WICKED IN CHICAGO- Page 2

[Glebb]

Posted: 5/9/05 at 9:52am

Ok, I thought I was over it. It was last summer's fling.
But the commercial just came on and I got chills.
Seeing it for the 2nd time (since the original cast) May 21. Should it be Stephanie Block as Elphie?
I loved her in Boy From Oz.

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 5/9/05 at 10:54am

Stephanie will still be with the show in on May 21st..

I wanna go tomorrow to try the lottery again...no one wants me too...

I told everyone I will be going anytime I'm free-THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND ME!!!

and whoever asked about the sit-down..I heard somewhere that the run is expected to last about 3 years

But we'll see, I'll keep it open FOREVER!! :)

[suzycat]

Posted: 5/9/05 at 4:09pm

I'm seeing it on Wednesday night - I can't wait to see Stephanie!

[Natalie 2]

Posted: 5/9/05 at 4:18pm

How is Derek Williams as Fiyero? I worked with him at Busch Gardens-Williamsburg back in the day.

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 5/9/05 at 4:26pm

I don't know of anyone who liked Derrick as Fiyero. Makes me wonder why they cast him. But I'll finally be able to judge for myself on May 31! 22 days and counting....

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/9/05 at 4:45pm

Derrick's not bad. He does have a sexy vibe and I can see why the kids at Shiz would all fall in behind him-- something that didn't really make sense when Norbert played the role. He is a lot more believable as the "empty headed playboy" than he is in act 2.

And Norbert really nailed the "Let the Green Girl Go!" line.

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 5/9/05 at 5:41pm

I liked him...he was pretty damn good for what he has to work with

And what makes him awesome...As long as You're mine
That was the hottest freaking thing I've EVER seen...I've seen like 6 different versions..even Idina and Taye who you know are hot (and are married of course) and NOTHING topped Steph and Derrick..it was hot...that's all I can say :)

[Lorelai]

Posted: 5/9/05 at 6:13pm

I commented on this topic a couple weeks ago when saw the first perfomance of Wicked in Chicago, Stephanie was amazing in the role. No question. Was she just as good or *maybe* even better than Idina? (thinking) Yeah, I think so. I loved Idina in the role and as much as I admire Stephanie as a performer, I admit I was a bit skeptical about her as Elphaba. However, I was very impressed with her portrayal, to say the least. It took me a minute to get used to her voice in that character since I saw The Boy from Oz so many times but she really blew me away with her performance. I only wish I could see her again, I was only in Chicago for the weekend and heard about the show being there the day before I left and found an associate with tickets.

For those who were in or are in Chicago, did you catch the cover of Time Out Chicago with the opening of Wicked on the cover? When I arrived and walked off the plane in Chicago, a news shop was in front of me and the green cover with the black witch hat was the very first thing I saw. Definitely a great addition to my trip.

[loudasthehelliwant]

Posted: 5/9/05 at 8:30pm

I have nothing to compare him to (first time seeing Wicked), but I liked Derek very much. Now that you mention it, he was great in Dancing Through Life and As Long As You're Mine, and he did everything else more than decently...

And of course, he was very pleasing on both the eyes and ears. :P

[Aigoo]

Posted: 5/9/05 at 10:03pm

Myeh. Didn't like Derrick. I gave him a chance, but I absolutely loathed him by Act II. He wasn't bad, but casting could've been better.

[taperina]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 12:15am

I didn't like Derrek that much either. I also love Idina, but have to say that Stephanie is better in my opinion. I can't even explain exactly why she is better...just overall her acting "pulls you in" and you can't help but watch her. Her delievery is heart felt...I love her!

[Aigoo]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 12:20am

I always leaned towards Stephanie from the start. Just her voice sound is such a great mixture between poppish Wickedness and legit theatre, and I always thought Idina was "okay". She was the girl I wouldn't mind being, but Stephanie was the one who I would kill to become. My friend, who grew up on the Wicked OBC, was a total Idina worshipper until she saw Stephanie up onstage. She no longer wishes to listen to the CD, but rather attend Stephanie's shows over and over again. Personally, I think the tour cast just blows the CD out of the water. But no one can replace Butz.

[MLE]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 7:51pm

I just saw Wicked on the 7th. I skipped my junior prom to make the 4 1/2 hour drive down to Chicago to see it!!! It was the matinee. I agree, Stephanie was incredible. I've only heard Idina on the soundtrack, and I think she's awesome there, but I've never heard her live, so I can't make a comparison that way. I was also glad we got Katie Adams as Glinda. Does Kendra take most matinees off? I really want to go down again to see the show before it leaves, and it would most likely be a matinee again. But anyway, who do you all think makes the better Glinda, Katie or Kendra??? Katie was so good, I can't imagine anyone doing it much better (except Kristen, of course).

[Aigoo]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 8:06pm

Each actress has a different take on Glinda. For example, JLT's perception on her will be different than Kendra's. It all depends on who's performance you can relate to, I guess. Vocal-wise, there's a lot of controversy.

[MLE]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 8:33pm

Yeah, that's true
Hmm...I'm curious to see Kendra in the role, but chances are if I go, it will be the my last time going to Wicked for a while. I was planning on going to see the sit-down production this summer, but I don't have the money to be able to see a 3rd production in such short a time. And I loved Katie so much I guess I'd almost rather have her again. And I just want to see Stephanie and Jenna one more time, too!

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 10:43pm

I wanna go again...I need to win the lottery *i mean the one where you win money..:)*

Stephanie is the BEST...and I love her name too

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 10:51pm

I have 20 tickets for Saturday and am excited.

[MLE]

Posted: 5/11/05 at 4:56pm

Wow...I'd be excited too!!

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 5/11/05 at 5:02pm

With the kids and their cousins and friends. Should be fun.

[theatreboi11]

Posted: 5/11/05 at 5:16pm

I love Idina and was very lucky to get tickets to her last performance. Yes it was the performance she did not perform! However I got to see the INCREDIBLE Shoshana Bean! I am her BIGGEST FAN! I think she is by far the best Elpheba! *shivers from excitement!* I don't know Stephanie too much but I have heard nothing but positive things about her! I hope that I get to see her in the role!

[Broadway Babie]

Posted: 5/12/05 at 9:42am

TO ALL STEPHANIE J. BLOCK FANS!!!! You know how different b'way shows have different fan names: Rentheads, Avenue Q's Q-Tips, and certain stars' fans have names too, ie Chenofans, well, I was thinking (and I ran it by Steph, she loves it) that we should be Blockheads. That's all. Thanks.

[WindyCityActor]

Posted: 5/12/05 at 10:55am

Apparently the Chicago critcs have panned the local production, but love Stephanie.

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 5/12/05 at 12:26pm

WindyCity--how could they pan the local production when it hasn't started? it's the tour right now..do you mean they panned the IDEA of it or they panned the tour??

either way it doesn't matter, my ticket sales alone will keep wicked open *not really, but I can wish*

[Fosse76]

Posted: 5/12/05 at 1:54pm

The only real "pan" I've read is Heidi Weiss, and she came out with a really bizarre and offensive review. I think often times she uses her reviews to essentially trash something else. Her review of the non-quity Miss Saigon a few years ago was basically an excuse for her to bash the French. Even the Reader reccommended it, and their critcs usually trash mainstream commercial theatre as a rule.

Also, the sit-down will be there for no less than a year. I think that was guarantee by James Nederlander to the production. The production will definitely make a profit. Let's not forget, a sold out show in Chicago equals 150% of the Broadway audience, so even if the theatre isn't sold out they should be doing as well as the Broadway production.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/12/05 at 2:35pm

The Reader review is out today, and as someone pointed out above they are notoriously rough on big budget tours, but seem to give Wicked a Thumbs Up. Oddly, he gleefully lets loose with every one of the show's "Suprises" before complaining that the effects are weak and the flying "Downright disappointing."

"But the show's strength isn't its spectacle, it's the story and heartfelt performances by touring company members"

I admit I am flummoxed by the weak reviews by the two major papers. Doesn't seem to have hurt sales any.