#1
Posted: 3/14/04 at 11:43pm
Hello-
Long time lurker, first time poster. I felt it was time to finally "come out of hiding" after the disappointment I had at the Gershwin this afternoon.
My girlfriends and I had been looking forward to seeing WICKED for quite some time, and this today was finally the day. Love the CD, love the clips I'd seen and all the press I read. I was very excited. Well, I was obviously disappointed when I arrived at the theater and saw that Kristin was out. I usually enjoy seeing understudies go on, but this was one case where I really was looking forward to seeing Kristin. I obviously wanted to give her understudy, Laura Bell Bundy, a fair chance, but I saw/heard very early in the show that I was going to be disappointed. I have read some positive posts regarding Miss Bundy's performance on this board, but I have to say that in my opinion her Glinda (or GAlinda) was just not very good. From the opening number she was straining for the higher notes and often sang VERY off pitch. Flat sometimes, sharp at others. I kept wanting her to get better, but it just wasn't happening. And as far as her character was concerned, she just seemed like an unseasoned actress possibly immitating the woman who usually plays the role. I hope I don't sound bitter or like this is a personal attack on Bundy, but for 100+ dollars, I was hoping for much better. Jokes were falling flat, and the relationship between Glinda and Elphaba genuinely suffered. It was a real shame, because I could only imagine what the role could have been. I've read that Miss Bundy is quite young, so maybe she just is not quite ready for a role of this magnitude?
Otherwise, the rest of the cast was just fantastic. Idina's voice and acting blew us all away. My tony vote goes to her (if I got one!). Norbert Leo Butz was charming and sounded terrific, and Carole Shelley was a hoot as the school mistress. I love Joel Gray, but wish he had more to do.
So, that is my report on today's events. I was all excited to rave about the show, but due to the fact that there was one significant weak link, I have to give it a solid B over all.
My thoughts.
Long time lurker, first time poster. I felt it was time to finally "come out of hiding" after the disappointment I had at the Gershwin this afternoon.
My girlfriends and I had been looking forward to seeing WICKED for quite some time, and this today was finally the day. Love the CD, love the clips I'd seen and all the press I read. I was very excited. Well, I was obviously disappointed when I arrived at the theater and saw that Kristin was out. I usually enjoy seeing understudies go on, but this was one case where I really was looking forward to seeing Kristin. I obviously wanted to give her understudy, Laura Bell Bundy, a fair chance, but I saw/heard very early in the show that I was going to be disappointed. I have read some positive posts regarding Miss Bundy's performance on this board, but I have to say that in my opinion her Glinda (or GAlinda) was just not very good. From the opening number she was straining for the higher notes and often sang VERY off pitch. Flat sometimes, sharp at others. I kept wanting her to get better, but it just wasn't happening. And as far as her character was concerned, she just seemed like an unseasoned actress possibly immitating the woman who usually plays the role. I hope I don't sound bitter or like this is a personal attack on Bundy, but for 100+ dollars, I was hoping for much better. Jokes were falling flat, and the relationship between Glinda and Elphaba genuinely suffered. It was a real shame, because I could only imagine what the role could have been. I've read that Miss Bundy is quite young, so maybe she just is not quite ready for a role of this magnitude?
Otherwise, the rest of the cast was just fantastic. Idina's voice and acting blew us all away. My tony vote goes to her (if I got one!). Norbert Leo Butz was charming and sounded terrific, and Carole Shelley was a hoot as the school mistress. I love Joel Gray, but wish he had more to do.
So, that is my report on today's events. I was all excited to rave about the show, but due to the fact that there was one significant weak link, I have to give it a solid B over all.
My thoughts.
Welcome!
