Wicked p.2
Ok, so as promised:
So, in case you hadn't read my previous post, (and didn't know) Wicked is based on the novel by Gregory Maguire and is The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (so says the novel's subtitle.) It's, briefly, Elphaba (the wicked witch)'s life from the start of school until her death at the hands of Dorothy and her friends. If you haven't see The Wizard of Oz probably none of this will really make any sense anyway. If you've read Maguire's novel, you will a lot of changes between that and the play (but he approved the play's story, so that's okay. :) You also get to see the growth of Glinda (or once Galinda) the Good Witch of the North and the origins of the Scarecrow, Tinman and Cowardly Lion. I won't tell any more on that, though. Heheheh... spoilers.
- Though if anyone really wants to know, let me know and I will make a separate post, or send an e-mail, so you can choose to view or not as you prefer. :D
But I will share that the reason I wound up going to this particular show is because my sister is a fanatic and insisted... that aside her primary reason is because January 9th was the last performance of lead role, 2004 Tony award winning Idina Menzel.
Of course, it was not the perfect exit with a final show full of improv and hijinx that tends to come with the territory of a farewell performance. (Though it did have it's surprises!) As we found out from previous (but apparently not widely broadcast) news passed on by the accompanying friend of my sister's (actress, fanatic and dramaqueen extradinaire, Thanks Jamie ;), Idina Menzel was not to act for her last day. In the second to last scene of the show the day before, wicked witch Elphaba melted... and in Idina's own words (see the letters on her website), really melted.
She slipped on the lowering platform and bruised her ribs (luckily it wasn't worse!). They'd rushed her to the hospital, and I heard the performance was on hold for 45 minutes while her understudy got into costume for the last scene and final song.
I'm sure there was a lot of disappointment, myself included. Although, unlike many others (my play-going companions included) I hadn't seen previous performances to compare, so despite expecting the brilliant talents of Ms. Menzel (who I've listening to seemingly endlessly on the cast recording.. and not all of my own choice), I got to see a very enlightening display of vocal excellence from her understudy and replacement Shoshana Bean. Even though it was clear part of her was nervous (and I was told she missed one of her exit cues), she did a fantastic job. I plan to try returning in a few months to see how she does once she really has had time to make that part her own.
Aside from this one surprising replacement, I also got to see a performance from a name I thought long gone and (at the time hopefully) forgotten. The male love interest of our two leading ladies was played by none other than ex-New Kids on the Block member Joey McIntyre. Let me tell you, folks, he was good!
The show itself was backed by a fantastic set with a huge (and I mean HUGE) dragon clock over the top, multileveled building bits with stairs framing the sides, and a variety of backdrops with both necessary images, and a rainbow collection of lights that simulated all possible times through the sky's illuminations. -- Did I mention that the curtain had a map of Oz on it? Yeah! With a glittery green image of the Emerald City in the middle.
Ok, since I really am trying not to give away anything about the actual storyline of this play, I should just jump now to the last part of this review: The excitement! After all, this was a final performance day. And not just for Idina, actually. After almost 6 months Joey McIntyre also left the show after Jan. 9th.
When the show ended, there was another 20 minutes of dedication to the two departing actors. Jennifer Laura Thompson, current Glinda the Good Witch who'd started the same day McIntyre did, gave the dedication speech. Not surprisingly, she mentioned remembering him as the member of the once popular boy band (NKOTB, if you've already forgotten. ;) as she was lifting her hair *insert overly mimed demonstration of the 80's big hair here*. "If you had told me then that I'd one day peforming on the same stage as Joey McIntyre, let alone making out with him, I probably would have fainted." (paraphrasing as best I can from her speech.)
Of course, on the return was McIntyre's skills in battling overwhelming emotion. "I.. it's just been so great being here and doing all this-- shit! .... Sorry for swearing. It's either that or I'm going to start crying." (again paraphrased, but you get the idea. :)
In all, very touching, but nothing comparing to Idina's farewell...
First, I need to back-up about 30 minutes... this would be about 20 minutes into the end of the performance, at about the start of the final scene. Cue Elphaba's entrance; see the up-until-then-absent Idina Menzel appearing where Shoshana Bean should be, dressed in a red sweatsuit (complete with matching red shoes) and her hair in a ponytail. Keep in mind, there were a LOT of people there just to see Menzel's final performance. Cue the 10 minutes of applause and catcalls. About halfway, when things seemed like they were going to calm down, Glinda/Thompson begins her next line: "My fellow Ozians... I love Idina Menzel!!" Certainly not a scripted line. Resume applause. (Yes, this was actually word for word. Not as difficult to remember. ;)
Menzel completed this last scene of the play, ironically picking up on the 9th where she'd left off the day before. She even managed to sing the last song-bit. That was touching. We hadn't actually gotten to the official farewells yet, and my sister and her friend were crying. I was faclempt, I'll admit it. ;)
The farewell dedication to her was also emotional. The director came out to talk about her and how much she'd meant to the show, cast and crew. While her character ends the show an outcast, Idina was left with an invitation to return to Wicked any time she wished. Menzel herself spent this part of the speech hand in hand with Thompson, front and center, trying not to cry. When attention was turned back to her for her final words, she stood there for a few minutes sniffling then said simply. "I've loved being here and working with everyone.... Thank you (all?)." before she retreated behind the rest of the cast.
*sniffle* She's off to record the movie version of Rent as Maureen. Maybe they'll bring her back if they decide to do the same for Wicked.
In all a worthwhile performance, even if it did run later than expected... I nearly missed my flight home. Eep!! But if you ever get the chance to go, do it!
So, part two of the babble and I must now dedicate time so I can post my comic tonight.
Ja ne!!
aniMeg
So, in case you hadn't read my previous post, (and didn't know) Wicked is based on the novel by Gregory Maguire and is The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (so says the novel's subtitle.) It's, briefly, Elphaba (the wicked witch)'s life from the start of school until her death at the hands of Dorothy and her friends. If you haven't see The Wizard of Oz probably none of this will really make any sense anyway. If you've read Maguire's novel, you will a lot of changes between that and the play (but he approved the play's story, so that's okay. :) You also get to see the growth of Glinda (or once Galinda) the Good Witch of the North and the origins of the Scarecrow, Tinman and Cowardly Lion. I won't tell any more on that, though. Heheheh... spoilers.
- Though if anyone really wants to know, let me know and I will make a separate post, or send an e-mail, so you can choose to view or not as you prefer. :D
But I will share that the reason I wound up going to this particular show is because my sister is a fanatic and insisted... that aside her primary reason is because January 9th was the last performance of lead role, 2004 Tony award winning Idina Menzel.
Of course, it was not the perfect exit with a final show full of improv and hijinx that tends to come with the territory of a farewell performance. (Though it did have it's surprises!) As we found out from previous (but apparently not widely broadcast) news passed on by the accompanying friend of my sister's (actress, fanatic and dramaqueen extradinaire, Thanks Jamie ;), Idina Menzel was not to act for her last day. In the second to last scene of the show the day before, wicked witch Elphaba melted... and in Idina's own words (see the letters on her website), really melted.
She slipped on the lowering platform and bruised her ribs (luckily it wasn't worse!). They'd rushed her to the hospital, and I heard the performance was on hold for 45 minutes while her understudy got into costume for the last scene and final song.
I'm sure there was a lot of disappointment, myself included. Although, unlike many others (my play-going companions included) I hadn't seen previous performances to compare, so despite expecting the brilliant talents of Ms. Menzel (who I've listening to seemingly endlessly on the cast recording.. and not all of my own choice), I got to see a very enlightening display of vocal excellence from her understudy and replacement Shoshana Bean. Even though it was clear part of her was nervous (and I was told she missed one of her exit cues), she did a fantastic job. I plan to try returning in a few months to see how she does once she really has had time to make that part her own.
Aside from this one surprising replacement, I also got to see a performance from a name I thought long gone and (at the time hopefully) forgotten. The male love interest of our two leading ladies was played by none other than ex-New Kids on the Block member Joey McIntyre. Let me tell you, folks, he was good!
The show itself was backed by a fantastic set with a huge (and I mean HUGE) dragon clock over the top, multileveled building bits with stairs framing the sides, and a variety of backdrops with both necessary images, and a rainbow collection of lights that simulated all possible times through the sky's illuminations. -- Did I mention that the curtain had a map of Oz on it? Yeah! With a glittery green image of the Emerald City in the middle.
Ok, since I really am trying not to give away anything about the actual storyline of this play, I should just jump now to the last part of this review: The excitement! After all, this was a final performance day. And not just for Idina, actually. After almost 6 months Joey McIntyre also left the show after Jan. 9th.
When the show ended, there was another 20 minutes of dedication to the two departing actors. Jennifer Laura Thompson, current Glinda the Good Witch who'd started the same day McIntyre did, gave the dedication speech. Not surprisingly, she mentioned remembering him as the member of the once popular boy band (NKOTB, if you've already forgotten. ;) as she was lifting her hair *insert overly mimed demonstration of the 80's big hair here*. "If you had told me then that I'd one day peforming on the same stage as Joey McIntyre, let alone making out with him, I probably would have fainted." (paraphrasing as best I can from her speech.)
Of course, on the return was McIntyre's skills in battling overwhelming emotion. "I.. it's just been so great being here and doing all this-- shit! .... Sorry for swearing. It's either that or I'm going to start crying." (again paraphrased, but you get the idea. :)
In all, very touching, but nothing comparing to Idina's farewell...
First, I need to back-up about 30 minutes... this would be about 20 minutes into the end of the performance, at about the start of the final scene. Cue Elphaba's entrance; see the up-until-then-absent Idina Menzel appearing where Shoshana Bean should be, dressed in a red sweatsuit (complete with matching red shoes) and her hair in a ponytail. Keep in mind, there were a LOT of people there just to see Menzel's final performance. Cue the 10 minutes of applause and catcalls. About halfway, when things seemed like they were going to calm down, Glinda/Thompson begins her next line: "My fellow Ozians... I love Idina Menzel!!" Certainly not a scripted line. Resume applause. (Yes, this was actually word for word. Not as difficult to remember. ;)
Menzel completed this last scene of the play, ironically picking up on the 9th where she'd left off the day before. She even managed to sing the last song-bit. That was touching. We hadn't actually gotten to the official farewells yet, and my sister and her friend were crying. I was faclempt, I'll admit it. ;)
The farewell dedication to her was also emotional. The director came out to talk about her and how much she'd meant to the show, cast and crew. While her character ends the show an outcast, Idina was left with an invitation to return to Wicked any time she wished. Menzel herself spent this part of the speech hand in hand with Thompson, front and center, trying not to cry. When attention was turned back to her for her final words, she stood there for a few minutes sniffling then said simply. "I've loved being here and working with everyone.... Thank you (all?)." before she retreated behind the rest of the cast.
*sniffle* She's off to record the movie version of Rent as Maureen. Maybe they'll bring her back if they decide to do the same for Wicked.
In all a worthwhile performance, even if it did run later than expected... I nearly missed my flight home. Eep!! But if you ever get the chance to go, do it!
So, part two of the babble and I must now dedicate time so I can post my comic tonight.
Ja ne!!
aniMeg