Wicked Review - 12/14- Page 2

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:49am

Afterall, he IS a munchkin.

Which brings me to another point. It's funny that all the "munchkins" in the show are just as tall or taller than some of the "normal" Ozians. Great job, once again, but www.broadwayabridged.com sums it up much better than I ever could.

[Justice]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:59am

Um, I saw Christopher Fitzgerald as Boq after Randy. THAT is how Boq is supposed to be. Randy looked like he was eyeing Fiyero more than Glinda. And his femenine qualities stood out to the point of "I can't believe him to be in love with Glinda" Yes, Boq is a fictional character, but the actor portraying him isn't fictional, ecspecially when his "non-fictional" characteristics stand out.

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 11:42am

If you'd read the book Wicked, Boq mentions how most the munchkins of merit have reproduced with people of height. I guess all the munchkins who went to Shiz in the show...which would just be Boq, btw since he's the only munchkin in the show...would have to be someone of merit to be able to go to Shiz.

[eslgr8]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 1:09pm

I thought Christopher Fitzgerald appeared very gay when I saw him as Boq. Not that that's a bad thing. But he was hardly "straight acting," so it's difficult to imagine Randy seeing gayer. I'm a big Randy fan so I would have loved to have seen him in the role, no matter the macho quotient.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 1:30pm

I saw Christopher yesterday after not having seen him for a while (the first two times I saw it he was Boq, but the last time I went Randy was in the role). Like Justice said, Chris seemed perfect as Boq. I was reminded how Boq was supposed to be played. He just seemed to "get" the character.
And I didn't write about Joey in my review, but I wasn't too impressed by him. His acting just seemed too...forced. And it seemed like Fieryo was more of a stupid character; I didn't sense that cleverness and intelliegence that Fieryo is supposed to be hiding inside. I miss Norbert.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 1:45pm

I was about to say......I don't remember any other Munchkins in the show other than Boq.

[TGIF]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 1:54pm

Ok, since I have only seen Idina and Kristin in the roles I am not commenting on that debate.

I just wanted to comment on As Long as You're Mine. The harmonies were changed for Taye when he was in the role and no one seemed to care. I think Joey is using the same changes Taye is (someone correct me if i am wrong, I didn't see joey in it). But it seems like people are just complaining its different because its "Joey MacIntyre." The changes don't bother me at all. Just the fact if the person is talented or not.

[wendy72]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 2:01pm

I saw Christopher and Norbert (the first night back after recovering from this back injury). Both were perfect. Much has been debated about Norbert in this role (too small, bad dancer) but from row Q I thought he acted, sang and danced the role just fine. The choreography in that show nothing to write home about, anyway.

Love listening to both their voices on the OCR and am REALLY looking forward to seeing Norbert in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels". I have never heard nothing but nice things about Norbert, BTW.

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 2:02pm

I personally think the changes are kept to a minimum anyway... To be honest, I have yet to actually really 'hear' the difference.

And I have been saying this on numerous threads anyway: People want Joey to be bad and he could do whatever he wanted it wouldn't be good enough (see the example TGIF gave)

QM

Updated On: 12/16/04 at 02:02 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 2:09pm

I wanted to hate Joey, simply based on principle... but he really was likeable. I wanted to find a complaint, but I couldn't. Yay Joey.

[TGIF]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 2:11pm

Exactly QM. I haven't seen Joey but I dont know if he is bad or not. I cant say I was pleased when he was cast, but I can't see the show resort to stunt casting while the sales are so good. But, if you don't like him, at least have good reasons. The changes in song just aren't valid for me.

[aspenland]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 4:49pm

I thought I read online, either on playbill's site or this one, Stephen Oremus talking about the vocal arrangement being different from when Norbert was in the production?

I would post what I read about this but I am experiencing some carpal tunnel from my last final exam...yay!

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 6:35pm

Joey's singing was great, I just don't think he's an amazing actor. He wasn't bad, I just liked Norbert better. He seemed to fit the character more.

[OrdinaryJukebox1]

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:15pm

The keys for Fieyro's songs were lowered for Joey. Idina has a higher harmony section in "As Long As Your Mine," maybe because of the key change. Does this mean he's a bad singer? No. However, I did see him in the role, three times, and it never seemed to improve. He's not the worst thing out there, but he's not the best either. I'm sure many people could play that role much, much better. Sad I didn't get to see Norbert.

-Vincent

[WhatDoINeedWithLove?]

Posted: 12/17/04 at 2:37am

I've seen the show twice, but saw the the complete original cast both times so I can't comment on how Randy compared, but what is the deal with Christopher? People on this board are obsessed with him! I enjoyed him when I saw it, but nothing I would write home about. He is a fine actor and singer, but I was just wondering why people RAVE about him? (again, not saying he is bad by any means, just wondering so dont start a witch hunt)

[jarred03]

Posted: 12/17/04 at 2:41am

When I saw Wicked Norbert was Fiyero and he was really good but not anything special, but I think he was cast to be average so he didn't out shine Idina or Kristin, who were both amazing.

Ifeel bad for you that Idina and Joey weren't having a good night, because the time I saw it Idina was flawless. I've never even heard of her before then so it's not like I'm just saying that because I'm obsessed with her. Her acting was impeccable, and her voice was astonishing, and the highlight for me was The Wizard and I because when she hit the high note at the end she had such power and kept that note forever, I had goosebumps everywhere.
The reason that I say Joey was having an off night also was because my friend went with me and she loved Norbert and then saw it with Joey and said that he was better, and she consistantly has good taste and will tear somebody apart if they do bad.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/17/04 at 2:41am

if we start a witch hunt, with chris fitzgerald show up on a little balcony in a cute little tin suit and pulling on a fake tail attached to nothing??

[Sargar]

Posted: 12/17/04 at 2:41pm

Thanks TGIF, I didn't realize that Taye also had the same arrangement, I never saw him in Wicked. But I'm not necessarily bashing the changes made, more the fact that it just didn't sound right, and I think I should attribute that to Joey and Idina's voices just not meshing well. But honestly, that makes me even more frustrated that they even lowered Fiyero's songs for Joey and he still had trouble, especially transitioning to those high notes...but, he has a good voice and I actually am a fan of his but I honestly was not a fan of him in this role. It just goes to show you that everyone's tastes are different. I have yet to find a consistent opinion about shoshana or even eden's performances...and to say that the reviews of Idina are mixed are quite the understatement:) I guess I'll just have to see for myself!