most of it, as was I. At curtain call, they all spoke. The funniest moment of the night was JlT: "Fellow Ozians...I LOVE IDINA MENZEL!!!!

[wicked4life51]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 10:27pm

i want to wrote something to a cast member at the gershwin who is in wicked how do i write it?

[BroadwayBest]

Posted: 1/9/05 at 10:33pm

What an unbelievable experience. Very emotional.
I did manage to operate my camera(somewhat)during
the end to catch video of Idina coming onstage and
Joe Mantello/Idina's Speech. Mostly sound as the video
isn't clear from where I was sitting but you get the
emotional aspect of it.

If you want the .mov file, e-mail me privately.

A night I won't ever forget...