Wicked/Julia Murney Review - Cincinnati

[stageishome]

Posted: 3/16/06 at 1:25am

Seeing as I have only posted one other thread on this board, I figured I'd go ahead and endure possible harassment over yet another Wicked thread. *sigh*

Tonight, March 15 - Ides of March - 2006

The show was completely sold out. You could feel an overall energy before anything was said or any chords played. I saw the show on Broadway with Idina Menzel and was in love with the set that seamlessly blended into the audience. That effect was lost here due to cutting down the set in order to move from city to city, blah blah blah. I'm sure you can figure it out! The set overall was still fantastic. So... without further ado - Wicked:

No One Mourns the Wicked - The first big chord stuck always sounds weak to me when played live. I don't know what it is, but after that things picked up. The ensemble was great but somewhat lacking energy to start out. Kendra came floating down in the bubble, which surprisingly didn't receive much response, and started singing. It was very hard to comprehend what exactly she was saying but other than that, she hit the notes. The projection of Elphaba's silhouette was "nails on a chalk board" obvious that it was a computer projection. (If that makes sense)

Dear Old Shiz - Julia Murney received a great round of applause for her entrance and started off very well.

The Wizard and I - The new Madame Morrible was great, really into the character, and Julia as Elphaba blew everyone away. I had tears streaming down my face at the pure beauty of her voice. She is Elphaba in every form. Julia's voice is- wow.

What is this Feeling? - Very good. Kendra's voice was on my nerves for this song but Julia was phenomenal yet again. Julia provided a great moment of mockery towards Kendra's Galinda movements. A very funny number.

Something Bad - Not much to say, its a back story number. Normal as always.

Dancing Through Life - Sebastian is the real deal. His portrayal of Fiyero was dead on. His voice was perfect, very pop/rocky which suited the role. Hit every note perfectly and acted it out just splendidly. Logan Lipton's voice was a bit hard to get used to, I could tell he played up a shaky voice but it became too much to handle after a while. Ensemble was definitely awake at this point- very very very good number.

Popular - Kendra won me over with this number. So many things she has put in to make it her own. Wow. You have to see it for yourself. Hilarious, perfect, overall excellent.

I'm Not That Girl - Julia has nailed this part down already and had tears in the eyes of everyone around me, including myself. Very touching.

One Short Day - Loved the number, very energetic and just great. I noticed the absence of the green projections into the audience and such that is in the Broadway version. It felt like the energy was too contained but it was still great fun.

A Sentimental Man - Just there, a filler.

Defying Gravity - Full out, no holds barred, holy s***. Julia Murney can sing her (fill in whatever you want) off. Wow. I had tears streaming down my face from the pure beauty of her voice. When it got to the big "So if you..." (you all know it!) the house went nuts. Julia really changed it up and added some great riffs to make it her own. She owns this number. No doubt about it. Go see Julia - wow.

Thank Goodness - Go Kendra using her amazing belt voice.

Wicked Witch of the East - Great number, very well done acting wise.

Wonderful - Energetic, lively, not my favorite but still great.

I'm Not That Girl (reprise) - "Tragically beautiful" in a way. You could her the emotional pain in Kendra's voice. Very very well done.

As Long As You're Mine - Julia and Sebastian are obviously still working on harmonies and making it their own... but it was damn good. Very loving. Julia's "I feel Wick..." was excellent and almost trying to sound sexy. It was interesting, in a good way.

No Good Deed - Julia rocked the house with this song. I'm still thinking about it. It was like a rock concert. The notes were gymazing. You could hear the familiar Wild Party sound of her voice that is on the Wild Party soundtrack. Throughly impressive, mind blowing, just go see it already.

March of the Witch Hunters - Filler song, it wasn't anything out of the ordinary.

For Good - Crying uncontrolably would describe every person at the show. VERY emotional. The chemistry is already there between Julia and Kendra.

Finale - Ending surprised everyone, I loved it. *Yay for working around trap doors hehe*

Overall amazing. Please ask any questions or stuff like that, I'm sure there is more to discuss but I'm really tired... night everyone!

[BSoBW3]

Posted: 3/16/06 at 1:31am

Thanks for the great review!

I so want to see Julia. Especially her NO GOOD DEED!

[emo_geek]

Posted: 3/16/06 at 2:50am

People love Defying Gravity for the belt but they over look No Good Deed which is a hard and more vocal song (plus its my fave).

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 3/16/06 at 2:52am

In an annoying and bothersome tone:

It's not a soundtrack, it's a cast recording




I hope I can see her some day in the role, glad you loved her.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 3/16/06 at 2:56am

Even though it is a hard song, at least the actress isn't hoisted up 20 feet or so in the air, hoping the machine works...

[tthomas76]

Posted: 3/16/06 at 5:29am

Thanks for the review! We'll be seeing it Saturday night!

[softershade]

Posted: 3/16/06 at 7:04am

thanks for the review! it can't be next weekend soon enough!

[ashley0139]

Posted: 3/16/06 at 7:23am

All these reviews are making me so excited to see her. May 23!

[Steve2]

Posted: 3/16/06 at 9:51am

Thank you for the excellent review! I saw it March 11 and couldn't have described it better myself.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/16/06 at 10:05am

I'll be seeing her during the Philadelphia run.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 3/16/06 at 10:15am

Im sure I'll score a ticket or 2 during the Boston run although they 'claim' to only have single tickets or obstructed view tickets remaining.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 3/16/06 at 2:47pm

I'm going on March 25th at 8pm in Philly!!! I am the happiest guy alive

Dottie, thank you *so much* for getting us these tickets. Updated On: 3/16/06 at 02:47 PM

[AnotherDay46]

Posted: 3/16/06 at 3:02pm

Ahh Julia

[WiiCKED x3]

Posted: 3/16/06 at 3:31pm

ahh wicked :)

[AuditioningWaitress]

Posted: 3/16/06 at 3:32pm

Great review...I can't wait to see her!!!

[My Strongest Suit]

Posted: 3/16/06 at 4:40pm

i am so excited for san diego. that's how long i have to wait to see her. every review i read, i get more and more excited. i can't wait! :) thank you.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/16/06 at 5:25pm

Yay for Julia.

I asked my mother several times if we could try the lottery, since I'm visiting Cincy right now. She said no, even though I told her I wanted to see Julia.

Today, we drive by the theatre and see the Wicked stuff.

"So who's in Wicked here?" heh. My mother apparently missed that conversation.

I don't think I'm going to get to see her while I'm out here, but that's ok. I'm so glad she's wonderful.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 3/16/06 at 5:54pm

Sounds like Julia is really wonderful in this role. I will be covering the Philly stop for BWW on Thurs. 3/23.

Looks like I will get an interview with Julia as the PR people just contacted me to set up a tentative time slot. Hopefully it will take place.

Philly is excited about this one....but then they get excited about all their theater events!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 3/16/06 at 6:34pm

ugh, i'm so jealous. i hope i can see her someday. she's one of those people I could listen to sing all day.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 3/16/06 at 6:42pm

I wish I could see the tour. julia is amazing.