Wicked’s casting is too vanilla?

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Posted: 2/25/18 at 4:17pm

I love Wicked, to me it’s a great show with very strong leads and a fun score. But the casting is always so...bland? It’s gotten better in recent years (recycling Alli Mauzey-however great she may be- for the fifth time isn’t very exciting at all) but the point still stands that there’s pretty much zero diversity in the cast besides like two black ensemble members. This isn’t so much a discussion about race as it is about newer talent: I really like the current Bway cast and the tour cast, but when was there a completely new cast member who wasn’t previously associated with the show at all? There are hundreds of completely capable actresses that could play Elphaba and Glinda but are passed over in favor of people we’ve seen (many, in some cases) times before. I still enjoy the show, I just wish the casting would be more bold.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 2/25/18 at 4:32pm

Wicked (like Aladdin, The Book of Mormon, Hamilton, and The Phantom of the Opera) is not a casting-dependent show. They will always have an audience, which is why they tend to "recycle" actresses who they know are dependable. Elphaba and Glinda are not easy roles, so if producers have actresses who they can rely on making it through eight shows a week, of course they're going to hold onto them as long as they can, and even move them to and from different companies. It's not like a sizable audience isn't seeing the show because Jackie Burns has played Elphaba 15,000 times. 

[222disneyland]

Posted: 2/25/18 at 6:54pm

its not a new show. I also think new 'exciting' actresses' turn down the role for newer fresh jobs. Wicked is a very hard role. I did not love the show. But the range to do the role is huge both in singing and acting. Isn't it good that they are hiring acting professionals rather than singers. Also considering many of them like Ms Ashford, Ms Hility have done so well out of this. And Ms Cusack has too. I do not find the actors bland at all.  

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 2/25/18 at 7:40pm

You know who I want in "Wicked" right now? 

Hannah Cruz (previously known as Hannah Rose DeFlumeri) as Elphaba.

and Angela Wildflower as Glinda.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 2/25/18 at 7:48pm

Newer talent is not as interested in older shows. Who really sets out saying they want to be the 30th actress to play a role in a 15 year old show? Not many.

As for the diversity of the cast, there have been numerous black and Hispanic actors, male and female, taking on the lead roles throughout the show's history. It isn't an easy show to sing, they cast whoever can sing it.

Other than the role of Glinda, who has to be blonde, I'd say they do great at keeping a multicultural cast in the show as frequently as they can.

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 2/25/18 at 8:04pm

jimmycurry01 said: "Other than the role of Glinda, who has to be blonde, I'd say they do great at keeping a multicultural cast in the show as frequently as they can."

Wait, what exactly are you trying to imply?

Black people can't be born with natural blonde hair?

Wigs don't exist?

We have to ban Alli Mauzey and Kara Lindsay from ever appearing in the show again? What about Stacie Morgan Lewis? Jennifer Laura Thompson? What about when Megan Hilty dyed her hair brunette while appearing in the show? Did they fire her until she was blonde again? Christina DeCicco? Erin Mackey?

[darquegk]

Posted: 2/25/18 at 8:12pm

I'd lean towards Galindas having to be white. Although what specifically is represented allegorically in Wicked can be debated- racism? queer identity?- Galinda is a pretty clear nod to the "white mediocrity" concept that despite not being especially gifted or astute, she is propped up into a massive success beyond her moderate abilities, simply because she projects the right look for the narrative.

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 2/25/18 at 8:35pm

So in the world of Wicked people can be born as goat people and have green skin, but we can’t have a African American Glinda with blonde hair? It would be wonderful to see an ethnic Glinda IMO

[haterobics]

Posted: 2/25/18 at 8:49pm

jimmycurry01 said: "Newer talent is not as interested in older shows. Who really sets out saying they want to be the 30th actress to play a role in a 15 year old show? "

What you set out to do and what you will do when you are unemployed have nothing to do with each other.

[Elegance101]

Posted: 2/25/18 at 8:50pm

jimmycurry01 said: "Newer talent is not as interested in older shows. Who really sets out saying they want to be the 30th actress to play a role in a 15 year old show? Not many."

I know hundreds of young women who would kill to play Elphaba and Glinda. Most young women want to be one or the other

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 2/25/18 at 8:50pm

I'm going to say the same thing that I say whenever some one says, " why isn't there more (__insert race, gender, etc.)__) in (__insert entertainment medium__)?

Maybe there isn't anyone, or the casting and creatives feel like there aren't actors who can play the role?

Although, there have been African American understudies for Elphaba as well as the London production having an African British Elphaba, Telly Leung played Boq, Been Vereen played the Wizard, Derrick Williams was the original Fieyro for the first national tour, and Clifford Davis played Dr. Dillamond.

[haterobics]

Posted: 2/25/18 at 9:04pm

Itonlytakesajourney said: "There are hundreds of completely capable actresses that could play Elphaba and Glinda but are passed over in favor of people we’ve seen (many, in some cases) times before."

So you're wondering why producers cast people who have shown an ability to do a role already, and don't need a ton of put-in rehearsals and extra costs/time to teach them all of the intricacies to be able to do the role already, so that they could put new blood into a show that sells tickets without any regard to casting?

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 9:54am

disagree completely (with respect) op
wicked has a long tradition of casting a talented and diverse group of actors who have all been at least good in the roles and are often incredible.
i also like that they often promote up actors that pay their dues doing the role on tour.
regarding new actresses playing wicked vs a new show i bet most actresses would jump a bway lead opp in any show to showcase their talent
regarding racial diversity i agree their could be a bit more diversity in oz.

[222disneyland]

Posted: 2/26/18 at 10:43pm

I saw Alexi in  BOM. She is very talented