Wicked 2/15: Return of the Neck Brace

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 2:43am

Did anyone catch Wicked on Sunday.... Kristin had to do ACT II with her famous neck brace due to some reoccuring pain. As anyone knows that has seen the show when she has worn the neck brace, she doesn't get slapped by Idina but instead when Idina lifts her hand, Kristin points to the neck brace which gets a huge laugh from the audience. You don't slap someone in a neck brace, period ....well last night, Idina slapped Kristin anyways. A chill went through the theatre. You could have sliced the tension with a knife as it was quite apparant that Kristin was not only shocked but angered that Idina would do the slap regardless of what is scripted when she is in the brace.

This tension led to the two not looking at each other during "For Good" or looking at each other during bows. Kristen didn't even smile during her curtain call.

Now I've heard of some of the tension between these two, but ignoring alternate blocking and proceeding to slap someone in a neck brace is a little unprofessional.... if there was ever a doubt about how well these two actresses get along, I think it was answered last night.

[gherbert]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 5:56am

Well, although this is odd, I do not believe that this can lead to the assumption that these two women don't like each other. Idina probably did it by accident and forgot about the brace, Kristin han't used it since previews in October. And the fact that Kristin was shocked is expected. But I really don't feel that Idina did it on PURPOSE or that a little incident like this would cause bad blood between the actresses.

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 7:19am

Gotta love those ad libs... THIS is what makes live theater special, I'm told.

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 7:21am

How could you "forget" someone is wearing a big jewel encrusted neck brace when you are doing a scene starring right at them? It's not like this was the first time Kristin had ever worn the brace or had just put it on, she had been wearing it since the beginning of Act II.... that would be like kicking Nessa and then saying "Oh, I forgot you're in a wheel chair."

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 7:21am

"Now I've heard of some of the tension between these two, but ignoring alternate blocking and proceeding to slap someone in a neck brace is a little unprofessional.... if there was ever a doubt about how well these two actresses get along, I think it was answered last night."

Hmmm...I haven't heard anything about these two not getting along until now.

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 7:26am

NYCbabe-- are you friends with anyone in the cast? If you did- then you'd know they aren't the cheerist of pals cause its pretty common knowledge backstage....

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 7:27am

Well excuse me for not being one of the "backstage" people. Not everyone has access to that oh-so-valuable information.

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 7:33am

I think you took my question the wrong way--- I just meant that It's not something you're going to read in an interview or an article about the show or the actresses.

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 7:34am

I don't think this was wrong of Idina at all. Clearly, she was very absorbed in the moment and very in character and forgot that a slap might hurt Kristin. Everyone makes mistakes.

[actorboy]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 7:47am

I think it's strange that lilhead, who many of suspected has some connection to Wicked, continues to post supposed backstage "gossip."

What kick do you get out of posting things anonymously on a public forum? What is this strange need you have for attention?

Nothing you posted about the incident on Sunday was "apparent" to anyone in the audience. And what business is it of yours?

[Jack42]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 7:57am

"NYCbabe-- are you friends with anyone in the cast? "


That comments says it all. Broadwaylilhead must and JUST CAN'T HOLD IT INSIDE. Oh no, he can't. And what's a shame is that he's not only acting inappropriately, but he's abusing the trust of his friend in the cast and the production in general.

Newsflash! Even if the tension exists that you say it does (and what production doesn't?) Who cares? The audience isn't paying for the show behind the stage, they're paying to see what's on it. And as long as Idina and Kristin perform their roles to the best of their abilities, that's all that matters.

I pity you BLH, that you must run onto a message board and not only act like a 9 year old tattletale, but that you have to brag about who you know and condescend to those who don't.

[actorboy]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 8:05am

Well put, Jack.

I like gossip as much as the next person, but what lilhead does is a little creepy.

[BroadwayKate]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 8:51am

on a lighter note...on valentines day during Popular, Kristens wand got stuck in her hair...and it all went down hill from there! I know that this scene gets out of hand sometimes. And I know that some of you think that it is unprofessional, but I personally thought that it was the little adlibs that made the enitire show worth it! It was my first time, and it was amazing!!!

kate

[ckeaton]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 9:19am

I haven't seen Wicked yet... but if I did, I think I'd feel cheated if something didn't go wrong. It seems to be quite frequent, and terribly exciting.

Does anyone actually know what the intended blocking/script is supposed to be? Perhaps no one has ever seen the director's true vision...

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 9:28am

Strange need for attention by posting anonmously on a forum? Well, if I wanted attention I dont think it'd be by doing it anonmously. "And what business is it of yours?" Huh- newsflash- bullentin boards are for people to post information they hear, see or know. All the news isn't going to be roses.. "personal connection to wicked"-- lol-- do you think I'd purposely slam a show I'm supposedly "connected" to? Am I the only one on here with friends in shows who posts information they hear? Not the last time I checked... I don't see people yelling at Marc Shaiman or Broadway.com when he corrects people on their misinformation. Most reporters rely on insider information for their news stories.

"Creepy"? come on..... please......creepy are those who post threads about wanting to know how to get backstage, where actors spend their days off and sneak camcorders in to record a show.

"Nothing about Sunday was apparent to the audience" ...sounds like you were there too (oh do you have a personal connection to the show?) and yes, while it wasn't apparant to probably the first time viewer, anyone who has seen the show before-- noticed.

You people crack me up...you want information but you just can't stand to hear anything that even resembles negative information even if it is the truth. You would rather people post "who are the nicest performers on broadway" fluff threads.

oh yes, thank you for your "pity"- it makes me feel much better....lol......

Updated On: 2/17/04 at 09:28 AM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 9:34am

These women are professionals, fully aware that the show's success eight times a week depends on their synergy. Personally, I could not care less whether they're best friends. Anyone who heard Kristen say "we're very different, but when we get together..." all autumn can intuit that they aren't buddies. But Robert Klein and Luci Arnaz did not speak during THEY'RE PLAYING 0UR SONG, and the contention no doubt contributed to the overall chemistry. Wworking relationships are about the work, not the personal connections that may or may not be there. The theater is no different.

[BudFrump23]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 9:43am

Jem to the rescue, Synergy!

She's got the power (power) power!
She's got the power!

Glamour and glitter, fashion and fame
Jem is truly outrageous!

[actorboy]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 10:33am

Lilhead, it is indeed creepy that you talk to friends in the show and then post info here.

What do you get out of it, one asks?

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 10:44am

Well- like most people on message boards- I enjoy hearing inside scoop unfiltered through PR reps and I'm not the only one on here that knows and posts insider information. I'd rather hear information from someone that actually knows (thank you marc shaiman- thank you broadway.com) than just someone posting rumors.

Insiders are the ones that keep places like broadway.com, playbill.com, access hollywood, entertainment tonight, E!, etc in business with stories. It's called relaying information, not being creepy.

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 10:52am

Back on topic---

I would be very upset if I had been there that night and the two didn't look at each other or really ACT during "For Good". I'm seeing the show again tomorrow night, and I hope everything goes well.

I don't think Idina slapped Kristin on purpose, so I think it's a little unprofessional to not really do your best during one of the numbers at the end, especially when the acting is needed the most. As someone said, these little accidents seem to happen a little too frequently. I hope they learn to pull it together so early in the run.

[Ilive4nyc]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 10:59am

I saw Wicked for the first time 2/12 and I don't think there were any adlibs or mishaps. I was sort of disappointed, I had read all about them. Anyway, great show and I ended up knowing somebody in the cast whom I have done a bunch of shows with when we were kids. It was nice to see he made it to Broadway! I'll be going back for sure.......and the CD has not left my CD player!
Does Kristin go out another exit? Idina came out, but no Kristin.
We figured she went out another door. What a great show! I'm looking forward to seeing it again......for free!

[actorboy]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 11:11am

Lilhead, do your "friends" in the cast know that you post information that they've given you on this site? If not, would you ever tell them?

Also, do you realize that Idina and Kristin, during that scene, don't actually slap each other? It's a stage slap, and they never actually connect (the sound you hear is an effect).

[Jack42]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 11:22am

Actorboy

You are wasting your breath and energy on BLH. He doesn't get it, nor will he ever. And he's one of "those" people who is right no matter what and will spin his spin until he proves himself right using BLHLogic.

[MariantheLibrarian]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 11:23am

Oh my gosh, leave the poor man alone! Ok, if he posted something you don't agree with, say it, but don't insult him! We're on this board because we all love Broadway, and if we're just respectful of each other, things'll be much more pleasant.

[actorboy]

Posted: 2/17/04 at 11:30am

"Leave the poor man alone!"

Now I've heard everything.