Wicked, 1/4/05

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.

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.:)

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"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

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

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.

That makes it even more confusing for me too BroadwayGirl.

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

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

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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.

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

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

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)

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