#1
Posted: 7/2/06 at 1:02pm
First of all...thanks to whoever recommended the lovely Hotel Allegro. What a nice place!
While in town yesterday for the "Taste of Chicago" (which was great fun), we visited the Chicago production of Wicked last night.
Physically, the show is almost identical to the NY production. There is no giant witch hat at the beginning, the dragon doesn't move, the monkeys don't fly over the audience, and there is no stairway stage left. Those were the big differences that I remembered.
The ensemble was all right, but they never seemed as strong vocally as their NY counterparts. I noticed this during the finale, in particular, which didn't pack the punch it usually does.
What disappointed me, for the most, was this cast. Heidi Kettering was a real disappointment as Nessarose. Her "Wicked Witch of the East" was pretty bad. Telly Leung was actually very good as Boq.
Kristoffer Kussick was a fine Fiyero. He had the looks (which many of the actors that have played this role do not), and he had the acting skills necessary to make this under-written role interesting. He exuded the charisma needed to make it work, and his voice was pretty good too.
Rondi Reed was also fairly good as Morrible. I was surprised she was in the cast, as I thought Carole Shelley was playing the role in Chicago. Reed's performance is in the vein of Shelley's without being a replica.
Gene Wygandt was a terribly dull, uninteresting Wizard. I would say he was only marginally more engaging than George Hearn. I know the role is underwritten, but other actors (Ben Vereen and David Garrison) have managed to make the role interesting and enjoyable. With Wygandt, however, I couldn't wait for "Wonderful" to be over.
The big disappointment for me, however, was Kristy Cates' Elphaba. I didn't like her voice at all, which I thought was completely wrong for this show. She was straining to hit notes all night long, and it just sounded bad. I'm sure she is a fine singer, but this is not the role for her. Every other Elphaba I've seen (even those I've disliked) have had voices that were at times thrilling. Not the case with Miss Cates. I was consistently underwhelmed by her voice. Her acting was almost as bad as her vocals. She must come from the "act with your hands" school, because I wanted to stand up and tell her to put her hands down. If that wasn't bad enough, the rest of her over-acting was even worse. There was no sublety or nuance to the performance. It just didn't work.
Last night's show, without a doubt, belonged to its Glinda. However, it was not Stacy Morgan Lewis. Katie Loprest was on as Glinda, and she stole the show right away from everyone. What a wonderful performer! She's got a killer voice (she did all of those high notes!!), and excellent comedic timing. I don't know how often she gets to go on, but she looks like she's been playing the role for years. Her "Popular", which was very different from anyone else's I've seen, was excellent. She had the audience from her first moments in the bubble, and she never let go. Last night's show was all about Glinda. I hope she gets to play the role full-time somewhere at some point, because deserves it.
Overall, I'm glad I saw the Chicago production, as it was worth it, despite my dislike of some performances. The theater was packed, and the audience jumped to its feet at the end, as I'm sure they always do there. That is a GORGEOUS theater they're in.
While in town yesterday for the "Taste of Chicago" (which was great fun), we visited the Chicago production of Wicked last night.
Physically, the show is almost identical to the NY production. There is no giant witch hat at the beginning, the dragon doesn't move, the monkeys don't fly over the audience, and there is no stairway stage left. Those were the big differences that I remembered.
The ensemble was all right, but they never seemed as strong vocally as their NY counterparts. I noticed this during the finale, in particular, which didn't pack the punch it usually does.
What disappointed me, for the most, was this cast. Heidi Kettering was a real disappointment as Nessarose. Her "Wicked Witch of the East" was pretty bad. Telly Leung was actually very good as Boq.
Kristoffer Kussick was a fine Fiyero. He had the looks (which many of the actors that have played this role do not), and he had the acting skills necessary to make this under-written role interesting. He exuded the charisma needed to make it work, and his voice was pretty good too.
Rondi Reed was also fairly good as Morrible. I was surprised she was in the cast, as I thought Carole Shelley was playing the role in Chicago. Reed's performance is in the vein of Shelley's without being a replica.
Gene Wygandt was a terribly dull, uninteresting Wizard. I would say he was only marginally more engaging than George Hearn. I know the role is underwritten, but other actors (Ben Vereen and David Garrison) have managed to make the role interesting and enjoyable. With Wygandt, however, I couldn't wait for "Wonderful" to be over.
The big disappointment for me, however, was Kristy Cates' Elphaba. I didn't like her voice at all, which I thought was completely wrong for this show. She was straining to hit notes all night long, and it just sounded bad. I'm sure she is a fine singer, but this is not the role for her. Every other Elphaba I've seen (even those I've disliked) have had voices that were at times thrilling. Not the case with Miss Cates. I was consistently underwhelmed by her voice. Her acting was almost as bad as her vocals. She must come from the "act with your hands" school, because I wanted to stand up and tell her to put her hands down. If that wasn't bad enough, the rest of her over-acting was even worse. There was no sublety or nuance to the performance. It just didn't work.
Last night's show, without a doubt, belonged to its Glinda. However, it was not Stacy Morgan Lewis. Katie Loprest was on as Glinda, and she stole the show right away from everyone. What a wonderful performer! She's got a killer voice (she did all of those high notes!!), and excellent comedic timing. I don't know how often she gets to go on, but she looks like she's been playing the role for years. Her "Popular", which was very different from anyone else's I've seen, was excellent. She had the audience from her first moments in the bubble, and she never let go. Last night's show was all about Glinda. I hope she gets to play the role full-time somewhere at some point, because deserves it.
Overall, I'm glad I saw the Chicago production, as it was worth it, despite my dislike of some performances. The theater was packed, and the audience jumped to its feet at the end, as I'm sure they always do there. That is a GORGEOUS theater they're in.
Love to hear and read about Elphie, Glinda & Co... Good or bad 
