Wicked 5-12-06
Wicked 5-12-06
#0Wicked 5-12-06
Posted: 5/13/06 at 9:35am
After seeing an unispired performance of the show this past February, I decided I was going to take a much needed break from the show. My obsession with the show has since dwindled and I began to lose faith in the show and thought it became just a spectacle with nothing that makes you really go "wow."
Last night on the way to dinner, C is for Company and I passed the Gershwin and although at the time I had no ambition to see the show again, we decided we should play. My name was called and there it was my seventh time seeing Wicked on Broadway.
When we arrived at the theatre, the crowd had a buzz about them, they were really into the Oz-inspired decor. In my opinion, in order for a show like Wicked, that doesn't run on good writing, to succeed you need a really enthusiastic audience. And boy they were.
As soon as the houselights dimmed, an eruption of applause and cheers echoed through the theatre and we were all really into it.
First things first: Megan Hilty has never dissappointed me! She is my favorite Glinda and she is such a warm and caring woman. She has been giving one of the greatest performances on Broadway this season. It's so sad to see a loved performer leave the show, but I'm sure Kate will do an awesome job!
Eden Espinosa was really on last night. I saw her first in January and found her to be decent, I saw her in February and found her to be boring, I saw her last night and thought she was phenomenal! There was a family with three little girls sitting behind me and the girls loved it, which was great to see. And even if Wicked is a mediocre show, it still brings new people to the theatre, which none of us can say is a bad thing.
One thing that I really loved about Eden, Megan, and Robb Sapp (Boq)'s performances was that they really were college students. They are the perfect age and they do a great job. Robb Sapp really stuck out last night and added GREAT - and numerous! - nuances to the show.
We got another surprise when we opened the playbill and saw that David Garrison was playing the Wizard. I was under the assumption that he was starting when Kate Reinders joins the cast. He was a really pleasant surprise! He worked his poorly written character well, as well as Derrick Williams as Fiyero. It was the third time I was seeing him and he always adds something new. Carol Kane was her usual funny self, I really like her Madame Morrible. She really understands the role and how wicked this woman is.
Jenna Leigh Green was on as Nessarose and did not support. I remember back in the Sabrina days, I loved Libby! What a biotch! I got to meet her after the show and she was so appreciative and so kind, as was the rest of the show.
Overall, I now have renewed faith in this show and it continues to Fly High Defying Gravity. (Boy that was corny.)
Edit: There was also a few mistakes that I found funny.
When Nessa shouts "Jeweled shoes!" In the first Shiz scene, Jenna sayed "Jewed shoes" and that was funny. Also, only four people, including the two of us, got the Evita homage. :) And during that song, Megan totally blanked out and hummed along and pretended to cry until she remembered her words. Gotta love live theatre!
To Kill A Mockingbird
#1re: Wicked 5-12-06
Posted: 5/13/06 at 9:42amI have yet to see Eden in the part, but once I'm done with the rest of the shows on my list, I would really love to see Eden. She is amazing and I'm glad she was on last night.
#2re: Wicked 5-12-06
Posted: 5/13/06 at 10:27amIt was a treat seeing her, she was in chracter the entire time, a great performance.
To Kill A Mockingbird
#3re: Wicked 5-12-06
Posted: 5/13/06 at 12:14pmI love Megan. What song did she blank out on?
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
#4re: Wicked 5-12-06
Posted: 5/13/06 at 1:07pmDuring "Thank Goodness," when everyone in the ensemle is behind her and Fiyero already left. She was just standing there humming, it was such an awkward time. I was sitting front row and desperately wanted to help her!
To Kill A Mockingbird
#5re: Wicked 5-12-06
Posted: 5/13/06 at 3:11pmI agree that the show is in fine shape again. The previous cast (Bean, McClanahan, Ayers, and Kuhn) didn't do it for me, but this group is really exceptional. Like you said, it's far from the perfect musical, but it certainly is a great showcase for talented performers.
#6re: Wicked 5-12-06
Posted: 5/13/06 at 5:10pmI have yet to see the show since right after the new cast started (wow...that was January!). It sounds like the show is going strong still. Though I miss the last cast, the new cast members seems to be doing an excellent job!
#7re: Wicked 5-12-06
Posted: 5/13/06 at 5:13pmI was really mixed about the current cast, that's changing once again in a week, but they finally warmed up for me!
To Kill A Mockingbird
C is for Company
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/16/05
#8re: Wicked 5-12-06
Posted: 5/14/06 at 2:00amHey, you decided that we should play lotto? I begged you to play! Now we are even, I saw Chitty a second time so you could see it and you saw Wicked your 7th time! hahaha
#9re: Wicked 5-12-06
Posted: 5/14/06 at 2:08amwait you saw eden in january and february? where? on Broadway Shoshana was playing Elphaba. or was that when she was covering for Stephanie in SF?
C is for Company
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/16/05
#10re: Wicked 5-12-06
Posted: 5/14/06 at 2:42amJanuary was when she came in and he saw her some weeks later
GretchaSketh
Broadway Star Joined: 6/9/04
#11re: Wicked 5-12-06
Posted: 5/14/06 at 2:50amEden covered for stephanie in August. Shoshana left wicked on Jan 8th and eden started on the 10th of Jan.
#12re: Wicked 5-12-06
Posted: 5/14/06 at 11:33amJanuary was split in half between the two. Yes, we're even C!
To Kill A Mockingbird
#13re: Wicked 5-12-06
Posted: 5/14/06 at 1:04pm
I really love Eden in this role. It's good for her. My parent's saw it, and they are tough to please. They really enjoyed her. For someone who is so bored with the show, you win the lotto again, and this is your 7th time...lucky bastard!! hehe Just kidding. I want to see it a few more times before Oct.
-Vincent
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#14re: Wicked 5-12-06
Posted: 5/14/06 at 1:07pm
I've been saying on and off for a year that I'd see it again just for Megan (having seen the Idina/JLT cast). I didn't want to see it with Shoshana or Ben Vereen, so I decided to wait for David Garrison, Carol Kane, and Eden. Now, Megan's leaving. I recently got tickets for July (family coming into town wants to see it) and was happy to learn that Kate Reinders (who I've seen in Gypsy and Good Vibes) was doing Glinda.
This, by far, has to be the best cast since the original.
#15re: Wicked 5-12-06
Posted: 5/14/06 at 1:57pm
Go now! Megan cannot be missed!
Yes, I am extremely lucky. Fourth lotto win in less than a year! :)
To Kill A Mockingbird
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