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TG: I missed the third TG because I was out in the hall after using the restroom at intermission. It was fun because I got to explain to everyone outside what was going on, since the clueless usher was no help. But anyway. Okay so, typically, this is my Glinda-deciding song. Like...Act One for me is usually ALL about my Elphies. But I'd already decided I completely adored Michelle so a lot of pressure was basically taken off of her (not that she knew it, obviously XD). But she still totally nailed it. It was clear that her Glinda had entirely taken on the responsibility of being a public figure. Her means of dealing with Elphaba's departure was to do everything she knew how to do to immerse herself in politics, because, hey, with power, anything's possible. Even getting her best friend back. So when Fiyero tells her to leave and Glinda says she can't, it's not because of the Ozians at all, really. It's because this is all she knows how to do to get what she wants, and Glinda is nothing if not stubborn. Truly heartbreaking to watch though, especially since she doesn't know how to articulate it to Fiyero. After he left, she spent the end of the song all three times basically on the verge of tears. It basically killed me. Yeah.
WWotE: Oh, I was so psyched for this song. It's one of my favourites in the show, as long as it's done well. And I knew by this point in the show that, with either cast, I was basically set. Lesley nailed this song all three times. I mean, seriously just blew me away. Her emotions were fantastic, her vocals were spot-on...I particularly enjoyed her delivery of "To keep you here with me." Like she was a little bit ashamed of it but a little bit hurt that he was saying all that stuff about her, like didn't he love her? Perfect. And okay Lesley's chemistry with Anne in this song was so sweet. Like you truly believed that they love each other, not because they're sisters but because they're friends, too. Or at least they were. Lesley's entire speech about their father was very clearly emoted from her own pain at being abandoned. And Anne's response wasn't borne of spite, it was a defense. Marcie played it similarly. She paused just a bit, like she was searching for an adequate response. When Boq says he's going to see Glinda, firstly, the audience laughed. All three shows. Which was just...WTF. Secondly, Anne was very outwardly soothing toward Lesley, reaching to cup her cheek across the table, hugging her, etc. Maybe a page from Marcie's Nessa-doting book. In any case, I approved. Sweet and heart-wrenching. Lesley's speech to Elphaba about not running off to Oz to save the monkeys was so desperate. She just wanted her sister to love her more than her cause for longer than a few seconds. She didn't want to be abandoned again. I have never seen that scene done quite so vulnerably. Sadness.
W: Eh. This song is one of my least favourites in the show. I understand it's required for plot purposes and all that jazz, but it's kind of boring to me, most of the time. It was done quite well on both sides. Marcie definitely was drawn in at the idea of not having to be the strong one anymore, because Marcie's ELphaba isn't really a strong person. I mean...she is, but it's because she has to be. Anne's Elphaba, on the contrary, is just naturally strong but gets stuck with so much she's staggering under the weight of it all and you can tell the idea of having a break is mesmerising. Marcie's so sad at being betrayed yet again, and Anne's just furious, both at herself and at the Wizard for being so manipulative. The Fiyero/Elphaba/Glinda reunion was extremely powerful, because all three characters (actually the Wizard, too) had been developed so much that it really hit home. Elphaba was still seething and nervous at being caught, but grateful to see her friends again. Glinda was torn between finally getting what she wanted and having it not turn out at all the way she'd been planning, giving her no control. Fiyero trying to keep the peace and be honest and do what he's been longing to do since Shiz. The Wizard caught, probably for the first time since coming to Oz, with less power than just about anyone else in his chambers. Glinda's suggestion that they use Nessa as a trap is SO petulant. She truly doesn't think at all about the ramifications of her suggestion. It's just a way for her to a) get Elphaba back for betraying her and b) get Elphaba back so she can't go away again. Aw.
ALAYM: Um. Hotness. Both with Marcie and with Anne, basically. I mean, it was no Andy/Jenny...I don't think that will ever be topped. Marcie played this whole scene so completely bewildered that she could actually be wanted. I adore the vulnerability of her character. Anne was trying to discern what this new power meant, how to grasp this whole new set of feelings being presented to her. That's all you need to know.
Cornfield/Catfight: Heart.breaking. I mean, watching Marcie break down is just ugh. She's so guilt-ridden and so tired and so done with the whole situation. She's almost a little unhinged going after Glinda, and the slap serves to break her out of it. Anne's just furious. Like why can't her life make sense for once, why does everyone have to screw everything up for her. And she's trying so hard not to ruin things for herself, too, so it's easier to be angry. The slap causes mostly disbelief in her, because she's come to know how much power she holds and can't believe Glinda (or anyone else, really) would dare cross her right now. Sidenote that when the guards interrupted, the guard who went for Michelle lifted her clean off the stage. I don't know why, but I love when they can do that. I think because it's just a reminder of how much like a little girl Glinda still is at this point. For as much growing as she's done, she's still not completely a grown up. Michelle too (like Erin) delivered her line "He LOVES her" which changes the entire meaning of the scene. Yay for new things.
NGD: Okay. To be fair, no one in life will EVER even come CLOSE to Dee doing this song. I mean, the girl KILLS this song dead. But Anne nailed it. The staging is a little less impactful without the trap door in the stage to come out of or the stand to put the book on but it worked fine. Anne was VERY into the song, totally distraught and helpless and her entire world was just falling apart. Marcie was a wreck too, though I felt at times she was thinking more about her singing than the song itself. Totally understandable, given her health and things but yeah, it came through in this song. Perhaps it was for the best though, because it was probably the best she did, vocally, the entire show. I love the subtle riffs and note changes Anne does here, and while Marcie was playing it safe, she definitely did a few special things here and there to make up for her safer choices elsewhere. Anyone watching it for the first time would never have been anything short of blown-away.
MOTWH: Yay ensemble. The tail on tour is particularly large and also not mechanised. A stage hand was tugging on the other end of it. The Morrible/Glinda scene was out of view for me all three times but was not nearly as menacing as that one time forever ago that gave me chills. Meh.
FG: My heart, it was broken. Michelle did a fairly decent job keeping it together with Marcie. There were still parts where I could tell she was on the verge of tears. Marcie and Anne both sang "I'm limited" differently than I'd ever heard it. Very subtle difference but powerful. Michelle totally did a not so fantastic job with not crying with Anne. Totally makes sense knowing now that the two are very close off-stage. Anne kept her composure, true to the way she'd portrayed Elphaba for both shows. Elphaba was the rock. Also, I love tour. The producers are so much less likely to stick their noses in about blocking. There was a lot more interaction, physically, during this song than there's been on Broadway in quite a while. Not that it was over the top, because it certainly wasn't, but it wasn't restrained either. Michelle watching the melting was almost reminiscent of Annaleigh. She was actually sobbing by the time Chistery pulled the curtain back. I don't know how she held it together enough to get through the rest of the show.
Finale: Michelle up in her bubble...the show truly came full circle. Moreso than usual, at least for me. She was the perfect mix of sadness, determination, and responsibility. And she was clutching the Grimmerie like a lifeline. She paused on the "Fellow Ozians......friends..." and kind of glanced down at the book. I loved Anne and Marcie both turning around from following Fiyero off stage when Glinda started singing. Kind of like hearing Nessa's cries earlier at the end of ALAYM, they both turned and walked back to the front of the stage and sang their lines. It was the most struck I'd been by the finale in forever, which is really saying something. When the lights went down, I had to remember to breathe.
Um, other things of note...Nothing really, except there was BC/EFA speeches by Marilyn (Morrible). She's very good at that. Michelle and Marcie were holding hands through it. I...think that's it? And then we ran to stagedoor, which was mostly not worthy of noting more than usual, except for Anne being the nicest person ever (except for Lindsay who doesn't count because she's Lindsay), and being SUPER EXCITED to go on with Michelle as ELphaba and Glinda for like...the second and third (and fourth, after we left) time ever. And Michelle. My God, honestly the most gorgeous person I've ever seen...I may have been staring a little bit. YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN TOO. Just, trust me on that one. She's also incredibly sweet. We complimented her performance and she was all "Noooo, it's the dress! It has to be the dress." XD She also found it funny that she was listed for all three performances as being Glinda AND Nessa at the same time. That confused a lot of people. Go Landmark employees!
And so yeah. I'm re-in love with Wicked, like hardcore. Not so good. Oops. XD
This entry and the previous will be public until tomorrow only. Then they're getting locked up with the rest of them!