WICKED TOUR - BYE Tampa HELLO Ft Lauderdale (3 articles + Lotto info)
WICKED TOUR - BYE Tampa HELLO Ft Lauderdale (3 articles + Lotto info)
#0WICKED TOUR - BYE Tampa HELLO Ft Lauderdale (3 articles + Lotto info)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 2:13pm
The Sun-Sentinel and Miami Herald both have nice write-ups in their papers today.
EDIT: SCROLL DOWN FOR 3rd ARTICLE FROM PALM BEACH POST
"When an audience recognizes something that touches them or resonates within them, it doesn't matter what the newspapers say," she says cheerfully, remembering the early reviews. "They're going for that emotional journey and this play certainly resonates with people on many levels.
The story revolves around the rocky friendship between Glinda (Kendra Kassebaum in the role created by Kristin Chenoweth) and Block's Elphaba (for which Idina Menzel won the Tony Award).
"Young teenage girls and young women really recognize that friendship and connect with that," Block says. There's something wonderful about Elphaba being ostracized but still staying so true to who she is, her integrity and her purpose, that young women want to strive to be that. It's inspiring to them."
Like a rock star
It resonates for her personally. While she admits to feeling like a rock star at high points such as Defying Gravity, the first-act finale, "Many moments in the show are very personal to me, true to my earlier years and search for purpose even today as an adult woman."
Block describes childhood insecurities growing up with a gorgeous older sister, "she being the beautiful one and I being the talented one. But that talent hadn't found where it needed to be yet. So I placed much worth on what society defined as beauty -- and the definition of that was my sister."
Elphaba eventually finds her inner strength and identity, after some painful searching. "Even today, when I sing I'm Not That Girl in the show, I can't help getting misty," Block says.
She senses similar emotions in the audiences.
"Everyone walks away taking something with them. I think it's the audiences every night that make the statement that this show is going to be around a loooong time."
Sun-Sentinel Article
Updated On: 2/7/06 at 02:13 PM
#1re: WICKED TOUR says GOODBYE TAMPA, HELLO FT. LAUDERDALE!! (2 REVIEWS)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 2:15pm
...and the Miami Herald Article
"Los Angeles-based actress Stephanie J. Block was the first to play Elphaba but lost out on the Broadway role because of her lack of major New York experience then. Instead, the role went to Idina Menzel, the Rent star who would go on to win the 2003 best actress Tony Award for her performance.
Now Block's playing Elphaba to Kendra Kassebaum's Galinda in the touring production, and admits that not initially getting the part she played in the show's developmental workshops was ``. . . painful and heartbreaking.'
Block has spent years, literally, thinking about the young witchy woman she's playing. Her favorite song isn't, as you might imagine, the show's most famous one: Defying Gravity, in which Elphaba takes to her broom and for the first time soars over a world where she has never fit in. Block says she connects more with the aching I'm Not That Girl, in which Elphaba dreams of a happiness she's certain she'll never have.
'It touches my heart. I'm almost brought to tears every time I sing it,' she says.
In Maguire's novel, Elphaba is 'like a terrorist. She's willing to kill for her beliefs,' Block says. The musical Elphaba is still fierce and passionate about defending those who, like her, are demonized. But onstage she's a much more sympathetic figure.
Miami Herald
#2re: WICKED TOUR says GOODBYE TAMPA, HELLO FT. LAUDERDALE!! (2 REVIEWS)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 2:46pmI can't WAIT. I am seeing the show three times next week (Feb 15th, 16th, and 19th,) and am going to the SD Saturday night.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#3re: WICKED TOUR says GOODBYE TAMPA, HELLO FT. LAUDERDALE!! (2 REVIEWS)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 5:02pm
Wow, OK then! Guess we all know who our Ft. Lauderdale Wicked connection will be... We expect reviews and pictures 
#4re: WICKED TOUR says GOODBYE TAMPA, HELLO FT. LAUDERDALE!! (2 REVIEWS)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 5:19pmWill do! :)
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#5re: WICKED TOUR says GOODBYE TAMPA, HELLO FT. LAUDERDALE!! (2 REVIEWS)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 5:34pm
what kind of pictures are you expecting Popular?
i will definitly post a review after i see the show on wednesday.
"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one".
-Felicia Finley-
#6re: WICKED TOUR says GOODBYE TAMPA, HELLO FT. LAUDERDALE!! (2 REVIEWS)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 5:43pmLegal ones, of course. I shouldn't have said 'expecting' but it's always fun to see any stage door pictures anyone might have taken.
#7re: WICKED TOUR says GOODBYE TAMPA, HELLO FT. LAUDERDALE!! (2 REVIEWS)
Posted: 2/6/06 at 12:20am*bump*
#8re: WICKED TOUR says GOODBYE TAMPA, HELLO FT. LAUDERDALE!! (2 REVIEWS)
Posted: 2/6/06 at 12:38am
i'm glad the tour's getting great reviews. i'm seeing it this saturday (the 11th)! i have crappy standing room tickets, but whatever, i still can't wait!
on a somewhat related note, i know this show is really popular with young girls, but how do boys react to this show? I'm thinking about bringing my kid brother but i'm afraid he won't find that show that appealing and i'd hate to make him stand for two and a half hours. he's 13 and he likes musicals like Avenue Q, DRS, and RENT. Would it be a good idea to bring him to this show?
" I don't cause commotions, I am one."
#9re: WICKED TOUR says GOODBYE TAMPA, HELLO FT. LAUDERDALE!! (2 REVIEWS)
Posted: 2/6/06 at 12:41amsurfinwhatever, if you're SRO seats are in the Orchestra (I got those for the 16th,) you're actually fine. Any seat in the Orchestra is great at BCPA. Not sure about the Mezz however, where the other SRO seats are..
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#10re: WICKED TOUR says GOODBYE TAMPA, HELLO FT. LAUDERDALE!! (2 REVIEWS)
Posted: 2/6/06 at 12:45ami wish my SRO seats were in the orchestra. .. . . but they are in the Mezz. from what i've heard about BCPA is that i'll still be able to see everything on stage pretty well, i just won't really be able to make out all the facial expressions and everything. its still worth it to me though. i've done SRO for other shows and time goes by so fast i dont even really notice that i've been standing for so long.
" I don't cause commotions, I am one."
#11re: WICKED TOUR says GOODBYE TAMPA, HELLO FT. LAUDERDALE!! (2 REVIEWS)
Posted: 2/6/06 at 12:47amAre the SRO seats at BCPA actually standing? Someone told me you sit on stools (at least in the Orchestra.) I thought I remembered seeing stools back there when I saw "Movin' Out.."
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#12re: WICKED TOUR says GOODBYE TAMPA, HELLO FT. LAUDERDALE!! (2 REVIEWS)
Posted: 2/6/06 at 11:29amI guess they are doing SRO instead of lottery?
#13re: WICKED TOUR says GOODBYE TAMPA, HELLO FT. LAUDERDALE!! (2 REVIEWS)
Posted: 2/6/06 at 5:20pm
Nevermind, there is a lotto!
Ft Lauderdale Lotto Info
SweetQintheLights
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/12/05
#14re: WICKED TOUR says GOODBYE TAMPA, HELLO FT. LAUDERDALE!! (2 REVIEWS)
Posted: 2/6/06 at 5:51pm
WOOHOOO!!!
I am getting standing room for either this Saturday or next Saturday.
Surefinewhatever- You are going to the 8:00 show- right?
Is Mojo coming?
MAYBE, if you can pick me up- I will get standing room tix for this Sat at 8:00. PM me or I'll talk to you online! 
"How bout a little black dress?"~hannahshule
"I have a penis, not a vagina." ~munkustrap178
#15re: WICKED TOUR says GOODBYE TAMPA, HELLO FT. LAUDERDALE!! (2 REVIEWS)
Posted: 2/7/06 at 4:00pm
Hints of a movie??
"And inevitably, Wicked will become a movie musical. "Universal is a movie company and they optioned the book in the first place because they wanted to make a movie," says Schwartz. "The assumption is that at some point they will make a movie. It is a natural step, don't you think?""
Palm Beach Post
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