Posted: 8/24/24 at 11:27am
I haven't seen the show in years, but am curious to see Donna in it of whom I've always been a big fan. How is she in it and how are the current leads?
Posted: 8/26/24 at 5:17pm
I saw Wicked at the Gershwin on August 17 at 8:00 PM. I sat in row D, house right. Jennafer Newberry was on as Glinda and was the star of the show. I was captivated by her nuanced performance. I was so excited to see Donna McKechnie, and she was “fine.” I think that role is best served by a character actress with something unique about herself. The entire cast seemed invested and engaged throughout the entire performance. The production is in great shape! So many details to take in.
Posted: 8/27/24 at 4:05am
Brandon, thank you for the review. It’s a little unclear to me do you consider Donna to be that kind of character actress or does ‘fine’ and the comment suggest perhaps Donna fades in the background a little? I’m quite curious to see Donna in the part but it is hard to justify using a slot to see Wicked again.
Posted: 8/27/24 at 5:57am
Donna isn’t really a character actress so I understand his wording of being just “fine”. She’s most likely playing Donna as Morrible instead of infusing a character voice and mannerisms and extending her persona with vibrancy. It’s a role you want to play up a bit and not just walk on and off stage without a punch.
This is a great example of how Madame Morrible should be played:
Updated On: 8/27/24 at 05:57 AM
Posted: 8/27/24 at 6:06am
I agree with the other comments. She's fine, she's not amazing and she's not horrible. It is not a memorable performance. Seeing a Broadway legend in person is always a thrilling experience but in this case, I don't think it's worth going back and seeing it again. I saw her performance a couple of months into her run and was disappointed. I went back and saw the show with some family members a couple of weeks ago and she was out.
Posted: 8/27/24 at 10:05am
I thought Donna was fine, but not particularly memorable.
I don’t have the Playbill handy, but I was disappointed in most of the cast. The standby Elphaba was horrendous and the understudy Fiyero was equally bad.
Posted: 8/27/24 at 11:16am
Sadly, Morrible became a beige supporting role with Donna; minimally distinct and barely a laugh landed. She looked wonderful, though. Alexandra Socha's Glinda gave McKechnie/Cassie a subtle nod in "Popular."
Generally speaking, the current cast felt well-oiled albeit a bit generic. Minus Socha. What a welcome, new-to-the-Wicked-family addition; grounded, nothing hyper here, vocals that floated, didn't overplay her scenes... I'd say it's worth returning to the Gershwin for her performance.
Posted: 8/27/24 at 11:33am
I saw the recent company back in April and found MKM and Socha's performances to be breaths of fresh air. Alexandra doesn't overdo the cutesy which has unfortunately become the standard for so many Glinda's (drives me nuts). Mary Kate acts the hell out of it with so many subtle moments of discovery, really exciting to watch for long-time Wicked goers. Both in great voice. And sorry Jordan is hot, hot, hot.
Sadly, I agree with the comments saying McKechnie's performance is "fine". She gets the job done, but I prefer a more unhinged Morrible (see Fitzgerald or Kane).
Posted: 8/27/24 at 12:50pm
Alexandra is really fabulous-what really set her Glinda apart for me, and what I think many actors who play the role seem to forget to the point of it being a disservice to the story, is that Glinda is equally as ambitious as Elphaba. She doesn't have her talent, but with Alexandra, it's clear through the school scenes and especially the Emerald City scenes that she wants power, success, and a career-not just to look good. It makes it all the more sad when she finally gets it.
Posted: 8/27/24 at 4:04pm
60'splayoff said: "I saw the recent company back in April and found MKM and Socha's performances to be breaths of fresh air. Alexandra doesn't overdo the cutesy which has unfortunately become the standard for so many Glinda's (drives me nuts). Mary Kate acts the hell out of it with so many subtle moments of discovery, really exciting to watch for long-time Wicked goers. Both in great voice. And sorry Jordan is hot, hot, hot.
Sadly, I agree with the comments saying McKechnie's performance is "fine". She gets the job done, but I prefer a more unhinged Morrible (see Fitzgerald or Kane)."
I think Jordan is one of the most attractive men who has ever played Fiyero.
