wicked tour in philly- Page 2

Posted: 3/24/06 at 5:25pm

I used to sing there alot for concerts, but haven't seen a musical there since Yul Brennar came through with THE KING & I.

Damn I'm old.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 3/24/06 at 5:45pm

i'm glad its not playing the highly overpriced merriam. I saw littleshop there and payed 40-something a ticket for second balcony. Although the folding chairs that make up the front rows are double that

[new_philosophy_girl]

Posted: 3/24/06 at 6:09pm

quibbler...did you win the lotto wednesday night? because i think i was sitting right behind you lol!!

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 3/24/06 at 6:37pm

I just bought tickets to see it in Detroit when the tour comes here. Not too great of seats (row 32) but the reason I'm going is to hear Julia Murney since everyone says how great she is.
Updated On: 3/25/06 at 06:37 PM

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 3/24/06 at 6:42pm

Yes, I did. Were you beside an older lady?

[new_philosophy_girl]

Posted: 3/24/06 at 6:57pm

why yes I was! the older lady who told you and your friend to sit down at the end of the show?

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 3/24/06 at 7:05pm

Yes, that lady. My friend said to her, "No, it's a standing ovation, you're supposed to stand," which I thought was hilarious.

[new_philosophy_girl]

Posted: 3/24/06 at 7:20pm

yeah my friend and I were definitely sitting right next to her! are you going back any other times while its in town?

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 3/24/06 at 7:28pm

I have limited view tickets for tomorrow night in the Family Circle. Other than that, I'm just going to try the lottery as many times as I can. I think I've used up all my luck already, though, winning two days in a row, so I don't expect to win again, haha.
Updated On: 3/24/06 at 07:28 PM

[alli2]

Posted: 3/24/06 at 8:44pm

I bought Potts' other ticket, so I'll be in the balcony, unless I win lotto! See you all there!

[FeelingElectric]

Posted: 3/25/06 at 7:22am

I will be going to see Wicked on Thursday in Philly and can't wait.I do have a question. where is the stage door.I have been by the Kimmel center several times and never saw one.Is it in the back of the building?

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 3/25/06 at 12:32pm

It's on Locust St., on the side. Some of the exits after the show will let you out on Locust. If you get to the Cosi, you've gone too far.

I was VERY impressed when I saw the tour in Philly this week. Especially loved Kendra and Sebastian. I expected a bit more out of Julia. I loved how bitchy she was as Elphaba, and I did love her voice, I just wasn't as blown away as I expected to be from other comments about her. Kendra, I know a lot of other people don't like her, but I thought she bordered on perfect. And Sebastian is probably the first Fiyero I've seen that has the total package (looks, voice, moves, acting chops, comic timing) and makes it all work. I think he should find his way to Broadway, please. Kendra and Julia can come too, if they want.

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 3/25/06 at 2:18pm

I love Julia subtlety. The expression on her face when she is dancing by herself is heartbreaking. Also, be sure to notice her facial expression right before her final yell in Defying Gravity, it's perfect.

Posted: 3/25/06 at 7:02pm

I don't mean to put a damper on the positive notes, but I was not too impressed with the two leading ladies. I loved Fiyero and all of the other roles (the male roles), Nessarose was also very good... but Julia and Kendra really disappointed me. Vocally, they just weren't there... and they didn't really have much stage presence; my eyes were not attracted to them as soon as they walked onstage. I guess I can understand why for Elphaba's part... because she is the kind of "background" type of character in the spotlight. Anyway, it was a good performance, except for the fact that the two main leads were not as good as I expected them to be. Just my opinion, take it or leave it.

~Jkor

[Horton]

Posted: 3/25/06 at 7:12pm

I can see what you mean korenglish, mind you I have never seen Julia, but I really did not like Kendra, I just as you said thought she was not there yet in here carreer to play this part.

[new_philosophy_girl]

Posted: 3/25/06 at 7:52pm

Kor...did you get my message on myspace about Steph? I thought that was so RANDOM!!

Anyway. I'm glad you enjoyed the show, even if you didn't like the leads! Did you try for the lotto?

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 3/25/06 at 8:28pm

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought that about Julia (I know I'm one of few who liked Kendra so much!). I was just expecting SO much more. I did like her, and I did think she was good for the most part, I just expected a lot more characterization out of her, and she was just kind of there. Meanwhile, I loved Alma Cuervo, and really thought Sebastian was a great Fiyero (why don't people ever say more about him!).

For the person who said to look at facial expression, it's nearly impossible from about half the house! It's a cavern! You'd have to be on the extreme sides of the mezzanines or the very front of the orchestra to be able to see such detail.

[jj8807]

Posted: 3/25/06 at 10:59pm

I'm sorry if this has been brought up before, but where exactly is the lottery located in the vecinity of the Academy of Music. Is it at the stage door?

[waddledee524]

Posted: 3/25/06 at 11:51pm

I saw it this afternoon - PHENOMENAL. Julia has really grown into her role, and every nuance of her acting was perfect. Her voice is so throaty, different but rather enjoyable. It blends really well with Kendra's. Kendra was better than I expected - fantastic, really. Great, energized performance overall.

I was going out to dinner afterward, and didn't realize that the stage door was on the way to the restaurant we were going to. I ran right into Kendra, and had to look at her really closely to realize who she was. All her makeup was on still, and she seemed a little hassled - had to get out and eat and rest before tonight's performance, I guess. But she still signed my Playbill, which was cool.

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 3/26/06 at 12:11am

I saw the show tonight from partial view in the Family Circle. It was kind of uncomfortable and stage right was cut off, but it wasn't horrible. Kendra was out and Annaleigh Ashford played Glinda. I was disappointed because I loved Kendra so, but Annaleigh was pretty good. I have to say her opera notes were stronger than Kendra's, but she wasn't nearly as funny. "Populer" left a little to be desired. She played it more as a valley girl, while Kendra, I think, plays the character very bubbley, but also very sincere. Annaleigh was definitely cute, though. She played the part similiar to Kristin Chenoweth. As an understudy, she faired pretty well.

I understand what you mean about not being able to see Julia's facial expressions in that theater. From the Family Circle, her performance didn't resonate as much with me as it did from the front row. Still, I think she makes a great Elphaba. She's very human and very real.

[darkmist115]

Posted: 3/26/06 at 8:24am

i have a grossly obstructed seat for today's matinee -- limited view AND a column. hah, but I just got it the other day, so.

Full review when I'm back!

And thanks for the info on where the stage door is, GirlfriendFromCanada :).

[PottstownTeacher]

Posted: 3/26/06 at 9:56am

I saw the show at last night's performance as well. When I first got to the theatre, I was disappointed that Kendra was out, as I remembered her from ASSASSINS (even though she was only in the Ensemble, she made an impression) and had heard some very positive (and negative too) things about her performance. Plus, it's always disappointing (to me, at least) when you have an understudy go on for a leading role. Sometimes it just throws the whole balance of the show off. At any rate. I just bought my ticket 3 days ago and I was in Parquet Box 30. Phenomenal seat. Only the very extreme house left portion of the upstage area was not visible. But since I had already seen the show three times in New York (with the entire OBC ... NO ONE was ever out), it's not like I didn't know what I was missing. The first thing I noticed was that the proscenium settings looked so tiny compared to the Gershwin. All the gears and what not just looked dwarfed. But the dragon was still neat to look at. Then when the monkeys came out and turned that itty bitty little wheel to raise the drop I was like ... ooooo k. But then, when the curtain went up and there was NO HAT, I thought I was going to be in for a looooooooong night! I was completely unimpressed by Annalee's performance in the opening scene. Her vocals were weak and she looked like a deer caught in the headlights. She got virtually no laughs. And is it just me, or is she really tall!?!? Or is it that Kristin is just so damned short! The ensemble sounded great, if some people's mics seemed to be turned up more than others. (At one point the lady next to me tapped me on the shoulder and told me she thought the conductor was hot and he looked to be about 17 years old. I was like, "Yeah, thanks for that." That's what I get for being social before curtain time!) Anyway, moving on. I ADORED Julia Murney as Elphaba. She really was the only reason I bought a ticket to see the show in the first place. I am a huge fan. Ever since I heard a recording of the CHESS concert, I wanted to know who this woman was! Then I saw her in LENNON. (Ducks from things being thrown by other members!) She did not disappoint as Elphie. She totally made the part her own. Acting wise and vocally. I was telling my wife this morning that she made lines funny that I didn't even know were funny. There was never one single moment that she wasn't totally committed to her performance. Reviewers on here are correct when they mention that many of her subtleties are not appreciated from the seats in the nosebleed sections. The Academy is a terrible venue for a theatre piece. And meanwhile, the Forrest sits empty most of the time. It gets MAMMA MIA, LES MIZ and PHANTOM. Cause you know, Philly just really needs to see THOSE shows again! (Ok, fine, I saw LES MIZ last week ... but that is for another review!) One of the things I remember most about last night was "Defying Gravity". I felt something seeing that number that I had not felt since I saw it the first time on November 1, 2003. It took my breath away. Not that the other 2 times in New York weren't spectacular and Idina was not absolutely amazing. It's just that I KNEW Idina was amazing, and I KNEW the effect was coming. I remember Elphie being lifted up, but I didn't remember her being lifted OUT like it appeared she was in Philly. She was almost above the apron of the stage it looked like. And again, Julia's acting combined with her phenomenal vocals were just made for a thrilling end of the 1st Act. But when did the "aaaaahhhh" at the end become "Yeeeeaaaaahhh!" Moving on ... Annalee (am I spelling that right?) was a mixed bag. For everything she did really well (the girl can belt and her "Thank Goodness" was very, VERY good!) there are other things she threw away or just didn't "get". The show, with a weaker Glinda is not the laughfest it once was. DOes Kendra get a lot of laughs? And I am sorry, but she looks like Debbie Gibson. 'Scuse me, Deborah Gibson. Sebastian is very handsome, yes. He sings well, yes. But I didn't feel he had the "charm" of Norbert. Plus he looks just like my cousin's husband, only with long hair, and all I could think of was "Why is Tim in the show?" Morrible had some good moments, but she was no Carole Shelley who, for me, personified Madame Morrible. Plus, again, all I kept thinking was "Get back on the TITANIC, Mrs. Straus!" And I guess you really need to be a star like Joel Grey to make the relatively thankless role of the Wizard work. Nessa sang very well, but her acting in the first couple of scenes, I felt, was very high school-ish. And no one, for me, can erase the memory of Chris Fitzgerald as Boq. Someone on here said a couple of posts ago that the show did not have the "spark" it once had. That is very true. There is no more audible gasp at some of the plot twists (ie. characters and their OZ counterparts ... don't want to give a spoiler!) But, for the members of the audience that were seeing it for the first time, I hope they loved it as much as I did that first time. I hope they didn't leave thinking, "What's the big deal?" I have not seen the show in New York since May of 2004. My cousin and her husband (the afore-mentioned Tim who looks like Fiyero) saw it right after Megan Hilty and Shoshana Bean and Ben Vereen and Rue McClanahan (yes, she was in the show that day!) took over and they LOVED it! I know I am at a "disadvantage" if you will, as I will always be comparing the show to its (I feel) perfect original company, whom I loved dearly! I am seeing it again in September of this year (bus trip with my school district). I don't know if I will see Eden (I hope, cause she is just great!) but if the rumors are true and Julia steps up to the Broadway production, I will be very happy! After "No Good Deed" last night, I just wanted to get up and shout, "Hello, Broadway people ... this woman needs to be a star!" This got lenghty and I apologize, but thatnks for reading! And Alli, it was nice meeting you! I hope you had a nice evening!

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 3/26/06 at 10:27am

You thinking Analeigh was tall was probably because of Kristin, because when I met her at the stage door in February, she was very petite. I never saw her as Glinda, but she was a sweet heart and recognized me when I came back the next week.

In mention to Julia stepping up to the Broadway production... unfortunately, she won't be. A few fans asked her at the stage door in Cinncinati, and she said that she was doing her six months on the tour and that was it. They said she looked suprised that they even thought she was, and she said something along the lines of "It just goes to show that you can't believe everything you read on the internet."

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/26/06 at 2:22pm

WithoutaTrace and I were there last night as well. We were both disappointed that Kendra was out. I thought Kendra was amazing when the tour played in DC in January. Her presence was definitely missed. Ashleigh just didn't have any comic timing, but her 2nd act was better than the 1st.

I loved Julia Murney!!! Her acting and vocals were fabulous. She was very different from Stephanie, but still just as good in my book. Her rendition of "The Wizard and I" gave me chills.

Alma Cuervo as Madame Morrible was very good. It was the first time I heard the role sung.

Kudos to the supporting cast and ensemble of Wicked. Very energetic, much more so than when I saw it on Broadway.

I also noticed that there were no bubbles during Glinda's entrance.

I have to make mention about the theatre in Philadephia. It is absolutely gorgeous!!! We had great seats (4th row), but I could see where the pillars would be a problem for some.

Updated On: 3/26/06 at 02:22 PM

[alli2]

Posted: 3/26/06 at 3:04pm

It was nice meeting you too, Chris!! Thank you again for the ticket!! I was in the center balcony, behind one of the smaller poles, and it wasn't that bad but then for the second act, I moved down to the last row of the center orchestra and that was great!

Everyone's already said everything there is to be said. Julia was absolutely MARVELOUS, as I knew she would be, and I was upset Kendra was out though she had informed me earlier that she would be; and I loved Sebastian. Nobody cheered though when Julia made her first appearance, and I guess that's because it's not the same crowd that's on Broadway, aw.

Before last night, I didn't think I really knew the show that well, but then I noticed the tidbits of different blocking that couldn't be done because of the lack of trapdoors, etc. I was very shocked that I noticed it all.

I loved the show, as usual, and it was a top-notch cast, unlike the garbage I saw when I once saw a tour of Rent. I'm so glad I got to see it!