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Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
iholland95
Understudy Joined: 10/22/11
#1Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/15/18 at 5:21pm
What is the best production of Wicked you've ever seen? Who played Glinda and Elphaba? What made it the best production? Mine was seeing the national tour last January and seeing Jessica Vosk as Elphaba and Amanda Jane Cooper as Glinda
Updated On: 2/15/18 at 05:21 PM
mailhandler777
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/15/15
#2Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/15/18 at 6:45pmThe current 2NT company with Mary Kate Morrissey and Ginna Claire Mason.
Hi, I'm Val. Formerly DefyGravity777(I believe)
Loopin’theloop
Leading Actor Joined: 1/9/18
#3Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/15/18 at 6:46pmWithout being pedantic, I assume you are referring to the English language productions. Therefore, it’s favourite cast. They are the same production.
#4Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/15/18 at 6:49pmThe one I stage in my living room when no one is home.
#5Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/15/18 at 6:50pm
adamgreer said: "The one I stage in my living room when no one is home. "
The one with the step stool?? I know it soo well
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
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Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
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#6Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/15/18 at 6:59pm
Loopin’theloop said: "Without being pedantic, I assume you are referring to the English language productions. Therefore, it’s favourite cast. They are the same production."
Actually, they have licensed the rights to this show in Australia. Here is a production I saw (NOT my website or review):
https://musicaltrioblog.wordpress.com/2016/08/08/wicked-at-riverside/
The show felt a little like a cheap rip off the original production, but it was surprisingly effective and still 'worked'. I'd like to see a complete reinvention of the show one day. Someone somewhere will have a bizarre idea of a 'concept' and run with it (e.g., making Glinda re-tell the story from inside a WW2 concentration camp).
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#7Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/15/18 at 7:38pm
Here in NYC a couple years ago - Rachel Tucker as Elphaba and Carrie St. Louis as Glinda. I think Rachel Tucker is the best Elphaba out there. I felt like her interpretation of the character stayed very true to the characterization of Elphaba in Gregory Maguire's novel (which I consider to be a literary masterpiece). I LOVED her portrayal as Elphaba. It was very visceral and real.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
#8Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/15/18 at 8:48pm
I loved the original cast, but the best Elphaba was Stephanie J. Block. I was blown away by her in the first national tour.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#9Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/15/18 at 9:11pm
The OBC.
Saw it with Block and also the second time it came to Denver when I went on "preview" night. I think Julia Murney was Elphaba but her umderstudy went on and blew the roof off of the place. I forget her name but she was outstanding.
Just give the world Love.
Zamedy154
Featured Actor Joined: 6/26/16
#10Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/15/18 at 9:50pm
I've never seen a Broadway cast for this show, but my best experience was with the North American Tour starring Carmen Cusack and Katie Rose Clark. I was equally as impressed with Alma Cuervo as Madame Morrible. She was divine, and every MM I've seen since have been a bit of a letdown.
#11Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/15/18 at 10:27pm
^ Morrible! Actually, I think having gone specifically to see Sheryl Lee Ralph who was fierce, the current Morrible Isabel Keating is stellar! She had the vocals, which sorry, they usually do not, the humor, all around she was the total package. Jackie is the closest to Idina we’re gonna get- Tucker and Dwyer are also my other top contenders- honorable mention to Teal Wicks- you never forget your first
Lindsay Mendez scores high for making it her own, she was all around just spectacular! I have to say, having seen the current production this week, Jackie and Isabel are the only positives for me- Ashley Parker Angel does a nice job of filling out those white pants though Amanda has a strong lower register and channels Kristen an awful lot, but the upper range was really inconsistent, her acting saved her performance for me. Katie Rose Clark and Kara Lindsay are my only comparisons, however I did see Tess Soltau on for Kara once and she was really great! Wicked is magical no matter what, I’ve never left completely disappointed, I’m a sucker for spectacle and it always gets me!
broadwayliz22
Swing Joined: 8/4/17
#12Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/16/18 at 12:31amSaw it this summer in NYC with Jennifer Dinoia and Kara Lindsay. Kara was truly an amazing Glinda and my person favorite!! Wicked is such a great show!
greensgreens
Broadway Star Joined: 10/14/09
#13Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/16/18 at 12:46pm
I was lucky enough to see Eden Espinosa & Megan Hilty on B'way. I want to say that Ben Vereen was the Wizard at that point. I appreciated that none of them were copying performances from actors who previously played the role, which doesn't always happen. And from the moment she entered, Megan was an absolute sensation and I knew she would go on to great things. She honestly outshone Elphaba, which I have never seen before or since. It was so cool to see a "star in the making." However, Rue McClanahan was the worst Madame Morrible ever - and it pains me greatly to say that.
Second favorite was original Chicago cast with Ana Gasteyer. I was really excited to see what she could do with the role and she delivered. Her vocals were great and I appreciated that she restrained on the riffs/pop sound and focused on delivery and storytelling. Too many Elphabas seem to be unable to maintain their "acting" through the songs, they completely lose the character and just go straight for belting and riffing. She was the only Elphaba that balanced the acting and singing elements of the character. She gave that role nuance and depth that I have never seen before or since.
I wish Megan and Ana had performed on B'way together. They would have been an astounding cast.
#14Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/16/18 at 1:03pmLindsay Mendez is tops in my book. Just outstandingly funny and brilliantly nuanced.
They/them.
"Get up the nerve to be all you deserve to be."
#15Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/16/18 at 1:06pm
I'm always sad when I remember how Ana Gasteyer has forever remained a C-lister in both stage and TV, despite so many opportunities to break out. Granted, she's constantly working- like Tim Meadows, she appears on about one sitcom a week- but other than "Reefer Madness," she's never had a big star turn that she can absolutely sink her teeth into.
broadwaysfguy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/14
#16Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/16/18 at 1:52pm
broadway, london, first and second national tours, SF sit down.
Im stunned at how well Wicked has invested in the franchise with consistently outstanding casts and leads over the 14 years of the show.
Idina and helen in london
Teal and Kendra in SF
Eden and Megan in LA
Jackie Burns (current broadway) is a beast-simply amazing...
#17Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/16/18 at 3:42pm
Gasteyer was my least favorite Elphaba. A couple of funny moments, but her voice lacked power and her "dramatic" acting was Theatre Major 101. I thought she had improved as Fosca in Passion, but I never understood the love for her in Wicked outside of landing a few jokes (I'll admit she did the best clumsy "toss-toss" bit in Popular).
Kendra was WAY too hyper as Glinda for me. It didn't make sense with the rich and spoiled characterization. She seemed more like a nerdy cheerleader.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
WickedFan1615
Swing Joined: 12/9/17
#18Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/16/18 at 7:56pmSecond national tour with Jessica Vosk and Ginna Claire Mason
#19Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/16/18 at 8:08pm
My favorite trio is still Kerry Ellis, Dianne Pilkington, and Oliver Tompsett from the London cast. Jackie Burns gives Kerry Ellis a run for her money, but I wasn't a huge fan of Chandra Lee Schwartz or the Fiyeros when I saw Jackie on tour and on Broadway.
"Was uns befreit, das muss stärker sein als wir es sind." -Tanz der Vampire
#20Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/16/18 at 8:59pm
Wicked with Jackie Burns like 6 years ago and she's back...Don't miss it w/ Jackie Burns she owns the part now!
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George
Updated On: 2/16/18 at 08:59 PM
#21Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/16/18 at 9:41pmI've seen the Broadway production 4x and Donna Vivino gave one of the most incredible performances I've ever seen. She was Jackie Burns' standby around 5 years ago. Her singing and riffs were killer and her acting was so nuanced. Teal Wicks was great as well. The best Glinda I've seen is Laura Woyasz who went on for Katie Rose Clarke in 2011.
"The city seen from the Queensboro Bridge is always the city seen for the first time, in its first wild promise of all the mystery and the beauty in the world." - F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
Rainah
Broadway Star Joined: 11/24/16
#22Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/16/18 at 11:36pm
I've seen a few of the heavyweights, including Dweyer and Burns, but my favourite pairing to date was Jennifer DiNoia and Kara Lindsay. This was also backed up by a friend who's seen the production 20+ times in four countries, those two in particular were outstanding. I am fussy about my Glindas but felt Kara did an excellent journey, from superficial schoolgirl to public figure, and really brought depth to numbers like Thank Goodness.
Shannon Bo Dannon
Broadway Star Joined: 8/19/08
#23Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/17/18 at 4:28pm
I loved the 1st national tour in 2009 with Donna Vivino as Elphaba and Katie Rose Clarke as Glinda. Richard H. Blake as Fiyero and Ben Liebert as Boq were also great.
Plannietink08
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/2/11
#24Best production of Wicked You've Ever Seen
Posted: 2/17/18 at 8:28pm
The amateur premier performed by CLOC theatre company in Melbourne. The show felt fresh, the characters were reinvented and it was the first time I saw the show and felt genuinely captivated by the performances. Elphaba's voice grew more hoarse as the show went on which added to her character, giving the impression she was exhausted and frustrated and angrier in every scene. It truly was breathtaking. The girl playing Glinda was, without a doubt, my favourite Glinda. She could have played the role professionally.
My one note would be Nessarose's wig was horrendous AF and the Wizard's giant head look tacky and cheap. Apart from that the show was stellar.
"Charlotte, we're Jewish"