Julia Murney as Elphaba -- so not your normal Wicked thread.- Page 8

[BSoBW3]

Posted: 3/11/06 at 1:11am

I should start charging royalties!

Or perhaps - a little credit?



Now we have twins!

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 3/11/06 at 1:18am

You've been credited.

[BSoBW3]

Posted: 3/11/06 at 1:19am

Merci!

[Steve2]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 12:53am

My family and I just got back from Wicked in Cincinnati and I was totally blown away by this performance with the new cast. Wow! Julia Murney was just phenomenal singing as well as acting the part of Elphaba. (And she is stunningly beautiful too). Kendra Kassebaum as G(a)linda was amazing also. And as expected, Kendra and Julia had a excellent rapport together. Alma Cuervo was great as Madame Morrible, what a talented actress. Her diction and enunciation was perfect. P.J. Benjamin was fine as The Wizard (which is somewhat of a thankless and underwritten role). And I enjoyed Sebastian Arcelus as Fiyero. He has a very nice singing voice. I thought that Julia and Sebastian had incredible chemistry together, especially during "As Long as You're Mine". They were all over each over and kissed for a long time. Muy caliente!

My family who aren't regular theatre goers enjoyed themselves too. The Cincinnati audience was very appreciative (and much more well dressed than in AZ where I live). Everyone rose to their feet and clapped and cheered loudly.
Updated On: 3/12/06 at 12:53 AM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 1:08am

Thanks for that!

AND YAY FOR JULIA!

[MusicalMan2]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 8:21am

I've seen and heard Julia sing live in NYC for fundraiser shows and I wasn't impressed with her vocals at all. I was freaking out when I heard she was replacing Stephanie on the tour. I'll be seeing her this summer in Orange County, California and am actually a bit nervous. (I've never been disappointed with an elphaba since I've seen the OBC with Idina and was blown away by the awesome Ana G. in Chicago). I look forward to seeing the show again with Julia, but with hesitation. (I'm taking a friend who has never seen the show so I just want it to be amazing - since I've talked it up so much- so I hope it is).

[little sister]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 10:42am

Having been fortunate enough to see Idina once, Ana once and Stephanie twice, I have to say how disappointed I was with Julia's performance. Her vocals do not compare to any of the previous Elphaba's I have seen and her interpretation of Elphaba is not nearly as engaging. I know this sounds harsh and remember it is just one person's opinion, but I am surprised that she was hired for the role. Knowing how many talented people are gunning for this role, I am hard pressed to think that she was the best the producers could find. For those who have never seen the show and have nothing to compare her performance to, it is still a great evening at the theater. Alma is the best Morrible I have seen, Sebastian is incredibly likeable, a feat that most Fiyero's have failed to accomplish and Kendra, again my least favorite of the Glinda's, is still as some of the reviews have said accomplishing to win over the audience once she gets to the second act.
I know this is going to open me up to all sorts of criticism, but again these boards are for sharing opinions and this is mine. I don't doubt that those of you who have seen her in other roles and are fans know more than I do about her talent, I just am telling it how I saw it.

[midwestteach]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 11:35am

I have been a fan of wicked for some time now and have seen Idena, Eden, and Sho all in the role on Bway. I was so pumped to see Julia when I found out she was taking over from Steph in Cincy. I went on opening night and was floored! In my opinion she is the best of the lot! Her vocal power was top knotch! She has incredible acting skills and had the audience eating out of the palm of her hand. I felt the change in Elphaba as the show progressed with Julia was nothing like I have felt before. Her low notes on I'm Not That Girl are like velvet! Her DG was over the top, the final notes were roof rocking! I was worried about her vibrato after listening to the Wild Party CD over and over but not a sign of it in her voice at all! The chemistry in As Long As Your Mine was hot! I was getting flushed myself, they were awesome vocally together! Ok compared to the others......other than the CD I have never heard Idena sing a flawless show, Julia did, not one wrong note, crack, or frack! Eden, I love her, but.....she does not have the bottom notes! Sho, nice "riffs" but nothing powerful in her acting. I am a new fan and will be pushing for Julia to go to the Gershwin!

[Steve2]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 12:21pm

Thanks for your reviews, Little Sister and MidwestTeach.

No need to worry that your opinions might open you up to criticism, Little Sister, they are yours! That's what I like about this board. I agree with your assessment of Alma and Sebastian though, especially Alma.

I am so thankful for BroadWorld.com for allowing us to share this information with others.
Updated On: 3/12/06 at 12:21 PM

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 2:10pm

How are Julia and Kendra on the harmonies? I had some issues when I saw Kendra with the way that she sung some of the harmonies not matching up well with the Elphaba (though to be fair, understudy Maria Eberline was on as Elphaba and I attributed it partly to that). Julia, belting powerhouse that she is, does not have a voice that blends well during duets. Just curious as to how that's been working out.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 4:24pm

Well, I'm glad that it seems a lot of people are liking her, though I guess it's not expected for the love to be universal.

I think it goes without saying that the people who love voices like Idina's, Eden's and Stephanie's might not really love Julia's vocal tone; it's something to get used to, I suppose; a very different sound. I mean, then there are the hardcore Idinaheads who are just going to hate anybody, but that's another story.

I understand that people aren't going to like her for whatever reason, but I find it a little bit ridiculous to completely diminish her talent. But hey, y'all are entitled.

Posted: 3/12/06 at 4:24pm

i love Julia and was sooo excited to hear she got Elphaba. i can't imagine that a clip of her doing defying gravity..IF IT were to be posted SOMEWHERE on the internet..is REALLY an indication of how she really sounds. i have friends in the tour with her and they say she is amazing. sometimes people are forgiving of someone when they REALLY like them a lot. i don't know. IF i heard the clip..i would be underwhelmed and a little sad..IF i by chance happened to see it..IF there was one...=)
not every role is for every person..no matter how amazing they are.
is julia selling her CD during the tour, in the theater lobbies?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 4:25pm

It's a little early for the CD, no? I can't wait.

Posted: 3/12/06 at 4:27pm

i thought the CD was in the can and ready to go?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 4:30pm

It's been recorded, but I would assume there's post-production to be done? I dunno how long it takes.

[CanadianSnowbird]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 4:54pm

I think I read somewhere that it's coming out in spring.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 5:42pm

Yeah, I think that's what the press release said. Hopefully soon!

She's out tonight.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 5:42pm

Whoa. Seriously?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 5:48pm

Someone posted that they just tried the lottery and the board says she's out.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 5:48pm

Yikes.

[softershade]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 6:03pm

julia said she's hoping to have the cd out and for sale at the end of this month. hopefully all goes well and it's out.

and she's out tonight?! wow, there's the number 2 performance she's ever missed. ever. lol.

[Bohemian1232]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 6:04pm

I hope that she's ok.

[softershade]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 7:05pm

considering they had two shows yesterday and two shows today, i'm sure she's just giving her voice a well deserved rest.

[chelle08]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 7:32pm

Julia's out? I'm sad to hear that. I hope she's okay, too! But does she have a new understudy? If so, they probably need to have her on stage at least once incase of an emergency. Just to have the experience.
Updated On: 3/12/06 at 07:32 PM

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 3/12/06 at 8:15pm

Julia was out for the mat today (3/12). I was very disappointed because I really wanted to see her. Maria Eberline went on and did a fine job. I saw Maria do the role about a year ago in Chicago and am happy to report she has really grown into the role. As for Kendra, she phoned it in. I think it's time for Kendra to leave the tour!