Posted: 8/16/18 at 8:18pm
Posted: 8/27/18 at 6:02pm
hamiltonstradition said: "Call_me_jorge said: "Apparently Ginna Claire has extended through the Albuquerque run which would take her to October. So I don’t think we should expect a replacement announcement just yet."
Mary Kate Morrissey and Ginna Claire Mason both play their final performance (as of today, 5/31) on October 28, 2018."
Thanks for the update. I saw an old local television interview where Mary Kate and Ginna Claire spoke about Tulsa being their last gig together. That must have been prior to their contract extensions. Is their an way to easily find out about performer contracts? Thanks.
Posted: 9/6/18 at 2:48pm
Okay. I’m gonna ask a question. Don’t judge me. Keep in mind I didn’t assiduously follow Broadway 9 years ago when I first saw the touring production (2x) in Tulsa. I’m at the thaetre now (show starts in 10 minutes). One of the staff just told me that she thought Chenoweth was in that production when it toured through here. Is that possible? It would make sense since she is from here. I remember thinking both Elphaba and Glinda were phenomenal.
In other news, as predicted I’ve already spent a small fortune on merch. Good thing they were out of a couple of things.
Updated On: 9/6/18 at 02:48 PM
Posted: 9/6/18 at 6:22pm
fashionguru_23 said: "Kristin Chenoweth never did the tour."
Thanks. That’s what I thought! I just saw the matinee and am waiting to see if I won the lottery for tonight!
Posted: 9/6/18 at 9:57pm
I would keep an eye out for this weekend. Chelsea Emma Franko (Elphaba standby) will be on vacation. Therefore, Olivia Valli (Elphaba wonderstudy) will likely go on one of the shows this weekend (most likely the one of the matinees).
Posted: 9/6/18 at 11:44pm
Miles2Go2 said: "fashionguru_23 said: "Kristin Chenoweth never did the tour."
Thanks. That’s what I thought! I just saw the matinee and am waiting to see if I won the lottery for tonight!"
Give us some reports on what you thought!
Posted: 9/6/18 at 11:51pm
Posted: 9/7/18 at 12:30am
Kara Lindsay and Jackie Burns are both returning to the tour.
Posted: 9/7/18 at 12:46am
wicked4l said: "Kara Lindsay and Jackie Burns are both returning to the tour."
What's your source?
Posted: 9/7/18 at 12:49am
Posted: 9/7/18 at 2:09am
Engineer Thuy said: "I would keep an eye out for this weekend. Chelsea Emma Franko (Elphaba standby) will be on vacation. Therefore, Olivia Valli (Elphaba wonderstudy) will likely go on one of the shows this weekend (most likely the one of the matinees).”
Wait, what is the difference between standby and understudy? I thought they were interchangeable terms.
Do we know yet who will replace Mary Kate and Gina Claire after Albuquerque? Do you think that the Broadway understudy will lead the tour line they did with Gina Claire?
Posted: 9/7/18 at 3:00am
anislander said: "Miles2Go2 said: "fashionguru_23 said: "Kristin Chenoweth never did the tour."
Thanks. That’s what I thought! I just saw the matinee and am waiting to see if I won the lottery for tonight!"
Give us some reports on what you thought!"
Okay, it’s after 1:00 a.m. here in my hotel room and it’s been a long (but fun) day, but I’ll do my best to post my thoughts in somewhat coherent form before I crash.
First of all, the cast is amazing. None of the principals were out. Ginna Claire Mason (Glinda), Mary Kate Morrissey (Elphaba), Mili Diaz (Nessarose), Jon Robert Hall (Fiyero), and Jody Gelb (Madam Morrible) were just superb.
After seeing it from the mezzanine (great view and acoustics) at the matinee, I immediately wanted to see it again. I entered the lottery. Even though my name didn’t get called (apparently everyone’s name got called at the lottery for the matinee as only 10 people entered; I think between 20 and 25 people entered for the evening lottery; there were 20 tickets available), but luckily I had befriended 4 ladies who were together. They each signed up for 2 tickets each if they won although they only needed 4 tickets total. Three of their names were called so I gave the third lady my $25 to get my ticket through her.
When in New York, I have done plenty of two-show days but never the same show twice in the same day. I have now seen (4 times) Wicked more than any other show. Seeing it twice today was instructive. In the front mezzanine I had a great view of the stage and the acoustics were great as well. For Act 1, I was front right Orchestra (row K), but as it was a weekday matinee the theater had lots of empty seats in the mezzanine so I moved up to the third row of left mezzanine for Act 2. I was also quite emotional during the matinee, tearing up a couple times before outright crying at the end. My lottery ticket was in Left Orchestra (Row E). I was two seats in from the left aisle. I didn’t miss anything visually from the far left view although I did appreciate being so close to the stage. I will say I heard an usher tell someone that the mezzanine at the Tulsa Performance Arts Center offers the best acoustics. Having had the opportunity to see the show from both places in one day, I agree. This seemed perhaps the most noticeable during group numbers. Nothing major though and I did catch visual things I had missed from the mezzanine at the matinee (as well as I can recall from when I saw it twice from the mezzanine in 2009 during its first Tulsa run). Having said that, I wasn’t as emotional at the evening performance. In fact, no tears at all the second time.
Okay, I’m fading fast. I’m gonna try to wrap this up quick.i bought a ton of merch. In fact, I missed some of the cast at stage door as I was buying one more t-shirt, but got to meet Ginna, Mary Kate, Jody and Mili who all were lovely and signed my program and Grimmerie and took pics with me.
I must’ve clapped a lot. I actually bruised my right palm. Note to self: don’t wear extra rings on a day where you may be clapping a lot.
Lastly, (and I spoke to the cast very, very briefly about this; they had just done a two-show day; they had much better things to do - like rest - than talk to me) like Hamilton the show has even more relevance in our political climate now. I think it was Ginna who said people actually ask them if the book had been rewritten to reflect our times. Of course, it hasn’t been, but certain elements seem eerily more metaphorical like silencing certain members of society (in the show this is the animals) and not wanting them to speak up or be able to speak at all. Also, literally scapegoating members of society. And telling the populace lies because that’s what they want to hear.
In a nutshell, I am glad I saw Wicked twice today, but probably wouldn’t do that again. Hamilton is probably the only other show I’d be tempted to do this with.
Okay, that wasn’t quick at all. I’m calling it a night as now it’s 2:00 a.m. Too tired to spellcheck so please forgive any errors.
Updated On: 9/7/18 at 03:00 AM
Posted: 9/7/18 at 9:20am
Aw, that was a great review.
I caught the show at its the prior stop in Detroit. The night I saw it, both principals for Elphada and Glinda were out, but I thought the u/s were great. I had never seen Wicked before and even though I had listened to it before, I was not prepared for how amazing the staging of the climax of Defying Gravity was. It really took my breath away. I was not expecting that, since I had watched the Tony performance online and heard the song before. anyway, I thought that the actor who played Fiyero had an amazing voice and really shined at certain times. I really enjoyed myself and will definitely see the show again if I have the chance.
Posted: 9/7/18 at 12:43pm
@Babe, thanks for the kind words. I agree. Jon Robert Hall (Fiyero) was great. I wouldn’t say he’s the most natural dancer, but his singing was excellent and I used my binoculars a lot and he was really acting, not just going through the motions. That seems to be a common complaint about the actors cast as Fiyero, especially later into their runs. I regret not catching him at stagedoor so I could tell him how much I enjoyed his performance (2x). Plus, he is total man cxndy.
And I was also blown away by Jody Gelb (Madam Morrible). We were able to briefly discuss Carole Shelley (the original Madam Morrible) who passed away this week. She said when she was cast she looked up images and videos of Carole in the role and was so intimidated by how great Carole was in the role. Of course, Jody Gelb had no reason to worry as she is phenomenal in the role which I told her.
Fun Fact: I know follow Mary Kate on IG. After a two-show day, she and others went bowling at a hipster bowling alley in downtown Tulsa. She also said at stage door that she is loving Tulsa as she had already had delicious Vietnamese food.
Updated On: 9/7/18 at 12:43 PM
Posted: 9/7/18 at 7:46pm
Posted: 9/7/18 at 8:46pm
After spending so much time in Oz yesterday, I’m kinda bummed to be home and not there tonight. Anyone wanna cheer - or as they might say in Oz, “cheerify” - me up by sharing your favorite specific Wicked (touring, sit-down or Broadway) memory?
Updated On: 9/7/18 at 08:46 PM
Posted: 9/7/18 at 10:58pm
I saw Ana in Wicked in Chicago and she was incredible. Probably the best acted Elphaba. Just so nuanced and interesting. Her singing was great, but it's not the riff-tastic stuff people are probably use to by now.
Posted: 9/7/18 at 11:16pm
That’s great to hear! Where can I look to determine what cast I saw when Wicked toured through Tulsa in 2009? I know I have the free venue program somewhere, but it is buried in a crate somewhere in my garage.
Posted: 9/7/18 at 11:25pm
Miles2Go2 said: "That’s great to hear! Where can I look to determine what cast I saw when Wicked toured through Tulsa in 2009? I know I have the free venue program somewhere, but it is buried in a crate somewherein my garage."
Do you remember what date you saw it? That was the year they opened a second national tour, so if it was before that tour opened you probably saw Donna Vivino as Elphaba (1st national), but if it was after the second national started and you happened to see that one, I think it was Marcie Dodd.
Posted: 9/7/18 at 11:31pm
I'm from Oklahoma and I've seen Wicked every time its come through Tulsa and back in 2009 it was Marcie Dodd and Helene Yorke as Elphaba and Glinda
Posted: 9/7/18 at 11:33pm
broadwayboy223 said: "I'm from Oklahoma and I've seen Wicked every time its come through Tulsa and back in 2009 it was Marcie Dodd and Helene Yorke as Elphaba and Glinda"
Hello, fellow Okie! Yep, I found an article about it. It was awesome then and now!
https://www.broadwayworld.com/tulsa/article/2nd-Nat-WICKED-Tour-Flies-Into-Tulsa-July-15-August-9-2009-20090314
Posted: 9/7/18 at 11:43pm
broadwayboy223 said: "I'm from Oklahoma and I've seen Wicked every time its come through Tulsa and back in 2009 it was Marcie Dodd and Helene Yorke as Elphaba and Glinda"
Have you seen this Tulsa run, yet?
Posted: 9/8/18 at 12:10am
Okay, started studying my Grimmerie and just cast a sleeping spell for all of us to get a good night’s rest. Unless I accidentally I cast a spell for to get a wood Knight’s breast whatever that means. Either way, sweet dreams. See ya on the flip side of the tick tock.
P.S. I think seeing Wicked twice on Thursday has changed the neurobiology of my brain. Now green traffic lights make me think of the Emerald City.
Updated On: 9/8/18 at 12:10 AM
Posted: 9/8/18 at 12:41pm
Engineer Thuy said: "I would keep an eye out for this weekend. Chelsea Emma Franko (Elphaba standby) will be on vacation. Therefore, Olivia Valli (Elphaba wonderstudy) will likely go on one of the shows this weekend (most likely the one of the matinees)."
Yep, Mili Diaz (Nessarose) just posted a pic with Olivia Valli (Elphaba wonderstudy) on her IG story saying she’s on today. Not sure if it’s only for the matinee.
Updated On: 9/8/18 at 12:41 PM
