Wicked Chicago review 8/24/08, Lisa Brescia's last

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 2:41am

August 24, 2008

Elphaba- Lisa Brescia
Glinda- Annaleigh Ashford
Fiyero- Kristoffer Cusick
Morrible- Rondi Reed
Wizard- Gene Weygandt
Nessarose- Heidi Kettenring
Boq- Stanton Nash
Dillamond- K. Todd Freeman

preshow: I went with three friends. Even though we all had tickets, we decided to lotto just for fun. I'd never done lotto before and I was excited to do it just for the experience. I was not expecting to win. We barely got there in time. I was completely shocked when they called my name. This was my 11th time seeing Wicked, but I'd never seen it from the front row. I got row A seat 116, which was on the right center aisle. I knew it was going to be an amazing show and I had high expectations. I actually don't remember most of the details because I was so into it.

No One Mourns the Wicked: The ensemble was especially good. Annaleigh got entrance applause. I could tell right away that she was at the top of her game. For the first time, I could see sadness in her eyes during this part. I think it was real sadness. She still struggled a bit with the high notes. It was great to see Jan as the Midwife again after four years.

Dear Old Shiz and scene: Lisa had lots of entrance applause. She was glowing. I gave Rondi entrance applause because she's amazing. Annaleigh looked especially beautiful. I don't remember much else.

The Wizard and I: As always, Lisa's acting was incredible and she owned that stage. She sounded great and put her heart and soul into it.

What Is This Feeling: I think Lisa and Annaleigh's voices blend more beautifully than any pair since Idina/Kristin. They were both very funny.

scene and Something Bad- K. Todd certainly isn't one of my favorite Dillamonds, but he does keep improving. I noticed that Heidi smiled at Stanton when he handed back her paper. Lisa's facial expressions were great.

Dancing Through Life: Once again, Kristoffer was a black hole. Not giving anything. I watched Annaleigh and the ensemble. I loved how Annaleigh flirted with him and hit him with her purse. I love how Lisa doesn'y know what to think when Annaleigh gives her the hat. Cristin was hilarious as usual at the dance. When Lisa entered and realized she'd been had, she looked like "I knew it" and looked for Glinda. When she spotted her, Lisa gave her the death glare. Lisa didn't know whether or not Glinda was still mocking her when she cut in. I love that acting choice.

Popular- Annaleigh is a bit too hyper for me, but she was having fun and keeping it fresh. Lisa's reactions were priceless. I'll miss "Toss toss, what is that?"

lion cub scene- Lisa is so tender with the cub, trying to pet him and comfort him. It's very realistic that Elphaba would be like that. I don't remember much else.

I'm Not That Girl- I think this is Lisa's weakest song acting-wise, but it was definitely the best I'd seen her do it.

train station scene- Heidi surprised me. I actually saw a hint of vulnerability. I don't remember anything else.

One Short Day- Fun as always. When Lisa said "I'm finally somwhere where I belong," I completely lost it.

A Sentimental Man and scene- Gene wasn't as good as the was the first time I saw him last year, but he was definitely better than last time. He and Rondi have great chemistry. Lisa's acting was subtle and brilliant.

Defying Gravity- Seeing this song from the front row is indescribable. I was right underneath Rondi and she was really scary. It was by far the best DG I've seen from Lisa. Her acting was completely real and in the moment. The flying portion...OMG. There are no words. Best DG I'd seen in a long time. It was perfect. I was crying.

Thank Goodness- Annaleigh was really good. Her acting and acting were right on and she had a lot of depth.

The Wicked Witch of the East: Stanton seems awkward and not in the right way. I can't put my finger on it. Once again, Heidi surprised me. I still don't like her singing or overall acting, but I finally saw some layers from me. Lisa looked and sounded gorgeous. Her reaction to "Glinda is engaged to Fiyero" was a mix of anger and heartbreak. I loved seeing the Act 2 dress from the front row.

Wonderful- Again, Gene was pretty good. Lisa was ice-cold and very relucatant to believe him.

scene- Everyone was great here except Kristoffer.

I'm Not That Girl Reprise- Annaleigh did well. She was more sad than the other times I'd seen her.

As Long As You're Mine- I don't remember it except that Lisa "I feel...wicked" was perfect.

cornfield scene- If Annaleigh hadn't been so pouty, it would have been almost perfect. Still, she was better than before and both girls were on fire. Their chemistry stood out.

No Good Deed- Holy crap. By far the best NGD I've ever seen from anyone. Lisa finally had some anger in this song. She had the perfect mix of anger and sadness. She "saw" Nessa, Dillamond, and Fiyero. Her double "again" was so orgasmic. I'll miss it so much.

March of the Witch Hunters- Jan was really scary. She had this evil grin on her face. Rondi was scary too. The ensemble did great.

scene and For Good- Annaleigh's "Dodo" was funny. As soon as the song started, Annaleigh was sobbing. Lisa actually kept it together, but she was definitely fighting back tears. It was the best and most inense most intense FG I've ever seen in person. I could tell they were singing to each other for real and their voices sounded so gorgeous together. Tears were streaming down my face and I was almost doubled over.

Finale- The look on Annaleigh's face when Elphaba melted broke my heart. She was still sobbing. She was hilarous when she mocked Rondi. I was the only one who clapped for Lisa popped up. The end was so sad and heartfelt. And then it was over.

curtain call- I stood up immediately, as always. Lisa and Annaleigh ran out to huge applause and I started crying again. They didn't do a speech, but they gestured toward Lisa. And then it was really over.

SD- Unfortunately I don't have pics because I forgot my camera. We were hanging out and my friend said "Look, it's Julia Murney." I thought "yeah right" and then I looked, did a double take, and realized it wasn't her. I was in complete shock! People called her over and she seemed really surprised that anyone wanted her autograph. She said "Do you even know who I am?" Since I was caught off-guard, I said something like "Of course, you're so awesome!" Oh well. She's much prettier in person and she wasn't wearing any makeup. She said "I'm just here to see my friend" and that she was staying in Lisa's apartment. I managed to catch Cristin and tell her I love watching her. She was so nice. She said she didn't think anyone paid attention to the ensemble. I also said I wish I could see her as Glinda and she said she wishes I could too. Rondi came out. Someone congratulated her on her Tony and she said it's in her dressing room. She said she will not be closing the Chicago production, but that she will do 15 weeks on Broadway. Finally, Annaleigh and Lisa came out. I told Annaleigh she's adorable. I told Lisa that her Elphaba has touched me so much and that I'm so glad I was able to be at her last show. I was tearing up again. I don't remember what she said, but she hugged me!!! Lori and one of her friends had bought a present for Lisa, so we waited until everyone else had left before they gave it to her. They also wrote her a note. When she read it, she got really quiet and then started crying. She was so genuinely moved. She said as of now, she's done with Wicked and she hopes can can play other roles too. I said she's such a brilliant actress that I know she'll be amazing in whatever she does. Again, she was so genuine and humble. And then it was officially over.

Overall thoughts on the performers:

Lisa- The woman is a godess and once again, she kicked her own ass. She added more depth and layers to the role than anyone.

Annaleigh- I actually liked her this time. She's still my overall least favorite because I don't like some of her acting choices, but she's improved so much since I first saw her in April.

Kristoffer- He's not untalented, but I prefer to see a Fiyero who's awake.

Rondi- She's amazing and completely owns the role.

Gene- He's definitely good, but not very charismatic. I've seen better and I've seen worse.

Heidi- I finally saw some vulnerability in her performance, but she's my least favorite.

Stanton- There's something about his performance that annoys me and I can't figure out what.

K. Todd- Although he keeps improving, I still didn't like his performance that much.

Ensemble- Wonderful job from all of them.

Overall, it was a near perfect experience.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 7:40am

Thank you so much for posting! I was very curious to hear how her last performance went. Glad you had fun!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 8:35am

Glad to hear she had a nice send-off in Chicago!

Still upset I never got to see her in this role...for those that recall, I tried unsuccessfully to see her on Broadway about four times, with no luck. It ended up becoming a comedy of errors, of sorts! The plus side was that when I missed her I discovered the amazing Julie Reiber!

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 9:09am

What did you do with your other tickets? I hope you gave them to someone who LOST the lottery.

And how can something be "nearly perfect" when one of the leads:

Is "a black hole" and although "not untalented, but I prefer to see a Fiyero who's awake."

And of another: He's definitely good, but not very charismatic. I've seen better and I've seen worse.

And yet ANOTHER: "I finally saw some vulnerability in her performance, but she's my least favorite."

And then: "There's something about his performance that annoys me and I can't figure out what."

And finally: "I still didn't like his performance that much."

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 10:15am

What a wonderful, detailed review

Thank you for this. I felt like I was there.

[steven22]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 10:23am

who is replacing Lisa?

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 10:26am

Hopefully not someone they recycled from another cast.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 11:24am

I'm sorry I never got to see Lisa as Elphaba, especially after all the wonderful things I have read about her performance.

I'm looking forward to seeing her in DC in October.

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 11:30am

Suleen, get the broomstick out of your ass.

It was a wonderful review Elphaba3!

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 12:29pm

Dee Roscioli is coming back as Elphaba to close the show. Sueleen, my overall experience was near perfect even though some of the cast members aren't my favorites. I sold my original ticket for much less than I paid for it.

[Parks]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 12:38pm

Wow. Kristoffer is... STILL with Wicked?

Has he been with the show the longest/most?

Ridiculous.

[logan0215]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 12:58pm

What is Lisa doing in DC?

EDIT: Nevermind, "Side Show" @ the Kennedy Center :] Updated On: 8/26/08 at 12:58 PM

[Kalimba]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 1:05pm

No, ridiculous is Derrick Williams. How he was ever cast as Fiyero is beyond me.

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 8/26/08 at 1:16pm

Nice review. I have a feeling I read it before though .