'Wicked' in Toronto (4/8/2005)

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 10:04am

The Green Witch Tours

I always look forward to Wicked. The show attracts me. It's big, pretty to look at, and I really like most of the music. Somehow though, when I leave the theatre... both at the Gershwin during the reign of Menzel/Chenoweth, and now here at the Canon in Toronto, I feel like something is missing. The strangest thing is that I can't put my finger on what exactly that "something" is.

Ensemble
The Friday April 8th performance of Wicked at the Canon Theatre in Toronto started out with a bang. As the map flew up, I was treated to a great sounding ensemble. (In my opinion the NY ensemble sounded like a bunch of angry solo artists being forced to sing together.)

Kendra as Glinda
The bubble dropped, and I braced myself, because everything I had heard on this board was that Kendra was mediocre as Glinda. I was pleasantly surprised. Obviously she has a lower register than La Chenoweth, but I don't think a comparison is fair. Chenoweth could have tripped, banged her head on a sprocket and spent the rest of the show reciting the New Testament and 90% of the Broadway audiences would have been screaming like it was the best thing they'd seen ever, EVER!

Unlike KC Superstar, Kendra has to work to prove herself in the opening scenes, and in my opinion she does. Her voice is nice, and blends with her cast mates well (especially Stephanie). At times, it seems she's straining for comedic effect, but I'm not sure that’s out of the bounds of her character. Altogether, I think Ms. Kassebaum is going to really settle into this part, and I believe she will be quite excellent.

Stephanie as Elphaba
The clock springs open, and out runs Stephanie J. Block. A sentimental favorite, this girl has turned in some great performances. She has a great voice. It's definitely more "theatre" than Menzel, being richer and tighter. There are no traces of "rock belt" here. Her Elphaba starts out angrier and more in control, which makes me less sympathetic for the character, than I did with Idina's seething, yet shy starting portrayal.

I would love to see Ms. Block in other roles, because as an actor and singer, she is fabulous. As for her performance tonight as Elphie, it was very good, but it wasn't excellent.

And the winners are...
I'll admit the first reason that I bought my ticket was to see Carol Kane perform live. So with that bias established, let me say that I really, really enjoyed her. She used her trademark voice to really sell Morrible. Granted she sung about 8 notes in the entire show, but I realized that Morrible doesn't need to sing. It makes her seem a little darker when she pulls a Rex Harrison. She is wonderful actor, and that's what it takes to make Morrible pop.

Jenna Leigh Green is really great as Nessarose. She is perfect in her character's transition, and her voice is wonderful. It's a shame there isn't more to the role for her.

Timothy Britten Parker does everything he can with this part, and is terrific at it.

And, not so much...
Derrick Williams. Fiyero. The first minute or two I really liked his confidence. Then he started to slip. He hops around, quite effeminately at times, and his acting is strained. I don't admire his task, because again, the role isn't as developed as it should be. He may settle into it, as time goes by, but right now, not so much.

In Summary
The Wicked tour is all about the supporting roles. The majority of the cast of principals in supporting roles are fantastic. This is an enjoyable show, and these performances as a part of the whole, with very good lead witches, make this show worth a look.

May they have much success on the yellow brick(tm) road.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 10:45am

Nice review ckeaton. I have yet to see Stephanie but ( depending on the TTC strike) still hope. Agree w u about Kendra- she is getting an unfair dis. Derrick Williams has been the real problem for me. I KNOW Fiyero is very underwitten but when I think of what Norbert Leo Butz was able to do w the role..... well Derrick IS very pretty!!!
What did u think of David Garrison he was a very pleasant surprise to me. I actually enjoyed the Wizard role.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 12:12pm

Ah yes, the TTC strike. My ticket to seeing Stephanie.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 1:11pm

The TTC strike scares me, I'm glad I get out of town tomorrow night. I feel bad for the residents of Toronto.

As for David Garrison, I enjoyed his first act a great deal. I would take his first act and Joel Grey's second act. Together they would make the perfect Wiz.

[dancersmom2]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 1:36pm

Thanks for the well thought out review. I can't wait to see the tour in Dallas!

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 2:46pm

One more thought... They need to find a projector for the animations that stays warmed up throughout the show. At the end of the Elphie/Fiyero romance "as long as you're mine" The flying house animation came after a big blue strobe, as the projector fired up. It ruined the mood of the scene.

[MTRBOI24]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 3:05pm

I noticed that as well, and it didnt ruin the scene. I wasnt sure what it was, I just thought it was lightning.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 3:10pm

Well for me I was ripped out of the moment, because I couldn't understand a pretty bright flash of blue light from the rear of the house (especially since they don't use too much of the lighting from those locations).

The house manager in me wanted to find the idiot with the camera. But then I realized that it was the projector.

It was too obvious. If they can't get it to work right, they'd better scrap it.

[Broadway_freak]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 3:19pm

I'm glad you enjoyed it. A couple of my friends were able to see wicked in toronto over spring break. They were sadly graced with the presence of Kristy Cates in the role of Elphaba. They didn't really care for her. They liked Kendra a lot, and the flying monkey. That's about it. I'm glad you like it though!

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 3:33pm

http://www.swinyc.com/resources/press_releases/display.php?id=1348

(About the Projectors and Lighting control for 'Wicked')

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 3:42pm

Nice review.

I have a question. Did Kendra sing a note at the end of "Thank Goodness?" Because you know how in the end of the song Glinda sings a very high TODAAYYYYYY. Is it true Kendra does not?

[MTRBOI24]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 4:27pm

Kendra does not, an ensemble memeber takes the note instead.

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 4:49pm

Wow, that is weird. Every Glinda does a note there, even if it's not as high as Kristin's.

[MTRBOI24]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 5:26pm

She stays on the same note at "to" as in "To....day" It's sounds fine.

[Derek]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 5:46pm

I loved Kristy...just stickin up for my girl lol, but everyone has their own opinions :)

[sabrelady]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 6:07pm

She was fine. Just a bit pale in comparison( no pun intended)to others who have been Elphaba.

[sassypanz]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 6:35pm

I LLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVe Kristy Cates. Shes amazing.

[Broadway_Bound_Star]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 6:55pm

Yeah.. I really disliked it..but it was just me.....

[ckeaton]

Posted: 4/9/05 at 11:48pm

Not sure how you could "dislike" it. It's a fine performance. To each his own, I guess.