WICKED in Chicago

[lovepuppy]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 5:02pm

I saw the show for the second time here, yesterday. Took my grandmother to the matinee for her birthday, and had orchestra-level seats for the accessible seating so she wouldn't have to walk much.

The point is, I was a lot closer to the stage than the last time I saw it, in Feb of '06. Dee Roscioli was just as stunning and talented as the first time I saw her in the show here. I was surprised to still see her as Elphaba for at least a year and a half, considering there were just auditions for various replacements here, last Fall, and that role has turned over a few times since they arrived here in Chicago a few years back.

Kate Fahrner played Glinda, and she was an adorable actress: great comic mannerisms, facial expressions and timing. When she sang, however, she had a look of uncertainty or something on her face, like she wasn't totally into what she was singing about, or was afraid to give it more or something. Her voice is pretty, but not as strong as some other actresses who have played this very vocally-demanding role. Not sure how long she has been in the role here...if she's fairly new, or whether she was not feeling well or something.

They were both good, but something seemed a little off, either with the one or other, or both of them, or the show as a whole, yesterday. I can't put my finger on it. The audience didn't applaud when Elphaba makes her first entrance down center. They paused a second or two at the end of certain (typically blockbuster) solos before applauding. Usually the power of a song prompts people to erupt with praise, no matter what show it is. I'm not sure if was just a dead matinee audience, or if people had not seen it before (I mean, who hasn't seen "Wicked" already?), or if the cast's heads just weren't in it, yesterday. Some of the jokes didn't get the laughs they should have gotten, either. Some kind of energy seemed to be missing. (That said, I still teared up at certain points and enjoyed the show, but between seeing it last year and having learned all the songs on the OBC since then, it's easy to connect to the material, regardless.)

Dee and Kate hugged at the end of their curtain call yesterday, and I don't know if the lead actresses in each production do that every time, to celebrate and congratulate each other, or not. I didn't know if one or the other might be leaving soon, or...what the things I noticed were about. Anyone have any insight?


EDIT: On another unrelated note, on the page in the Playbill with cast headshots, I noticed that many of the actors are smiling with their mouths closed, or don't even have happy expressions at all. I was always taught to show at least a little bit of teeth in your headshot, because casting directors want to see that you have nice teeth! Interesting...what's up with that? And yet, clearly these folks have found success anyway...

Updated On: 6/1/08 at 05:02 PM

[maya5892]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 5:04pm

I believe Kate's last day is today.

[legally_wicked]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 5:11pm

The Elphaba & Glinda hug during the curtain call at every production.

[lakezurich]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 5:18pm

I like Dee, but my all time favorite Elphaba in the Chicago has to be by far, and away Kristy Cates.

[ragg_ballad]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 11:27pm

i believe today was dee's last performance[2 month break], and annaleigh starts tuesday.

when i saw the show back in January with the same two, the energy was GREAT. applause at elphies entrancee and laughs at all the jokes, plus great chemistry. i saw it in the evening in the middle of the week, so it may just be the time of day. haha.

and just a note: all Wicked Elphaba and Glindas hug at curtain call at each performance :]

[lovepuppy]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 11:34pm

Ahh...so...they're both leaving, then? No wonder.

What's that about the "2-month break?" They don't work for 2 months and then get hired back? Never heard of that system.

Kind of weird that a hug between the two leads is mandated for each curtain call. Unless it's genuine feelings between the two girls, that seems weird to me to force it.

[skb2010]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 11:40pm

I hate it when i see shows and the leads don't have good chemistry.

Example:

I've seen Wicked where the two actresses just don't click. They try and outsing each other. And that really bugs me. I know this isn't live theater, but on the OBC of Wicked, Idina and Kristen compliment each other so well, but some of the live versions seem like competitions.

[lovepuppy]

Posted: 6/1/08 at 11:48pm

I'm not sure it was that they didn't click *with each other.* When they sang "For Good," no out-singing. They actually did look sad and connected to one-another. If they're both leaving, I can see why. But it was more an overall cast thing yesterday, I think (in addition to what I said about Kate Fahrner looking freaked out to be singing the songs she was singing...as if she couldn't believe she had the role or something?). Something was just a little off.

Emotional meeting in the make-up room before the show or something...? Hmmm...

Updated On: 6/1/08 at 11:48 PM

[ragg_ballad]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 12:23am

hmm..can't say for that particular show, but kate's been playing Glinda for a couple of months now, and she went on a lot when Erin Mackey was still Glinda.so that may have been an off-day for the cast.

and about Dee- she's been playing Elphaba for about a year now without a break, so she's taking a break, and then returning to Wicked in August and to close the show in January.

[BenSaysOiVey]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 1:59am

It had to be over a year, because I saw her first last Feb (07) and then this past weekend. But AEA has provisions for vacations...she couldn't have taken a week here or there? Hm, well, glad she's getting a big chunk of time off--anyone would need that!--and will be able to close the run here.

[Broadway_Bound_Star]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 2:06am

I'm excited to be seeing the Chicago cast soon. With Annaleigh.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 10:18am

Glad you enjoyed the show lovepuppy!

For those of you seeing the show with Lisa and Annaleigh, please post reviews!

[lovepuppy]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 1:03pm

Thanks!

And as a side-note, I just noticed that the post I made last night regarding AEA vacations was posted under the name BenSaysOiVey, but it was me! Sometimes when I log on I notice it signs me on under someone else's username and account. Usually I catch it. WHY does that happen??