#1
Posted: 2/12/06 at 11:38am
I just got back from the evening show of the Wicked tour in Ft. Lauderdale. As someone posted before, both Stephanie J. Block and Kendra Kassebaum were out and replaced by understudies. I’m new to writing reviews but here goes:
Maria Eberline (Elphaba) – I wish I could say that she was amazing and that if I hadn’t known better, I would never have realized I was watching and understudy, but unfortunately that’s not true. Having seen the show in NY, I can’t help but have high expectations out whoever’s playing the role of Elphaba. Overall, her performance was just okay. Not bad, but not amazing. At times I felt her voice was much to classical for the role (her voice seems better suited for Nessarose’s part) Her first big number, “The Wizard and I” just felt way too controlled and, but as the show progressed, her singing got better and her “No Good Deed” was actually very good. In terms of acting, her portrayal of Elphaba was kind of defensive and angry. A few of her line deliveries could have been better, they could have been funnier or had more of an emotional effect. Again, her performance wasn’t bad, it was decent, but when you go in to see Wicked, you expect Elphaba to be nothing less than amazing.
Emily Rozek (Glinda) – I was pleasantly surprised and very happy with her performance. Vocals were good, she doesn’t do all the high notes, but still very good and funny. Her portrayal of Glinda was kind of like Glinda with ADHD or Glinda on a sugar high, very fidgety, bouncy, and hyper, more ditzy than shallow. Her “Popular” was a little rushed and I felt could have been funnier (they didn’t really ad-lib that much in this scene). With the exception of a few off line deliveries, a very good performance.
Jenna Leigh Green (Nessarose) – Even with such a small role, her performance as Nessa was one of my favorites of the show. Overall just an awesome performance. She does a great job of developing Nessa’s character from a softer, lonely girl to the bitter and harsh Wicked Witch of the East. The “Wicked Witch of the East” number has always been one of my favorites from the show and she delivers it wonderfully.
Carole Shelley (Madam Morrible) – I thought she was perfect when I saw her in NY and she’s still perfect. I’ve always loved her line deliveries, which always seem to have the perfect combination of comedy but with the underlying malice of her character. The moment when she screams “. . . this wicked wiiiiiiiiiitch” never fails to send chills up my spine. She really just owns this role and is truly the ultimate Madam Morrible.
David Garrison (The Wizard) – I was really pleased with his performance. When I saw George Hearn in the Broadway production, I did not like the His portrayal of the wizard, but David Garrison's was surprisingly charming. his "wonderful" is really fun to watch. He never really makes the wizard seem that evil or sinister though, just more of an eccentric oddball kinda guy.
Sebastian Arcelus (Fiyero) – Overall, a good performance. There’s not much you can do with this role, but he makes the most of it. In his rendition of “Dancing through Life” he conveys the coolness and laidback attitude of his character very well. There were some line deliveries that I felt he could have made funnier, but overall just a very solid performance.
Logan Lipton ( Boq) – Played Boq more nerdy than shy and awkward. Not much you can do with the role, but did well with the little he had.
There were times were I felt that the ensemble/show was a bit lackingin energy, specifically during the opening “No One Mourns the Wicked”. I don’t know if it was my seats ( I was way in the back of the mezzanine), the acoustics in theatre, or the band, but sometimes, the music and ensemble performances seemed quiet and lacking intensity, not as powerful as when I saw the show before. The band just seemed really quiet, so that might have been it. This wasn’t for the whole show, just at times, like during one short day and the opening number. For the most part, the ensemble had enough energy and did a good job.
Overall, I had a great time and really enjoyed the show. My brother and I went to the stage door afterwards, and there were no more than 20 people there. Everyone except Carole Shelley came out to sign and all were nice and very willing to take pictures and sign everything. They all are friendly and even take the time to talk to you and answer any question.
EDIT: I wrote earlier that Analeigh Ashford had gone on for Galinda. It was actually Emily Rozek. Sorry about the mix up. Also, in case anyone wanted to know about the SRO tickets. You actually don't have to stand, you still get to sit. They put these really comfy cushioned stools in the back and you can lean forward on the banister. It's not that bad at all.
Maria Eberline (Elphaba) – I wish I could say that she was amazing and that if I hadn’t known better, I would never have realized I was watching and understudy, but unfortunately that’s not true. Having seen the show in NY, I can’t help but have high expectations out whoever’s playing the role of Elphaba. Overall, her performance was just okay. Not bad, but not amazing. At times I felt her voice was much to classical for the role (her voice seems better suited for Nessarose’s part) Her first big number, “The Wizard and I” just felt way too controlled and, but as the show progressed, her singing got better and her “No Good Deed” was actually very good. In terms of acting, her portrayal of Elphaba was kind of defensive and angry. A few of her line deliveries could have been better, they could have been funnier or had more of an emotional effect. Again, her performance wasn’t bad, it was decent, but when you go in to see Wicked, you expect Elphaba to be nothing less than amazing.
Emily Rozek (Glinda) – I was pleasantly surprised and very happy with her performance. Vocals were good, she doesn’t do all the high notes, but still very good and funny. Her portrayal of Glinda was kind of like Glinda with ADHD or Glinda on a sugar high, very fidgety, bouncy, and hyper, more ditzy than shallow. Her “Popular” was a little rushed and I felt could have been funnier (they didn’t really ad-lib that much in this scene). With the exception of a few off line deliveries, a very good performance.
Jenna Leigh Green (Nessarose) – Even with such a small role, her performance as Nessa was one of my favorites of the show. Overall just an awesome performance. She does a great job of developing Nessa’s character from a softer, lonely girl to the bitter and harsh Wicked Witch of the East. The “Wicked Witch of the East” number has always been one of my favorites from the show and she delivers it wonderfully.
Carole Shelley (Madam Morrible) – I thought she was perfect when I saw her in NY and she’s still perfect. I’ve always loved her line deliveries, which always seem to have the perfect combination of comedy but with the underlying malice of her character. The moment when she screams “. . . this wicked wiiiiiiiiiitch” never fails to send chills up my spine. She really just owns this role and is truly the ultimate Madam Morrible.
David Garrison (The Wizard) – I was really pleased with his performance. When I saw George Hearn in the Broadway production, I did not like the His portrayal of the wizard, but David Garrison's was surprisingly charming. his "wonderful" is really fun to watch. He never really makes the wizard seem that evil or sinister though, just more of an eccentric oddball kinda guy.
Sebastian Arcelus (Fiyero) – Overall, a good performance. There’s not much you can do with this role, but he makes the most of it. In his rendition of “Dancing through Life” he conveys the coolness and laidback attitude of his character very well. There were some line deliveries that I felt he could have made funnier, but overall just a very solid performance.
Logan Lipton ( Boq) – Played Boq more nerdy than shy and awkward. Not much you can do with the role, but did well with the little he had.
There were times were I felt that the ensemble/show was a bit lackingin energy, specifically during the opening “No One Mourns the Wicked”. I don’t know if it was my seats ( I was way in the back of the mezzanine), the acoustics in theatre, or the band, but sometimes, the music and ensemble performances seemed quiet and lacking intensity, not as powerful as when I saw the show before. The band just seemed really quiet, so that might have been it. This wasn’t for the whole show, just at times, like during one short day and the opening number. For the most part, the ensemble had enough energy and did a good job.
Overall, I had a great time and really enjoyed the show. My brother and I went to the stage door afterwards, and there were no more than 20 people there. Everyone except Carole Shelley came out to sign and all were nice and very willing to take pictures and sign everything. They all are friendly and even take the time to talk to you and answer any question.
EDIT: I wrote earlier that Analeigh Ashford had gone on for Galinda. It was actually Emily Rozek. Sorry about the mix up. Also, in case anyone wanted to know about the SRO tickets. You actually don't have to stand, you still get to sit. They put these really comfy cushioned stools in the back and you can lean forward on the banister. It's not that bad at all.
" I don't cause commotions, I am one."
Updated On: 2/12/06 at 11:38 AM
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