[shakalakababy]

Well I just got home from seeing Wicked in San Francisco and I had a lot of thoughts about it so I thought I'd write my own review

First of all, Vicki Noon is on as Elphaba now, not Teal Wicks. Teal Wicks is sick. She actually stopped after act 1 of a performance last week that my friends saw and was replaced with the standby, so I guess she's still ill.

This was also Patty Duke's first night as Madame Morrible.

So the Opening was as it always is. Nothing particularly amazing. I felt bad for Kendra Kassebaum though because when she came down in her bubble no one applauded. Every other character got an applause except her. I don't quite understand why. Anyway her vocal's were not very good on No one mourns the Wicked. Maybe it's just fatigue, but it seemed like she was really struggling with the high notes. Her vibrato seemed really forced and unnatural to me too.

But I definitely though Kendra got better over time. I still don't think she sounds that great singing high but in her middle she was fine. Also when she sang with Elphaba, Elphaba's voice almost always overpowered hers. Her acting was really great though. A bit like Kristin but she definitely made it her own too. I loved her during popular. She was completly spastic and it was hilarious. I did think she overall did a really good job but I didn't think she was as good as the last time I saw her in SF (4 or 5 years ago). I think it's probably just fatigue though. This show obviously takes a lot out of them.

Next came dear old shiz and thus, the introduction of Elphaba, Nessa, Morrible, etc.

I really really liked Nessa. She was played by Deedee Magno Hall. She really was small which kind of helped her come across as well...helpless. I was really surprised by how good of a singer she was too. Unfortunately Nessa doesn't get that much time in the spotlight, but her Wicked Witch of the East was really spectacular.

Don't have much to say about Morrible. Patty Duke did do a really good job, but personally I think I prefer Carol Kane (who I guess left the cast now?)

Vicki Noon did do a good job as Elphaba. Her voice is phenomenal! May be the best Elphaba i've heard. It didn't sound as strained as a lot of them tend to. However I wasn't very impressed with her acting. I felt like she was just too over the top. She was melodramatic and overacted everything. Granted, the character of Elphaba is natural melodramatic and kind of ridiculous, but I thought Noon took it overboard. I was definitely more impressed with her in the 2nd act though. And honestly her vocal talent kind of balanced it all out so i'm glad I got to see her.

Nicolas Dromard was totally adorable as Fiyero. I really liked him, he sang well, acted as well as he could (considering the part) and he was a surprisingly good dancer too!

David Garrison was awesome as The Wizard. It made me wish the Wizard had a bigger part. I absolutely loved Wonderful and thought he totally stole the show during that song.

I'm not sure how I felt about Eddy Rioseco as Boq. He came off as kind of...childish? I mean, that may be a pretty accurate portrayal, I just felt like he probably could've done more with it.

I thought the ensemble was really great! I do really like the dancing in this show. During Dancing for Life they did this thing with holding books over their faces that I thought was really cute, I didn't remember that from last time.

So overall it was a good show. The last time I saw Wicked I was much younger and much less knowledgeable about theater as I now am. So I felt like the flaws of the show became all too apparent to me actually seeing it live again. But I think the actors do a great job for the most part of covering that up. So if you're in the area, I would say see it. It's worth the money, definitely enjoyable, and a very talented cast.

[audreydarling]

Do you know when Teal is coming back? I'm really interested in seeing her though I wouldn't mind seening a glinda understudy since I saw kendra last time and don't want to see her again. She was good but I prefered Stacy Morgan Lewis who I saw in Chicago. do you know if the cast is supposed to switch over at any point?

I'm really interested in seeing a cast I haven't seen. I also saw Carol and David Previously. Carol was great but she didn't really sing at all though I thouroughly enjoyed her performance as an actress.

[ilovebway]

I really do hope Teal Wicks comes back by late June, since that's when I'm seeing it (with front row seats, mind you). Nothing against Vicki Noon, it's just that I'm a fan of Teal and really want to see her in the role.

And I love Kendra Kassebaum, so I have no problem seeing her either.

audreydarling- Patty Duke is actually the new Madame Morrible, so you will definitely be seeing someone new.

[Felix Felicis]

I think what's happening is this:

Teal was pretty ill, so Vicki Noon went on a lot. However, the understudy, Angel Reda, was out on medical leave, so they've brought in Meredith Kaye Clark from the tour to cover Vicki. Teal is now on holiday time, so Vicki is basically acting as lead. They have brought in Dee Roscioli, former lead of the Chicago production, to act as standby to Vicki.

[sjslicer]

Was disappointed to read here that Teal Wicks was ill, and was expecting to see Vicki Noon, but Meredith Kaye Clark played the role and was outstanding! I'm sure they are all good, but she has an amazing voice and did a great job. She worked well with Kendra Kassebaum.

Not sure how many show's she has taken the lead since the Elphaba musical chairs has started here in SF, but you can tell she knows the part and a great actress.

Since this was the first time I've seen the show... don't have any reference points to others who have played the role. But, my take is that Meredith plays the role of Ephaba more innocent then others. Let me know if i'm right or wrong.

FYI - at our showing they were collecting donations for equity fights AIDS with cast members collecting donations as you left. They even have an offer to take a picture with Glinda and Elphaba for $150. If they do offer this and you'd like to see them up close and personal for a second.... after the show go to the bathrooms downstairs and hang out. This is where we saw them and they talked to my 8 year old son for a few seconds.

[The Very Angry Woman]

Teal may not be coming back at all.

http://sanfrancisco.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=993776&dt=9&boardid=12

[actor]

Idina gets slated for vocal inconsistancy yet 2 Elphabas have had to leave the production early for blowing out their voices

[Felix Felicis]

[ilovebway]

[Felix Felicis]

[actor]

[.:!BeYoNcE!:.]

[actor]

She didn't lose her power in London. I saw her live and, if anything, she was more powerful. I think most of it was just a different portrayal of Elphaba. In SF and on Broadway she played her more refined and, yes, had a brighter sound but in London she played her more fiesty with rawer vocals. I don't think she lost her brightness after Broadway if you listen to Rent the movie or her album her brightness is still there. It was just a different Elphaba (and all-round better).