[Kragey]

...is the first Galinda I've actually fully enjoyed.

[The_Wicked]

hmmm...

[The_Wicked]

You and I just differ all over the place, don't we Kragey? Have you heard Jennifer Laura Thompson or Megan Hilty? I like them sooooo much better. Maybe I just don't like Kendra because I heard her "Over the Moon" first which was absolutely dreadful (I think I slit one of my wrists during it). She has a good voice but not for Galinda I think. I liked her in Assassins though.

[Kragey]

[DramaRobin2002]

I liked Kendra as Maureen but I have a hard time seeing her as G(a)linda for some reason.

[Nicely-Nicely]

I loved Kendra and only have seen Wicked with her in it... so... she was the best and only person I've heard... so far.

[EponineGiry]

I've seen Kendra and Cheno. Cheno, needless to say, was amazing. I couldn't stand Kendra.

[DramaRobin2002]

[Kragey]

[qpidsangel]

Cheno is awesome. Kate is THE best. Haven't heard Kendra

Yay for short posts

[PAMIE]

I think Kendra was great playing Glinda but I pefer Kristin

[DramaRobin2002]

[Broadway587]

what about Megan Hilty?

[DramaRobin2002]

[Kragey]

[Wicked Fan]

I ABSOLUTLEY love Kendra!!!!!! Her voice and vocals are wonderful! She made me laugh so hard! To me, Kendra and Julia Murney are my ideal
G(a)linda and Elphaba.

[B3TA07]

[Salome]

Cheno is one of the single most ANNOYING performers iv'e ever seen in my life.

I liked her in YAGMCB but when i saw her in everything else i realized she wasnt playing Sally..she was playing herself.

god I just want to punch her.

[Descartes]

[DramaRobin2002]

[convict24601]

^ Well put.

I can't wait to see Kendra and Julia this November.

And really, Cheno isn't as bad as you guys say she is. I liked her a lot on the recording actually.

[Salome]

[DramaRobin2002]

[griz-elphie]

A friend of mine saw Kendra at the Kennedy Center and said that at some points she was better than the others who have played Glinda. She said that Kendra was hysterical in Popular, but that she got a bit manic in other scenes. As for Jennifer Laura Thompson, I never saw her live but I've seen clips and photos of her as Glinda and she doesn't really seem like Glinda to me. I saw Megan Hilty in N.Y in January and she was, in my opinion, better than Kristen. But I love Kristen too.

[BroadwayGreenBean]

I saw Kendra when they came to Philly and I enjoyed her very much so! She did a great job that day. And well, my English teahcer is best friends with her, so I already knew what I expected, lol. Though I think Hilty and Cheno top it. Kendra is my other fav though:D

[xani]

Having never seen any other G(a)linda, I can't really compare properly. But I have heard the recording and seen other clips of different G(a)lindas. I never could really understand (even in Gregory Maguire's novel) G(a)linda's character, or how so many people like the character so much. Sure, I love Cheno's voice, and most Galindas seem to be genuinely hilarious. However, Kendra gave a whole new meaning to the role for me. I could actually see the good in Glinda the Good, and thus pity her. It made the show much more effective than it would have otherwise been. So, after I got over a few Kendra quirks (such as a slight detatchment I noted in the beginning) and began to see them instead as just variations on the character, I loved her. She has perfect comedic timing, and always seemed to be just below the line crossing from very funny into insane and random. Also, I loved her voice, whether or not she was hitting the high notes (she definately hit the low ones (I'm Not That Girl (reprise))). Kudos to her for successfully performing every day in a soprano roll, when she never has before.

Oh yeah, plus she's gorgeous, and was totally sweet at the stage door, even though it was pouring rain and kind of miserable out.

[GlamorousGriz]

[Chelsey]

I've seen three different G(a)lindas. Megan Hilty, Kendra Kassabaum and Kate Loprest who was an understudy for Stacy Morgan Lewis in Chicago.

Out of the three I enjoyed Kedra the most. Megan had a nice voice but I didn't really like her acting. Kate Loprest was great but you could tell it was her first show so maybe that's why I didn't like her as much.

So for me I like Kendra the most out of the Glindas I've seen.

[broadwayprincess]

Kate Reinders!!!!!! xx

[happyguava]

[snowie86]

deleted

[Clarinetsrevenge]

Kendra made me want to shoot myself. She is not a soprano. At all.

Whoa, Cherie? Hey! Its BelleOfTheBand from WoO!

[Baker]

(1) Kate Reinders
(2) Kristin Chenoweth
(3) Kendra Kassebaum

What I've seen of JLT just doesn't cut it for me. I've only seen Stacie Morgain Lewis's Popular, which was good, but I've heard that she upstages a lot. And what I've heard from Megan Hilty was great, but I haven't seen the whole thing with her so yeah.

[DramaRobin2002]

[musicluvr77]

I did not like Kendra. I thought her acting was terrible and she tried to sound like Kristin Chenoweth whenever she sang.

Kristin was the only other G(a)linda I saw, so I have to say she was the best I've seen...

[Ep-Griz-Reno]

dthjydhk

[stlgurl702]

I only saw her understudy, Katie Adams, She was amazing

[DaddyDiesel]

[Pounce]

[audreydarling]

well..Kendra was a good dancer and her acting was pretty good..her voice was a little operatic for me..but I enjoyed her performance. Stacie was great too..her voice was a little more typical "Broadway" but her comedy wasn't spot on! she was great in Act 2 though..haven't seen anyone else..only small clips of Kristen (who I adore..she is fantastic and I lover her voice)! I totally understand how the character of Glinda con come across as annoying...it depends on your style..I happen to adore Glinda..and know many people who do! Both the leads are so fabulous though!

[swmustang878]

Hey snowie86! I saw Emily Rozek too! Even though she wasn't the lead Galinda, I thought she did really well. That's the first time I have even heard her mentioned on this site, but I'm glad you did!

[Ep-Griz-Reno]

Earlier I typed a reply saying "Agreed" to the wrong thing...hahah

I love Kendra.

WHy???

WEllllllllllllllllllll ......the thing about Kendra is that she MATURES G(a)linda in the show, and her singing-I will agree-is not PERFECT, and I loved her alto moments more as well-but she knew what G(a)linda was feeling every second-whereas Kristin (although incredibly adorable in my eyes) kept G(a)linda this goofy hilarious character who didn't really change throughout.

&&ALSO-about Kendra's low register...I mean-I don't have much of a problem about it, because to me, G(a)linda isn't this AMAZING high soprano like Christine or something...so...idk...

[DramaRobin2002]

I actually really enjoyed Kristin's G(a)linda. It's not drastic but you do see a subtle change between her Galinda and her Glinda. By the end of the show, I truly believed she was a changed character, though I do admit the change wasn't so noticable earlier in her Broadway run.

[angellwings]

Kristin is my all-time favorite. There is no one else who can come close to hitting those high notes with her strength. I don't consider her THE Glinda but she is the best I've seen. I cry everytime I see her and Idina's last "For Good" on YouTube.

Megan Hilty was very good I saw her too. Loved her. She's my second favorite. I loved her and Sho together.

Kate Reinders is very good as well. She's my third favorite.

I haven't seen Kendra do the whole show, but I have seen her perform Popular, and that was hysterical. Although she did seem to play the part like a three year old who polished off way too many candy bars on Halloween. I hope she didn't play the part like that ALL the time.

[Elphie_Fae]

Kendra's my all-time fave Galinda. She is just the cutest thing ever. When I got back from the show and all my friends asked me how it was, I would start discussing the show in general and it always turned into a rave about Kendra. Before I went to see the show with her in it, I positively detested her. The clips I saw on youtube of her Popular were absolutely terrible, and I got mad when they had her perform opposite my favorite actress (Stephanie =]). But then I went and saw it and...oh my God. True, she's not the strongest singer in the world, but her acting makes up for it times a billion. I loved Kristin in the role, but for some reason I didn't see her as Galinda, I saw her as Kristin playing Galinda. Same with Idina and Elphaba. These opinions are based solely on clips, though, because the first time I saw the show (a few weeks ago), my cast was Victoria Matlock (amazing) and Kendra. I didn't have the best seats, so when I was watching Victoria and all the other actors and actresses, I had to strain to see their faces. But when Kendra did her parts, I felt like I was sitting in the very front of the stage. I don't know. I went from being a die-hard Elphaba freak, to seeing the show, and now talking about G(a)linda 24-7, and that is 100% Kendra's fault.

Oh, and whoever said they didn't like her Over the Moon--I thought it was hilarious. It's my myspace profile song. So much better than Idina's.

[DaddyDiesel]

[snowie86]

deleted

[Misto]

Can I just say, without wanting bashed or anything for saying it.
I have proof that Kendra lip-syncs at least the end of Thanks Goodness.

[Baker]

[Little_Nell]

Even if she *does* lipsync, which is quite unusual, I'm sure it's for a good reason. Presumably if she has then it's only been a one off anyway? They wouldn't cast her if she couldn't do everything she's supposed to.

Just a thought...

[xani]

I'm fairly sure Annaleigh Ashford sang the final high note of "Thank Goodness" instead of Kendra, if that's was meant...The good reason being that Wicked was the first time Kendra had sung soprano. And while she didn't hit that high note, she could hit the low note in "I'm Not That Girl (Reprise)" which was sweet.

[Misto]

Baker, that would be telling. I'm sure you could find it on a certain video site by searching "kendra thank goodness". I have all of the video. Trust me.

[christinadaae]

I watched some clips of Kendra- I didn't like it. I watched Thank Goodness, and I don't think it was her voice on the high note. You just watch her voice and you can tell.
Megan and Cheno were the best... obviously.
I saw this girl... Morgain something.... in Chicago... she bombed it. (that's a bad thing)


Here's something for youtube. I didin't add the best note thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6L-arr1PDY

[abandoned_memory]

Here's my view on Glindas.

Kendra - Amazing actress, but she lacks in the vocal department. She even admitted to seeing Glinda as an acting role, not a singing role.

Megan Hilty - Beautiful voice and acting all around, but she acts like Glinda on drugs sometimes.

Kate Reinders - Glinda on a drug over dose Not exactly my cup of tea

Kristen Chenoweth - As the original, I give her that much credit. And she's a lovely soprano, but her acting isn't nearly as funny as some of the later adaptations of Glinda's character.

JLT - In my opinion, the best Glinda hands down. She's just an amazing actress and singer, and she's just...Wow. I *love* her.

[Baker]

So last June, my family and I went with one of our theatrical groups from our area to New York City... of course, we saw Wicked, and we also had the chance to take a dance class with Ben Cameron of the OBC Wicked Ensemble, who taught us the singing and Broadway choreography to One Short Day. After, we had a question-and-answer session and one of our directors asked Ben who is favorite Elphaba was and who is favorite Glinda was - his answers: Eden Espinosa (AGREED) and Kristin Chenoweth.

Just thought it was interesting to note that an OBC member preferred Kristin. (Also, he had been out on sick leave so I don't think he had performed yet with Kate Reinders because she had just started... so he's comparing Kristin, Kendra, Laura Bell Bundy, Jennifer Laura Thompson, and any other Broadway understudies/standbys for Glinda. For Elphaba, he was comparing Eden, Idina, Shoshana, Saycon, Kristy, and any other Broadway understudies/standbys for Elphaba.)

[roxysurfer24]

it wasnt her voice on the high note in thank goodness. But that was only on tour..i just saw it on broadway with front row seats 4 days ago, and she sang it really well. seriously, kendra has improved SOOOO much since tour. if possible, she's even funnier than she was. her and julia have a rael connection too. i actually love the fact that she isnt meant to be a soprano and still got picked to get the part, probably because of her stage performance, but overall she's my favorite g(a)linda.

[wicked_boy]

Megan does it for me. Kate ruins it for me.

[TheBoogie]

I think people underestimate Kendra...

I BELIVE Youtube clips cannot be used as only way of knowing theater actresses' work and judging them.. it is just not fair...

Acctually, I've never seen here live, but a couple of friends of mine did on Broadway and said she was by far the best actress they had seen during their stay at New York.. and they saw a LOT of stuf! (over $2000 spent on tickets each)...
oh, and they found Julia the best singer..

[ilovemusicals1018]

The only Glinda I have seen was Megan Hilty and i thought she was amazing! After listening to the CD (over and over again...) she was exactly what I had pictured Glinda to be like. Any other Megan Hilty fans out there?

[Mistress]

I've seen Megan Hilty live, and she was a darling, funny FGlinda. I've laso seen many youtube clips, and Kendra is winner, but mostly with Julia. If you see her with SJB you notice she was still getting used to her part. With Julia, however, she has her role down pat. Those two are hilarious together. That's Kendra's strenght...her ability to work of her partner. Anywya, I love Kendra because she does the funny six-year-old-on-crack thing. It's hilarious but it can get somewhat overwhelming after a while, what with the skirt-lifting and crazy outbursts (in Popular). But I still think she's adorable.

p.s. I'm not surprise dthat Julia often acts a little frightened of her in Popular. The also do a great "What is thsi Feeling".

[Mistress]

[wicked_boy]

^ I heard about that on an interview with her. I can't remember what she said she done.

[Sparque]

I just saw Kendra on Broadway a couple of weeks ago and I thought she really brought a lot to the role. I really enjoyed her performance. She was on the first national tour of "Wicked" but the day I saw the tour she was out sick and her understudy went on instead.

[wicked_boy]

^ Who was her understudy, I must say, she has improved a lot since the tour.

[shakalakababy]

I personally love kendra. She was the first and only glinda i've seen live but i've watched many clips and I would say she's nearly as good as kristen.

[AllThatJazz777]

I saw Kendra twice - once with SJB and once with Victoria Matlock (Julia's understudy). I was surprised by how drastically she had changed her character between those two times. The first time I saw her, it seemed as though she was trying to be a carbon copy of Kristin Chenoweth. All bubbly and perky and whatnot. The second time, however, she seemed to take herself a lot more seriously throughout the show. She was still perky in some scenes (Popular, obviously), but she said a lot of her lines dead-pan. Does she still play the part this way, or was this a one-time thing that I saw? It was so different that I could harldly believe it was the same performer.

[choochoo]

I've seen Kendra and JLT live and a bootleg of Cheno. I liked Kendra the best with Cheno at a close second. I didn't really like JLT (she's very talented but she seemed on the tall side for glinda? Or just not the perky enough type? was it just me?). I didn't like the character of Glinda really until I saw Kendra so I agree with whoever started this topic.

[^Defying_Gravity^]

I really liked Kristen in Defying Gravity at the Tony Awards. There was just this quick shot of her looking up at Idina when she's up in the air. The look is just a cute mix of admiration and caring. I just think it's sooooo sweet!

[wicked_boy]

[chrlsfrsr101]

ALOT OF PEOPLE DO THIS, um but people like Kristin because she was the original and if kendra was the original we all would like her because we would know what galinda is really like from the first actor.

[Wicked_Wonders]

I've only seen the London Cast live but i've heard a lot of clips of others. From what i heard i thought Kristin was ok but her voice does get quite irritating. I have the Cast Recording from the Original cast and isometimes have to skip Popular because it gets on my nerves too much. Especially in the *La, La, Laa* bit. It was like hearing nails on a blackboard. I saw Helen Dallimore in London, so obviously im a bit biased, but i thought she was great. I've heard loads of versions of Popular, and Helen's been the funniest.

[pish123c]

I agree with you, I LOVE Kendra. I've never actually seen the show, but from watching youtube clips I've gathered:


1.) Cheno is very 1-dimensional bubbly and peppy. Gets old very quickly.

2.) Hilty is funny and ok but what was up with her weird singing in "Popular"!?

3.) JLT just didn't stick out to me at all.

4.) Kenda knew all the funny lines and how to read them to get the best laughs, she was spunky but still cute, bubbly but still not annoying. She is the winner.

[*BroadwayLights*]

I adore Kendra Kassebaum. I saw her on April 11th and she was fantastic!!