#1
Posted: 3/21/06 at 3:54pm
So I saw Wicked for the 7th time on Sunday. Mind you, twice have I paid full price, the others have been gifts/groups sales. Having never seen the show from the mezzanine (sp?) I was pleasently surprised to find my seat in the last row of the mezz, Row M, dead center. This is the ideal seat for someone looking to take in the entire picture (which LOOKED beautiful.) On to the performances:
This was my second time seeing Megan Hilty and am ecstatic to say that she is in top shape, better than when I first saw her in August. She is a true revelation as Glinda. I feel that if Glinda was considered a supporting role (as it truly is) and Ms. Hilty originated it, she would be a Tony winner. She hit all the right notes, made you laugh when you should and broke your heart in the second act. I cannot say enough about this amazing performer! Eden Espinosa. Eden, Eden, Eden. I went in REALLY wanting to love her. I truly did. But, alas. I only found her pleasing when she was belting her little head off. She seemed to miss the humor and her consonants were so harsh it was like a 13-year-old Valley Girl was onstage. Hopefully she'll soon find a role that suits her talents and can prove me wrong. It truly made me realize how much credit Idina deserves. Before all the Tony hype, and the riffing, and the fangirls: Idina WAS Elphaba. She really knew what she was doing and how to play it so that the audience cared.
I enjoyed Carol Kane, Derrick Williams, Jenna Leigh Green and Robb Sapp very much. Ben Vereen continues to be my favorite Wizard, especially now that he has done away with playing EVERY SINGLE line to the audience in an "I'm Ben Vereen" way.
Eugene Lee's brilliant set looks even better when seen as a whole from the mezz and Susan Hilty's costumes are just fabulous. Someone who truly deserves a Tony and doesn't have one yet however is: Kenneth Posner. Every show I've seen with his designs have blown me away. SOMEONE give him a Tony!
Funny Stage Door Story: I brought my Mom and original Pippin LP and wanted to get signed by Mr. Vereen for her birthday. I was waiting at the Stage Door and finally the Youth Group I came with's bus arrived. I was strolling towards the bus when I stopped to chat with someone infront of AZELA (right next to Wicked) while we waited to get on the bus. I see a man in a black trench coat and fedora turn the corner and catch his eye. It's Ben Vereen. He must've seen that I recognized him because he stopped and chatted with me for a few minutes. He couldn't have been more kind and caring. Unfourtunately I forgot to have him sign the record but, oh well!
EDIT: There was a BCEFA Speech. The auctioned off the cookbook, apron, posters, pictures, playbills and a backstage tour. When Megan and Eden were giving the speech everyone started taking pictures so Megan goes: I just want to remind everyone that taking pictures is still not allowed" and Eden screams "ITS ILLEGAL" which recieved laughter and a smattering.
This was my second time seeing Megan Hilty and am ecstatic to say that she is in top shape, better than when I first saw her in August. She is a true revelation as Glinda. I feel that if Glinda was considered a supporting role (as it truly is) and Ms. Hilty originated it, she would be a Tony winner. She hit all the right notes, made you laugh when you should and broke your heart in the second act. I cannot say enough about this amazing performer! Eden Espinosa. Eden, Eden, Eden. I went in REALLY wanting to love her. I truly did. But, alas. I only found her pleasing when she was belting her little head off. She seemed to miss the humor and her consonants were so harsh it was like a 13-year-old Valley Girl was onstage. Hopefully she'll soon find a role that suits her talents and can prove me wrong. It truly made me realize how much credit Idina deserves. Before all the Tony hype, and the riffing, and the fangirls: Idina WAS Elphaba. She really knew what she was doing and how to play it so that the audience cared.
I enjoyed Carol Kane, Derrick Williams, Jenna Leigh Green and Robb Sapp very much. Ben Vereen continues to be my favorite Wizard, especially now that he has done away with playing EVERY SINGLE line to the audience in an "I'm Ben Vereen" way.
Eugene Lee's brilliant set looks even better when seen as a whole from the mezz and Susan Hilty's costumes are just fabulous. Someone who truly deserves a Tony and doesn't have one yet however is: Kenneth Posner. Every show I've seen with his designs have blown me away. SOMEONE give him a Tony!
Funny Stage Door Story: I brought my Mom and original Pippin LP and wanted to get signed by Mr. Vereen for her birthday. I was waiting at the Stage Door and finally the Youth Group I came with's bus arrived. I was strolling towards the bus when I stopped to chat with someone infront of AZELA (right next to Wicked) while we waited to get on the bus. I see a man in a black trench coat and fedora turn the corner and catch his eye. It's Ben Vereen. He must've seen that I recognized him because he stopped and chatted with me for a few minutes. He couldn't have been more kind and caring. Unfourtunately I forgot to have him sign the record but, oh well!
EDIT: There was a BCEFA Speech. The auctioned off the cookbook, apron, posters, pictures, playbills and a backstage tour. When Megan and Eden were giving the speech everyone started taking pictures so Megan goes: I just want to remind everyone that taking pictures is still not allowed" and Eden screams "ITS ILLEGAL" which recieved laughter and a smattering.
"I don't wanna see that!" -Aunt Sassy (as played by Valerie Cherish) on Room & Bored
Updated On: 3/21/06 at 03:54 PM
