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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 27, 2017 8:35:56 GMT
It seems hugely expensive to bring over Marisha just to do (possibly) one show a week? A show grossing as much as Dreamgirls? It's much more in their interest to have someone strong do the role when needed than keep cancelling shows like they did before Xmas.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 27, 2017 8:30:42 GMT
Well then, you must not of noticed. I presume you mean "must not have noticed". Side note - thank you. I'm actually doing research at the moment about native speakers of English and their grasp of grammar, and 'could of' is something we see far too often!!! Glad to hear she's smashing her last week! I can totally understand why she wanted to run from the stage door - 3 shows left and can definitely do without getting ill....
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 26, 2017 21:46:27 GMT
Why should be expressing gratitude?! And maybe it's been out of her control and they haven't been able to rehearse her till now, what with the 43 other alternates to look after? Ruth is that you?
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 26, 2017 15:30:11 GMT
Re: Alexia- I always found her act 2 relatively underwhelming but her act 1 was one of my favourites. So endearing and quirky, she has the perfect voice to sing W&I, but I never loved her No Good Deed (IMO). Agree that she had it unlucky taking over from Kerry, but I think it was solid casting from the team - put someone in that's completely different to Kerry on every level, vocally, physically, in a sense that she is a darn sight shorter and slighter than Ellis so the whole thing had a completely different dimension, thus the KEllis super fans could not realistically compare her.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 25, 2017 22:22:51 GMT
I've noticed this for a while now, probably at least 2 years. The sound has been consistently quiet, not impactual with inconsistent levels. I've also noticed the mic thing in the cat fight scene - Elphaba is more muffled than glinda. I just thought this was me being a sound geek - evidently not.... it's never as muffled in Wonderful or NGD, despite being the same mic. Very strange. Also, I don't sit in the circle anymore because of this impact-less sound. Surely a production of this scale that has been running for this long would've got it right by now, no??
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 25, 2017 9:28:29 GMT
It's a tactic a lot of singers use when they're in a long run. Anyone who doesn't know the show wouldn't notice.
SJB did it when she was on the US tour back in 2005 (thinking of her early "sew i yuh care t fine m" with practically no vowels - but that shows how geeky I am), along with the optional low note to avoid the high F.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 24, 2017 22:34:44 GMT
Part of me is thinking I'll regret not going to see Rachel one last time before she leaves, a bit like when I only saw Louise 4 times throughout her run and after her last show I was shocked I hadn't made the most of her being lead. But I've seen Rachel 13 times over the years - and can honestly say she has been one of the most consistent, jaw-droppingly powerful performer each and every time. Her interpretation has changed an awful lot over the 6 years she's been doing this role, but every time more refined than the last. I bet this girl is ready for a break and a long holiday! Not as much as she needed one last time she left the production and she was pregnant for the last 2 (was it 2?) months of her run. Incredible. Lovely lady, too.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 23, 2017 22:33:19 GMT
The last few pages have been making me cackle!!!
I'm not trying to bring this topic back up but it must be mentioned: Rachel's middle register (i.e. Where INTG sits) isn't particularly strong. The only times I've 'got' INTG were when it was sang by Christine Dwyer and also Jenni Dinoia, who both have a consistently strong range. But Rachel's power sits at the top in her belt and is undisputable.
Whilst those videos are soooo illegal, if we disregard ethics and consider the content, holy moly Alice sounds incredible. Such a healthy voice and less growly and angry than her first shows. Hoping she has a long career ahead of her in this show!!
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 21, 2017 23:22:54 GMT
Here's a question then... Who has been your favourite set of Standbys? For me, you can't beat the talent and chemistry of Ashleigh Gray and Sarah Earnshaw. A "Grayshaw" show was always something really special. My favourite show to date was a Grayshaw show. 26th August 2009. They don't make 'em like that anymore ;-)
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 19, 2017 15:24:06 GMT
I would have loved to catch Michelle Pentecost a few months ago. Trust me, you didn't miss much...! I first encountered Wicked in 2004, became obsessed with bootlegs (not sorry) in 2005 and obviously had to book tickets to previews in 2006. I was lucky enough to see the original cast with Idina 3 times - as an 11 year old boy, this was mind blowing. That a spectacle this large could exist - all with a powerhouse as incredibly flawless as Idina Menzel at the helm. Over the next few years I developed into one of the 'crazies'. My peak of obsession was about 2008-2009, stage-dooring with my Wicked friends and obsessing over David Stoller, Sarah Earnshaw, Liam Tamne etc. It gave me, as a teenager who was different to everyone else at school, something to channel all my energy and focus into - it gave me social skills to speak to and be friends with people of different ages and backgrounds, and I completely owe being the outgoing, sociable, confident person today to Wicked. I've now seen the show 54 times, in this country and New York - and whilst nothing will ever compare to those 3 Idina shows in 2006, the show always feels like a best friend or a grandparent that you might not always be in touch with but you know is always there... I don't know how I will feel when the show leaves the AV!
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 19, 2017 11:32:00 GMT
Jackie will be lead in the London production by this time - mark my words...
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 18, 2017 16:58:08 GMT
loving your technical terms!
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 17, 2017 22:19:22 GMT
More tickets would have sold for the matinee as it's still the time frame for Christmas presents - parents buying kids tickets to Wicked for Christmas presents usually book matinees. Blimey they have no idea what they're in for....
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 17, 2017 15:28:25 GMT
Exhilarating....just bought some of the side stalls seats (row C) for 'supposed' cast change on 22 Jul.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 17, 2017 15:27:02 GMT
I'm sure this has been discussed but I couldn't find an answer (I promise I tried looking). Does Amber do the Saturday Matinee or is it one of the alternates? Amber is only due to take off Weds evenings, until 5 Feb then that changes to Monday evenings. She is due to do all other 7 shows currently.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 17, 2017 9:52:57 GMT
^ I agree with all the points above - Louise had a tendency to miss the 'big' notes, like 'team' in Wizard and I and 'look' at the end of Defying Gravity. BUT. She smashed her last show with perfection - I was on the end of my seat with tears streaming down my face. It takes a lot for that to happen to me.
I saw Kerry's first last, CJ's last and Rachel's first last, but Louise's last was the most emotionally raw and vocally connected that I've seen. Louise's voice is unique so I can see why it might not appeal to all. But the emotion you heard even when she didn't hit the big notes surpassed any vocal 'perfection'.
On the other hand, I am super stoked to see Willemijn. I tooootally agree with the 'classy' comment - I don't like a big riffer, like I've said before, so Willemijn hits the nail directly on the head for me. Bring it on.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 12, 2017 22:44:11 GMT
I'll haul the list out too then. Bandwagon!
Elphabas: 1 Cassidy Janson 2 Idina Menzel 3 Louise Dearman 4 Willemijn Verkaik 5 Hayley Gallivan 6 Ashleigh Gray 7 Christine Dwyer 8 Nicole Parker 9 Rachel Tucker 10 Jackie Hughes 11 Alexia Khadime 12 Nikki DJ (as standby) 13 Jenny Dinoia 14 Kerry Ellis 15 Nikki DJ (as lead) 16 Shona White 17 Emma Hatton 18 Jemma Alexander 19 Michelle Pentecost
Glindas: 1 Sarah Earnshaw 2 Suzie Mathers 3 Louise Dearman 4 Emily Tierney 5 Kara Lindsay 6 Alli Mauzey 7 Gina Beck 8 Savannah stevenson 9 Helen Dallimore 10 Dianne Pilkington
I genuinely can't remember these girls enough to rank them: Laura Emmitt - Elphaba (don't even remember seeing her but I keep a note on my phone of the dates I went and the cast I saw, which clearly states her name. Memorable!!!)
Glindas: Charlotte can't remember her surname Jenni (Broadway Glinda, can't remember her surname)
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 12, 2017 21:09:01 GMT
My Nessarose viewings always makes me giggle... Zoe Rainey (1) and Katie Rowley-Jones (15)... THE WOMAN JUST NEVER LEAVES!! 😂😂 Lol... she is the reason I've seen 20 Elphabas and like 6 Nessas.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 12, 2017 20:59:05 GMT
Yet to see Suzie Mathers as Glinda but looking forward to it immensely She is a delight!
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 12, 2017 20:12:13 GMT
Welcome Katya!!
Am I one of the few on here that saw Idina? Feel lucky to have seen her 3 times back in 2006. A tour de force - bootlegs just don't capture the full rollercoaster seeing her live takes you on. It's just not possible to gain a rounded representation of Idina (or anyone for that matter) from listening to recordings.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 12, 2017 17:59:19 GMT
My top 3 that I've seen are Cassidy Janson, Louise Dearman and Christine Dwyer. To me, it feels as though Hayley Gallivan and Willemijn should be in there too. Loved all of those ladies in the role for different reasons. Idina kind of surpasses any of that for me though, as she was my first and no actress is likely to portray the role with such accolade (as she was the first here and on Broadway, Elphaba is synonymous with Idina) but also she played the role with such ease and effortlessness. You knew she felt she had nothing to prove. Glindas are Sarah Earnshaw, Louise (again) and I really love Suzie too. Looking forward to seeing her again when Willemijn is back. Dianne who I couldn't have disliked any more if I tried. My idea of hell is a place where Dianne's character voice for Glinda plays constantly in the background. I just wheezed this is so funny - and exactly how I felt at the time she was in the show! I saw her first show which was actually ok, but as she grew into the role she kind of developed these super annoying nuances. Looking back on it now though, I'm a little bit more mature, and I think she was great casting. Super different to Helen, and worked so well with Kerry it was so charming. A really special partnership, no matter what you think of either actress' portrayal of their roles.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 11, 2017 21:12:39 GMT
They surely can't just drop her out of work like that when people enjoyed her performances?! This is live theatre, after all..! Rehearsal Reshmershal! Marisha came over, stepped off the plane into a crystal gown and performed. How much time does this Ruth character need? ... and before people criticise Burly's point, yes she had done the role before, but she still had to pick up all the changes, the new lyrics and music, a different size orchestra, new cast, new costumes, new staging... everything different! Ya either got it or ya ain't! What I'm taking from this is that Marisha was flown in as a temporary alt / lead - a bit like they keep getting ex-Elphabas into Wicked as emergency cover. She literally JUST did the show so had her songs and characterisation all good to go so it was a case of learning the blocking.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 11, 2017 14:35:50 GMT
So can it be assumed that each alternate will do week a/week b/week c? Or just Karen and Marisha? To be honest, I doubt even they know themselves....
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 10, 2017 21:18:12 GMT
This theatre is huge - they only have to fill to 30% occupancy to make money so this show is certainly not 'in trouble'. I think they won't get to a point like WWRY where they had to start doing 7 shows a week - I think they'll end on a high, when they do end. But it won't be for at least 5 years, IMO.
They brought back Rachel and Willemijn in the same way they brought Idina over, brought Willemijn over initially, brought Kerry back, brought Rachel back....these girls have proven they can do it and the producers like to recycle. Not just in this country, either.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 10, 2017 21:13:14 GMT
I wish they'd just send the information out now. Surely they know and it's obviously gonna be a somewhat intense ticket-buying process so the longer we have to prepare the better. What kind of preparations are we talking? It should only take a minute to click the link or whatever is in the email. exactly.. this is a musical, not Glastonbury.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 9, 2017 22:14:16 GMT
Thats slightly concerning when usually Broadway audiences are percieved to be the more hysterical ones. Hmmm..I don't know if I agree with this - Broadway audiences on the whole are 'looser', i.e. your general public will give more feedback over there than they would over here. But West End fandoms are a league of their own. The crazy, persistent obsession, unapologetically in your face with their admission of obsession, devotion and love for an actor/actress/show to the person in questions' face - that's definitely reserved by the fans over here IMO. Thinking about jersey Boys and Wicked fans, in particular. And Joe McEldery's fans.....
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 9, 2017 22:07:45 GMT
Love that these Glinda understudies are getting some stage time. Something has to be said for Rachel and Alice being such machines, though.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 8, 2017 19:27:49 GMT
Still the box office has had to deal with lots of upset people who were hoping to see Amber Riley and the fact remains she has only managed a few shows, may be 10 or less, since the show started. Call me cynical but I'm sure she'll be fully recovered in a couple of weeks, just in time to do the performances that will be attended by the Oliviers panel. After that she will probably be indisposed again. wait has everyone forgotten that she was a MACHINE in previews and did every show out of the 8 in the first few weeks, meaning Karen didn't get her one show a week...? I think that caught up with her and that's why she's ill now.
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 8, 2017 11:40:02 GMT
I'm cackling right now... Wish I'd posted this
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Post by singularsensation10 on Jan 5, 2017 15:09:42 GMT
What's the point in having multiple alternates if they're not going to be fairly splitting shows? Why not just have one alternate and then girls in the ensemble cover it too?? Seems ridiculous...maybe it's just a cover up to get rid of Karen as there was a lot of rumours that producers didn't like her.
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