Wow, there certainly are a wide variety of opinions here ...
I've never seen the show, but have heard recordings of Bean, Thompson, Hilty, Bundy, and Espinosa. I'm really kind of confused at comments like
Bobby's saying that Bean was off key. True, I like Idina's voice better than Shoshana's in the role, but I rather perplexed at the folks who seem to find her that horrible. I like Bean's voice and she seems to give a decent performance, vocally, I just wasn't completely blown away. I like her Wizard and I well enough, but her voice just doesn't seem to work out with Defying Gravity. I absolutely loved her No Good Deed however; I thought she sang with alot more emotion than Idina. Can't really comment on her acting skills, but from the recordings it didn't seem horrible.
As for Eden Espinosa, in my opinion she just can't belt. Her Wizard and I was halfway decent, but her Defying Gravity killed me, and her No Good Deed was really shaky. She sounds lovely in the gentle songs though, like For Good and As Long as You're Mine. And the Glinda (possibly Laura Bell Bundy?) I heard her paired with in Defying Gravity was horrible humor-wise. Ill-timed lines and a bit pathetic. Can't recall how she was vocally.
Don't get me started on Jennifer Laura Thompson ... I keel over laughing at all her lines in the opening sequence, Popular, and Defying Gravity. What incredibly timed humor, emotional believable acting, and a drop-dead gorgeous voice. I wish her contract was extended for about 5 more years. I liked her better than Chenoweth.
LOL All this and I've never seen the show.
Coimhéad fearg fhear na foighde.