Sorry for not adding the requisite question mark, But this is my definitive declaration (n case Stephen Daltry is reading) why the only film Glinda (if they are going for star casting as I think they will) is Anna Kendrick.
She can sing. Not in the way Chenowith could, not in that beautiful soprano a lot of stage Glindas (but definitely not all) enter with. But she CAN sing. And well. She was, in my opinion, wonderful as Cinderella singing Sondheim. And that called for some high notes.
But most importantly, she has a UNIQUE comic persona. Beyond a twinkle. She can do things with a laugh line most other comic actresses can't approach. And yet, still be completely truthful. She IS the filmic equivalent of Chenowith.
Glinda is a cartoon for a good part of the show. Which is fine. But Chenowith got beyond the cartoon in ways a lot of other wonderful Glindas couldn't. If you geek out to You Tube Wicked's like I do, you can see who are destined to become long lasting stars, Annaleigh Ashford had that something special that added a particular original and altogether funnier Glinda than a lot of the other very good actresses who have played her.
Take Laura Bundy. Excellent singer/actress. But she could not elevate "Legally Blonde" the way Reese (who also has a 1 in 1000 uniquely comic aspect to her) did in the film. The way Sheridan Smith (another comic genius) could when the musical hit London. (if Chenowith had been young enough to play Elle Woods I argue it would STILL be running).
Anna Kendrick not only has Broadway cred but has chosen two stage to film transfer roles to star in. Not to mention her film debut singing "Ladies Who Lunch" in "Camp". But that is the least of the reasons she should be Glinda.
Watch her in "A Simple Favor" She establishes the cartoon lead in very, very funny, yet completely truthful ways. This allows the character to evolve into a real person as the conspiracy heightens and she is required to solve the mystery. She gets to be the romantic lead and the dramatic heroine, without ever losing the funny. She is exceptional.
Some might say she looks more like an Elphaba. What a waste that would be!! Though Elphaba must be a good and soulful actress (sorry Grande-as-Elphaba people; if I had my Elphie choice it would be Cynthia Erivo who will be a movie star by the time the film gets made) the character who changes is Glinda. She must start off as boldly comic, weather the moral ambiguity she encounters and is forced to participate in, and come out the other side as a heroine herself.
Between now and when the film gets made there might be another actress, maybe a little prettier (I'm sure that would be one mark against Anna for some people) with the right Glinda chops. But right now, my choice (and of course my choice matters not at all) is Anna. I just hope someone out there is thinking the same as I.
You can add the question mark and, while you're at it, change "Glenda" to "Glinda." Just hit "edit message" on your original post, correct the subject line, then hit "Update Message."
joined:2/24/11
joined:
2/24/11
Posted: 2/13/19 at 11:50am