Who's the better Fiyero?

[onlylisab]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 12:26am

I'm curious...
To those who have seen both Norbert Leo Butz and Taye Diggs as Fiyero...who is more suited for the role?

[Corine2]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 12:32am

I did not see either. I saw Norbert's Understudy who had an amazing voice and was the spitting image of an old boyfriend (WHO WAS HOT his name was Elliott) It was a pleasure watching him and he made me melt.
He is stunning. Easy on the ears and eyes! Updated On: 3/21/04 at 12:32 AM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 12:49am

Norbert is hot. Taye is sexy. I can't choose. Perhaps they should get together and wrestle. Woof!

[orchajaws]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 12:54am

i thought norbert was fair...and Taye has always been very talented, so I'm guessing that Taye must have been better.

[StateOfJade]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 1:22am

I've only seen Norbert in it, and thought he was awful. But then I've heard Taye was pretty dreadful as well.

[StraightToHeaven]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 9:19am

I have only seen Norbert but coming from someone who goes to school with 200 Fiyeros (at the start of the show that is) I thought he fit the part very well. I know someone who has seen both and she says Norbert is better.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 9:33am

I saw both. I didn't much care for Taye's performance. It was 'alright' but I was really frustrated with the key changes and the messed up harmonies in "As Long As You're Mine".

[thirdrowcenter]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 9:50am

I saw only Taye's performance, the very last one. I enjoyed the obvious chemistry between him and Idina. He is built extremely well and is talented. He was adequate. I'd like to see the show again so maybe I'll catch Norbert.

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 9:53am

I think Norbert is wonderful in the role. I saw all three Fiyeros and Norbert was by far the best. The understudy was only okay. He wasn't as charismatic as Norbert and had no chemistry whatsoever with Idina. As you can imagine, Taye and Idina were great together, but Taye's portrayal was very bland and I hated the changes they made to As Long As You're Mine. I loved the way Norbert said each line, and I was able to connect with his character much more than with Taye or Kristoffer.

[Maggie]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 10:17am

I saw it with Taye toward the end of his run and I thought he did a wonderful job. He's very easy on the eyes and ears!
I definitely plan on going back to see Norbert but I'll have to wait until summer.

[VoiceofReason]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 10:18am

I've personally seen it with Norbert both times, and I really enjoyed him (my fav. is in dancing through life when he gets up on the statue and sings blows are glancing, when you're dancing...through Lahaife--and he adds that extra little not---ahhh makes me so happy) but anyways...The first time I saw it with a freidn and her mother...the mom had seen it previously with Taye, and when I asked her who she enjoyed better after the show she immediatly said taye, esp. when it comes to chemistry (which obviously makes sense) I was a little surprised because he didnt strike me as fitting the role as well, but I guess it depends on what you want to hear and see, and how well you know the music with the other person singing before hand....
always,
~m~

[lostwallflower]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 10:53am

I also saw Norbet's understudy. I think he was excellent. I prefered him to Norbert (who I'd only heard on the CD).

[Benzy92]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 10:53am

I saw the show twice, once with Norbert, once with Taye. I really wanted to love Taye more, but he didnt have the voice or the stage presence. I think that Norbert was better suited. Taye wasnt necessarily bad, just not up to par..

[Becky]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 11:53am

I've seen Norbert and his understudy (Kristoffer). I saw Kristoffer first, and enjoyed his performance. He was fine. However, the second time I had Norbert and realized what I was missing. He brings natural charisma and charm to the role that seemed a little forced and ineffective with the other guy. I much preferred Norbert vocally - the power and richness in his voice never ceases to amaze me....and he had much better chemistry with both ladies.

[Benzy92]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 12:21pm

also, forgot to add, Fiyero really is a nothing part.. Taye made me feel it more than Norbert.

[jesseeinstein]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 12:25pm

Saw both, Norbert was better in general, but Taye's chemistry in As Long as You're Mine was just spectacular!

[Wicked_Elphie]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 12:56pm

I saw Norbert's understudy and Taye and I enjoyed them both but Taye a little more! Ohh man is he sexy and I loovveedd the chemistry between him and Idina, it just made it that much more special! I am suuuuuch a sap...lol

[KarenWalker]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 1:00pm

i seen all 3 play Fieryo, and i think Norbert is the best, his u/s Kristoffer can sing but cant act the part and doesnt have as good comic timing. Taye was good but he was better acting then singing, he was good but it was very soulful singing. Theyre all talented but my fav is Norert

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 1:04pm

I saw Norbert's understudy, back when Norbert was out with that back injury. He was great. I want to go back to see Norbert sometime, because I LOVE his voice.... I didn't get to see Taye, but somehow I can't picture him playing Fiyero... don't know why, though I'm sure the fact that they're actually married made it that much more adorable! One thing that I thought was cool about casting Taye was that in the book, it was very important to the story that Fiyero was of a different race from most of the other students. When I saw the show, I was disappointed that that was taken out, because it added to the depth of the story, and why it was so difficult for Elphaba and Fiyero to be together. I still don't think it's mentioned in the show, but I thought that was a neat thing about Taye being cast.