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#1

Why did Joel Grey leave Wicked?

Why did Joel Grey leave Wicked? I heard he was sick but why didn't he come back after he got better? What was wrong?
#2

re: Why did Joel Grey leave Wicked?

I dunno exactly, but its for the better. He was far above that role. So is George, but thats beside the point...
#3

re: why did joel grey leave wicked?

what? no punchline? that's just wrong.
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i'm a sonic reducer

he was the gimmicky sort

fenchurch=mejusthavingfun=magwildwood=mmousefan=bkcollector=bradmajors=somethingtotalkabout: the fenchurch mpd collective
#4

re: why did joel grey leave wicked?

Disappointed.
BSoBW2: I punched Sondheim in the face after I saw Wicked and said, "Why couldn't you write like that!?"
#5

re: why did joel grey leave wicked?

he had bronccitis (sp?) and he was out for a really long time and then he just decided to end his contract and go out with kristin chenoweth (but george hern had been in for him for about a month anyway when he decided to end his contract)
"It is a curious thought, but it's only when you see people looking ridiculous that you realize just how much you love them."
#7

re: why did joel grey leave wicked?

"he had bronccitis (sp?) and he was out for a really long time and then he just decided to end his contract and go out with kristin chenoweth (but george hern had been in for him for about a month anyway when he decided to end his contract)"

Actually, George Hearn wasn't in for Joel when he ended his contract. Sean McCourt was in for Joel until July 20th (the day George started). We had known that Joel ended his contract for a while before that (a month or two).
#8

re: why did joel grey leave wicked?

wicked4good2 is almost right. He had a scheduled vacation the weekend after the Tonys, and never came back after that, as he was ill. Sean went on as the Wizard for the next six weeks, and Mr. Hearn debuted on July 20 with JLT and Joey.
JOHN LITHGOW I just realized, your last name is Butz! Both "Norbert" AND "Butz" are in your name! You must have gotten picked on a lot as a child!
#9

re: why did joel grey leave wicked?

lol thanx thega and luckydave, i wasn't totally sure when i posted that. now i know. guess i'm not totally a wicked freak huh? haha
"It is a curious thought, but it's only when you see people looking ridiculous that you realize just how much you love them."
#10

re: why did joel grey leave wicked?

Seems slightly suspicious of Joel... is he hiding something?? I'm not prying!

Sounds similar to Donna Murphy's leave in WONDERFUL TOWN... except I believe Joel Grey more than Donna Murphy.
#11

re: why did joel grey leave wicked?

Will everyone please give the Donna bashing a rest now?

No one knows what was wrong with her or how serious it is/was.

And she is one of Broadway's finest actresses and deserves more respect.
"One no longer loves one's insight enough once one communicates it."

The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.

Updated On: 1/6/05 at 10:50 PM

#13

re: why did joel grey leave wicked?

I actually say Joel Grey when I saw Wicked on June 18.. He was so good.. You couldn't tell anything was wrong with him though..
Life is like a patio door, you never know which side is open... and then you run into the glass.... ~Connie and Carla
#14

re: why did joel grey leave wicked?

If we're gonna get into this about Grey vs. Murphy, then I would say the reason I believe Murphy less is because unlike Joel Grey, no official statement regarding her absences or the reason for them was ever made. That is all.
Nothing precious, plain to see, don't make a fuss over me. Not loud, not soft, but somewhere inbetween. Say sorry, just let it be the word you mean.
#15

re: why did joel grey leave wicked?

I can't believe that with all the connected folks on this board, no one has any inside scoop on Grey's totally unexpected exit from the biggest hit on Broadway. I was glad to have finally seen him in something and was stunned that he dropped out. It sure seemed to me there had to be more to the story.
#16

re: why did joel grey leave wicked?

"...then he just decided to end his contract and go out with kristin chenoweth..."

Who HASN'T that girl gone out with??
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
#17

re: why did joel grey leave wicked?

Joshua: Not sure what you mean about Grey hiding something OR about Murphy hiding something.

Both actors were sick and both were unable to work. It is not their obligation to share with the general public the excruciating details of their illness, even if it WOULD make you feel better. And my experience has been that even when an actor does tell the public what is wrong with him/her, they are either belived to be exaggerating or the public says 'I don't care what's the matter with them...they should be in the show because I paid my $100 to see them'...so it's pretty much a no-win situation.

Still, this role seems cursed...since Grey left after having been out for some time fighting an illness and then Hearn ended up having surgery...hmm...

Don't know if I'd take that part.

AND...one last thing...if you're a WICKED fanatic...like some on these boards...here's a little barb: maybe Joel left because he got sick of fighting off the wackos at the stage door screaming for Idina and Kristin. Has to make your ears bleed after awhile.

OK...kids...just KIDDING...put down those flaming torches....AAAAHHHHHHH
"Life is a lesson in humility"

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