Why did Jennifer Laura Thompson get the role of Glinda in Wicked instead of Kristin's understudy? And then after JLt left Wicked why wasn't she asked to go on tour or go to chicago? Just a thought
Whenever I think of Glinda, I never think of JLT. I don't know why. I still can't picture her in that role.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/9/05
Well, I'm not really sure but I think that since Taye Diggs was the very first replacement actor for this show, they briefly wanted to continue bringing in Broadway talent who hasn't done this show before. That's my hypothesis.
Laura Bell Bundy couldn't come to terms with the producers. Jennifer Laura Thompson wanted to stay home with her kid.
I get all that from reading BWW on a regular basis. I've never even seen WICKED.
I didn't know she had a kid. lol.
JLT was fabulous. My favorite Glinda.
Yeah, from what I remember JLT is taking a break from acting to raise her kid. Although I didn't see her, I bet she was a great Glinda.
**oops** Updated On: 12/15/06 at 04:13 PM
I remember reading an interview on playbill.com when she got the part. She was talking about how she wanted to do the role but would only do it if she could get the shortest contract she possibly could. As a result, she did the role for 9 months
GORGEOUS pictures, BrodyFosse123. Thank you for sharing
I saaw her the second time I saw the show. I saw it with Idina and Kristin. When I saw it with JLT, I wanted to dislike her because... well... simply because she wasn't Kristin. It didn't work like that She was GREAT!
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/16/05
She had dignity and wasn't going to be known as a recycled Wicked actress
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/5/04
I'm so upset that I missed her in Wicked in March 2005. Instead, I had the pleasure of seeing Ms. Stacie Morgain Lewis' first performance as Glinda.
...still wish I had gotten to see JLT. She's so funny.
She was <3.
JLT was wonderful as Glinda, so human and so real. And, what a voice.
She's taking time away to be with her son- I've heard until he gets school age. And she's flat out said she's not interested in returning to Wicked.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
Easy. She did her time, took the cash, and ran for life.
As others have said, Thompson is taking an extended break from performing to raise her son.
She has been offered numerous roles since leaving Wicked (including Christine in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Little Edie in Grey Gardens, and an invited audition for the title role in Mary Poppins,) as well as several chances to return to the role of Glinda, but she is very set on focusing on being a mom, and I applaud her for making that choice.
Let's hope she DOES return in the future. She surely is fantastic, and Broadway misses her for sure.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/29/04
Ah, I love this woman. She took me backstage to Wicked in October of... 2004, I think? She was just perfect in every way -- wonderful personality, warm, friendly, funny. And she definitely is in mother mode. As she gave me the tour, she kept talking about her son Tommy and how much she loved him. Fantastic actress, and I can't wait to see her come back to Broadway!
I wasn't impressed with her in the role, perhaps because she has zero to play against in the form of Shoshana Bean. Ugh.
disagree, I saw her in the role and thought she was fantastic.
yeah, I asked her when I talked to her backstage in July. She wanted to raise her child. I can't believe she could have been Christine or Mary Poppins. That makes me happy. I would have loved to see her sing "Here I Am".
jennifer laura thompson was FABULOUS as glinda. i saw her with idina menzel and couldn't have had a better theatre experience. she is definitely missed, and if she ever does happen to come back to wicked, i'll be the first in line for tickets
I think I"m one of the few who disliked her in the role. SHe must have had an off day, because I've heard nothing but praise. I found her bland-but I normally love her work.
Videos