Wicked in Buffalo 7/12 at 2pm

[ohjustjake]

Posted: 7/12/08 at 8:30pm

First of all, let me just say that there were so many straight men at today's show that it blew my mind. I'm sure most of them were dragged their by their wives or children, but many spoke highly of the show when they were leaving.

Today I saw the 2pm performance of Wicked in Buffalo - I was so excited to see it because I hadn't seen it since the tour actually began in Toronto with SJB, which was probably 3 years ago. When we walked into the theatre, I actually thought that the set had been scaled back again, as it felt small on that stage. After the show began, that idea went away - it all felt right after the first number was over. I also thought that the pit wasn't loud enough, but that idea went away also. The pit did sound a little empty compared to what I remembered before, but they were the right volume.

Katie Rose Clark was out, which was fine by me. Meggie Cansler took her place, and was PHENOMENAL. I'm actually glad I didn't see Katie because Maggie's performance took my breath away. I thought that she really added a whole new layer to the character, and had a magnificent singing voice. This girl needs to get to Broadway, asap. The only thing that bothered me was that she missed some of those comedic lines that I was looking forward to. I mean, she made the character her own, that's for sure. But some things that I was looking forward to just went right over the audiences head. But her transformation from first act to second act was unbelievable.

I was nervous that Carmen wouldn't go on because some people said she was on vocal rest or something, but she did go on and was amazing also. You Chicago people who had her for a while were super lucky. I thought she was great - good acting, good singing, good everything. Her Wizard and I was great and had a huge response, as did Defying Gravity (which btw, was one of the best versions I have EVER heard).

Alma Cuervo was very good. I was looking forward to her since I saw her in Titanic, and she did not disappoint. She's one of the few Morrible's who actually sings too, thank god.

Cliffton Hall was Fiyero and he was.. okay. I personally did not like his voice at all, but I did like the way he played the role. A lot of people have said that they just can't find a person who plays the role right, and I think that he made a good attempt at it. He and Carmen also had good chemistry, and ALAYM got pretty hot at the end.

Deedee Hall was Nessarose and I actually really liked her a lot. Last time I saw it, I saw Jenna Lee Green who I thought was amazing, but Deedee also did great. From where I was sitting, she looked Asian, which I thought was pretty cool casting. She sang the hell out of Wicked Witcch of the East

Brad Weinstock as Boq didn't work for me one bit and all of his funny lines didn't work at all.

The show flowed great, and the audience ate it all up. Many have said that it's no wonder that Avenue Q won the Tony, but I definitely think that Wicked has depth to it that touches people. I went on a whole bus full of judgmental senior citizens, and they all loved the show. Obviously, Wicked is doing something right.
Updated On: 7/12/08 at 08:30 PM

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 7/12/08 at 8:39pm

Nice review. Just be glad that you got Meggie Cansler and not Melissa Bohon(I dunno if I spelled her name right). Yes DeeDee is Filipino.

[zamedy]

Posted: 7/13/08 at 12:53am

I saw the show for the second time tonight (second time both seeing it in Buffalo and seeing it period). I enjoyed it more than the first time, when I had lotto seats last time and couldn't see 3/4ths of the stage. But as much as I wanted to love this musical like everyone else, I just couldn't. I certainly didn't hate it. I liked it. But I didn't love it.

Katie Rose Clark was out again, which was a bit disappointing to me. I saw her the last time and she was great. Meggie Cansler was in for Katie once again and I have to say I was a little bit disappointed in her performance. "Popular" was good but not nearly as funny as it was when I saw it with Katie. During that show, the audience stopped the song twice with their applause. This time, Meggie got laughs (one big one) but no show stopping applause. And I am certainly no WICKED expert, but isn't the actress who plays Glinda usually a wee bit shorter than Elphaba? Meggie seemed a bit taller.. and I couldn't help but let that bug me. I did like Meg's acting/emotion during "For Good."

Carmen was, quite simply, amazing. Even better than last time. She nailed every song. "Defying Gravity" and "No Good Deed" gave me chills. I'd definitely say her voice is back to 100 percent. The audience loved her.

Alma Cuervo was once again brilliant. She commands the stage. Best actor in this company. Why isn't she playing this role on Broadway?

Deedee Magno Hall was very good as Nessarose. She was out the first time I saw the show, so I am certainly glad I got to see her this time. Beautiful voice.

Both Brad Weinstock as Boq and Cliffton Hall as Fiyero were okay. Hall was funny. Weinstock just seemed very... whiney. I didn't feel for his character one bit.

All in all, an enjoyable evening with a great cast in an entertaining show. Still, I couldn't help but agree with my grandma who went with me... We liked HAIRSPRAY more.
Updated On: 7/13/08 at 12:53 AM

[andie84]

Posted: 7/13/08 at 1:46am

Ok first I have to reply to "defygravity777" - Melissa Bohon was great!! I liked her a lot... she had great line delivery and great chemistry with Carmen!
Second of all... wooo! I totally agree with EVERYTHING you said, jake... Carmen was a DREAM on stage - and by that, I kept thinking I was dreaming she was so good.... man.... that girl's got talent!
And I, as previously mentioned, didn't have Katie Rose Clark either... I had Melissa Bohon. What's with Katie being out so much??? I had a friend who went to see the show a couple of days into the run and said she was out too... what's going on with her??
I also didn't enjoy Cliffton Hall. I saw him when the show was on tour here in Toronto in 2006 and thought the same thing of him then as I do now.... not bad, but definitely not the best. That honour still remains with David Burnham, whom I saw on Broadway this past February (ohhh dude, he's got the whole package!!!!)
And yes, totally thought Deedee was great too... her Wicked Witch of the East may be my 2nd favourite.
Lastly, yes! Brad didn't do it for me either as Boq... but then again, I've yet to see a Boq that really blows me away... so we'll see if I ever will.
All in all, it was a great performance for my 6th time around... all I really cared about was if Elphaba and Glinda were good, and low and behold, they were! Very satisfied with the show.... I may make it number 7 when it comes to Ottawa in August! :)

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 7/13/08 at 7:27am

Maybe Melissa was having an off night when I heard her. I thought her voice was all over the place and her acting was just ehhh. I try to find the good in every actress I see but she was not that good IMO.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 7/13/08 at 9:31am

Be glad you saw Meggie, I saw both Melissa and her, and she was amazing compared to Melissa.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/13/08 at 9:32am

I believe DeeDee is Filipino. I also saw her as Nessa and thought she did an amazing job.

[wicked4l]

Posted: 7/13/08 at 10:34am

I saw WICKED yesterday at 2 as well. It was my 6th time seeing it in Buffalo and 12th over all. I surprisingly much prefer Melissa to Meggie. I've seen each Glinda 2 times here in Buffalo. I love Katie and Melissa, Meggie really didn't do it for me. She didnt get half the laughs that Melissa or Katie did in Popular. Yes, her singing might not be up to par with Meggie or Katie but she was much funnier that Meggie in my opinion. Meggie and Kate Reinders are my least favorite Glindas I've seen live.just my opinion.

[flyinghighwithwicked]

Posted: 2/10/09 at 10:56am

Hey I met you before the show, and after! I was there too! I LOVED meggie, almost as much as Katie. Her singing was Fantastic, and her acting was wonderful, she made me laugh, just as much as Katie, Christina, Megan,Kate (who is also amazing.) and Jennifer. I am seeing Alli tonight, and i am sure she will be great. Carmen was over the top amazing, and Cliffton was great too! Brad... to all u haters out there of Brad, don't be he is AMAZING. He is the BEST boq that there is or will ever be.