WICKED today

[SallyEW]

Posted: 3/14/04 at 11:43pm

Hello-
Long time lurker, first time poster. I felt it was time to finally "come out of hiding" after the disappointment I had at the Gershwin this afternoon.
My girlfriends and I had been looking forward to seeing WICKED for quite some time, and this today was finally the day. Love the CD, love the clips I'd seen and all the press I read. I was very excited. Well, I was obviously disappointed when I arrived at the theater and saw that Kristin was out. I usually enjoy seeing understudies go on, but this was one case where I really was looking forward to seeing Kristin. I obviously wanted to give her understudy, Laura Bell Bundy, a fair chance, but I saw/heard very early in the show that I was going to be disappointed. I have read some positive posts regarding Miss Bundy's performance on this board, but I have to say that in my opinion her Glinda (or GAlinda) was just not very good. From the opening number she was straining for the higher notes and often sang VERY off pitch. Flat sometimes, sharp at others. I kept wanting her to get better, but it just wasn't happening. And as far as her character was concerned, she just seemed like an unseasoned actress possibly immitating the woman who usually plays the role. I hope I don't sound bitter or like this is a personal attack on Bundy, but for 100+ dollars, I was hoping for much better. Jokes were falling flat, and the relationship between Glinda and Elphaba genuinely suffered. It was a real shame, because I could only imagine what the role could have been. I've read that Miss Bundy is quite young, so maybe she just is not quite ready for a role of this magnitude?
Otherwise, the rest of the cast was just fantastic. Idina's voice and acting blew us all away. My tony vote goes to her (if I got one!). Norbert Leo Butz was charming and sounded terrific, and Carole Shelley was a hoot as the school mistress. I love Joel Gray, but wish he had more to do.
So, that is my report on today's events. I was all excited to rave about the show, but due to the fact that there was one significant weak link, I have to give it a solid B over all.
My thoughts.

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 12:20am

You just joined to post that?

Posted: 3/15/04 at 12:30am

Oh, Lilhead... calm down.
jeez!

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 12:45am

There's nothing wrong with posting that. Welcome to the board. Always feel free to share your opinions even if others don't agree.
I would have been dissapointed too. At least you are someone who gives understudies a chance. :)

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 12:50am

lilhead chill!:) There is nothing wrong with posting reviews here. To bad you were dissapointed Sally, the show is normally pretty decent.

[SallyEW]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 12:53am

Was there something odd about me joining to post that? I thought that's what this board was about? Posting your thoughts on shows after you see them, right?
This was my little fear about posting in the first place. I've seen some pretty closed minded thinking on here before, but hoped I could open up an intelligent discussion about what I saw. Thanks to those of you who saw that.

If I had like Laura Bell and joined to post that, would that have been better?

Posted: 3/15/04 at 12:56am

Be true to your thoughts Sally...
Don't worry what others say. I wouldn't say close minded as much as I would unintelligent.
Keep the Faith...
DT

[SallyEW]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 12:58am

DT,
I figured "closed minded" was safer for my first foray on this board. But I couldn't agree with you more.
Thanks for your encouragement. I felt it was just as important to discuss an unsatisfactory performance as I would if I wanted to rave.

[cmleidi]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 12:59am

Don't worry Sally. Some of us don't even like WICKED when all the cast members are present and accounted for.

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 1:08am

I'm seeing Wicked for the first time Friday. Honestly, if Kristin isn't present, I think I'm going to have to take a few minutes to collect myself. Her voice is just too charming for me to stoically accept that an understudy will play her role... what a disappointment to her fans, these frequent absences (though I'd imagine that she has good excuses for them).

*crosses fingers in the hopes that on Fridays, Kristin puts forth a special effort to ensure that she's on stage*

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 1:18am

yes..so very charming, like nails on a chalkboard.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 1:39am

Sally, the first post I made, since there was nothing in it to attack, people attacked my CATSNYrevival name. Apparently very few on this board like CATS and since my first post was rather short some had nothing better to do that criticize CATS and my liking of the musical. A lot of people are closed minded. I choose to chat and communicate with those here who are intelligent and whom I enjoy talking with. Cheers to you guys! You know who you are....

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 2:07am

*laughter* For some of us, an idiosyncratic voice (read: nails on chalkboard) defines charming. You're very good.

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 7:27am

"You just joined to post that?"

Just like you joined to rave about Kristoffer Cusick. Small world.

Welcome, Sally! We're a fun group, you'll get used to the "close minds" after awhile. Welcome!

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 8:27am

LOL!

I'm not fond of Ms. Bell's interpretation either and I'll start a picket line if they offer her the role when Kristin leaves.... there are WAY more talented woman out there to do that role

but she is the "Star replacement" according to her website...

[Belter]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 8:38am

SallyEW, I recently saw WICKED for the first (and I hope LAST) time, with KC and hated a lot more about it than her performance. I had been thinking prior to seeing it that I'd be RELIEVED if her understudy was in when I saw it. I do not care for KC's baby doll voice, which is totally put on, and since is put on in every role she plays, is sickening to me personally. I hate that stereotype, hate that the casting people think the public likes that, and hate that she gets cast over better actresses because of how lucky she's been.

I do think she sings very well. But it's so layered with mannerism and parody that it's hard to enjoy what quality there is. If she ever gets hired to play a character where that stuff is not needed, wanted, or encouraged (never happen) then I'd be interested in seeing her.

All that said, sorry you were disappointed. Broadway is becoming more about how people look and their youth than experience, I'm sorry to say. Perhaps it's following the trend of ... what's that show called? Americal Idol?? where judges without credentials lament the lack of talent, while imposing rules for compeititon that block the truly talented.

This country is being dumbed down, IMO. And Broadway is following suit.

[SallyEW]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 9:44am

Thanks for those of you who are so welcoming.

BelterBabe, it sounds like you didn't like the show even with Krisin there. Too bad. Oddly enough, A dear friend of mine had seen the show early on in its run, and she too saw the understudy and couldn't say enough about the woman's performance. I thought yesterday that she must have seen Laura Bell Bundy, but found out in an email this morning (responding to my rant about yesterday) that she saw a young woman named Melissa Bell Chait go on in the role. And she absolutely loved her. Said her voice was stunning and her acting/comedy were right on. Why didn't I see her! And what on earth is a STAR REPLACEMENT?

[Auggie27]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 9:52am

Sally: Welcome, and thanks for your detailed and subjective report. Your post is just the type that made me want to START posting here 5 months ago. Reminded me: Some of us in the NY area in particular are guilty of a kind of "easy access chauvinism" -- we can drop in on these shows regularly, on a whim, and we forget that many people who live elsewhere buy tix way in advance, we a great sense of expectation, and have a right to feel deeply disppointed by absenteeism. Your post was another reminder of the power of star performers.

Twenty-five years ago, before moving here, I came to NY to see the last weekend the full company of AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' would perform together. It was a Saturday matinee, and two of the three ladies were out! (Though I later learned they went on that night.) I felt very cheated -- and you know what? I was. Keep posting.

Updated On: 3/15/04 at 09:52 AM

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 9:59am

SallyEW (I was just giving razzing you cause when I joined and posted my first review- thats what I got from everyone... so I was just initiating you :)

The last time I looked at Laura Bell Bundy's website it said she was "the star replacement" which I found to be a little self indulgent.

[SallyEW]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 10:03am

LilHead, no problem. Now we can be friends LOL.

Yeah, STAR REPLACEMENT? I just surfed onto her site, and couldn't agree with you more. That is one of the more pompous things I've read in a long time. Glad to hear I'm not the only one who wasn't a fan of her performance. I'd read some things here and on other boards raving about her Glinda, but I just didn't see it. As i said, flat, sharp, flat, sharp, and then- not funny. It was a real shame. Have you seen Melissa Bell Chait go on, and if so, did you enjoy her. Apparently she sang beautifully and acted the role very well. Just poked around and saw that she unfortunately suffered a minor stroke recently! Is this why I didn't see her, or has she left the show and Laura took over? I just looked and she was still in the program.
Get well Miss Chait!

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 12:54pm

"so I was just initiating you" :)

SHARK BAIT! HOO-HA-HA! lol Fans of Finding Nemo will get that.

"I do not care for KC's baby doll voice, which is totally put on, and since is put on in every role she plays, is sickening to me personally. I hate that stereotype, hate that the casting people think the public likes that, and hate that she gets cast over better actresses because of how lucky she's been."

You mean kind of like the way Bernadette Peters started her career? I don't think it hurt her in any way. Kristin will have bigger and better roles in the future. Her interpretation of Marion in The Music Man was not baby-dollish. I think she was wonderful in that movie. Honestly, I really don't think she's "putting on" a voice. She is who she is, and not everyone is going to like her style...but I do.

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 5:07pm

i was lucky enough to be one of the (apparently) few out-of-towners who bought tickets way in advance and got to see the show with NO understudies. now, ive nothing against them except that i get really excited about seeing those who originate the roles. i thought kristen c. was absolutly fantastic and i think that she is a true natural, furthermore she made it difficult for me to imagine anyone else in the role. im not sure about how the understudies are doing except from reading your posts, but how do you think they will go about casting the role when kristen leaves? im sure theyll find someone and the show is great, but will audiences want to see the replacement? (same question applies to indina of course)

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 5:12pm

Kristin is definately very unique in this role, but I could not see the producers finding other talented actresses to play that role.

And why is "Indina" so common?

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 5:38pm

she hasnt missed a show

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 3/15/04 at 5:41pm

what do you mean "common"? Updated On: 3/15/04 at 05:41 PM