Wicked in SF- Page 2

[LoudIrishGirl]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 3:25am

I WON! And I NEVER win at this kinda thing! Yay! Front row (almost) center!

I could actually see the facial acting.

I'm tired, so I'll write my review tomorrow! (possibly with stagedoor picts...)

Edit: LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Eden. Amazing. IF you can, go see her. She's worth every penny (all 2500 of them).

Updated On: 8/7/05 at 03:25 AM

[LoudIrishGirl]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 3:24pm

I love the lottery. It was fun to talk to people before it, and then two other people who had won ( who I ended up sitting next to) and I had a wonderful conversation pre and post show. Great experience.

Now onto the review...

Elphaba --> Eden Espinosa:
Wonderful. Simply amazing. She hit some of the notes in an odd way, but only a few and I am pretty sure it was a technique to save her voice from the horrible dangers of that role. But when she opened her mouth for Defying Gravity and the those gut busting songs, OH. MY. GOD. I was covered in goosebumps and was couldn't stop grinning! Of all three Elphaba's I've now seen (Idina, Shosh, and now Eden) she was my favorite. I think Idina sang it better on the CD, but a) when I saw her live she was in her gasping phase and I was too far back to see her clearly and b) performing it in a studio without having to move or act is a lot easier than performing on a stage. I would LOVE to have a copy of an Eden-as-Elphaba CD, but I am sure I would end up loving both equally for different reasons. :)

Her acting was far superior to what I've seen before. I absolutely loved being front row, because I could see the actors make those small facial changes that mean so much. I LOVED Eden's face, she has the most gorgeous smile (and her pearly whites are really accented against the green, which she looked good in. Though she had some wig troubles, and I just didn't like the wig in general.). Being close up may have been part of it, but honestly Eden did the best acting job. I really saw her transformations, and I understood why they happened. She completely commanded the stage and was quite magical. :)

G(a)linda --> Kendra Kassebaum:
Hilarious. I prefer Kristin's singing to hers, mainly because Kristin has phenominal range and made good use of it, but Kendra was a great actress for the part. Again, I saw Kristin when she wasn't at her best (she had a neck-brace on, but was so amazing even with it that it didn't take away and just made me love the performance more for it), but Kendra just got the physical part better. Kristin was the popular cheerleader, Jennifer (who is a compelete DOLL and whom I loved to watch) was more of the popular jocky girl, and Kendra was just popular. She didn't need the cheerleading or the jockyness, it was just the way she physicalized it. I don't think I am explaining it well, but she didn't lean on either stereotype of the 'popular girl' regarding sports or cheerleading, she was just popular for her own sake. Her personality, looks, etc.

And like the other two before her, she had great comic timing and ad-libbing (sparkles!poof!etc.). She was more of a ditz than the other two, but did grow in the end. I would have to say (though) that I prefer Kristin's singing and Jennifer's acting. Not that Kendra was bad! Far from it, it's just I prefered what the other two did. Definitly worth seeing her, though!

Madame Morrible --> Carol Kane:
I didn't like her. She wasn't bad, she just didn't have the underlying sense of evil and danger and manipulation and selfishness that Carole Shelley did. She was more there and just saying the lines without the underyling purpose driving her.

The Wizard --> David Garrison:
My favorite wizard. Joel didn't really do much with it, the next guy I really didn't like, but David got it spot on. I could see how he could charm the entire land of OZ under his thumb. I got his loneliness. He still didn't quite give off the desperation I think the wizard needs to surround his dealing with Animals (the desperation of the powerful who think they are about to lose their power / who think they are defending their power). But he was wonderful (:) ), nonetheless!

Nessarose --> Jenna Leigh Green:
Holy sh*t, this girl can sing. She was phenominal, and I really want to see her stand in for Elphaba now! I think she would do a great job. I can't wait to hear where she goes next (and if I have the budget, to go see her!). And she was really sweet at the stage door. Made me wish not only that they kept Nessarose's song on the CD, but that she had a bigger role so I could see / hear her more often! Bravo to Jenna!

Boq --> Logan Lipton:
My favorite Boq. He did this cute thing with his voice, and you could just see the honesty and goodness exude off of him. He was perfect and could sing beautifully!

Fiyero --> Derrick Williams:
Such a sweet guy. He was so nice at the stage door (I got a pict with him and then a crowd of girls descended on him to do the same, lol). I prefer Norbert Leo Butz's version of Fiyero, mainly because Derrick's voice (while beautiful) didn't quite fit the part for me. He acted it wonderfully, though!

The ensemble was GREAT (as always!) and I got chills every time they started blasting it.

Funny notes -->
During Popular, while Kendra's dress didn't unzip (I don't think) I definitly caught her tugging the zipper / making sure it didn't fall a few times. She was hilarious.

Madame Morrible almost forgot a line, but then the Wizard reminded her (it was the "you do something for him he'll do something for you" line). wouldn't have noticed it except I saw the wizard facially and with a small hand thing remind her.

Eden's wig. Oy. During the like 7 second change after Popular, the ends on her temple flapped up. Annoyed the heck out of me. About 3 different actors (Morrible, Derrick, and Dillemond) tried to fix it in character, but it didnt really work. Eden finally got it kinda down (all in character, mind you) and they fixed it once she got offstage for heading to Oz.

Eden's costumes. I think that they are Steph's costumes that Eden just uses, 'cause they look a little big (and Steph. is taller than Eden, I think). The green body suit for dancing through life was WAY too big. I could see it wrinkle and stuff, and it annoyed me soooo much. Was not skin tight. But from farther away, I'm sure you wouldn't notice anything.

During Thank Goodness (beginning of Act 2) the ensemble couple right in front of me had some troubles. The girl accidentally knocked the guy's glasses off and onto the stage. They both started giggling, but managed to keep it low and only when they were facing upstage. The girl made a good recovery and got the glasses when they moved in. Gotta love the front row.

Overall a GREAT show. As wonderful as I remembered it! And they were all so sweet at the stagedoor! I would post some pictures, but I have NO clue how to, lol.

Hope you enjoyed the review!

[Popular]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 3:34pm

You can upload them to your fan photos page, do you know how to do that cause I'd love to see them! :)

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 3:52pm

YAY. Great review Irish.

[loganp37]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 3:54pm

Did they have the two side platforms in SF?

I heard they didn't have them in LA.

[LoudIrishGirl]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 3:59pm

Do you mean the platforms flanking the stage? Or the ones that come in and out? They have the ones that go in and out of the wings, and they have two flanking the stage. BUT the ones flanking the stage are much less grand than the NY ones (rather than having actors stand on them, they only have two light guys at the top). The actors use the in-and-out ones.

[loganp37]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 4:01pm

I have seen the touring company in Chicago, is it the same now as it was then?

[LoudIrishGirl]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 4:23pm

Fixed it! Fan photo's now have picts...

Updated On: 8/7/05 at 04:23 PM

[John3]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 10:55pm

My cousin and I won the Lotto on Saturday night. It was a great performance. There were a few small problems that occurred, such as a couple mic problems, and two costume malfunctions (Glinda's One Short Day dress's straps broke in her quick change and the dress became a tubetop dress, and Elphaba's shawl in The Wicked Witch of the East started to fall apart)other than that the show was great, Morrible forgot a line and then caught up but it was handled very well. The show was great and Eden is soooo nice at the stage door, I had meet her a couple of years ago when she worked at Disneyland in their stage show in California adventure. It was my first time winning the lotto after trying so hard in LA. well that was a great weekend.

John3

[emo_geek]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 11:03pm

19 more days...19 more days...19 more days...19 more days...19 more days...19 more days...19 more days...19 more days...19 more days...

[mad4music]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 11:30pm

11 more days.... 11 more days.... 11 more days.... 11 more days.... 11 more days.... 11 more days.... 11 more days.... 11 more days.... 11 more days.... 11 more days.... 11 more days.... 11 more days.... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(sry! had to rub it in!)

I AM SO PSYCHED!!!!

[tagiunagi]

Posted: 8/7/05 at 11:35pm

How many seats are available for the lotto?

About how many people came to the lotto?

What is this about offering obstructed view seats?

[jarretSF]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 12:26am

I spoke to the Usher today at the lotto (Matinee, tonight is the opening, and the only Sunday eve of the run here)and he said the number of tickets varies for each performance, but I got in again, so I'm 2 for 2! Today's matinee wasn't too packed, the usher even commented on it before drawing names. The show was great, saw Glinda's understudy (Katie Adams). Vocally very impressive, but Kendra was funnier IMO. Eden was even better today than Friday night. She is so vocally powerful. I was so impressed. THe reviews should be out tommorow, the press is there right now....

[Tiny-Toon]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 9:27pm

ohh I can't wait to read all the raves Eden's gonna get!
I just came back from seeing her twice in SF!
My mini-Review from the Brooklyn Fans Forums (http://www.BrooklynTheMusical.info):

"WOW! I went to see WICKED yesterday, and Eden was just unbelievable! I heard some clips of her performance in WICKED before, but what I witnessed at the Orpheum Theatre was something that I can't describe. She was just amazing! She made every song in WICKED her own, and she was great at it! She can do anything! :]

The show as a whole was better then the Broadway production. Everyone in the cast was spot-on and did a great job. KENDRA KASSEBAUM (Glinda) was very funny, and had an amazing comic timing. She and Eden did a really great job together! The cast was all terrific (CAROL KANE, DAVID GARRISON, TIMOTHY BRITTEN PARKER). They really made the show more fun then the Broadway production. It was amazing!

And Back to Eden!!
Eden's singing was perfect. She was on pitch the entire show and hit every note clearly and perfectly. Her Defying Gravity was AMAZING. Her acting was just as good as her singing- unbelievable. When she sang "I'll be so happy, I could melt!" I rememberd Ines Wink I don't want everyone to feel bad about not seeing her.. But she was A-M-A-Z-I-NG and i'm sure she will get great reviews from the SF critics! You all will get a chance to see her in Wicked *hinthint*. The theatre was PACKED. And it was MUCH bigger then the Gershwin. Eden got a FULL standing ovation at the end from EVERYONE, no one stayed seated. "

[lfae]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 10:20pm

just a curiosity, how's the balcony seating in the Orpheum?

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 8/8/05 at 10:32pm

Lets all send good vibes to Eden! She's got a great voice!

[Dreamcatcher]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 12:58am

Quick question, my family and I are thinking about going to SF while Wicked is there and I know my sister wanted to see it again (we saw the LA run) and I'd love to see Eden live so what do you think my best bet would be for 3-4 tickets? Cancellation line, lottery etc? I know, kind of a dumb question but I'm fairly naive when it comes to getting tickets this way. :-P Any advice would be great! Thanks!

[BrdwyBnd2005]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 3:30am

Ok. We can all admit that we're diehard Eden fans, and I'm one of the biggest, but there is a point where reality has to kick in. Her voice was NOT all there on Opening Night. I've never heard her live, but I've heard her sing Defying Gravity and of course the Brooklyn OCR, and both are fantastic... hints my love for her. However, her placement Fri. night was WEIRD! It sounded like every measure was being swollowed down into her throat. And no, her notes WEREN'T flawless. I noticed a couple little boo boo's, but there was a pretty big crack towards the end of 'No Good Deed.' I'll give her this-that song IS at the end of the show, but it was only her SECOND performance. Her voice should not have been gone. She did act the part well (Idina was better!), I'll give her that.

It hurt me to say it then and it hurts to say it now, but I wish Jenna Leigh Green was Elphie on Friday. Her voice was A+ and she wasn't a diva, and came out after the show.

I still love my little Eden, but let's be honest folks, she wasn't ALL that hot on Friday.

P.S. To a previous post- If you don't think Kendra's dress came undone, you MUST have been asleep during the ENTIRE Popular number. The two gals on stage were laughing from the get go, and in the middle of the whole thing ("Ball Gown!!!") she turned her back to the audience, zipped up, shook her butt, and then flashed us all. It was the biggest laugh of the night. NO ONE THERE COULD HAVE POSSINBLY MISSED THAT.

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/9/05 at 10:23am

Qustion about souvenirs at the theatre. Are there 2 stands, like at the Gershwin, or one. Want to get another t-shirt but don't want to have to endure the rush at intermission and at the end of the show. It was so crazy at the Gershwin last year that I gave up and got the shirt online. Also, I was told that the show plans to swing back through and stay longer than it is in some cities (We only have it for 2 weeks). No timeframe on that yet but got it from a good source.

[LoudIrishGirl]

Posted: 8/10/05 at 5:40pm

I think they only have one souvenir stand, but if you go before the show it's not that crowded.

Is anybody going to try the lotto today? (Wednesday)