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#26

re: Which Elphaba was the best?

Posted: 1/22/09 at 8:12pm

too.tragic, I did not know that his name was of Spanish derivation. 'Fijero', huh? ;]

I gotta vote Lisa Brescia myself.
Current Avatar - Sutton Foster, accepting the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Velociraptor.

#27

re: Which Elphaba was the best?

Posted: 1/22/09 at 8:13pm

Schmerg-
I, sadly, was one of those fanboys who was like I AM ELPHABA...and then I realized...The Witch was pretty kickass. I mean, she's got this huge grudge against Dorothy over a pair of shoes. To have that much commitment to a grudge and all the energy that has to go into hating someone/thing for that long (ok 48 hours tops, but still) is pretty amazing.

But yea, I get annoyed when people try and apply Wicked to the movie/book...SEPERATE ENTITIES!
http://www.youtube.com/huskcharmer
#28

re: Which Elphaba was the best?

Posted: 1/22/09 at 8:18pm

I don't really mind if people want to randomly tell me that they connect to the character of Elphaba, but it's just that I feel a bit irritated when people automatically assume that the shirt I wear because I'm a Wizard of Oz fan and a classic villains fan means that I'm a Wicked fan! (And while I don't really care much for Wicked, I'm definitely more of a Glinda in terms of personality, appearance, voice, whatever than an Elphaba anyway!)
In my pants, she has burst like the music of angels, the light of the sun! --Marius Pantsmercy
#31

re: Which Elphaba was the best?

Posted: 1/22/09 at 9:18pm

Am I the only Dee Roscioli fan?

Am I also the only one who doesn't quite get the fascination with Lisa Brecia?
#32

re: Which Elphaba was the best?

Posted: 1/22/09 at 9:21pm

Based on later posts, I'll add that Idina Menzel was my favorite of the those I have seen live. I will mention that despite my liking her the best, it in no way means that the others were unworthy. Victoria Matlock, for example, came at a close second. Her intensity was exhilarating in the role. Every actor has a different approach and quirk, and of those I've seen, I've enjoyed and praised their performances. But there is always bound to be one of preference, without a detrimental opinion on the others.
How to properly use its/it's: Its is the possessive. It's is the contraction for it is...
#33

re: Which Elphaba was the best?

Posted: 1/22/09 at 9:23pm

Obviously using the term 'best' brings problems, but...

If I could combine;

Idina Menzel's overall performance and look with...

Shoshana Bean's soulful vocal gymnastics...

Kerry Ellis's pure belt...

and maybe a dash of SJB and the menace of Margaret Hamilton...

I'd be one happy customer.

She'd be called: Idinerry Shoblock Belliston. Which works fine, because I think its a rule somewhere that you have to have an odd name to play the role...
#34

re: Which Elphaba was the best?

Posted: 1/22/09 at 9:56pm

Of the Elphabas I have seen...
Lisa Brescia
Stephanie J. Block
Julie Reiber
Kerry Ellis
and Marcie Dodd...

I have to say I honestly can't choose, each of them bring something different and brilliant to the role.


I have to say though Lisa Brescia really stuck out to me, I loved how she sang the score and her acting was perfect, all the different emotions, just everything, Stephanie too as well as the rest were all amazing as well!

Also, though I've never seen them live, I love how Caissie Levy, Jemma Stevenson, and Chelsea Krombach sound in the role!

2008: Feb. 18- Rent, Feb. 19- Curtains, April 18- Xanadu, April 22- Wicked, April 26- Legally Blonde, May 31- Wicked, June 13- The Little Mermaid, June 28- Wicked and Young Frankenstein, July 2- The Little Mermaid, July 6- A Chorus Line and Legally Blonde, August 16- Xanadu, September 13- Legally Blonde and 13, September 28- Xanadu and Spring Awakening, Oct. 12-GYPSY and [title of show], Oct. 19- Hairspray & Legally Blonde, Nov. 9- Wicked and 13, Dec. 14-13, Dec. 26- Billy Elliot, 2009: Jan 1- Shrek, Jan 2- 13 and Wicked, Jan 4- 13, Feb 17- In The Heights, Feb 19- Billy Elliot, Feb 22- Sweeney Todd (tour), March 28- Mary Poppins, April 4- Mamma Mia!, April 15- Jersey Boys (on tour), April 25- next to normal & 9 to 5 May 1- Billy Elliot, May 3- Spelling Bee (tour), May 8- Chicago, May 21- Wicked, June 6- Everyday Rapture, June 23- The Wiz, June 25- Hair July 15- Shrek, August 9- Wicked, September 7- Rock of Ages, October 11- Next To Normal, October 23- The Marvelous Wonderettes, November 7- Ragtime November 29- Dreamgirls, December 25- Billy Elliot, December 30- Finian's Rainbow, 2010: January 9- Bye Bye Birdie, January 16- Memphis February 17- The Phantom of The Opera, February 18- God of Carnage, March 7- Billy Elliot, March 31- American Idiot

Updated On: 1/22/09 at 09:56 PM

#35

re: Which Elphaba was the best?

Posted: 1/22/09 at 10:36pm

In terms of just acting, I think Lisa Brescia is the best. Her acting is so complex and real. She gave Elphaba more depth than I knew she had. In terms of embodying the character overall, I think Idina Menzel is the best. Her acting wasn't as deep as Lisa's, but I think Idina was the best vocally and her Elphaba was by far the most natural.
#36

re: Which Elphaba was the best?

Posted: 1/22/09 at 10:48pm

Patti LuPone.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad

"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
#37

re: Which Elphaba was the best?

Posted: 1/22/09 at 11:06pm

Wanna Be A Foster, she riffs Defying Gravity like no one's business.
Men don't even belt.
#38

re: Which Elphaba was the best?

Posted: 1/22/09 at 11:09pm

Oh goodness...another one of these!

Although I will stay Idina or Sho

SJB kinda scares me
#39

re: Which Elphaba was the best?

Posted: 1/22/09 at 11:42pm

Colleen Sexton gave the best overall performance and vocals I've seen in an Elphaba.

However, Sho Sho is and will always be THE powerhouse vocal Elphaba. No one tops her vocal power. No one. And the only time I saw Marcie, she gave what had to be the single best performance (vocally and acting-wise) of "No Good Deed" I have seen or heard.
#40

re: Which Elphaba was the best?

Posted: 1/23/09 at 12:00am

I really enjoyed Kerry Ellis, and I don't see her mentioned much by people on this board.
"Rather than ignore those who choose to publish their opinions without actually talking to me, I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful people in the business I love." -Neil Patrick Harris
#41

re: Which Elphaba was the best?

Posted: 1/23/09 at 12:20am

WHAT? No mention of those crazy fangirls who stand in the rush line every weekend? I see how it is.
#42

re: Which Elphaba was the best?

Posted: 1/23/09 at 12:29am

I'm going to go with Kerry Ellis being my all time favorite to listen to. I really love Julia Murney too, her vibrato is unlike anything I've heard, plus I love her ending to DG. Marcie Dodd isn't that bad either, and Lisa is great too. I'm not a huge Idina fan, but she has her moments where she just nails it.
#43

re: Which Elphaba was the best?

Posted: 1/23/09 at 5:00am

mine would have to be Ana Gastyer. She was amazing in the role and she is both a strong actress and has such a great voice. Really my favorite.
#45

re: Which Elphaba was the best?

Posted: 1/23/09 at 5:25am

Out of the two I've seen live, Kerry and Alexia, I'd have to go with Kerry. Although Alexia was absolutely amazing also, Kerry's No Good Deed blew me away.

However, on Google Video there is a full show posted with Stephanie as Elphaba, and her characterisation of the role is my favourite by far, and her comedy timing is flawless!

I've also seen a full recording online with Idina as lead, but in my opinion she was completely outshone by Kristin Chenoweth and therefore kind of unremarkable. Might of just been that particular performance though. :)
#46

re: Which Elphaba was the best?

Posted: 1/23/09 at 10:51am

Menzel is the best I've seen, closely followed by Block. Gasteyer was my least favorite.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#47

re: Which Elphaba was the best?

Posted: 1/23/09 at 11:26am

"Also, though I've never seen them live, I love how Caissie Levy, Jemma Stevenson, and Chelsea Krombach sound in the role!"

Chelsea is really nasally when she plays Elphie but it works. She sounds like a witch to me. She deff doesn't look the part though with her round face. She is way too sweet looking.

As for the question I would say Stephanie J. Block is the "best" Elphie. She is the whole package to me. Julie Reiber come in a close second. Marcie Dodd a close third.
Don't believe everything that you hear! Only the peeps involved know the truth!
#49

re: Which Elphaba was the best?

Posted: 1/23/09 at 12:48pm

Idina Menzel, Willemijn Verkaik, Hamada Megumi, Kerry Ellis, Caissie Levy, Eden Espinosa, from what I've seen of Amanda Harrison, she seems pretty good

Favourite DG by a non-Elphaba: Pia Douwes' "Frei und Schwerelos" at the Sommernacht des Musicals in Dinslaken in 2007. The translation wasn't so great (this was before they came to Stuttgart and it was one of the first times that "Wicked" songs were heard in German; they had to do some work on the translation before it came to Stuttgart), but she was GREAT! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQVqWEjNsT8

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