So LA only has the Wilshire and the Ahmanson...
Although all of us knew that this was happening, I'm surprised that they didn't have to wait until after the Orange County performances to officially announce. Then again, the OC dates are pretty much sold out, so the only people who it will hurt to announce now are the ticket brokers and scalpers who have been trying to convince people that the OC dates are their last chance to see the show in the area for a long time.
Updated On: 7/17/06 at 01:04 PM
"so the only people who it will hurt to announce now are the ticket brokers and scalpers who have been trying to convince people that the OC dates are their last chance to see the show in the area for a long time."
I didn't think of that but that makes me very happy! :)
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
Ana Gasteyer turned down all Wicked offers, in NY at least, to do High Fidelity.
Broadway Star Joined: 9/4/05
This makes me really happy because I couldn't get tickets for Costa Mesa. I go to Disneyland about every other month, so this will make those trips twice as entertaining.
I'll go snap photos if they do...
I'm thinkin' it will be Eden because she is from near there and she turned down Les Mis.
She may have been offered this already.
I would think Eden would be ready to move on to something else, she's been involved with WICKED on and off for three years. I'd like to hear of them getting a completely fresh cast. WICKED could very quickly become like LES MIZ and PHANTOM - long running shows with stale cast members who never leave.
P.S. From what I hear, Espinosa didn't exactly turn down LES MIZ, the negotiations didn't pan out after the creative team fell in love with Rubin Vega after her audition.
Updated On: 7/17/06 at 04:02 PM
The Pantages is gorgeous and perfect for this show.
This isn't my favorite show by any stretch, but it is a little exciting to have this in my backyard.
I am holding out hope for Bea Arthur as Morrible casting. That would convince me to see this show again.
I think Eden should move onto something else like Michael Bennett said but, she may take this offer because she is from California. Megan will probably be Glinda because she said her agency was bi-costal and wanted her to do things out on the West Coast. As much as I love Eden and Megan I would like to hear some new talents.
Updated On: 7/17/06 at 04:17 PM
The creative team of Les Mis fell in love with Rubin Vega.
I never heard that part of the story, interesting.
Sorry that's kinda off theme.
Hey, if they do the show, I don't begrudge them: those are great roles and its going to be hard to find a gig that pays so well...
Since the show has already played Los Angeles twice, it would be nice if they came up with something "exciting" for the sit down production. I never would ever have said that Menzel and Chenoweth would do the show again, but at this point, who knows. Menzel at least will be fresh off the London production and they both want film careers.
Speaking of the London production, when I was overseas, a friend in the press office of WICKED said the show is underselling and that Menzel's name has done absolutely nothing for boasting ticket sales. They are all baffled at the choice to bring her over for 30G pounds a week. He predicts the show will run less than 18 months in the West End. Seems the Brits don't much care for Oz, and don't much care for American imports.
I don't think Wicked will not be same in London because London audiences are very quiet. Wicked audiences in the U.S. are very energetic and that adds a lot to the show.
Updated On: 7/17/06 at 04:32 PM
I doubt Chenoweth and Menzel will share a stage any time soon.
Updated On: 7/17/06 at 04:36 PM
Well, they are quieter, but that doesn't necessarily mean they like the shows any less. I saw a bunch of shows in London last week, and none of them got a standing ovation despite audiences raving at intermission and afterwards.
WICKED doesn't need stomping cheering crowds to be a hit. That all came later anyway. Most people thought WICKED in New York wouldn't take off like it has after the mostly negative reviews.
P.S. I doubt they will share a stage anytime soon too, but it wouldn't surprise me if one or the other stepped into the show; with the right salary of course.
Updated On: 7/17/06 at 04:36 PM
I don't think Kristin would have time to do the show even for a month. She's been doing a lot of movies.
Chenoweth has been doing fairly small roles in a lot of movies; if they offered her the 60G a week Menzel is making in London(roughly in American dollars) I bet she'd do it.
Updated On: 7/17/06 at 04:45 PM
Broadway Star Joined: 10/7/05
I'd love to see Rachel York play Elphaba. (Just had to throw that in there).
lc
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/29/06
I'd love to see Rachel York as Elphaba as well... she would look beautiful in green, but I don't know if she has the belting abilities. Then again, I have never really heard her belt.
I'd love to see Ruthie Henshall do Elphaba though.
Ruthie Henshall would be wonderful. I was actually a bit surprised they didn't rope her into the London production.
Ruthie Henshall would be wonderful. I was actually a bit surprised they didn't rope her into the London production.
Unlike most of you, I am also po'd that the Pantages will not be open for touring shows. The Wilshire theatre, which has terrible accoustics and sightlines), will now host touring productions which would otherwise go to the Pantages. On the positive side, it may persuade the Ahmanson to go back to being a house for touring shows (or pre-broadway shows) rather than producing such dreck as "Dead End" and "Black Rider".
"I don't think Wicked will not be same in London because London audiences are very quiet."
Things are changing. Young people are used to being noisy at rock concerts and it's moving into the theatre: I've never seen such noisy and appreciative crowds as at the performances of Avenue Q I've attended in London. Or such sudden and overwhelming standing ovations.
Stand-by Joined: 10/20/05
I've heard it's Eden in LA and Ana in NY.
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