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On The Short Bus
 


Registered: 12-2007
Posts: 235
Karma: 0 (+1/-1)
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My Wicked Tour Review


Wicked National Tour
February 28, 2008 8:00 P.M.


Image

Cast:
Glinda: Katie Rose Clarke
Witch's Father: Paul Slade Smith
Witch's Mother: Lori Holmes
Midwife: Renee Lawless-Orsini
Elphaba: Carmen Cusack
Nessarose: DeeDee Magno Hall
Boq: Brad Weinstock
Madame Morrible: Alma Cuervo
Dr. Dillamond: Tom Flynn
Fiyero: Clifton Hall
The Wizard: Lee Wilkof
Chistery: Kyle Hill


My third time seeing the show, and, by far the best yet. This was my second time here in Cleveland with this fantastic cast. I sat in the third row, house left. On to the review!

Act I

No One Mourns the Wicked

The music really pulled me into the show again. This has always been one of my favorite songs. The Idina witch thing was really awesome. I noticed a lot of ensemble members had their swings on, but hey rocked it! One thing I thought of, and I noticed last time too, was that the orchestra was really loud and sometimes overpowered the performers. My family ultimately started scattered entrance applause for Katie. She was so beautiful up in that bubble. Her singing is so pure and just flows wonderfully. She truly looked sad but trying to hid it. It was also cool to spot Boq, Nessa, Fiyero, and etc. hidden.

Dear Old Shiz
There was insane applause for Carmen. She sparkled, and I noticed this last time, she actually sang the song too. I enjoyed it. Since I’ve seen the show so few times, I always catch fun little things. Katie came out just in time and the audience loved her. She is so funny and delivers all the lines perfectly. Alma almost seems to have a Scottish accent… something I discovered. Lol. Brad is so hilarious with his nerdy movements. And DeeDee is just great with her twisted feet.

The Wizard and I
Carmen is the best Elphaba ever, next to Eden. Her voice flows out of nowhere and keeps coming like bottomless refills! She has a huge, powerful voice and is never sharp or off. She moved around the stage quite a bit. Her “With meeeeeeeEeEeEeEEEEEE” riff is so great and almost sounds digital. Her “things I’ve never felt” was very original and she owns it. The clapping at the end went on forever and ever. Go Carmen!

What Is This Feeling
I love how we haven’t seen Glinda for a few minutes, so it’s really great to see her come back and have the audience just bursting in laughter at all of her movements and things. Carmen’s “Blonde” was just hilarious. This whole song, really, was due to their amazing chemistry and great acting. A lot of their gestures are hard to explain but things from butt bumping, makeup mirrors, and everything. I love this ensemble- they are such fun to watch.

Something Bad
This scene is not one bit boring to me. I do occasionally find myself watching the students rather Doctor Dillamond though. Katie has us roaring from the “GA-linda.” The lunch part was sad. L I really like how the two connect, both being outsiders. Tom is a very funny person, so all he did was wonderful. He’s one of the better Dillamonds.

Dancing Through Life

Last time I saw Cliffton, I wasn’t very impressed but this time he was on. He singing is different, but very good. I’m not a fan of the new choreography. I always loved when Fiyero and Glinda would kind of kneel down during “Nothing matters, but knowing nothing matters.” Brad is such a great Boq. I really feel for Nessarose when the others are dancing, and she just watching longingly. Cliffton was out of breath from dancing so hard that his singing got sort of broken, but he still did great. Brad was also tying his shoe during the party.
Deedee voice is really beautiful too. It is really a shame how she doesn’t get to use it more in the show because she is fantastic. One of Glinda’s friends Pfanee or ShenShen (I can’t remember) got sick during this song and disappeared. It was weird during Carmen’s dance that just one girl stood there. I also noticed Kyle Dean Massey and Andrew Madsen weren’t really dancing. But everything did awesome.

Popular
Katie was on FIRE! She is very reminiscent of Kristin and also a little Megan Hilty with her craziness. It was sort of relaxed, but sort of hyper. She was running around, and making weird noises. It wasn’t as insane as Megan though. She used the “fourth wall” as a mirror to check herself out in. It was hilarious. When she was done with the lipstick she chucked it at the bed, and it flew across the stage so she ran over to get it. Katie made up for the loss of time but twirling around in circles. She started stretching by the shoes and said “Woah.. Dizzy!” She was constantly adlibbing hilarious little things. I absolutely love her. Carmen can really hold in laughter well. The toss-toss was so funny. Carmen can imitate Katie so fantastically with the line.

I’m Not that Girl
Cliffton does a funny Katie impression too. Carmen’s voice was so pure and refined during this song. The low notes poured out with ease. She genuinely looked sad and her acting was great. The green looked great, again!

One Short Day
The train station was funny. It really reminds me of the novel for some reason. Katie sort of got teary eyed. After the name change (which was great). The lights just popped and the women behind me went, “WOW!” Carmen came out earlier than Katie, so she ran over. Once again, the ensemble just rocked.

Sentimental Man
Lee actually got this huge entrance applause not started by me! He was smiling ear to ear. Lee is so funny. His singing was better than last time. The people behind me kept going, “He’s so cute.” It was funny. Was Carmen really chanting? I sounded just like Idina. Lol
Alma’s line about doing something for the Wizard, and he’ll do something for you- or however it goes was sort of... risqué.

Defying Gravity
This number was amazing. Carmen’s passion really bled through here, and she sort of overpowered Katie at some point, but this was really about Elphaba. Alma’s speech was insanely good. The set still amazes me here too. Carmen just belted everything out, and the clapping after the perfect face-flash was overflowing.

Act II

No One Mourns Reprise/ Thank Goodness
Wow, they just suck you right back into the show after that quick 15 minutes. All the green was just popping right at me. The few soloists had great voices. This is my favorite song, and they did not disappoint.

Katie Rose was beautiful in her singing and everything at this point. A lot of people were laughing at the, “Surprised? Yes,” line. Alma’s microphone wasn’t working during her solo. L It was disappointing. Katie’s voice just connects and everything about it seems right.

The Wicked Witch of the East
I love this scene so much. Carmen in the closet was frightening. Brad was acting all dreary and people still saw he was at Nessarose’s side. It was sad. Deedee… wow! She is the greatest. Brad’s singing was awesome too- cuz he’s such an awesome guy! I’m so mad this song isn’t on the CD, but I understand. Carmen’s chanting below Deedee just blended so beautifully. But Deedee was so powerful and somber. Her words flowed together on “TheWickedWitchOoooOOOOF the East!” My mom, grandma, and brother were the only ones that clapped.

Ballroom/ Wonderful
These particular costumes are really beautiful. Lee was really simple with his gestures and little things that he did. Personally, they spiced up a sleeper song. Carmen’s singing was relieving to hear for some reason. Cliffton came running on and the whole bit with Glinda was sad.

I’m Not That Girl Reprise
Katie had a more mature vibe to her singing at this point. It was really pretty, and she had no trouble with the low note. This is another of my favorites, and she shined very brightly.

As Long As You’re Mine
The theatre got hot at this part. Carmen was so passionate and innocent at the beginning here. Cliffton’s voice was better here, and his falsetto was awesome. They kept on touching each other, and making it seem so real. Her part overpowered the harmony at the end, but you couldn’t tell.

Catfight
Katie Rose Clarke really knows how to deliver a line. Everything she did was quick and witty. There was some adlibbing during the wand twirling. Carmen was really angry here- you could really tell she was almost over the edge to becoming truly Wicked. The slaps were almost real.

No Good Deed
This is henceforth the official Carmen song, because she is absolutely fierce here. We don’t have a trapdoor, so she runs on stage. I didn’t mind. Carmen had this evil passion inside of her that officially made my night. There were some new riffs in here that can be trademarked to her now. The final note was so long and powerful. She sort of has Julia Murney characteristics.

March of the Witch Hunters
This song is another of my favorites. The ensemble just bursts with anger and thirst for killing Elphaba. Alma was really nasty to Katie. She was on the verge of pushing her off the platform they were on. lol. Brad did fantastic here too. The way they slam their rakes, and picks on the stage is wonderful!

For Good
Everything about this was beautiful. I heard some sniffling in the crowd, and Katie’s singing was so pretty, as was Carmen’s. The harmonies always get me sad, because I realize the show is almost over. This song means a lot to me because of what’s going on in my life right now. Katie was almost crying, but Carmen was very composed.

Finale
It was really eerie. The singing and Katie’s soprano was great. Our replacement for the trapdoor was this funny little well. It worked out fine though. When Carmen came out, the applause was wild. Katie had an awesome face flash as you all call it.

Stage Door
My twin brother and I, I have a twin if you didn’t know that, ran out the side door to get to the stage door. Right when we got there, this woman was standing there smoking saying, “You shouldn't have run. They’ll be awhile.” We just smiled since we were excited. We were the only ones there the entire time.
Lee came out on a bike and we said “Great job!” He went, “Thanks, but my voice is feeling hoarse.” My brother then shouted to him, “We couldn’t even tell.” He then said really confused, “Really?” We just nodded. He’s such a nice guy.

Tom Flynn then came out. He was really nice we talked to him about his benefit called “Our Wicked, Wicked Ways” that we went to Monday. He talked to us for maybe ten minutes. It was great. He was asking us questions, and we took a picture.

Next out were Brad Weinstock and Andrew Madsen. They both signed, and we talked to him about his nerd dance and tying his shoe. He was really nice and we told him he did great in the benefit too. After him came a group of ensemble girls- Renee Lawless-Orsini, Meredith Clarke, and someone else who I forget her name. They said- “Twins!” They started to walk away when my brother said, “Can you guys sign?” They got really excited and said, “Of course, all you have to do is ask.” They were so great. I love making ensemble members feel good. We complimented Renee on how well she did on Monday too and she was impressed we remembered. I’m regretting not asking for a picture.

We waited around for a long while until Cliffton, Deedee, Kaeden, and Darlene (Deedee’s sister) came along. I talked to Deedee and my brother to Cliffton. I mentioned about us clapping after WwotE and she was like “Oh, stop.” She was very kind. I said hi to Kaeden and he was extremely shy and tired looking. Cliffton was making a bunch of twin jokes. It was great. He told us, “We are contracted though May, and if they want the Hall family to continue, we’ll see.” We also took two pictures.

Finally out were Carmen and Katie. Carmen was clutching this adorable puppy, Roadie. Suddenly in the midst of our compliments, Katie says, “I remember ya’ll!” Carmen then said, “Oh yes, didn’t I receive a photo of you? It’s inside, I just haven’t gotten around to signing.” How awesome is that!? They both remembered us. We took a picture and talked some more. It was amazing.

When we were leaving, Katie waved to us from the car that she was in with Carmen. Finally when the rounded the corner, Carmen waved. It made my life. Best stage door experience ever!

Thanks for reading my long review. If there is anything you don't understand... this was originally on Witches of Oz. So it was for some of the crazy people there. If you have any questions.. feel free.

---
Set by Emma. On WoO.
3/11/2008, 9:55 pm Link to this post email   pm
 
spouzic Profile
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Female Authority Figure
 

Runboard user emeritus

Registered: 04-2003
Location: Hell
Posts: 536
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Re: My Wicked Tour Review


wow, what a review! i may just be inspired to see this show again!
3/12/2008, 12:24 am Link to this post email   pm aim msn yahoo blog
 
MissBaltimoreCrabs Profile
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Council President
 


Registered: 09-2007
Posts: 381
Karma: 1 (+1/-0)
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Re: My Wicked Tour Review


wow that was a great review! i wish the wicked tour was coming to my town.. but sadly it doesnt. emoticon

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I AM NOW A CHECKERBOARD CHICK!!!
3/12/2008, 5:00 pm Link to this post email   pm
 
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On The Short Bus
 


Registered: 09-2007
Posts: 106
Karma: 0 (+0/-0)
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Re: My Wicked Tour Review


Wow, that looks like a great review... I can't read it right now, though... lol.
3/16/2008, 8:52 pm Link to this post email   pm
 
Dmrockon09 Profile
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On The Short Bus
 


Registered: 12-2007
Posts: 235
Karma: 0 (+1/-1)
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Re: My Wicked Tour Review


Thank you guys for reading it. The cast is awesome. Go see them! lol


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Set by Emma. On WoO.
3/16/2008, 10:17 pm Link to this post email   pm
 


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