Madame Morrible ?'s

[Elphabuff2]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 3:56pm

Sorry for the bombardment of questions, but here I go:

#1 - WIGS: Aside from Carole Shelley and Susie Blake, is there another Madame Morrible in any production where the recession of the hairline is actually noticeable? I thought the creative team did a splendid job with Carole's wigs; accompanied by some explanation on Carole's part in interviews, I thought the recession worked quite well in slowly revealing Morrible's characterization. But it seems they've fallen short on all subsequent Morribles. I'm really not altogether sure the recession in Susie's wig is that prominent in the first place.

#2 - LINES: I'm embarrassed to admit that I did not catch this sooner, but during one performance, I heard Morrible understudy Kathy Santen, I believe, deliver the following line: "I am Madame Morrible, head shiztress here at Shiz University." Has it ALWAYS been "shiztress"? If so, I think it's simply too much.

#3 - CHARACTERIZATION: In WICKED: THE GRIMMERIE, Carole Shelley states the following: "Also, I have a secret about my character that I can't tell you: It has to do with the strange noises and sounds Morrible makes." Firstly, what are theses noises? I hadn't ever caught them. Secondly, if the secret has gotten out, what is it? If it hasn't, anyone know what it could be?

While I'm on THE GRIMMERIE tangent, in two photos, it is noticeable that Carole has an intricate black "tattoo" design on her right ear lobe (I dunno' about her left; it's not shown.). What is it? Is it just for show?

#4 - COSTUMES: Aside from timing and things being "last-minute", is there a specific reason as to why so many Morrible understudies seem improperly outfitted when they go on? You might have noticed if you've ever seen a Morrible understudy that either she rewears a costume (I've seen the "Defying Gravity" outfit worn up to "I'm Not That Girl (Reprise)" a few times) or there's little to no change in her oftentimes ill-fitting and George Washington-like wig. As intricate and expensive as Susan Hilfery's costumes seem, I figure WICKED can afford the expense, so I didn't think it was money.

I'm throwing this one in here just because. Does the average Broadway wig of human hair really cost up to $3000.00? Someone recently posted this figure (maybe a week ago?). I'm not questioning, simply asking for clarification.

Thanks for reading, and any answers will be appreciated.

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 5:42pm

All I know with the sounds is that Rue used to really high pitched on like every word.

[Boq101]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 6:27pm

I saw Carole in the role and she made noises with her nose, little grunts. It might have to do with the fact that Morrible is suspected to be a fish in a well that talks to Elphaba's child while in the desert with Fiyero's family.

[morosco]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 6:31pm

I'm throwing this one in here just because. Does the average Broadway wig of human hair really cost up to $3000.00? Someone recently posted this figure (maybe a week ago?). I'm not questioning, simply asking for clarification.

Absolutely. Especially for the lead actors. Wigs are custom made to fit the actor and usually are made of real human hair. Many parts of the wig have each hair put in one by one. They look amazing when compared to something off the shelf.

[Elphabuff2]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 6:32pm

I guess I did not read that part closely enough in the novel.

[phantomo88]

Posted: 2/23/08 at 8:54pm

#4:

http://musicals.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=66393

[Elphabuff2]

Posted: 2/24/08 at 10:16pm

That was somewhat informative, but I don't think it's the case for every production. I suppose they just do the best they can with what they have when they have it. I dunno'.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 9:03am

Nice to see an intelligent, thoughtful and intersting discussion about WICKED on the board.

Good stuff to read over and I wish I had something to add... Maybe later *lol*

[Midnight Radio]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 10:26am

You know, my neighbor back at home is long time Morrible understudy Jan Neuberger. These questions are really making me curious, especailly since she has been with the cast since it opened, and you would think that by now she would be given a full set of costumes. The next time I am around I will ask her...

[Elphabuff2]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 7:26pm

Wow. That's really interesting. You should tap into that resource if you get the opportunity. I understand that Hilfery's costume designs are elaborae and expensive, but I just don't understand why they would not fulfill the benchmarks of Morrible's appearance. They are expensive, but WICKED can stomach the expense, right? Might storage of the costumes be a problem? I figure the Gershwin can house them, but space would always be a problem (so I think). That's the only excuse I can think of right now.

I was always a fan of Jan's Midwife, not that it is a substantial role; I know it's small. Thanks for the info.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 11:00am

it appears that gaelen gilliland had a full set of costumes based off her sitehttp://gaelengilliland.com/wicked.html

[Elphabuff2]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 7:41pm

Great pictures. Thanks for the link.

She definitely had, or at least accumulated, a full set of costumes and there are only slight differences between the understudy and full-time principal Morrible costumes, yet she had only one wig. I still am puzzled about the one wig. Also, notice there's no recession whatsoever in her wigs, not that this greatly affects the show. Odd...and interesting.