The Ongoing Wicked Discussion Thread

Felt like I'd jump on the band wagon with this one.

Elphaba

1. Rachel Tucker (x6) - Elphaba personified for me.
2. Willemijn Verkaik (x1) - Beautifully acted and vocally pure.
3. Kerry Ellis (x3) - my first. always will be very special
4. Louise Dearman (x1) - the best acting Elphaba I saw
5. Jennifer DiNoia (x1) - Wonderful transition from Act 1 to 2
6. Nikki Davis Jones (x1) - very gritty and strong from memory
7. Emma Hatton (x2) - ...

Glinda

1. Dianne Pilkington (x1) - the best. so hilarious.
2. Carrie St Louis (x1) - funniest popular EVER.
3. Suzie Mathers (x4) - gorgeous voice and arch of character
4. Gina Beck (x3) - character change was so strong
5. Savannah Stevenson (x5) - i never went 'wow' at any point...
6. Sophie Linder-Lee (x1) - didn't laugh once.


Been interesting reading other peoples lists.

Shona White was a brilliant Elphaba. I saw her in 2007, around April/May-ish.

It's such a shame she had such a short stint and barely went on. And that she was standby when Kerry Mania was just getting into full swing. 

She didnt even register on mine. My daughter thought she was incredible though

She's only on mine because I listed every Elphaba I've seen live so far

My friend loved Emma, but then again this was the only time he ever saw Wicked, so I think he just liked the songs and the show itself

Spot on. Discussion is healthy but i gladly accept we dont all share the same tastes

Despite being one of my favourite musicals, I've only seen the show twice.

Personally it's a difficult one, but I would say:
Elphabas
1) Rachel Tucker
2) Willemijn Verkaik

Glindas
1) Louise Dearman
2) Alli Mauzey

Rachel and Louise introduced the show to me so I think in a way it will be hard to top their performances though, so I am a little biased.

See Louise Dearman and Nikki Davis Jones were my first ever Elphaba and Glinda, and whilst Louise has never really left my top three, gradually Nikki has gone lower on my list. Maybe I need to see her again if she ever does it, but I think she didn't do anything particularly memorable or over the years her performsnde has just fallen to the wayside. Until this year, it was Louise Dearman was my favourite ever Elphaba.

... but then, Rachel Tucker. Enough said.

Indeed she did. She did a cabaret at the Battersea Barge before Christmas, which I believe was her first performance since leaving Wicked prematurely in summer 2014

The reasons for her leaving the production were very ambiguously worded, with the company stating "we look forward to working with Nikki in future." I talked to a few cast members about the matter in passing, and the way they spoke about it seemed as though Nikki did seem to have an opportunity at recovering. Although she will probably never play Elphaba again, I do believe she can still sing, I just doubt she could do so at a musical theatre, eight shows a week capacity.

Nikki is my second favourite Elphaba and was certainly a force to be reckoned with on tour. I would love to see her back on stage in any capacity and I wish her all the best in doing so!

My favourite last show was Kerry's last in 2009.

I was new to Wicked and could not believe what I was seeing and the incredible outpouring of emotion in the audience. It's still my most listened to show audios and cannot be topped in my opinion.

Though I very rarely listen to DG at all. It's all No Good Deed for me.

Louise's last Elphaba show is one I missed on purpose as I don't rate her Elphaba at all. Personally, I thought she struggled with all the big songs and I was grimacing with pain.