Wicked with Ana Gasteyer 10/14 8 pm

[mattnyc2]

Posted: 10/17/06 at 11:09am

I know that the last thing this board probably wants is another "Wicked" review, but what the hell here it goes:

So my partner and I were strolling past the Gershwin theater Saturday night and decided to drop our names in the lottery just for a heck of it. We've both seen the show with Idina and Eden before so neither of us really cared whether we won or not. Lo and behold my name was called! The sole reason for even attempting the lottery was to see Miss Ana Gasteyer, whom I was a huge fan of back in her SNL days (nobody does a better Martha Stewart or Celine Dion than her). Although I knew that she could sing, I didn't know if she had the vocal chops for broadway.

All my doubts were proven wrong once by the end of "The Wizard and I." Not only is Ana the best acted Elphaba I've ever seen, but she also sings the score better than any other actress I've seen or "seen." She doesn't add any unnecessary riffs or make up her own notes, she just sings the score as it's written, adding her own power and emotion that erupts like a volcano at certain points. What I loved most about her portrayal was the way that she interpreted the character so differently than others have. Gone is the shy, nerdy Elphaba but instead a young green woman with a dry wit and heart of gold. After seeing the show a couple months ago with Eden, I had sworn that I was done with "Wicked" for awhile, but watching the show with Gasteyer was like seeing it for the first time.

The only thing I have to complain about is the obvious lack of chemistry between Ana and Derrick Williams. This is probably due to the fact that they haven't worked together very long, but it was extremely distracting to me that they never made eye contact during "As Long As Your Mine", although Ana did lay the biggest smooch on Derrick I've ever seen at the end!

I've heard people say that Ana looks too old for the part of Elphaba, but nobody has looked better green than her; she looks truly radiant onstage. Even Kate Reinders, who I really didn't like in the role last time, didn't bother that much.

So if you get a chance to see "Wicked" with Gasteyer, go see it! You won't be dissapointed.

P.S. What is with people singing in the audience? I was sitting next to two young ladies who decided to sing along with EVERY song in the show, OFFKEY! I was too much of a gentleman to say anything but since we were in the front row I'm sure that the cast could hear them too. Very tacky in my opinion.

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 10/17/06 at 11:13am

Thank you for the review :).

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/17/06 at 11:14am

Congrats on winning the lottery. I totally agree with you about Ana...she is fantastic. I saw her first night as Elphaba in NY and already have a ticket for her final performance on Sunday, January 7th.

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/17/06 at 11:16am

I would have asked those people to stop singing. I have done it. I am there to hear the actors sing, not the people sitting around me.

[TabooWickedFan]

Posted: 10/17/06 at 11:44am

Great Review! I am definitely going to try and catch Ana in the role before she leaves.

[actor]

Posted: 10/17/06 at 9:03pm

Thanks for the review.

[JamesMacon]

Posted: 10/17/06 at 9:38pm

I am so glad you liked Ana!

[Phantom2]

Posted: 10/17/06 at 11:07pm

Ana is incredible.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 12:13am

I saw Ana tonight (10/17) and was blown away! I felt myself carried away by her singing. Gone is the American Idol-like belt. Instead her voice seems to swell and grow and overtakes you!
This is the most well acted Elphaba I have seen. The character seems more layered. Aloof, brooding perhaps?
I have seen Wicked a number of times and even caught the first act in London. Tonight's performance was by far the best I have seen.
Ana is well worth another trip to see the show!

[Freckles1329]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 12:56am

Thanx for both reviews! I'm glad Ana is blowing people away! She's awesome and I can't wait to see her in Wicked! And she's definitely one of the sweetest Broadway/TV/Movie stars I've ever met!

[TheBoyfromChi]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 1:14am

I'm so happy she's able to perform this on Broadway. I saw her twice in Chicago and she never disappointed. I do remember the first time I saw it, before she sang The Wizard And I and there was that moment where I wondered if she could do it. How did you guys feel about her "No Good Deed"? For me it was the highlight of the show.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 10/18/06 at 2:01am

No Good Deed was amazing. Truly a high point. Sung well and acted well! I also loved her Defying Gravity. It had much more power when it wasn't belted completly through with that weird yodeling at the end.
I always knew Ana could sing, I realized tonight just how well! Needless to say she has a new fan.
An interesting side note. She managed to get some laughter with her solo dance at the Oz Dust. We laughed but for the first time in seeing the show 5-6 times I felt a heart wrenching sadness to it. It was subtle but effective.