Willemijn Verkaik on Broadway

[MusicalTheatreGeek2]

Posted: 1/12/13 at 4:59pm

So I'm heading over to Broadway for my 18th at the end of march/start of april for 4 days. Desperate to see Willemijn Verkaik as elphie, is anybody aware of what her performance schedule will be? Or what her current schedule is in holland? Or just which days are least likely to be days off!

Thank You!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/12/13 at 5:14pm

Maybe I'm misunderstanding your question: but why would you think she'd have any exceptions to a full 8 show a week schedule? Elphaba isn't a role that has an alternate.

[kieranbec]

Posted: 1/12/13 at 5:19pm

Even though it probably should be.

[Visceral_Fella]

Posted: 1/12/13 at 5:20pm

I too was confused at first, but then I remembered that some of the international companies have Elphaba alternates we just don't in the states or in London. If I'm not mistaken Willemijn usually does have an alternate I'm not sure if they'll negotiate an alternate system in her contract or if she'll do all 8 during her time on Broadway.

Good question, this didn't even cross my mind.

Updated On: 1/12/13 at 05:20 PM

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 1/12/13 at 6:32pm

It would be likely for her to have an alternate written into her contract, as she is probably used to having an alternate in Holland.

[FindMe12]

Posted: 1/12/13 at 6:47pm

Looking on how Wicked has operated before they will probably just have Donna Vivino do two of the shows a week without giving her the alternate title. Willemijn has always only performed 6 shows a week in germany and holland so I think that will continue on broadway

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 1/12/13 at 6:48pm

Donna would probably ask to be unlisted as alternate. Per her request she is not featured in the Playbill. Her bio is on the stuffer slip when she goes on.

[TheatreKid3]

Posted: 1/12/13 at 6:51pm

Does anyone know why Donna does that?

Updated On: 1/12/13 at 06:51 PM

[FindMe12]

Posted: 1/12/13 at 6:53pm

Just a preference others have done it as well

[ElphabaGoodman]

Posted: 1/12/13 at 10:47pm

Willemijn is contracted for 8 shows a week on Broadway, in case anyone was wondering.

[RENT_is_Wicked2]

Posted: 1/13/13 at 12:05am

^^^ That's what I thought. I don't remember any of the U.S. or UK productions having an alternate Elphaba.

[winston89]

Posted: 1/13/13 at 1:34am

The London and Broadway productions don't. However, Rent is Wicked, as it was stated earlier in this thread, some of the other international productions do have one. Including the ones that Verkaik was in. Therefor, it wouldn't be out of the norm for her to have or request one, considering that that is what she worked with in the past.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 1/13/13 at 11:54am

Hm. Wonder what that says about us.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/13/13 at 1:07pm

Maybe it doesnt' say anything about us.

Wouldn't them giving her an alternate, set a precedent for future Elphabas?

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 1/13/13 at 2:08pm

I don't know. I think an alternate wouldn't be terrible. Look at Willemijn and Jemma Rix. Both have done 6 show schedules, and they have been able to do the role for quite some time now. Meanwhile, we have Elphaba's who experience vocal decay because of this part. Dee Roscioli has been used as an example of someone who is able to take care of her voice and still do without an alternate but people don't realize she usually takes one or two shows off a week on average.

[winston89]

Posted: 1/13/13 at 2:25pm

I agree with Dramamama that giving Verkaik an alternate can set a precedent for other actresses who come in after her. What's to happen if she does in fact get one and then the actress who comes in after her wants one as well?

I am well aware that there have been performers who have played the role who have taken a night or two off here and there to protect their voice. I do think that this role should have an alternate. Now, I know that what I'm about to say is apples and oranges but if Phantom can have one with Christine (who's hardest note to sing is pre recorded) then Wicked should have one as well. I also feel though that when an actress misses a show to protect her voice it's not uncommon for them to get bashed for not doing their job etc. I am not naming names out of refusal to do so, but only because I feel that this is something that happens frequently with whoever is playing the part.

[Visceral_Fella]

Posted: 1/13/13 at 3:50pm

I don't think that there will be an issue if the actress after her wants one. They will simply say, no and explain that Verkaik's circumstances weren't the norm for the Broadway company. Then the actress will have the choice of doing 8 or not becoming the next replacement. It's really quite simple. Wicked isn't dependent on it's stars. They will find someone else to do 8 if one isn't willing to.

[binau]

Posted: 1/13/13 at 4:28pm

Exactly Visceral_Fella.

[dyland]

Posted: 1/13/13 at 4:30pm

I think Donna Vivino should alternate. My opinion. I bet Willemijn won't be used to the fact she will play elphaba 8 times a week.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 1/13/13 at 4:36pm

Dyland, I agree, if Willemijn does get an alternate it should be Donna. I saw her go on for Jackie a few months ago, and she was FABULOUS. I was actually hoping she would take over after Jackie, but obviously not. Maybe she'll replace Willemijn?

[Visceral_Fella]

Posted: 1/13/13 at 4:39pm

I'm sure that she would be if they give Verkaik an alternate. I doubt that they'd bring in someone else when they have a standby who was a lead for several years. It just might not be as organized as DeCicco in Evita because there's no need, and that's if any of this happens at all. As someone said earlier she might have agreed to do all 8 shows. It's a limited engagement and I wouldn't be surprised if she wanted to do as many performances as possible during her time on Broadway. Signing up to do a vocally demanding show 8 times a week for 15 weeks as opposed to 8 times a week for 6 months to a year are different commitments even though the latter is the norm for several of Wicked's companies.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/9/13 at 5:59pm

she's amazing! and i just heard her equivalent on youtube, a brit who's done west end shows but no broadway shows- have a listen to sabrina aloueche singing Defying gravity! https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8PbSL-60kIg

[BroadwayFan12]

Posted: 3/10/13 at 12:16am

With all due respect to Sabrina Aloueche, unless she has originated Elphaba in three productions and played her in three languages, she is not Willemijn's equivalent.

I actually saw Wicked the other day, thanks to the lotto gods. I wondered if Willemijn could possibly live up to all the hype, but she did!

[MusicalTheatreGeek2]

Posted: 3/10/13 at 5:42am

Sabs is very good, but in my opinion Rachel Tucker is THE equivalent, her and willemijn singing the songs are the only 2 I can listen to as IMO the others all seem to pale in comparison!

I'm sure sabs would be very good if she was cast, but she hasn't even played the role yet!