Wicked- 5.21.09

Now, I know 'Wicked' isn't a favorite on this board, and for that reason I usually don't post about my experiences at it. But, I saw it last night for the first time in about six months and was just so blown away at how much the production has picked up. The past 3 times I saw it the production was really lacking: cast seemed slightly bored, sound was disgusting, it was just overall disappointing which is why I took a little break from it. But, last night I was so amazed with how phenomenal the production was, it was like seeing it for the first time again!

Nicole Parker: She is Elphaba! Stephanie used to be my favorite, but Nicole stole that title, she is now my favorite Elphaba. It was so nice to finally see the role acted out and emotion really put into it- and her voice, it completely shocked me, it was amazing! She has a deeper voice which was so different for me being that I've seen a lot of Elphabas who sing in higher registers and Nicole riffed which also shocked me. For my fellow huge 'Wicked' fans who will get what I'm about to write... Nicole did Eden's "solo" and "how I" as well as a mix of Caissie's and Teal's second "bring me down". She was just great!

Alli Mauzey had been my favorite Glinda since I saw her back in January and I didn't think she could out do her stellar performance from last time- boy, was I wrong! I have never heard so many in show applause during 'Popular', it was so refreshing to hear a live audience at a Broadway production of 'Wicked' at just a regular performance, not a first or a last show.

Kern Kern as Fiyero was really good and played the role really well, I didn't feel he looked so old as people said the last time I saw him, but this time, with short hair, he did look quite old. Especially next to the adorable, cute, and petite Alli Mauzey.

Briana Yacavone was on as Nessarose and was great. She played the role so perfectly with so many different emotions!

P.J. Benjamin, Rondi Reed, Alex Brightman, Timothy Britten Parker, and the whole rest of the cast were phenomenal as well!

I'm still not over how great the show was last night. For those who didn't really like 'Wicked', I recommend seeing it again with this cast, they're really great! Who knows when the show will have such a good cast again?

Also, Alli, Nicole, and P.J. all got entrance applause, which I loved!

The stage door: Rondi and P.J. apparently came out (I guess Timothy too but I didn't ask if he had left), but I missed them (which is odd being I was right in front of the door) but otherwise everyone came out and signed. Nicole was so nice - she took the time to ask each person their name and wrote it on their play bill then signed her name. Such a lovely lady!



6 out of 5 stars!

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6 out of 5 stars!

This made my Friday.

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Schmerg: http://talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=1728457

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Nicole's acting is good, but her vocals are absolutely, without a doubt, the weakest of any Elphaba to play this role in NY. It's depressing to hear Elphaba's three big numbers sung so sub-parly.

Alli Mauzey, however, is by far the best Glinda they've had other than Kristin Chenoweth.

I personally hate the Wicked original cast, so I think anyone who has listened to the recording then sees the show with a different cast will wonder what the hell the producers were thinking when the cast the OBC (minus Carole and Michele.)
Wishing, you're clearly very young, and never got to experience the excitement of the original cast, or even the first replacements. The excitement around the Gershwin on a nightly basis was incredible. It was very much a special event. The original Broadway cast, despite some of their flaws, is untouchable. Nothing has come close to the chemistry they had.

^ Kristin is a coloratura soprano. No other Glinda can match her vocals. I just think it's funny you are judging them without seeing them. You're really showing your age here.

"I think anyone who has listened to the recording then sees the show with a different cast will wonder what the hell the producers were thinking when the cast the OBC (minus Carole and Michelle)."

I've seen several different Wicked casts, including the current Broaday cast and the OBC. I really enjoyed the current cast. I thought they were all quite strong. However, I think the OBC is still the best cast by a landslide and will always be the definitive cast to me. There was a certain magic in the OBC that I have yet to see in another cast.

For what it's worth, I don't like the cast recording even though it has what I consider to be by far the best cast. The music was slowed down a lot and it hardly even sounds like them. Idina sounded very different live, in a good way.

I don't see how me finding a voice irksome makes me immature. I actually find it funny how someone saying they aren't crazy about a performer you like makes you so defensive that you resort to pathetic responses such as the matter of age. It's an opinion, get over it.

Completely agreed.

(FWIW, I saw most of the OBC during the pre-Broadway tryout, and I felt/feel the same way about Kristin's voice.)

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Yeah-- and don't forget, the role of Glinda in Wicked was written for Kristin. They never had anyone else in mind.

And you can't base your opinion on the OBC on the cast recording alone. There was really an electricity about them that just radiated from the stage each of the two times I saw them. Idina had a way of bringing down the house that I haven't seen in an Elphaba since (not even Kerry, sorry D:), no one else has compared.

Nicole's voice is good, she can hit all of the notes, but it really just lacks power. Not saying she's bad, her voice just doesn't really fill the theater like it should.

And Alli was never my favorite, sorry

Nicole's voice fills the Gershwin just fine.

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If you're referring to 'next to normal' I still am not a fan of J. Robert Spencer and find certain songs extremely annoying and I never really spoke that badly of her but Alice's voice has grown on me like it has for others.

If you aren't talking about that please enlighten me on what original casts you are talking about?

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No, that's impossible, unless you're saying Kristin talks on the cast recording then that wasn't what you were trying to say.


Also, if you think Idina would have filled the Gershwin with out being amplified you are on something strong as very few actresses have that power behind their voice.

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That's besides the point. I thought she had a strong voice as did the person I was with and I say that has a person who has seen some pretty kick-actresses in the role.

It's an opinion. You can't argue because of that reason. So, are you done yet?

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