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

[Al Dente]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 3:57pm

Funny... I kind of like seeing the cast WITHOUT that overrated blonde...

http://www.broadway.com/template_3.asp?CI=33056&CT=26

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 3:59pm

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


lol

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 4:34pm

I love how they have "Drive (or fly) Safely" as you walk out of the theatre!

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 4:52pm

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.

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 5:25pm

Wow- nothing like a bitter one to make you feel cozy during the holidays.

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 5:26pm

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

[bob8rich]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 5:33pm

I'm afraid I can't agree that Kristin Chenoweth is over-rated. Although Idina Menzel is quite stunning as Elphaba, I think that Glinda is a far more difficult role - she has a wider variety of types of song to sing and a greater range of acting to achieve, stretching from hilarious comedy to delicately touching moments. Kristin Chenoweth captures every single comic, dramatic and vocal nuance to perfection - and if she does not win the Tony award it will be nothing short of criminal.

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 5:36pm

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.

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 5:36pm

It's going to be interesting to see someone else do the role when Kristen leaves in May. I heard Eden, the standby, went on today for Nessaros (sp??)

[gherbert]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 5:44pm

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.

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 5:46pm

That's what I meant.. when she is out in May for Candide....

[mamamia sammy]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 5:49pm

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

[gherbert]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 5:50pm

Okay. Sorry for the outburst. I apologize, but I remember a thread in the past stating that Kristin was departing the show for good in May because she was doing Alice in Wonderland in LA. This was before I was a memeber of the board and was frustrated because Alice won't happen until 2006! Again, I apologize, Broadwaylilhead.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 5:53pm

Taye starts on Xmas

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 5:53pm

I think he is doing it till the 24th.. Taye starts xmas day; there was a pic on broadway.com of taye and the musical director.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 6:01pm

I love you Sammy!

[mamamia sammy]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 6:02pm

Happy Holidays to you, Al!

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 6:03pm

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

[Al Dente]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 6:03pm

Ditto, Sam!

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 6:59pm

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.

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

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 7:06pm

I LOVE the disc.. I do wish teh tempos were a bit faster tho...


The tracks I am CONSTANTLY replaying --

-- No One Mourns The Wicked -- 2:46 into it, Cheno's GLORIOUS Soprano..
-- The Wizard and I
-- Popular
-- I'm Not That Girl
-- Defying Gravity
-- As Long As You're MIne
-- No Good Deed
-- For Good -- not gonna lie.. thsi song make sme tear up

The disc belongs to Menzel without a doubt. She sells every number and her voice is a treasure and you can hear the transformation in her character as the disc progresses.. the same is true of Cheno, but with Cheno, it is in HOW the music is written, where as in Menzel's case, it is in her portrayal.

This disc, in my opinion, proves why these two are two of my favorite vocalists today

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 7:16pm

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.

[bob8rich]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 7:17pm

I agree that Menzel has most of the best songs to sing (apart from the utterly stunning "Popular") - which rather proves my point: Chenoweth's role is the more difficult and she achieves more with less. I am by no means belittling Miss Menzel's performance - I thought she was fantastic on stage and sounds great on the CD. But I can imagine a host of other performers being equally fantastic with the material. I can not honestly think of anyone matching Miss Chenoweth's multi-faceted and deliciously "wicked" performance.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 7:27pm

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.

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

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/20/03 at 7:37pm

I think is worth mention that one should realize "Glinda" was written SPECIFICALLY for Cheno from day One... Idina was not brought in till later, so the bones of the charcter were already established.. of course the stuff will perfectly suit Cheno.