Who's Your Favorite Elphaba? — Page 2

this post must have been the culprit...all i said was..and it was misinterpreted..so i have edited, so as not to offend anyone else....that every one who plays Elphaba, seems to have a weak spot...SPOT...i am NOT criticizing their OVER all talent or ability. they are all AMAAZING...Stephanie included, Lady Italy..it has been said MANY times by many people...if you rolled them all into one...that would be the perfect elphaba. hey..THEY are the ones up there doing it ..NOT ME...so there is a reason for THAT! i couldn't do it 8 shows a week and i am not embarrassed or afraid to say so! i had also said i hadn't seen all of them..now i pretty much have and my opinions have changed..another reason i edited this thread. please see my later post on page 4 or 5 where i say ALL of them are amazing women and i admire and respect them ALL for being able to land this role and do it 8 shows a week!
i won't share my opinions anymore, unless they are glowing, because clearly it is too upsetting to people.

Updated On: 4/2/06 at 06:11 PM

IDINA----but i really REALLY enjoyed Kristy Cates.

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Idina Menzel, absolutely no competition. She brought all the dark and deep colors to the show that actually made me take the show (or at least the character) seriously for a moment. She always made a choice that went deeper than the surface, and the result was her Elphaba being a very alive, relatable human being, not some actress trying to say lines so they sound natural.

I think one of the best things I've heard somebody say about Idina is that watching her act is like watching her bleed. She's simply that present, vulnerable, and human. It's just one of those things that makes her perfect for this role. She was able to show the vulnerability of the character while being a character who is reaching out for something and hiding behind walls at the same time.

And her vocals are more raw and affecting than the others, even if she was a bit inconsistent.


It's funny to read this thread. Most people only coment on vocals, or say "her acting was great" instead of actually saying why they liked the person they chose. It's not alll about vocals anyway...

Idina was truly awesome for the first few months. But then she became a lot more than "a bit inconsistent." But she won the Tony for a reason. She gave a star-making performance that has secured her a spot among Broadway legends. Whether you like, love, or hate her, the performances she delivered during the first five to six months were unbeatable.

Shoshana Bean always delivered the goods, vocally. I never cared for her characterization of the role because she never quite decided on how to play it. But the girl can sing like it's nobody's business. She's the reason I've gone back to see Wicked so many times.

Yeah, I chose two. I can't decide on which is my personal favorite. I loved both of them for different reasons.


EDIT: After seeing tonight's first performance by the new cast, Eden is definitely my favorite Elphaba.

Updated On: 1/11/06 at 07:37 PM

Idina Menzel

I'm not promoting or condoning them in any way, shape or form. I'm merely stating a fact. Thanks for your concern.

I have re-phrased my comment.. Hope that appeases you somehow.. lol

I have seen clips of shoshana, stephanie, and idina. Being a HUGE fan of idina I say she did the part justice for her time being. Though, when I saw soem clips of her and kristen singing defying gravity at the tony's she seemed a little strained. I don't know if it was just her way of changing it up a little just to make it sound different or she just sounded that way. All three girls can certainly bring the powerhouse performane needed for defying gravity, wizard and I, and no good deed in their own way. But to me stephanie was the best. Her voice is so clear while idina and shoshana were sometimes inconsistent.

I think Shoshana has been the most consistent. With her, you never had to worry about whether or not she was going to make it all the way through Defying Gravity with out an inhaler.

But I've said many times I loved Idina in Wicked early in her run. And even her most diehard fans will tell you that her Tony performance wasn't good.

Eden Espinosa.

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I love Idina her voice is amazing and I got to see her and it was such an amazing experience

But I do love Stephanie too shes soo sweet


choosing elphabas is a hard thing to do

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Umm, Shoshana. Kthx.

Eden's great too, though.

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Menzel.

Although I also really like Eden.