Wicked in TAMPA - Updates on Lottery & FL Show Reviews- Page 2

[emo_geek]

Posted: 1/28/06 at 2:55am

gaw I wish the lotto in L.A. was like that. hahahahahaha no.

[softershade]

Posted: 1/28/06 at 8:13am

i'm hoping it won't be too bad tomorrow at the matinee. i imagine it shouldn't since it's a sunday morning but you never know.

[florida theatre kid]

Posted: 1/28/06 at 9:10am

Seeing Wicked today at 2:00. I bet today would be an excellent time to try the lotto with Gasparilla and all. Can't imagine many people would show up...

[Popular]

Posted: 1/28/06 at 12:15pm

REVIEWS. PICS. REVIEWS. PICS. :)

[sr4mjc]

Posted: 1/28/06 at 2:42pm

I did the lottery on 1/18 and 1/25. I won the first night and my friend won on the second try. We had front row the first night and Row S in the orchestra the second. The sound was much better farther back, but Kendra was hysterical up close. Both nights had about 50 people in the lottery. Have fun!
Updated On: 1/28/06 at 02:42 PM

[florida theatre kid]

Posted: 1/28/06 at 5:56pm

Ok, this is my first real review, so please excuse my amatuer style of writing.

Just got back from the Wicked matinee. It was abosoulutely amazing.

THE SHOW-
-No One Mourns The Wicked- In my opinion, I thought it started off kind of slow, but got better as the song progressed. Personally I think they was a sound problem, but nobody else thought the same.
-The Wizard and I- This is the song that grasped my attention, after IMO a slow start to the show. Stephanie has an amazing voice and sold this number to the audience.
-What Is This Feeling- HILARIOUS. Kendra and Stephanie has such amazing chemistry. One of the ensemble members dropped their book and Steph just picked it up and threw it off stage. I would of thought it was part of the show, had the person who dropped the book not been front and center.
- Dancing Through Life- I love the choreography. There was a specific ensemble member who stood out particularly. I wish I knew who it was. She had long brown straight hair and was front and center for the most of the song. Very tall.She was by far the best dancer. Can anyone identify her?
- Popular- MY GOD. Kendra proves that she is 1,000% perfect for this role with this song. There were a couple parts where Steph started laughing. Kendra is just too funny.
- I'm Not That Girl- Hmmm. Just not a fan of this song. Guess there's not much you can do with it.
- One Short Day- Loved the choreography, but the lighting was entirely too bright.
- Sentimental Man- David Garrison seems bored. Enough said.
- Defying Gravity- Stephanie was amazing during this song. Her "Let go of her, she had nothing to do with it" line gave me massive goosebumps, as did the rest from there on.
---My only complaint about the first act was these obnioxous girls sitting behind me not realizing that you're not supposed to talk during shows. Another big mistake is TBPAC sells Ice Cream during intermission---
- Thank Goodness- This is when Kendra got to show off her voice. Yes, I thought her voice was amazing. By the end of this song, the whole audience was madly in love with her.
- The Wicked Witch Of The East- WOW. Jenna Leigh Green has got some power. She had me scared during this song.
- Wonderful- Like I said, David Garrison seemed bored. Him and Steph had little to no chemistry in this song.
- As Long As Your Mine- Steph can definitely play the different side of Elphaba. She was nearly on top of Sebastian in this song. He has a very good voice also.
- No Good Deed- Scary. Amazing. Words cannot describe.
- For Good- Very deeply felt. You really felt for Glinda.

THE CAST
- Kendra Kassebaum- Amazing. Hilarious. Gave a top notch performance that I rarely see in theatre. The audience was madly in love with her from the moment she floated in. Nailed the comedic timing. A+
- Stephanie J. Block- See Above. Couldn't help but pull for Elphaba the whole way through. Has an unmatched voice. Her and Kendra work amazingly well together. A+
- Sebastian Arcelus- Good voice. Him and Steph really worked well together. Played the typical Preppy Boy on campus very well. Dancing Through Life was very good. A
- Carole Shelley- Not much to say about this role. The times she was on stage, she was very good. When she wasn't there, you pretty much forgot about her. Nothing memorable. B
- David Garrison- Yuck. Didn't care for him at all. Seemed bored and made you almost want the Wizard to disappear. Didn't have any chemistry with Steph during Wonderful. Very Bland. C-
- Jenna Leigh Green- FABULOUS. Please give this girl a bigger role. She is absolutely amazing and jaw-droppingly georgous. A+
- Logan Lipton- Ehh, what can I say. Very similar to Carole Shelley, loved him when he was on stage, forgot about him when he wasn't there. Once again, nothing memorable. B-

Like I said earlier, there was a stand out ensemble member (read my Dancing Through Life review). I know I didn't give much detail about her and was very bland, but can anyone identify her. I couldn't take my eyes off of her anytime she graced the stage. A++ for her

OVERALL SHOW GRADE: B+ very, very entertaining. May just have to try the lottery and hope to see it again

[Popular]

Posted: 1/28/06 at 6:08pm

Thanks for the review :)

[Horton]

Posted: 1/28/06 at 6:11pm

Does that mean Kendra does Mattenes?

[Popular]

Posted: 1/28/06 at 6:24pm

It seems like Kendra's contracted to perform 6x/week but I don't think WHAT 6 shows are set in stone. So yes, she probably does do a matinee every once in a while I'd imagine. She's probably not in tonight then.

Thanks again for the review florida kid, if you go again you should stage door and bring your camera next time! :)

[florida theatre kid]

Posted: 1/28/06 at 6:28pm

I also had heard rumors that Kendra did not do matinees. I was very worried that I wasn't gonna get to see her, but I was stoked when I walked into the lobby and saw the understudy board empty. She probably won't do tonight's show then.

I was so angry at myself when I forgot my camera. I tried to go to the stage door, but Gasparilla was going on so everything was crazy. I may try to go to the stage door one night this week even if I don't see the show again (aka win the lottery).

Posted: 1/28/06 at 6:32pm

I'll post pictures once my friend gets them developed and I'll post a review later (I'm still reeling from the amazing experience, lol)

[florida theatre kid]

Posted: 1/28/06 at 6:40pm

Hey singinmysong, were you at the 2:00 performance today also? Did you go to the stagedoor? If so, who came out and signed?

Posted: 1/28/06 at 8:00pm

Oops I put the wrong title at the top of my comment, lol

Unfortunately, because I live 2 1/2 hours away and I'm broke, I didn't come at the matinee show or plan to go any more on tour until it comes to Tampa again next year.

[smurfy321]

Posted: 1/30/06 at 4:49pm

Hey, I'm new to these boards and went to see "Wicked" last night. We had an understudy for Elphaba and I was so upset because I really wanted to see Stephanie Block after reading all the reviews on here! The understudy was good, but I was still disappointed. Should I try for the lottery this week? Do you think Tuesday or Wednesday would give me a better shot? Also, where is the stage door??? Thanks!!

Alyssa

[Popular]

Posted: 1/30/06 at 5:01pm

Awww, sorry you missed her. Definitely try again if you have the time to spare!

[softershade]

Posted: 1/30/06 at 5:25pm

so drove to tampa yesterday for the matinee and my friend won lotto. it was the full cast (no understudies) and it was really great. i was a little bit disappointed in kendra and i thought she was a little too spaztic during the first act. stephanie was awesome and i really enjoyed the tour cast.
i stage doored for a bit to finally meet stephanie who was really sweet and gracious to everyone, i'm so glad i was finally able to meet her.
i was a little sad that carole didn't come out, but i expected it since i know she doesn't come out all that often but it was nice being recognized by her from the front row.

[florida theatre kid]

Posted: 1/30/06 at 7:03pm

smurfy, definately try the lotto. I can assure you Steph is worth it. What understudy did you see?

I was also wondering, has anyone seen Annaleigh Ashford as Glinda? If so, how was her performance?

[smurfy321]

Posted: 1/30/06 at 8:35pm

The understudy last night was Maria Eberline. She's normally in the ensemble but an understudy for Elphaba and Nessarose. Approximately how many people show up for the lottery? I am clueless about the whole process besides what I've read on here so I'm not really sure what to expect. Also, tips for going to the stage door? Where is it at TBPAC?

Posted: 1/30/06 at 8:48pm

The lottery is held 2-2 1/2 hours before the show. It takes place right next to the box office- you'll see a table set up. The number of people that show up for the lottery depends on the day. Usually shows during the week have less people, but I'd try anyday to win the lotto because most people don't know about it (I won on a Friday night with 40ish people there). You basically fill out a piece of paper with your information and if you want one or two tickets. If you win, you are able to purchase 1 or 2 front-row seats for $25 each. One entry per person and you MUST be there in person to enter AND when they draw the names! Its def. worth trying!

As for the stage door, its near the front of the center. I'm not sure where it is exactly but there's a huge sign and green overhang that says "stage door." I ran to get good spots near the stage door, but its not nesessary. There was about 50 people max at the door, and usually the actors stay utnil everyone has their things signed or has a picture with them. Don't be discouraged if they all don't come out- when I saw it only Stephanie, Sebastian, and Jenna came out.

Hope this helped!

[Popular]

Posted: 1/30/06 at 8:51pm

smurfy - usually they start the lottery 2 1/2 hours before showtime and give half hour for people to get there names in. You just write your name and how many tickets you'll need if you win (1 or 2) and just make sure to have ID and cash on you. After half hour they randomly select the names and the seats for Tampa seem like they are in the first row(?)... From what I've read it seems like there have been an average of about 40 people showing up lately. That, of course, could change.

If you win you'll have 2 hours to kill. You should find someone to show you where the stage door is within that time No tips except for have your pen and camera ready if you want to have anything signed or take a picture.

Hope I answered your questions. Welcome to the board and good luck at the lottery!

EDIT: Darn it! Too slow HA HA
Updated On: 1/30/06 at 08:51 PM

[smurfy321]

Posted: 1/30/06 at 9:00pm

Thank you so much to both of you! That definitely helped. I'm off work the next 3 days so I think I'll try tomorrow and if I don't get in, then on Wednesday. I'm coming from Orlando so it's about an hour drive but if I could get in, it would certainly be worth it! Since my friends already saw it with me last night, it would be just me going. Keep your fingers crossed for me! I'll give an update once I get back. And thanks again!

[florida theatre kid]

Posted: 1/30/06 at 9:14pm

smurfy, was Kendra in on Sunday night?

[broadway_freak2]

Posted: 1/30/06 at 9:16pm

Will anyone be going to the Feb.4 night performance? I am so excited, I can't wait. I bet this week is going to be one of those weeks that take forever. I'm glad to hear that Kendra and Stephanie are still in it, I heard something that they left. Hopefully Saturday will come faster than expected!

[smurfy321]

Posted: 1/30/06 at 9:32pm

Yes, Kendra was there Sunday night and was amazing!