the current wicked cast..when did it get so bad and young? — Page 2

FindingNamo: "Nice is different than good." God, I am really pissed that I could not think of that lyric to prove a point about certain WICKED performers. Outstanding, FN. Perfect.

What's wrong with being opinionated? I didn't see bashing...

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I don't completely agree with you because when they were on the today show they all seemed to do good as an ensemble singing and performing One Short Day. That being said, I do not believe that JLT, Megan, Shoshana, or Eden can properly fill Kristin and Idina's shoes. Not saying that they are horrible but they don't have that star quality that you need to be on broadway, also they don't have any chemistry between them. The show is a good show but it really is a performance showcase for 2 great performers and without 2 truly great performers in those roles then the whole show will fail.

"Until you are crowned the worlds BEST actor/singer/dancer/ WHATEVER who are you to bash someone?"

In a world of sophomoric arguments, this one irks me the most. And running a close second, is:

" these actors worked their butts of in school and afterwards to get where they are. give them some credit!"

1) I don't need to be a surgeon myself in order to expect the one that operates on me to be excellent.

2) Everyone should work his/her butt off in school to prepare for their profession. That is, in part, the point of higher education.

3) My job performance is critiqued constantly by both employers and by people who are paying for me to do a particular job well. Why, exactly, should actors be any different?

4) And although, philosophically, it pains me to make this argument, a $100 ticket price make me more inclined to hold the talent on stage to a higher standard than does, for instance, a $15 ticket to community theater.

Edited to add this plea to masleadlivesofquietdespai:
Although I agree with most of what you have had to say, I am begging you to whack a few more letters off of each end of your screen name. It is so long that it screws up the margins and makes me want to not bother reading the thread.

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Updated On: 5/22/05 at 08:19 AM

I dont really agree with any of this. I have seen Shoshana and heard her in live clips and she does things with the music that fit wonderfully. She also makes the part of Elphaba very lovable and cute (until Defying Gravity-which just makes the scene more powerful). I havent seen Megan Hilty, but I have seen JLT and I LOVE her as Glinda. I have heard David and I think he has a very nice voice. I have also been to shows where Carole and George get HUGE entrance applause....maybe it just depends on the day??? Idk. I guess to each his own. We all have our own opinions :)

Updated On: 5/22/05 at 10:25 AM

I went last Sunday for the 6th time, and hardly anyone got entrance applause, even Shoshana. I started all of it, and I was the ONLY one screaming and clapping for George Hearn. I guess sundays are all tourists.

Has Eden actually been confirmed yet????????????. Saycon is better than Sho. She is so esciting!


Eden is currently starring in her own show, Brooklyn. Who knows what she'll do after.

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Here's the thing about seeing Shoshana and Megan in WICKED. They are so fresh out of college that their technique is on DISPLAY. It seems like it takes a few years for the technique to be internalized and for it not to look like musical theatre performance class 101 up there.

It's like this. When Shosh is up there she's hitting all her moments. But she's hitting them so hard that it's annoying. "NOW I'M REALLY EXCITED AND HAPPY! BUT - OHHHHH, NO!!!! NOW I'M DEVASTATED!!! AHHHHHH!!!" It's like she doesn't trust the audience enough to go along for the journey - she is pushing her beats, which is pretty much what you're taught in a conservatory (better too much than too little, right?) but it's not real. It's not true-blue, I-see-a-star-up-there Broadway acting.

Megan, on the other hand, isn't even trying to push her beats too hard. When she comes down in her bubble, she barely registers as a blip on the radar. I've never seen so little star power in my life. She tries to make subtle, Anna Nicole Smith-ish choices with her jokes, which is admirable but she is like invisible up there.

For WICKED to work - ACTUALLY work - those girls need to exude RADIANT star-power. Unless you are appeased by those mindless, cheesy melodies and tacky, second-rate orchestrations. And even if you are, you must admit that with these two fresh-out-of-college kids - and don't even get me started on that Fiyero - you feel like you're in the presence of something resembling a B movie.

I mean, Bernie Telsey loves his new, fresh young talent. And it's lucky that he can give them a chance to work in Wicked. Since everybody from New Jersey or wherever will keep buying tickets to it anyway.

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Updated On: 5/22/05 at 12:51 PM

Well, personally...I'm a fan of the show. I do agree that the AI belting that seems to be taking over Broadway is a tad much at times, but every style has its place and apparently belting AI styles have found a Broadway home in the 90's and now, much like some of the more operretta styles during the 80's Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Macintosh years. Of course, you don't have to get nit-picky, I admit I am generalizing. As far as individual performers for the show...I don't think it has a thing to do with age...or even the singing. I think it has to do with individual preferences. Everyone has a favorite performer. In my opinion, the standards were set by Idina and Kristin, but many people absolutely hate Idina...think she's overrated and terribly pitchy. I saw her and thought she was great; however, I heard an acoustic live version of Defying Gravity, with Eden and Steven Schwartz was playing piano...I was absolutely appauled. I felt her voice was all wrong for the role. I can't explain it other than to say, it went from controlled, well trained, and almost too pure...to absolute screaming. There wasn't that raw edge and style that Idina had. On the other hand, I love Eden in Brooklyn: The Musical...her voice is perfect. As far as Shoshana or Stephanie...I have not yet seen or heard them, so I can't comment. I saw JLT and think she upholds the character standard set by Kristin, very well. My preference for performers in these two roles lies with Idina and Kristin, who both have very commanding stage presence and their voices blended very well. This is not to say that there are no replacements good enough, but I believe that the two female leads would have to be considerably strong, stand on your own, not afraid to take risks type of actress/singers. Those traits unfortunatly do come with time, experience, and age.

I have to disagree with the poster that said that Shoshana pushes her acting too much. When I saw her, I didn't think she overdid it at all. I actually believed her in the role and what she did with it.

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the color of flame...that is a brilliant post. You took the words out of my mouth, but knew how to say it. Thats what I meant by college kids on bway. I agree with all that you said.
Thanks for putting it perfectly.