can gastayer sing it? chicago casting of Wicked

[Mimi Imfurst]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 2:35pm

OKay, so at first i honestly thought it was a joke. I mean, elphaba is a pretty vocally demanding role. Can gastayer do it? I saw her in rocky, but can't remember the quality of her voice- only that she was histerical....anyone?
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/91902.html

[Matt_G]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 2:38pm

I believe she is a classicaly trained singer. I saw highlights of her in FUNNY GIRL and was impressed. I can't say I can picture her as Elphaba, but I'm certanly looking forward to going to Chicago now and seeing for myself.

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 2:38pm

I am shocked at this casting. First I think she is too old for role. I also question whether she has the pipes. I've seen her perform at the Funny Girl Actor's Fund concert and was unimpressed. Perhaps she will surprise us all. I assume that the producers know what they are doing. Considering she isn't a marquee name, I don't consider this stunt casting.

[Mimi Imfurst]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 2:47pm

i actually think that she is stunt casting.

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 2:52pm

First, I don't think Wicked needs stunt casting. Second, I don't think Ana's name about the title is going to pull anyone into the theatre that didn't already intend on going, which to me, is the purpose of stunt casting.

[Mimi Imfurst]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 3:19pm

I think people will know her from SNL and therefore, persuaded to buy a ticket. (Especially if they were teetering)

[whiskedaway]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 3:27pm

i was actually watching an SNL rerun yesterday, and they were doing an EVITA sketch. ana played Evita and sang a few of the songs from the show. she had a good voice, i was suprised. i think if she had alot of rehersals and such she would be able to sing even better.

[TheOneAndOnly]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 3:43pm

She sounded very strong singing "Dead End" at the Hair concert and also at Seth's more intimate Purim Cabaret on Monday. She is going to look amazing as Elphaba, and I think she may surprise some by being one of the best acted Elphabas yet. If this is the case, I hope she makes a stop at the Bway production.

[JC14]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 4:18pm

I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have cast her if she weren't able to sing the role. So much of that show hinges on her ability to belt it out...I'm sure as a classically trained singer and performer she'll be able to pull it off. I just don't see her being cast if she couldn't. Also, wouldn't you say the green make-up takes years off?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 4:33pm

She is not who I would immediately imagine in the role, but I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. She's not a big enough name to land the role without proving able to sing it...

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 4:36pm

Yeah, I don't think this is stunt casting at all. Ana has participated in many Broadway events and was in a few things on Broadway. Why not see how good she is first? I think she might surprise people.

~Steven

[playbill_signer_05]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 4:40pm

Michael Bennett brings up a good point. Ana is a big name, but not big enough to get the role in Wicked without really being good enough. I may be wrong, however. No matter what, I am very curious to see how she does! I was always a fan of her back when she was a regular on SNL.
Updated On: 3/23/05 at 04:40 PM

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 5:42pm

well..i'm going to see if no matter for Kristoffer Cusick...and cuz i really like the show...i wanted more from my last elphaba *saycon s* and i'm afraid i'm not gonna get more from Ana...

[JC14]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 6:12pm

I don't think you should judge the woman before you see her performance, let alone before she even starts rehearsals and they finish casting.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 6:14pm

I'm not usually a fan of stunt casting, but didn't some of you guys see her in "Hair". She nailed that number! I could be wrong here, but I think she has the chops to pull this one off.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 6:16pm

Ana will be a phenomenal Elphaba, vocally and dramatically. And for those who keep hinting she's too old, behind green makeup and those costumes, she's going to look remarkably different. Magic of theatre, people. Go Ana. I can't wait to see it.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 6:38pm

Wait, you didn't just say that they wouldn't hire someone who couldn't sing the role now did you? Are you telling me that never happens? I know nothing about Gasteyer except that she's in no way a big enough name to sell tickets in Chicago or anywhere else for that matter but we've ALL heard rather inadequate singing in musical theater more often than we'd like to admit.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 6:40pm

I still maintain that Wicked is beyond needing stunt casting to sell tickets.:)

And to Al Dente -->
"Wait, you didn't just say that they wouldn't hire someone who couldn't sing the role now did you? Are you telling me that never happens? "

Too true. Way too true.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 6:40pm

How was the Purim benefit by the way Oneandonly?

[Al Dente]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 6:47pm

Sadly true Magic.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 6:49pm

And...your icon brought this to mind.. why hasn't Mandy Gonzalez been an Elphaba yet?

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 6:56pm

I think its a shame she's not playing this role on Broadway. She has a GREAT voice. I'd be really curious to see how strong her dramatic acting is, but I have little doubt that she has the chops to do a fantastic job in the role.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 7:07pm

Magic, there are a handful of actresses I could pose the exact same question about, Mandy included.

[suzycat]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 7:34pm

Who's going to play Glinda?

[Mimi Imfurst]

Posted: 3/23/05 at 8:51pm

can it only be considerred stunt casting if the person isnt good. i would argue that sometimes stunt casted actors are good.

ie- hugh jackman.