Wicked Tour Review and Stephanie's First Show

[all_that_jazz]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 1:08am

I was able to catch two performances of the new Wicked tour. I had tickets for March 22nd with Kristy Cates playing Elphaba and upon hearing of Stephanie returning on the 23rd we managed to get tickets for her first performance as well.

As for the physical production most remains intact from the current Broadway staging...the most noticeable difference is the absence of the large witch hat that graces the stage as the Act One curtain opens...I’m not sure why they took this out for the tour but someone really should consider putting it back in as it is a great moment.

While the majority of the cast delivers very fine and memorable performances there are a few that unfortunately just need to be recast. Kristy Cates playing Elphaba the first night was very welcomed....the first words out of my mouth after the intermission curtain fell were “Well Thank God they got Kristy!” Of the three actresses I’ve seen in this role to this point Kristy’s acting and character development was far stronger and well thought out. Her voice again did not disappoint. Many of her physicalities were reminiscent of Idina’s but with the total package she created a fresh approach to the character. I must say her version of As Long As Your Mine was incredible...never have I seen such sexual tension in that scene...she was all over Fiyero. Obviously she was the highlight for the evening delivering such a powerful performance both vocally and physically. Also on a side note she has to be one of the sweetest people backstage. She endured a good half an hour in the freezing cold making sure everyone there got an autograph or picture and stayed to talk. She did mention that she would be the standby for the Chicago sit down production and would be taking over the role after Ana’s contract is over. Luckily she did mention that Stephanie would be coming back to the show the next night...2 days earlier than expected.

After much work trying to get into the next nights performance I did manage to score tickets...and until Stephanie actually ran out onto that stage I couldn’t believe I was lucky enough to be there to finally see her. Anyone who has seen her in Boy From Oz I’m sure would agree that she is a brilliant star and performer who is not to be missed.

What really can I say about her other than hello Dora Award....(our version of the TONY’S).
Everything about her performance is fresh and new. She has obviously worked on developing her character. Every mannerism and action is appropriate and thoughtful and well come on that voice...I think she could stand on a bare stage and sing the phone book and she would blow the roof off the place. How can you not love her. I did find her Elphaba stronger in the beginning of the show ...by that I mean her Elphie is not taking any crap from anyone and there is a clear distinction between her character when she’s with other people and she’s very confrontational and guarded and when she’s alone she really lets the characters warmth and insecurities show through. Again I mean if she’s coming anywhere near where you live in this tour lie cheat and steal to get a ticket to see her. And backstage just again very sweet. It was snowing hard and freezing in Toronto that night but she was so so great standing out there freezing her butt off talking with the few people who were there. So so sweet and funny. As a sidebar as a result of the accident with the flying in for no good deed....they have changed it to Elphie running on from the side and spinning....I talked to Kristy about that it’s just not good it looks like she’s gone a little crazy and not in the right way but since they didn’t put in a lift that’s what they do...I personally think they should just put her on a small platform and glide her on to keep her power.

The ensemble and most of the other leads are solid and of course top notch...most notably Logan Lipton as Boq...you just want to pick him up, put him in your bag and bring him home. He steals the scene every time he steps on stage wether he’s talking or not. You fall in love with him from the first moment he speaks and you root for him right to the end. This boy’s a star in the making and I can only imagine the amazing performances from him to come.

Now of course I was hoping there would be no bad...as I found no bad the last three times I had seen the show in New York...but there it was...right in front of me....floating down in a bubble.

By the time that bubble hit the ground I was dreading what was to come but since I love this show so much I just kept trying to give her a chance hoping things would get better....here’s a spoiler...THEY DON’T.

The only thing that kept running through my mind while watching Kendra Kasselbaum’s Glinda was “has the director seen this yet?” And I’m really hoping that the answer is no but I know that’s wishful thinking. Her voice sounds EXACTLY like Sally Struthers playing Gloria Bunker...and for those of you too young to know...ask your parents. She races through all dialogue not taking a moment to take in what she or anyone else is saying...almost as if they are going to take any overtime theatre charges out of her paycheck. And just when you think Galinda can’t get anymore annoying there comes the pee pee dance!!! Those of you who have seen her know what I mean....every time she has something to say she starts jumping up and down and bobbing her hips side to side....it seems that’s her only action she has. By the time act one ended I had seen her shake those hips so many times she was like a cross between a 6 year old child with attention deficit disorder who aspires to become a stripper. There just seems to be no comprehension of what her character is all about or even what she’s saying half the time. Her performance is filled 90% of the time with talk singing and the entire score seems to be out of her range. Hoping desperately that act two would be better she just falls flat with Couldn’t Be Happier...Joe Mantello really needs to sit down with her and explain what the scene is all about and what’s going on....they have to fill in what happened while we were away at intermission cause she just don’t get it. The whole song is all over the place and the ending while supposed to be ending with a big crescendo ends with a WELL THANK GOD THAT’S OVER! She fails to connect with the character in any way and Galinda ends up being the most annoying trite and wooden I have ever seen. Obviously the creative team saw something in her enough to cast her but I’m guessing she forgot that in her other suitcase that must have been lost on the way to Toronto.

All in all the cast is wonderful as a majority and must be seen....hopefully they will find Kendra’s suitcase before the tour comes your way....or they learn the word RECAST

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 1:17am

Wow, that's a pretty nasty assessment of Kendra Kasselbaum. I felt she was the weak link too, but not to the extent you did (and the couple behind me felt she had a better voice than Kristy, though I disagree). I actually enjoyed Kendra's "Couldn't Be Happier" (aside from Schwartz's cringe-inducing lyrics).

Updated On: 3/26/05 at 01:17 AM

[all_that_jazz]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 1:53am

I did enjoy her popular...not the strongest I've seen but for her it was her bright spot and she had a few moments of funny there...and I'm sure shes a lovely lady and by no means want to seem like it's a personal attack on her but just her and that character for me are just clashing...obviously she's played many roles before and she has something the producers love and hopefully one day I'll see her in a role that suits her better.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 1:54am

I think your love for the show has jaded how you viewed her performance...maybe she had an off night, and while how you described her performance may be a little embelished, it sounds a lot like what Kristin Chenoweth did with the character (with regards to the acting at least), and her acting "annoyed" me a little...

[sabrelady]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 8:26am

Gee I liked Kendra too. Esp liked her acting and thought her singing was fine. What did u think of Daryl as Fiyero? HE was the weakest link for me< And David Garrison as the Wizard? I thought he was an improvemnt on Grey.

[jjdude2000]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 8:30am

So Kristy's going to take over in Chicago? Good for her!

[Kimmygonbefamous]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 8:52am

I'm interested to know about Carol Kane as Morrible. It just seems like she would be very different from Carole Shelley.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 9:35am

Somewhat different. Kane plays her more as excentric administrator until well she shows her true colours. Which kinda was a bit of a surprise behavior for the character. Shelley is much more meanacing in a quiet way so her her behavior seems much more consistant. Also Shelley has a more powerful voice, (for Kanes voice think of the voice she used in Princess Bride)
Updated On: 3/26/05 at 09:35 AM

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 9:50am

based on this review, which is a tad harsh but still, i'm now really hoping that i see emily rozek, her understudy, when the tour gets to philly...she blew me away as millie when i saw it.

[brokenankle]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 10:27am

I saw the show 3/25 --- and was incredibly impressed! Stephanie J. Block has a strong hold of this character, her hard work was evident.

I, personally, LOVED Kendra's interpretation of Glinda! Everyone, up until now, has seemed to use Kristin (who is amazing in her own right) as a takeoff point for Glinda's character, but Kendra really had a fresh take, which I thought was hilarious. What she lacked in singing, she made up for in physical comedy. "What is this Feeling" and "Popular" were hilarious, really fresh. Really nice after the show.

LOVED Derrick Williams in the role of Fieryo!! LOVED HIM. Nice to have a 'studly' guy in the role. Has a bit of work to do on his acting, and a different kind of voice from the pervious actors (a thinner voice), but still had a strong delivery. "As Long as You're Mine" was a very hot song, the actors worked well off each other. Adorable to meet after the show, a really nice guy.

Overall, phenomenal. The tour is in good hands. Don't watch it expecting to see a Bradyway imitation -- the show is new and fresh in it's own way, and a beautiful take on this musical.

[Parks]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 10:33am

What happens in No Good Deed-where she spins in? How was the flying in supposed to work? The No Good Deed things sounds...different. She just spins in? Fast? Slow?

[Jwei123]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 10:58am

I really wanna see Stephanie soon. She is SO talented.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 10:59am

Stephanie was so good in "The Boy From Oz". I'm surprised that they didn't put her in the Broadway company and send Shoshana on tour.

[Jwei123]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 11:05am

MEF~ I agree. I'm a big fan of both girls, but when it was time to announce who was going to be replacing Menzel, Block was a MUCH larger name. Oh well...Block will eventually play the part on Broadway, I have no doubt.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 11:10am

I haven't seen Shoshana yet, and believe he, I'm in no rush to see her. If Stephanie were playing the part in New York, I would definitely see her.

[Mattio98]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 11:10am

I think Stephanie wanted to do the tour.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 11:15am

That would probably explain it. I'm sure they would've given Stephanie first priority over Shoshana.

[LittleFish8386]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 11:18am

Stephanie J Block is probably one of the most talented and amazing singers I have ever had the chance to hear. What a breath of fresh air that girl is. In a new Broadway world where everyone is shrieking and breathing heavy, how nice it is to see someone who has all the right technique and really reminds you of old Broadway.

I am a little disappointed with what you had to see about Kendra. However, I feel that part is a trick. You either do it well, or you are obnoxious. Its very difficult. I personally couldn't stand KC when I saw it originally, and I feel like the only thing that kept my attention was that voice. Jesus, her voice is awesome! But for the acting, I really wanted to strangle her. Hopefully Kendra will grow into the role more. I saw her in Assassins and thought she was brilliant.


Too bad I live near the city, b/c I would kill to see SJB sing those songs.
Updated On: 3/26/05 at 11:18 AM

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 11:28am

good review!

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 12:09pm

Damn. With all the praise for Stephanie, I'm very disappointed I didn't get to see her (though I enjoyed Kristy Cates' performance very much). Does anyone know how busy the lottery is?

Updated On: 3/26/05 at 12:09 PM

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 12:24pm

thanks for the review all_that_jazz!! Nice and honest...thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, I can't wait to see Stephanie and the whole wicked tour, so is defying gravity staged just like the broadway show??

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 12:59pm

Stephanie is definately one of my favorite Broadway actresses!

[OrdinaryJukebox1]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 1:47pm

What a SHAME no one has a clip of Stephanie singing some of the "Wicked" score...hint hint, cough cough

-Vincent

[MarkCohen]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 1:47pm

Tell us more about Stephanie!

[bwayrunner22]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 2:05pm

I recently saw Wicked on Bway (3/19) with Shoshana and, frankly, loved her. I thought her voice was phenomenal. I never saw Idina, but oh well. I never understand when people say they don't like her. I tried to get tickets to see the tour of Wicked but they were sold out early on. So, I'll have to see the Chicago company do it when they reopen. Does anyone know who will have the leads?