rOcKS checks up on 'Wicked'- Page 2

[BrianIdol]

Posted: 8/1/08 at 11:21am

An actor should be able to control an accent - for whatever reason they asked her to do it, it's not too much to ask.

[A Fleur De Toi]

Posted: 8/1/08 at 11:44am

Thank you for the review rOcKs!

And dont let snarky bitches get you down, matey.

[Marcus2]

Posted: 8/1/08 at 12:16pm

I love me some Kerry Ellis, have seen her five times in London and she is amazing. But I completely agree something has been lost in her transistion to Broadway, she wasn't very well near the end of her London run and whatever it is is effecting her in New York, which is a shame.

I also agree that she has everything to bring this role into a new level and be an AMAZING Elphaba but sometimes it seems to show as a 'oh I have to get through this show again' not a 'omg I love being on this stage singing these amazing songs'. I don't know its a hard role and I think she needs to rest her voice and herself.

She's been playing the role for ages and people who have, Idina and Eden in particular its really effected them. Look at Eden from Standby days to LA she constructed loads of nasal notes and vocal quirks just to get through the songs.

I hope she starts to get better and impress people the way she can. Her voice is just out of this world and when she is on her Elphaba is mesmerising!

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 8/1/08 at 12:51pm

I really disliked Kerry's performance. thought she was very weak next to Kendra.

Glad you saw the Idina Menzel similarity, WickedRocks. I knew I wasn't the only one.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/1/08 at 1:21pm

Great review - I don't understand what some people's problems are.

Also, glad I could help you with Legally Blonde too, haha. Except I found a way better seat (Row D center) today and am so mad...I was too impatient. I am such a seat whore if you hadn't noticed. Anyways, thanks!

[toanythingtaboo 2]

Posted: 8/1/08 at 4:43pm

Once again, it clearly needs to be said:

Idina Menzel originated the role, what she performs is what is written in the score and script.

Kerry Ellis follows the score + script faithfully, that doesn't mean she's unoriginal and copies Menzel at all. She's doing what she's told. The London Production seems intent on preventing elaboration and drifting from what is written.

If you see Kerry perform the material outside of Wicked (including her CD), you see what she likes to do with it.

As for the accent, it doesn't take a genius to realize that she's doing what she's told. I highly doubt she'd go for the accent if she didn't feel comfortable doing it.

Plus, 'accents' have nothing to do with how poor or great a performer is. Not everyone can do them. I understand why they are making her do it, but surely they can tell that it isn't working well?

[Judas]

Posted: 8/1/08 at 9:51pm

I had high hopes for Tveit, but oh well. I love Kendra though. Her voice is my favorite part of the "Assassins" Cd.

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 8/2/08 at 3:13pm

I saw Wicked for the first time in years last sunday (actor's fund performance). Kerry was out, but I thought Julie Reiber was quite good vocally and acting wise. I can't compare her to Kerry though. I had issues with Kendra's legit singing, but thought her acting was quite good- certainly better than what I saw Kate Reinders do in the Chicago production.

Tveit, who I loved in N2N and Saved, did do a good job vocally but he was definitely winded during the dancing. He is also too young looking compared to the female leads. The ensemble was not up to the par of the OBC, there were some balance issues.

[Misplaced]

Posted: 8/7/08 at 6:14pm

^^ up-thread "I love me some Kerry Ellis, have seen her five times in London and she is amazing. But I completely agree something has been lost in her transistion to Broadway, she wasn't very well near the end of her London run and whatever it is is effecting her in New York, which is a shame."

I agree the transition isn't working well but I would put it down solely to the accent - I saw it last night (6 Aug) and she doesn't sound ill. She just sounds ... well, wrong. Much more nasal (she seems like she's pushing her voice "up", if that makes sense) her vowels are much broader, and I think her vocal quality suffers for it. (Not to mention, the accent totally freaked me out anyway.) I thought her something of her true tone came through in the lower registers, and where she doesn't have to sing a lot of "r's" -- so As Long As You're Mine and No Good Deed were her best numbers -- but I think it was not a good decision to have her use an American accent. I didn't notice it slipping much, but still and all, I wish The Ubiquitous They would let her sing without the accent.

Gosh that theatre is huge. The stage is a BARN.

[The Bearded Lady]

Posted: 8/7/08 at 9:33pm

great review! thanks!

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/7/08 at 9:45pm

I just saw Kerry Ellis sing today and she was amazing!

[heatherkinz]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 12:41pm

I have seen Kerry many times in London and she has always astounded me with her voice and her acting, although she does break character a lot with Dianne Pilkington.
Still I am heading out to NYC on thursday to see her there and can not wait. The reviews have not been great, but I think it is all to do with the accent, why make Kerry do it? They did not make Idina do it in London, she was still American, why can't Kerry be English??? It is silly.
Heard an audio at Bryant park and she was on fire, shows what the girl can do!!!
As for riffs and growls, they are her trademark but we never got them in UK unless it was a saturday night or special occasion because she was told to stick to the score, maybe it is the same on Broadway.
Anyway I love Kerry and will reserve judgement until I have seen her on Saturday!!!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 12:53pm

The reviews have not been great, but I think it is all to do with the accent

The accent is the least of her problems.