Wicked CD Pics on Broadway.com ... Kristin-less

Al, don't make me put you in time out now.....


lol

Yep. No pictures of me there, damnit. Lol- I was disappointed that Kristen wasn't there, as it was her and Idina I was really looking forward to meeting. I had a great time, anyway.

As a side note, I COMPLETELY disagree that Kristen Chenoweth is overrated.

Bring your cd to the show one night and catch Kristen walking in or out of the theatre...

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I agree with every comment you made about Ms. Chenoweth, excluding you saying she should win the Tony. Ms. Chenoweth's role does have a wider range of emotions and song, but Idina Menzel is exhilarating and her acting is phenomenal. She's extremely believable, and I think this up and coming star deserves the Tony.

What is this, "Kristin is leaving in May" talk? She's not leaving in May at all. I don't know where this rumor started. Kristin is leaving the show for a week to do Candide with the New York Philharmonic, but is then promptly returning to the show.

Do we still have time to catch Kristoffer Cussick before Taye Diggs starts?

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Taye starts on Xmas

I love you Sammy!

Can I have a Stephen Oremus sent to me in time for Christmas Morning??????????????????????????? I want one of those

All the talk here about Chenoweth vs. Idina -- the October 2003 debate resurfaces with a vengence -- has new resonance with the CD out and about. Only the actresses themselves know which role is more difficult, vocally/histrionically, but I think the CD belongs to Menzel. "Popular" and Chenoweth's sparkling vocals throughout aside, the character of Glinda doesn't get the kind of numbers that result in multiple playings. Among show queens, high school girls who dream of b'way, or everyone in between. Elphaba's songs carry the evening emotionally, and excerpted, have new power, pop or not.

If anyone here has played "Thanks Goodness" 50 times since buying it (aside from Ken Mandlebaum, unable to avoid his "guilty pleasure") ... please post. Also, I was intrigued to note that unlike the billing, Elphaba's "Defying Gravity" photo earned the coveted left front cover position, with Glinda relegated to the end. To me, telling. No accidents.

I also think, after the Will Murphy Show debacle over at Encores II, er, the Hirshfield, Chenoweth has moved into first place for the Tony again.

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Updated On: 12/20/03 at 06:59 PM

I agree with your favorites.

Anyone else think "For Good" will become a staple at lesbian weddings? I'm not being glib. I also think, as posted once before, it would be a damned good duet with Dolly Parton and Emy Lou Harris. I think country phrasing would really work with it.

The much maligned "pop" strain in Schwartz's work here -- the very aspect that makes the show so playable -- give it real legs outside the Gershwin.

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I must say, listening to it, I'm struck with your comments about Glinda being harder. Notice how much action leaves Glinda OUT of the limelight and with lower personal stakes in the arc. One is freshly reminded that the show's biggest crescendos do not illuminate chatharsis in Glinda. "Defying Gravity" and "No Good Deed" are the points at which the show turns, and they're dual epiphanies for Elphaba. Even the one romantic duet is between Fiyero and Elphaba. I'm not dissing the show -- its strength remains its TURNING POINT friendship plot, which is unique and strong -- but it does break classic musical rules. Chenoweth is narrator/commentator -- a person "changed" only by actions of the MAIN character: Elphaba.

So Chenoweth must score her points without the show setting up her moments the way, say, Nellie Forbush or Julie Jordan is set up. I give her enormous credit. Remember the posts that were made when her understudy went on: the show seemed easier to follow without a "star" as Glinda. It'll be interesting to see how this dynamic evolves when these gifted creators leave their roles.

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Updated On: 12/20/03 at 07:27 PM