Wicked, 1/4/05

[chasing_rainbows43]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 10:42am

So for Chanukah this year, I got my mother tickets to see Wicked. A brief recap of the evening.

The Menzel fans were out in droves. Upon her entrance, you'd have thought you were at a Backstreet Boys concert (or NKOTB, as it were). The screaming and whistling was absolutely deafening. But the show itself.

First I'd like to say many thanks to Jennifer Laura Thompson for consistently being very, very good. I've also seen her in Urinetown and Pardon My English in addition to having the Fine and Dandy CD, and she never disappoints (sad that this ability is a rarity, but as that's the case, I must give credit where credit is due). A+ for her.

I did not dislike Idina Menzel as much as I thought I would (I'd heard her on the cd and was thoroughly unimpressed). She does a good job with the role so far as acting goes, I'm just not sure I'll ever quite "get" her as a singer. I'm not a fan of those with a more nasal tone, and when combined with the gasping and yell-'belting' was a bit much for me. Yelling/screaming on key and belting are two entirely different things, and if I really wanted to hear yelling that badly I can walk out on the street instead of paying 100$ per ticket for it. It worked for the role in certain moments, but there is such a thing as too much.

Carole Shelley, as usual, wonderful. Much like the previously discussed Thompson, I don't think she has the actual ability to disappoint.

I really liked George Hearn as the Wizard, delivering what I still hold to be the show's only good song ("Wonderful" - finally, we get some exposition in song form, rather than piling it all in the book). Last time I saw Sean McCourt in this role and enjoyed them both, their takes a little too different to compare though.

Joey McIntyre. Ahhh, to relive life in the single digits. He was surprisingly good vocally, and very charming in the part. And he was my favorite NKOTB.

Everyone else was pretty forgettable (clearly, or else I'd be able to write something), especially that chorus. Bland, bland, bland. Blank faces in atrocious costumes (honestly, WHO thought they looked good?) do nothing for me.

I haven't grown to like the show itself any more but at least now have an insight into the fandemonium that surrounds this show. Overall grade, B-, which would not be as high if not for the saving graces of Thompson, Shelley, and Hearn.

[kim1061]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 3:33pm

nice review..i thought the show was great. but i respect your opinions.

[divacathe]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 3:51pm

I agree about Idina's voice. I mean the fact that she hasn't gone down with Nodes by now is beyond me. But, it does work for her. I mean, some people can yell-sing, plus her first big show that's how she learned to do it (Rent). She is amazingly engrossed in every part she plays as well, she wells up with tears throughout Wicked and it seems very real to me. But I'd have to agree. Next to people like Colleen Sexton, Sherie Rene-Scott, and Kristin Chenoweth, she's an ameteur, but she is still very talented.

I heard Shoshana Bean do Elphaba...now there's an amazing belter...WOW. I was not impressed with Eden Espinosa (understudied Elphaba) she was shaky, but Shoshana, pretty &*$%in' amazing, she'll kick the part's ass.:)

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 3:52pm

amen. Shoshana has a voice like no other.. Idina does as well, but ina bad way

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:14pm

"Joey McIntyre. Ahhh, to relive life in the single digits. He was surprisingly good vocally, and very charming in the part. And he was my favorite NKOTB."

Wait, so you're saying Joey McIntyre sounded good and Idina sounded bad? When is you next appointment with the ear doctor?...Joey McIntyre is an absolute disaster and he sounds completely out of breath and off-key in a role which I would barely call difficult or challenging. He can't act nearly as well as many high school kids I've seen.

On the other hand...I saw the show the other night and I agree about Jennifer Laura and George (though, I disagree about "Wonderful"....*yawn*). Jennifer is as perfect as one could get in that role, and George--this past time--finally gave what I was looking for. Still, he is unfortunately a superb actor stuck in a crappy role. Updated On: 1/5/05 at 04:14 PM

[OrdinaryJukebox1]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:17pm

Wow, it's so amazing to see how different people's opinions and feelings about things are. There are some people that are raving about Shoshana, and discrediting Idina, then people who would take your left arm if you say a bad word about Idina, and aren't even giving Shoshana a chance. I'm in neither of these groups, just to let everyone know. I just love seeing how people can see the same thing, but come up with such different variations of what it is and such...

-Vincent

[LittleBitRacist]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:20pm

I disagree about Wonderful too...if it's my 3rd to least favorite song in the show (right after Something Bad and Sentimental Man). I also agree about the ensemble, who i particularly enjoyed. And (just one more disagreement) i couldnt disagree more about Eden Espinosa, who i thought was absolutely amazing and could easily have the role to herself one day.
But i do have to thank Diva for mentioning Coleen Sexton, one of my all time favorites

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:26pm

Im sorry but broadwayguy2, do you EVER have anything positive to say about Wicked?? We know you dont like it already!! Saying that about Idina was pointless and unneccesary. People on this board always criticize how Wicked-lovers post about it 24/7 while you and other people on this board just harp on how "bad" the show was. We already know you dont like it! No need to talk about how 'bad' Idina is and how 'bad' the show is in everything posted on this board. If you hate the show that much, why do you harp on it so much? I hate certain Bway shows but I dont post about it in everything I say here. I understand that what you said about Idina is your opinion but when you post about it all the time it gets a little ridiculous.

Until you can stop talking about how much you hate it, you shouldnt make fun of the people who cant stop talking about how much they love it.

Finally someone said it!!

[chasing_rainbows43]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:28pm

BroadwayGirl - Please note that I did explain my distaste for Menzel's voice, and that it's not a matter of getting my ears checked. If you like a certain type of voice, you like it. If you don't, you don't. I also said that he was *surprisingly* good, which (I hope) implies that I wasn't expecting much. When someone surpasses my expectations in a positive manner, yes I will say they are good. I think we'll have to agree to disagree about his performance.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:28pm

well, broadwayguy, way back when the show was in San Fran, had great things to say about wicked. I could've sworn he said it should be on everyone's "must see list" and he never before had such bad things to say about Idina. It confuses me.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:30pm

That makes it even more confusing for me too BroadwayGirl.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:30pm

I was also there last night! The show was GREAT. Better than my first time in August. Jennifer, Joey, and George all grew into their roles SO MUCH. They were all great. JLT was amazing. The woman is a true star. She has an incredible voice, great comedic timing, and can be dramatic when she needed. Idina was also GREEAT. She was really on last night. She sounded great too. She did some riffs and runs and held some notes longer than ususal, just too change some things up. Her "No Good Deed" was incredible, and so was Defying. Her acting is also just perfectly witchy. Soemthing I think Shoshana lacked when she went on, she sang the part good, but she didn't sound like a "Wicked Witch".

Carole was amazing as always. Joey blew me away. So much better than last time I saw him. He really belted "Dancing Through Life". George was great, I enjoyed him, and was glad to see such a legend two times. Michelle was lovely. Robb Sapp was okay as Boq. He did a good job as the dorky kid, but he definetly didn't look like a geek. I was dissapointed with his Witchunters, he just didn't sound angry, he was just singing it.

Overall, it was an amazing show. I enjoyed it greatly. The cast was fab! Updated On: 1/5/05 at 04:30 PM

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:30pm

hmm.. ummm... I enjoy Wicked. I HATE the undeserved hype. The 'fan' situation is COMPLETELY ridiculous and while Idina may have started out good in the role, she has turned into a complete joke undeserving of any nominations let alone aways and should be ashamed of herself for that disgrace she calls a perfroamce. Updated On: 1/5/05 at 04:30 PM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:32pm

actually, the first time i saw Joey he wasn't anything special. the second time his acting was great (not award winning, but passable) - and he added a lot of things into the role.

The fact that you thought George Hearn was good is troubling. I like(d) him in la cage and sweeney todd - but the Wizrd is just not for him. He ruined what Wodnerful was meant to be....

As far as Idina goes...that's a lost battle..

I am glad you liked JLT (Do i dare say she is better than KC? I do dare, i do dare!) and Carole is just great in the role...

Yeah, and Wicked was bad in San fran - someone is jumping on the bandwagon in the opposite direction...

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:33pm

Chasing_rainbows, don't you worry, I also think Joe is doing a great job in Wicked and I, for one, have had my ears checked quite recently and they were fine.
Different people, different tastes. Just look how many people hate Idina's voice, whereas others love it.

Looking forward to seeing the show tonight.

QM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:34pm

If you like it, why do you bash it all the time?? If you hate the hype, bash the people who post about it all the time. Not the cast or anyother aspects of the show if you liked the show to start with.

Obviously there are a LOT of people who think it deserves the hype so, like people have been accepting your truly mean posts about Wicked for the past few months, you should be able to accept the fact that there are a lot of people who love the show and hype it up.

EDIT: And Idinas "disgrace of a performance" is obviously not thought of as that by the Tony voters, most critics who gave her raves, and the hundreds of people to keep going back to see what critics called "wonderful" and "spine-tingling". Updated On: 1/5/05 at 04:34 PM

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:34pm

chasing...I should've put in a little wink or something...I didn't mean for that to be any sort of attack...just kidding a bit. I do think Joey is a disaster though. Hey, I agree to disagree...to each his own. But is she screaming? No. She absolutely has vocal technique and she uses it. Whether you're a fan of her style or her vocal tone is a matter of opinion, but she most certainly doesn't scream (Unless you look at a situation like the Tonys...that was plain bad, vocally). That's all.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:36pm

broadwayguy, when exactly was the last time you saw Wicked? Because I saw it this past weekend it she was practically the best I've ever seen her.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:38pm

I will not for a second hype up or pretend to approve of simply disgraceful members of that company. I have openly said which cast members I enjoy many a time.. but I will not overlook disgraceful performers.... regardless of the show.

and just because you liked her, does NOT make her good, the best, passable, etc. I can back up my criticisms of mz Menzel with rock hard fact, not opinion. And her coughing is not a character choice, it is a sign that she is damaging her voice.. and don't dare say that it is because it is a demandingr ole.. it is because she has AWFUL technique. Updated On: 1/5/05 at 04:38 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:40pm

So big deal. You don't like her performance. Must you state it in every post you make? Always bashing her. It's just plain rude and horrible. Obviously tons of people, critics, and such enjoyed and were impressed with her performance.

So it's okay if you don't like her performance. It's an opinion. You can state it. But must you be so RUDE?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:41pm

Idina was NOT a disgrace. She was wonderful and I am not just saying that. In all honesty, she was phenomenal. The Best Actress category for the Tonys was VERY VERY close and indeterminable and Tonya was WONDERFUL in C,OC but the Tony voters hated the show so probably just looked over her performance. I thought all of the women up for the Tony equally deserved it. They were all amazing.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Wicked but I am not obnoxious about it like you are about hating it. Updated On: 1/5/05 at 04:41 PM

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:44pm

Just wanted to add one thing in this conversation:


Whether or not you enjoy Menzel's voice, it is quite apparent that she has bad to awful technique, and no one can argue that this is not true. Her vocal health is in danger.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:46pm

Must hers talkers post here like she is a GOD.. ESPECIALLY when they go chasing after ensemble girls thinking that they are Idina... if peopel can't recognize her in person....... come on now.


and yes, Idina is a disgrace on that stage. And how would you know how close it was? The TONYS have NOTHING to do with talent. It's all hype and politics. If you think it is based on talent, then you are simply fooling yourself.


and people loving her performance... 12 year old's don't count. You have LISTENED to the music they like and watched the Tvs hows they like? NONsingers who can't act for squat. (ie, Hilary Duff, Christy Romano, Raven Simone)

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:48pm

"I can back up my criticisms of mz Menzel with rock hard fact, not opinion. And her coughing is not a character choice, it is a sign that she is damaging her voice.. and don't dare say that it is because it is a demandingr ole.. it is because she has AWFUL technique"

She happens to have very good technique. The Tonys was an exception. Again, I ask...when did you last see the show that you feel so sure that she has turned into a disaster? And please, back up your reasons for hating her, because you certainly have yet to say anything as far as "constructive criticism." You just reiterate that she sucks. And you say it again and again.

"Whether or not you enjoy Menzel's voice, it is quite apparent that she has bad to awful technique, and no one can argue that this is not true. Her vocal health is in danger."
No. She's absolutely not perfect, that's for sure, and she has far from the best technique. It's a different vocal technique than Shoshana's, or anyone else you may name, and the result is a harsher more "rock" tone, but that doesn't mean its bad technique.

[chasing_rainbows43]

Posted: 1/5/05 at 4:48pm

And this thread has turned into exactly what I was hoping wouldn't happen.
Broadwayguy2 does not like Idina Menzel and has his reasons (whether fact or opinion, his reasons).
Most people who post here do seem to like her, and have their own respective reasons (again, whether fact or opinion, reasons).
As many have said in this thread, to each his own. Agree to disagree. There's no need to defend someone who is not here just because another poster doesn't think the sun shines out of their vocal chords. And there's no reason to snap at someone who does think so.

What I find amusing is that this is the first thread I've ever started that has gotten any response. Not that it would keep me from posting, I just find it slightly odd. Updated On: 1/5/05 at 04:48 PM