Wicked

[drama mama]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 1:59pm

Saw Wicked last Thurs and Elphaba was played by the understudy. At first I was highly disappointed that Eden wasn't performing( I hear she is terrific)that night but was pleasantly surprised. She hit all the right notes for Defying Gravity and had the right attitude for Elphie.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 2:00pm

You didn't miss much, Eden is actually pretty bad vocally as Elphie.

[drama mama]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 2:03pm

Really? Then I guess that I got lucky. I actually had tears running down my face at the end of Defying Gravity.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 2:06pm

I have heard nothing but good things about Eden. I have no doubt the understudies are good- appearently they are

[bjh2114]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 2:08pm

I agree that Eden acts the part well, but musically I just don't see where all the praise comes from. Drama mama, which understudy was it?
-BJH

[JamesMacon]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 2:10pm

I think Eden and her understudies are all excellent.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 2:10pm

I really liked Eden. Hmm. I guess you saw Saycon, she's supposed to be pretty good.

[ThereIs1Director]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 2:14pm

"You didn't miss much, Eden is actually pretty bad vocally as Elphie."

You Obviously Never saw Idina Menzel Then.

[Just_John]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 2:28pm

I thought Saycon was awful during the first act, but did much better during the second act. Singing and acting wise.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 2:45pm

Eden is easily the worst Elphaba, and she even looks odd in the publicity photos outside the theatre. Her acting is unimpressive as well. I'm looking forward to Ana Gasteyer coming into the show, she makes Eden look like Haylie Duff! It looks like I'll be seeing Wicked again in October!

[to wherever]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 4:28pm

I've seen Eden 3 times as Elphaba -- the first time I wasn't too impressed, but after the 2nd time, she grew on me and I really like her. Some of the riffs she pulls over in NGD blew me away.

Shoshana still wins for best, in my opinion.

I've only ever seen videos of Saycon (she's alright) and Ana (not too sure about her).

[Candleshoe2]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 4:42pm

I don't see how all of you can say that about Eden? I think she looks the part, acts the part, and sings the part amazingly! But, you are all intitled to your own opinions! I just think she's always adding something new and making each performance diffrerent, which makes her great and unique! Eden is definately up towards the top for me!

[NJRae]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 4:45pm

Candleshoe, you beat me to it. I was reading those posts going, "huh?" I don't get it. I think she is great. I even saw her once when she was sick and coughing her brains out between songs and she still sounded amazing!

But like you said, everyone is entitled to their own opinions . . . I just can't figure where they are coming from!

[Joshua488]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 4:48pm

I am really underwhelmed by Eden Espinosa. I feel she has no control of her voice. Sure, she can "belt" to the stratosphere, but it sounds so untrained and erratic.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 4:54pm

She has terrible vocal control as Elphie. Joshua, I couldn't have said it better myself. It's not that her voice in itself isn't impressive, cause it is, but singing Elphie's songs she never really quite makes the pitch, and she screams when she doesn't have to. Wow, run on sentence.
-BJH

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 5:00pm

I liked Eden a lot in the role.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 5:02pm

Everyone seems to love or hate every Elphaba. They all appeal to different people. I have liked them all for different reasons. I have disliked something about most of them. I can't wait for Ana to start in NY!

[GreenGirl22406]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 5:05pm

I saw Eden and was impressed with her voice, I just felt that she hadn't had a lot of vocal training or something. She's impressive, but she could work harder. Her acting and stage presence were very good, though! :)

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 5:12pm

I think Eden has one of the best voices I've heard, particularly in the "Wicked" songs.

[NJRae]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 6:06pm

Well . . . I just went and watched some videos of Ana and I have to say I much prefer Eden. I liked Ana's voice, really I did, but her acting just really didn't do it for me. *Shrugs* Guess I have to try to see Wicked before Eden leaves!

[mr14]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 9:33pm

A lot of the time I think that the understudies are better. James Romick, who is the Phantom understudy, was the best Phantom I have ever seen!

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 12:09am

Funny how all "who-is-a-better-elphaba" topic causes so much conflict and commotion!

[drama mama]

Posted: 9/3/06 at 4:24pm

The understudy was Brandi Chavonne Massey.

[mrcacou]

Posted: 9/3/06 at 5:38pm

I went to see Wicked on Tuesday and was disapointed to see Eden was Elphaba that night after all I heard about her. Well, I had a great time seeing her, her acting was good and she did sing the hell out of the role, and she was good maybe forming the sounds in her throat from time to time but still she did a great job in the part. The audience loved her and that is what really counts.

[Footlooser]

Posted: 9/3/06 at 5:41pm

Eden had the strongest "Wizard and I" I have heard yet.