Wicked on Broadway 5/30/06 Review

[HBP]

Posted: 5/31/06 at 3:46pm

I live in upstate NY so the drive down to the city wasn't too bad... I had awesome seats though!! So here's my review:

Before my song by song, let me say a little about Kate Reinders as Glinda. In my opinion, she was terrific. My friend, who I went with and who was seeing it for the first time, thought she was awesome. Her interpretation is pretty different from what we're used to. This makes some people think she's bad. I've seen both Kristin and Megan perform the role live, and I must say that Kate is right up there with them. Cheno, of course, was the original and was fantastic. I found that Megan was superb, but really lacked any originality. Her performance was pretty much a carbon copy of JLT's. I still thought she was great though, and really enjoyed her! Kate plays off Galinda as more of a ditz throughout the show, something that I thought worked well.

Something new happened for me... The audience started applauding when the lights when down (they did it before Act II also.) Does that always happen?

No One Mourns the Wicked - The song started off a little slow. I noticed the sound was a little low, maybe there wasn't a speaker near me, but it ended up bothering me throughout the rest of the show... But anyway, the song went great! Kate, unfortunately, didn't get any entrance applause. However, she sang the hell out of the notes and hit every single one. She did a great job with this song! She was really funny, too. Her arm movements tended to be a little out of place, but she made it work.

Dear Old Shiz - Good song, good harmony. Eden got a lot of entrance applause. Kate did a really cool riff on her entrance with "OoOoOld" It got a lot of laughs.

The Wizard and I - I like Carol Kane as Morrible. I thought she did a great job. Eden sang the HELL out of this song. A truly incredible rendition. Her facial expressions were so on the mark, it was amazing. She looked so happy, then sometimes so pained. It was great. She nailed the end of the song and the last note!

What Is This Feeling - It was clear that they didn't rehearse this well enough between Kate and Eden. When they sang together in the beginning it was pretty off, but they managed to fix it. Kate did drop the mirror, and it did break in two, but I can tell you that it wasn't because the choreography was off. It just slipped out of her hand. I was right there and I saw it... Anyway, Eden bent down and put it into her pocket quickly a little later. Great song, the "Boo!" "Ah!" "hahah" worked very well tonight.

Something Bad - It was OK, I didn't think Sean was that great, actually. He mumbled a lot of the words. Kind of hard to understand.

Dancing Through Life - Great! Derrick was a great Fiyero! Kate, Jenna and Robb did really outstanding jobs in their small parts in this number. Robb is by far the best Boq I've seen. Really into the role.

Popular - Kate knocked this one out of the park. She was AWESOME!!!! Soooo funny. She got a LOT of laughs! Granted, the "toss toss" and "ballgown" portions were a little boring, but that's something the duo develops over time. Kate was SOOO perky it was hilarious. She did this little "ho-ho-ho-ha-ho-ha" thing that was really funny a few times. And she made these really funny noises before she said "You're whole life is about to change" that got a lot of laughs! I REALLY liked how she ended the song, from "You're welcome" to the end. She NAILED the "MEEEE!" like no other Glinda I've seen, all the others, especially Megan, seemed to struggle with that note. Overall: A++ Popular!

I'm Not That Girl - Eden is a phenomenal actress and singer. She really did great with this song. I usually never pay attention but she really sang it amazingly.

One Short Day - Pretty good. I was never a huge fan of this number or this set. The costumes were great though! And Eden and Kate did their thing, you know...

A Sentimental Man - David Garrison is THE BEST Wizard ever. He does all these funny nuances and dance steps. He has by far the best delivery of any Wizard! By FAR! He was great, really. I was so impressed and happy with his performance. Wayyy better than Ben Vereen.

Defying Gravity - Oh my good God. This song was incredible. Eden freaking NAILED IT! She was so great acting and singing for the beginning of this song. Then, when it came to the IT'S ME! She was SO AMAZINGLY, PHENOMENALLY, INCREDIBLY AWESOME!!!!!!! I had the chills soo bad. She riffed and belted like no other. I love her hand motions, too! Really, go and see Eden before she leaves!! She had the BEST Defying Gravity I've ever seen!!!

Side note: I'm pretty sure that the giant cape fell on the left side (Eden's right.) I was sitting on the right side of the theatre so I couldn't really tell, but I don't think it worked. It still looked incredible from my side though, haha! The lights were AWESOME up close! Act II to follow.

[HBP]

Posted: 5/31/06 at 4:05pm

Act II

Thank Goodness - Pretty good. I didn't really think Kate acted this song as well as the other Glindas. I thought this was Megan's best song. Kate still did a good job, she just didn't show as much depth, especially at the end. I still enjoyed it though, I don't think she was bad, this just isn't her best song. She's got a great voice, though.

Wicked Witch of the East - Jenna is a GREAT Nessarose. Great great great. Tremendous actress and great voice. I loved her interpretation of the role. Robb was also great as Boq in this scene. This was the best WWoTE I've ever seen. Also, the stand-in for the Tin Man actually mouthed the words perfectly. A++ For Jenna and Robb.

Wonderful - Again, David Garrison is an AWESOME Wizard. He nailed this song and it was FAR from boring. Really a terrific job. I hope David stays with the show for a while. He's great! A great actor as well.

I'm Not That Girl (Reprise) - So great. Kate's portrayal of Glinda here was much different than the rest of the show. She wasn't perky or anything. She was upset and understanding. It was great. I loved how she went up with the last note as well. Great INTG Reprise.

As Long as You're Mine - Eden and Derrick were great. Great chemistry, etc. etc. Good song overall. I didn't like this ending though.. It wasn't loud or anything. Oh, well.

Catfight Scene - SO funny. Kate and Eden were really great in this scene. I loved it. They really did a great job. Kate was very funny and Eden was really great, too. Awesome scene, overall.

No Good Deed - The best. Eden is the best. Ever. SOOO good. Wow, she riffed and she belted and it was just like DG. Amazing. The best NGD ever. I loved her final riff, too. She was just so fierce and so pissed and so amazing. A+++ for Eden here. Wowsa.

March of the Witch Hunters - Very good. Robb, Kate and Carol were all great.

For Good - I must admit that I always have a hard time focusing during For Good. I don't know why. Even when I saw Sho and Megan - who were best friends and had great chemistry - I was bored. I just like it better on the CD. I still though Eden and Kate had good chemistry. They seemed upset and everything, I just never really focus on this song live, lol.

Finale - Great. Kate was great up there in the bubble, Eden was great down below. She got applause when she came up, so I was happy.

Curtain Call - The standing ovation started when the curtain came up. Everyone was up by the time Robb and Jenna bowed. Kate and Eden got huge cheers, and Eden gave Kate her own bow, but Kate pulled Eden up and they bowed together. Robb and Eden made shooting hand gestures as the curtain went down, haha.

So, GREAT SHOW!! I had an awesome time!! Kate, Eden, David, Jenna, Robb and Carol were all phenomenal! A++

[WiiCKED x3]

Posted: 5/31/06 at 4:10pm

I miss Megan

Jenna is such a good Nessa, I also loved Michelle when I saw it for the first time back in September.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 5/31/06 at 4:14pm

I was there last night as well and LOVED it. Kate was fantastic.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 6/1/06 at 9:23pm

Thank you for this review