Who Will Replace Kristin Chenoweth?- Page 4

[Mattio98]

Posted: 4/23/04 at 11:09pm

I'd be interested to see any of the following:

1)Megan Mullally
2)Lauren Kennedy
3)Kerry Butler
4)Jen Cody
5)Mary Catherine Garrison (not sure if she has a strong soprano)

[crunchgirl]

Posted: 4/24/04 at 1:20pm

Hi y'all-
I have been reading this board for a few months, but felt I had enough to say about this topic that I might as well dive in and join the madness.
Some interesting names being thrown around, but very few of them realistic in my opinion.
Megan Mullaly- she could never sing the Glinda high soprano stuff, and she is about 10 years to old.
Jenn Cody- funny, cute girl...does not have the notes.
Amy Spanger- HUGE fan, great belter, not a diva soprano, as much as I would like to think she can do ANYTHING!
Kerry Butler- never heard her sing soprano, so i can't say, but I've just never been a huge fan. maybe?
Alice Ripley, Sherie Rene Scott- neither have that strong of a soprano, and are also a few years too old.
Mary Catherine Garrison?!?- she does her best getting through UNWORTHY OF YOUR LOVE, but if you've seen ASSASSINS, she is VERY funny, but not a singer.

I don't know, just my thoughts. I do have to say, I cannot imagine if they gave the role to Laura Bundy. I saw her in the role a few weeks ago and it was just not very good. Off pitch a good ammount of the time, and NOT FUNNY. I went in REALLY hoping to like her after thinking she was pretty good in HAIRSPRAY, but she just didn't have the chops for this role at all. Are they truly considering letting her take over?

The unfortunate thing about my posting this, is I don't really have any good ideas either. I certainly am not of the camp that Kristin is the only person in the world who can pull it off, but I am just having trouble thinking of anyone who can A- pull off the comedy and B- who can sing that crazy range. I saw Kristin in the role when the show first opened and thought she was great, but I actually would have liked to have seen Glinda played a little more honestly and realistically, rather than always playing for the joke. I think there is actually a lot of hear and inner struggle that can be found in the role, and would love to see them find someone who sings the role beautifully, and finds a good balance in the humor and the heart of the character. Not necessarily just somebody "funny". I don't know. I just love the friendship story between the two ladies and would love to see it played with some honesty.

Wow. Sorry I rambled so much in my first post!

PS- Has anyone seen either of the two other covers go on (are they both named Melissa?)? I seem to remember reading some good things about one of them a few months back. Here's a novel idea, give someone who we don't know all that much about an opportunity to make a name for themselves. I certainly don't think the role needs to be played by "a name".
Okay, done now! Updated On: 4/24/04 at 01:20 PM

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 4/24/04 at 3:01pm

i think it should be someone brand new too, i bet there are girls all over the world around the right age who are thinkning "that role is perfect for me!" (whether or not it really is) and who will be dying to get the part when kristen leaves. i havnt seen bundy so i dont know if it is true about her being off in the high parts.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 4/24/04 at 5:03pm

I think Lily Tomlin should replace Kristin

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 4/24/04 at 5:19pm

How about Lily Tomlin as Elphaba, and Ellen DeGeneres as Galinda.? lol

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 4/24/04 at 5:50pm

No Glinda will be played by Farah Fawcett

[ilovemattyfresh2]

Posted: 4/24/04 at 6:42pm

i absolutly agree about Glinda being a no-name. Also, i'm sure its easier to find someone with the soprano range and a great mix, but not necessarily a belting voice. Is it vital that the replacement belts if they have a really strong mix?

[johny0828]

Posted: 4/25/04 at 12:05am

jackie hoffmann. just kidding

[BillFinn]

Posted: 4/25/04 at 1:21am

Sherie Scott and Felicia Finley would be awesome Glindas, but they probably couldn't hit that operatic high note in the opening and closing numbers. They're both busy with other projects anyway. In a perfect world....Laura Benanti.

[StateOfJade]

Posted: 4/25/04 at 1:23am

I'm wondering if the show could really fly (no pun intended) without Chenoweth.

[Mattio98]

Posted: 4/25/04 at 1:24am

Laura Benanti is fantastic....but she would present the opposite problem. She has the operatic notes but I don't think she has the belt and she is too classical sounding for the role. That said, I'd love to see whatever she's working on now.

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 4/25/04 at 3:34am

I think there is a way show can survive without her. We need a sample of her DNA first so that we can create a clone who we can put in the role. Wait... I have a better idea we can make thousands of clones! Every production of Wicked whether it be professional or community theatre get their own Chenoweth clone when they do the show! I can see it now. An army of Chenoweths marching through the streets of Manhattan singing! They could be the main entertainment in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade!

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 4/25/04 at 12:13pm

It would be the Spanish Inquisition all over again

[ilovemattyfresh2]

Posted: 4/25/04 at 12:29pm

what do you guys think about a non-belter? Do you think someone with the soprano notes and a strong mix could pull it off?

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 4/25/04 at 12:38pm

I definitely think the show can fly without Kristin. Maybe that's because I saw it and loved it without her, but I don't think she makes the show. Its success does not ride on her shoulders. I think it will continue to be quite strong after she leaves, especially if they get another person who is a familiar name with at least the Broadway community.

Posted: 4/25/04 at 12:42pm

well kristen's not that strong of a belter. I mean she's great but Glinda doesn't really need to be belted. Now Elphaba, imagine if her songs WEREN'T Belted? What lack luster's they would be.

[broadway86]

Posted: 4/25/04 at 10:43pm

I've said it before and I shall say it again: Jessica Simpson would kick ass as Glinda.

[Wicked_Elphie]

Posted: 4/25/04 at 10:57pm

I reallly don't like Jen Cody, I don't think she could pull it off at all and I don't really think I'd like to see Jessica Simpson or Kerry Butler do it. Now I know Megan Mullally could sing the part and I loooveee her but she is too old.

What is Kate R.'s range like. I saw her in Gypsy but I don't think that showed it very well.

[Songsstresss]

Posted: 4/26/04 at 1:02am

A soprano with a mix as strong as her soprano would be perfect for Glinda. Really, Kristin doesn't have all that much of a belt. She just has the ping-y-est (most ping-y) mix I've ever heard. Elphaba is a belting role. Glinda is almost entirely mix or head. Kristin's replacement just has to have the right kind of mix!

[mominator]

Posted: 4/26/04 at 8:52am

What about Jennifer Westfeldt, as Galinda? Just saw her in Wonderful Town, perky and funny.

[Jon]

Posted: 4/26/04 at 9:09am

Megan Mulally could have sung it 23 years ago, when she played the girl in THE FANTASTICKS in Chicago. My dad played the boy's father, and El Gallo was played by the legendary Robert Conrad (remember him?).

[Garland Grrrl]

Posted: 4/26/04 at 10:59am

As much as people complain about Chenoweth being out all the time and carrying on/not coming out to sign, etc the problems would be multiplied w/ Benanti in the role. I love Kerry Butler. I think Liz Callaway would be great also. Not young enough but a great actress and very funny.

[alwy15]

Posted: 4/26/04 at 3:13pm

i would love to see harvey fierstein as galinda, even though thats completely unrealistic and it would turn the show into complete camp. but how much fun would it be to see harvey dressed as galinda and lowered to the stage in a bubble?? to be realistic - i think that kerry butler would be good because she has the voice and the comic timing. of anyone ive heard mentioned on this board, though, christianne noll is the best choice. i just saw her in urinetown and she has a remarkable voice. she can both belt and sing in a head voice or mix. also her acting is excellent, and shes very pretty and young. im voting for him. she's funny, and she DEFINATELY has the voice. she really really could be outstanding in the role.

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 4/27/04 at 8:57am

Had this show been done like 20+ years ago, I think Madeline Kahn would have been so perfect as Glinda. lol I was just thinking about in general, who would be perfect in the role.

Posted: 5/7/04 at 10:44pm

I was just listening to broadway showstoppers cd and heard Kim Criswell.

Wow what a range. She could pull it off I think. But.....age?