Wicked Review - 12/14

[perfectliar]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 1:19am

JLT's standby went on as Glinda and completely blew me away. She was undoubtedly the most consistently strong cast member of the night. While I love Idina, Megan Hilty put her to shame.

During "The Wizard and I," it sounded like Idina was rushing, which was not pretty at all. She got a little better as the first actor progressed, although "I'm Not That Girl" was nearly horrible. She made a very strange vowel sound on the low note singing "girl" that sounded like "gowrl." "Defying Gravity" was very well done, and from there on out she was much better. I guess because Idina lost the Tony for Rent (in which I thought she owned the stage) and won it for this role... I was expecting much more than I got. Some lines in act one were boring and monotone. She seemed to not understand who her character was until around the scene featuring "Something Bad." However, "No Good Deed" was fantastic.

Joey McIntyre was pretty bad. I didn't know what to expect when he first opened his mouth, and I was not pleased with what came out. His acting was terrible, and his singing wasn't much better. "As Long As You're Mine" sounded like it was in a lower key and didn't come off as powerful as it did on the cast recording.

Christopher Fitzgerald was great, I absolutely loved him. George Hearn did well also. No one else standed out enough for me to really notice whether they were good or bad.

Overall, I enjoyed the cheesiness of the show. It was a fun, brainless night out. I was expecting more though, after all the buildup on this board and many other sites, especially from Idina Menzel. She blew me away in Rent but failed to make a very lasting impression on me in this.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 1:28am

No Good Deed is Idina's moment.. and the great lighting and wind, smoke, and light effects certainly help that. I DO find her delivery in act two to be AWFUL. Everyline is said in the exact same way.. she has "happy line" and "angry line" and "hurt line". three line deliveries. That is it. It got horribly monotonous.

[luvWICKED416]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 9:32am

I'm so happy about Meg's great review... and I can't wait to see her on Saturday

[LilElphaba]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 3:44pm

The best song Idina performs in Wicked is No Good Deed. The special effects and stuff was great! Especially when your as close up as i was!

[LittleFish8386]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 3:47pm

I agree with BG2. I find Wicked to be one of the most dragged out shows, and after 2 hours of her saying every line in the same way, I get a little bored. Last time I saw it, I kept looking at my watch wondering when it was going to finish.

[Kanab69]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 4:48pm

I noticed that weird "gowrl" thing too...I've seen Wicked a lot, though I don't tend to bring it up on this board since you get flogged, and I saw last time on like Nov. 30th, and I heard her singing that gowrl thing for the first time, it was very very odd. I know when your singing sometimes you play with your delivery on vowels and consonants etc. to make the note sound better, but I have no clue why she is singing gowrl!

[rKrispyt]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 6:59pm

I must say, and this is prolly cause I'd only ever heard the raving about Kristin, that I was pleasantly blown away by Idina when I saw the show - it was back in July but I thought that I'm Not That Girl was the one that caught me most offguard and impressed me acting wise. It was just so focused, honest and she kept it moving so well.

Just wanted to add my two cents. I'm sorry you had a bad Idina experience/performance - I left having been incredibly (like, no words can describe it) inspired by her as an actress.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 7:04pm

I saw Wicked today (matinee), so I'll add my review here.
I had seen Wicked three times before, all with Idina and Kristin. I wanted to see Idina one last time before she left, and I hadn't seen Jennifer Laura Thompson yet, so I was really excited to see them both. Of course when I opened my Playbill, there were those dreaded white inserts. Not one, but two. One said: "The role of Elphaba will be played by Shoshana Bean" and the other said: "The role of Glinda will be played by Megan Hilty." I was really disappointed, but I decided to make the best of it and still enjoy the show. It was absolutely amazing. Shoshana and Megan were perfect. I was amazed that Megan hit every single one of those high notes; her voice was beautiful, and she had the comedic timing down perfectly. I loved her "Popular." And Shoshana was great as well. She won me over in "The Wizard And I." I loved her. There was one part where I felt that she didn't exactly nail the character, but overall she blew me away. I waited at the stage door and got pictures with both of them. Shoshana was so cute, she yelled at me for not wearing "earmuffs and a hat and mittens and stuff!" because it was really cold. They were both really sweet. So I had a great time!

[FOCI]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 7:40pm

I have and always will maintain that Idina is a *****y actress.....I agree 100% with Broadwayguy2

Updated On: 12/15/04 at 07:40 PM

[Amneris]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 7:49pm

how was Megan and Beans "for good"? I saw Megan and Kristy sing it and kristy towered over megan haha

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 7:55pm

Their "For Good" made me cry. Their voices blended perfectly together. They were about the same height, too.

[perfectliar]

Posted: 12/15/04 at 11:48pm

rKrispyt - It wasn't a bad experience at all. Even though Idina wasn't at the top of her game, she still turned out an admirable performance. Just not one that I'd necessarily equate with a Tony winner.

[Tiny-Toon]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 1:02am

I'm going to see WICKED again Feb. 1st.. Can't wait to see Shoshana Bean in the role!

[WhatDoINeedWithLove?]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 2:43am

I DEFINTLY think Idina is very talented, the first time I saw Wicked(last January) she floored me. I think she has gotten bored with it and had lost her passion which is something that an audience member of a Broadway show should NOT be able to notice. You don't pay 100 dollars to see a half ass performance. I mean she won a Tony for the role and probably has one of the highest Broadway salaries--she is paid to entertain. Anyways, Cant wait to see Shoshana in the role--she will tear it up! :)

[bjivie2]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 3:35am

In response to that, I had a friend see it last week and she called my other friend during "Defying Gravity" and she apparantley was doing a bunch of optional *higher* notes throughout the song. I doubt that she's just letting the part just sit there. I saw her in April and she was amazing.

And yay for Shoshana and Megan! They're both from Washington State, and I've had the priviledge of working with Megan before. She's fabulous!!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 3:41am

I agree with everyone that said Idina has 3 line deliveries. I cannot stand to watch her onstage, her "acting" is so wrong and completely boring. While most think NO GOOD DEED is her "moment," I could not disagree more. The only reason that song is more impressive is because of the fans, lighting, and smoke - THAT is impressing. What's coming out her her throat is not. He just stands there, shrieking, waving her arms, becuase I guess "that's what witches do!" They wave their arms a lot! I think I'M NOT THAT GIRL is her best moment. She's better at subtle moments, which is why I think she will be fierce on film.

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 8:32am

Hmmm, I really don't know what to say about all of this.

I wonder if the people who say that Shoshana is better or even equal to Idina are sitting on their ears during the show. As I have said before, I'm not a fan of Idina either but give the woman some credit.

My friend dragged me to the show when Shoshana was on as he is a huge fan of hers. I heard only good things about her, so fair enough, maybe my expectations were too high but I was disappointed (and so was he as a matter of fact).
She can definitely sing but she is nowhere near Idina's league.

I have now seen Shoshana three times and although I must admit she was vocally excellent last night, she usually has a few vocal issues to deal with (interrupting notes and re-starting them because she cannot hold them long enough). Twice she had to end No Good Deed with 'Agaaaaiiiii *stops, takes big breath* iiiiin'. Now I have seen Idina on bad nights but she can hold this note without a problem. And please don't forget that Shoshana hasn't had a demanding schedule yet but just the odd show.

Having said that, Idina obvioulsy has her own issues, like 'that gasping'. It doesn't bother me too much but I can see why it would annoy people.

What surprises me is that people say she can't act. Yes, she is not the best but her acting skills are far more superior than Shoshana's or Kristy Cates'. I think I learnt to appreciate Idina more after having seen Shoshana and Kristy...

Elphie, after having read your review I really hope you get to see JLT at some stage. Although Megan is a solid performer and has a beautiful voice, her Glinda is... well, boring compared to JLT. She is almost too normal and not campy at all. I personally think, JLT is the current 'real' star of this production anyway

Perfectliar, I was interested in reading your comments. When I saw Wicked for the first time with Joe Mac I was expecting the worst. But I'm glad to say I was proven wrong, I think he's doing a great job. He has a lovely voice and he is just a natural actor, his performance certainly works for me.
What I have noticed is how well Idina, JLT and Joey work together, I always miss the 'connection' when one of them is out.

Sorry about the long post, by the way

QM

[Justice]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 9:24am

Re: "I'm not that girl" Why don't you try hitting that note and holding it. Idina's vocal range is powerful, and that is what that role is best for - showing off what the voice can do. As for her acting, Idina has grown tremendously with this role. She has been doing it for over a year now and has gotten better the more she performs it.
And Joey? He was ten time better than Norbert, who can't dance.
I do agree on Fitzgerald, though. He was so much better than Randy Harrison (who seemed too gay to be in love with Glinda)

[Sargar]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 9:46am

woah woah woah...Joey was ten times better than Norbert??? No way! Norbert is unbelievable...and yes, I'm sure his endless hours of rehearsing for New Kids made Joey the "fabulous" dancer that he is today, but who cares? Norbert can sing circles around Joey! Joey struggled with notes that Norbert effortlessly pulled off. When I saw Joey, he was very shaky vocally. (And this is coming from a Joey fan). Someone else mentioned that Joey and Idina's "As Long as You're Mine" sounded different, and it definitely did...they changed the harmonies, and (i think) it sounded like Joey was singing the melody and Idina was singing the harmony, which just sounded BAD. I was very much looking forward to that song because my seat gave me a perfect view of Joey, which I was excited about cause he IS Joey McIntyre :) But he kept making this weird face at Idina so that annoyed me too!

I guess it depends on what you're looking for in a performance, but in Fiyero, I'd much rather see better acting and singing than the two seconds of dancing...which in that case I'd much rather see Norbert.

and yeah i know it's a post about Shosana vs. Idina...:-P

[Justice]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 9:51am

As long as we can agree to disagree - my opinion is, I would rather hear Joey on the recording (and this is coming from a non New Kids/Joey fan). Or maybe it's that I know Norbert is a ****in real life, and I have met Joey, which he was very pleasant.

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 9:54am

I don't think Norbert is an a**** (whatever it is) in real life but I still prefer Joe's portrayal of Fiyero

QM

[Sargar]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:10am

yes, what is a a**** :) okay, we'll agree to disagree...Joey's definitely not bad, but in comparision to Norbert...okay sorry sorry...agreeing to disagree...:)

[OrdinaryJukebox1]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:30am

Now, everyone has a right to their own opinions. I agree 100%! So, this is mine. I keep reading that Shoshana will "tear it up," and quotes such as that. I enjoy her voice, it's wonderful. But, I've heard her sing "No Good Deed," "The Wizard and I," and "Defying Gravity." I was left feeling VERY empty. The first time I heard Idina sing it, my hair stood up! When I heard Eden Espinosa sing it, again, hairs on end. Shoshana didn't do it for me. I kept waiting to hear her tear something up, that I was left feeling blah about it. Maybe she'll sink her teeth in more when it's hers and only hers, but we'll have to wait and see about that.

As for acting. I'm sorry, Idina Menzel is quite gifted. Luckily I was close enough to the stage when I saw her, that I could see her eyes. If you could watch her eyes during "Defying Gravity" and "No Good Deed," you'll see what I mean. When she first enters and during "Dancing Through Life," her face shows such embarassment and pain. But, during those other songs, she looks almost possessed!! No one here has to agree with me, that's just what I got from her performance...it did win the Tony, after all? I know, everyone will yell, "THAT MEANS NOTHING!" I'm not saying it means everything, but it means something!

-Vinny

[Justice]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:32am

I agree ord...Eden was amazing, but when I saw it with Idina, the acting was what drew me to the show. I cannot imagine anyone else playing Elphie (Except my cousin, who is an amzing singer, and looks the part)

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:42am

I saw Randy Harrison in Wicked and he didn't seem "too gay" to be in love with Glinda. He wasn't flambouyant or queeny or anything. Yes, he is gay in real life and his character is gay on Queer as Folk, but in Wicked, he was just Boq and played the character pretty well. Boq is a fictional character in a fictional world. How butch is he supposed to be?