WICKED with Melissa Bell Chait

I was so disappointed when I saw that Krisin was going to be out again and her understudy was going on, as I had the chance to Ms Chenoweth perform the part of Glinda in San Francisco and really enjoyed her...... I had bought my tix for WICKED about a month ago, I was coming to NYC for my annual theatre trip and also bought tix for Nine and Hairspray. Anyway, last night was Wicked and unbelievable, as soon as I saw Melissa Bell Chait coming down in the bubble and heard her voice (a stunning soprano) I knew I was in for a real treat. Not only did she make this part completely her own, she had a true blue "star quality"! The chemistry between she and Idina Menzel was so lovely, I really bought the story. I thought as Glinda, she really nailed the comedy, but the greatest thing about her performance was in the second act where she got to show her vulnerability and love for Elphaba. I would say for those that have to tix tonight, DONT MISS IT! I am sorry Kristin Chenoweth is ill and hope she is on the mend, but seeing Melissa Bell Chait in this role is certainly worth going! As for the rest of the show, Idina rocked even more (didnt think possible) than she did in SF!! She should be sayin hi to "TONY" this year!!!!!! Joel Grey is terrific as the Wizard, it was great to see a living legend on stage. All in all, I can not wait to see it again. Tonight is Hairspray, I will report back tomorrow.
PS: I read this morning that Laura Bell Bundy will be Kristin's standbye, on her website it says she is a "Star Replacement"....what is that? Will Melissa go on anymore? After last night, I thought that Melissa would be a perfect replacement when Kristin moves on to her next project.

I have to be honest, I would not have known she was the understudy if I had not seen Kristin originally. Melissa really was fantastic. The real question is now, who goes on when Idina is out, no one can sing like her!

Updated On: 11/21/03 at 05:40 PM

She sure does, I truely feel for anyone having to try and sound nearly as good as Idina. Ah, I wish I could go see the show again tonight, Idina and Melissa together are just wonderful!

Here's the obvious question, why is Chenoweth missing so many shows so early in the run? Can't be good, no matter how talented her understudy is.

I know for a fact that Kristin was out today and I have tickets for tommorow. If her throat is that bad, I doubt if she will be in Saturday night's performance. I will let you know.

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i heard from a wicked source chenoweth is trying to get back for tomorrow nights show.

Wow! So, I just had my first WICKED experience and all I can say is WOW! Loved this show. Was super bummed when my friends and I learned Chenoweth was out, but what an evening of theater none the less. And Melissa Bell Chait rocks as Glinda. Haven't seen Chenoweth yet, and I could see where a lot of the jokes were probably written especially for her (if not BY her!), but Melissa landed them all. And her voice was just spectacular. Going through an incredible range and interpreting lyrics so beautifully. I never would have known she was the understudy.

What to say about Idina?!! AMAZING. I don't know that I have ever been so moved by a performers voice in the theater before. Such power and passion in her singing. Her interpretation of Elphaba was so understated and beautiful. I will be pulling for her come Tony time. I can't imagine what it must be like to sing like that eight times a week (believe me, you wouldn't want to hear ME try to sing at all!), and I never once felt like she was holding back. While we were leaving the theater one of my friends said "now she has to do that again tomorrow at 2 o'clock!" Unbelievable.

The whole cast was great. I especially loved Carol Shelley and Joel Grey. All of the supporting roles were played well, and the ensemble was terrific.

I liked most of the music, although I'm not sure if I could remember any of the tunes. The score really drove the story for me, and I found that more important than being able to walk out of the theater humming. The choreography could have been better. I remember wanting to see some powerful dancing, as it looked like the ensemble could really move. But sadly they didn't seem to be given the chance.

I can't wait to go back. Maybe next time Kristin will be in. Either way, I had a great time at the theater this evening. Haven't been this excited about a show in a long time.
Thank you WICKED!
Seeing TAKE ME OUT TOMORROW. Should be a very DIFFERENT kind of evening.

no this wicked source isnt wicked..could be the horses mouth.

Am I the only one wondering why Reidel hasn't started bashing Kristin for missing performances. Not that I want him too. I loved Kristin in the show and she seems like a sweet girl but I think she's missed more performances than Bernadette did in Gypsy by now...this is so unlike Reidel....

**gasp** Sutton did WHAT?!?



**wink**

YAY for Shaiman and Wittman!!


Marc and Scott need to do the score for the inevitable stage version of CAMP.. I know it already has songs but they are "performances".. I mean the "book" songs......

GirlfriendfromCanada: Even among the howling debates on these boads, I don't think Idina is ever anyone's idea of "supporting." To my thinking, it's usually just a question of which character/performance one responds to more. It's been v. subjective. The debate is consistently fueled by appraisals of the Elphaba songs. To some, they are bland and interchangable pop anthems; to others, stirring expressions of the inner feelings of a complex character. Chenoweth's winning way with nailing comedy tilts the show for some; Idina's poignancy and hair & roof- raising money notes tilts it for others. If Chait is funny, and earns all of Glinda's laughs, I'd say you got a fair sense of the show.

And Kristin is due back tonight. I bet her opening line "It's good to see me, isn't it?" brings down the house with touching new subtext.

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Updated On: 11/22/03 at 02:23 PM

Stevos-
I think you raise an interesting point, and one that my brother and I have been discussing ever since we saw WICKED. I saw the show late in previews and came away thinking this SHOULD be Idina's show, but with Kristin's presence and comedy, I thought the heart of the story got somewhat lost. I felt that while she was very funny, and sounded great, she may have been the wrong person to cast in this role, as her comedy and quirks (as incredible as they are) can steal a lot of focus. I even read in a Playbill interview where Kristin said when she joined the project Glinda was more of supporting role, but she worked with them to beef it up. I wonder if that serves the overall show for the best? Odd to be questioning that when she walked away with the best reviews, but would the show itself have been reviewed better if Glinda was more of a supporting role. I have not seen Melissa Bell Chait in the part, but I would be interested to see if her take on the role is less "shticky" and if she shares the focus a little more. Mind you, this is not a slam on Kristin at all. Just saying that if they wanted Glinda to be a supporting role (as in my humble opinion it seems it should be), then with all of Kristin's quirks etc., maybe she wasn't the smartest choice? Although i think the show is going to be a huge hit anyway and make them tons of money, so what do I know!
My brother was trying to go to the matinee this afternoon to see if Chait was on so he could test our theory. Was Kristin back today?