This is why I'm willing to go to NYC to see her if she takes over...I know a LOT of actresses that sound and seem completely different live than on CD (Idina Menzel anyone?) or youtube.

So, while I'm not a huge fan of her voice from that clip and others, I'm not forming an opinion just yet, as I haven't seen her live.

I've heard many recorings of Dee and i must say that I too would be dissapointed if she's next on Broadway.

My reason being is that i find her voice to be very bland. I was very bored when listening to her.
I know I musnt judge having not seen her live but when you live in Texas...it's kinda hard lol.

Unlike a certain standby... I like Dee's voice, it's pure and pretty, but there isn't a whole lot of power backing it up. That's my only complaint really.

I completely agree. I've never seen Dee live, but so far I'm not a fan of hers. I've never seen Shoshana or Stephanie or many any Elphabas but I'm a fan of them at the role. What I've seen of Dee does not really do it for me.

I have seen Dee more than any other Elphaba I've ever seen. (probably at least 20 times?) And she is my favorite. I absolutely love her.

--Her voice is the best I've heard of all the Elphaba's I've seen (and live, not any recording, because I don't think you can make fair judgements). It's so amazing and strong and gorgeous. A very clear solid tone. Very nice to listen to.
--Her acting is great. I don't think she's bland at all. I know Kristy Cates was more of a "funny" Elphaba, where Dee plays the role more serious. I like, if you don't, than that's your opinion.
--And at the stage door (not that this matters a whole lot, but it does)she is SUPER sweet. Always willing to stop and chat and sign stuff and take pictures. Never seemed rude or in a rush to get out of there and very humble.

I guess, I will just wait to hear what the NYC show veterans have to say about her, when and if she takes over.

I'm going to jump on the bandwagon here. I've not seen her live, but that doesn't mean that I can't say I'm not enchanted. I never saw Julia live, but I still maintain that I believe she's the best Elphaba in Wicked's history. So I figure if I can say that, I can say this.

Beyond that, though... the video posted earlier alone demonstrates one of the reasons that I'm not a huge fan. The song seems inorganic, as do the riffs (except for that "I'm flying high one," which was a rare and delightful liberty from Ms. Roscioli). I know many people go crazy over that "western sky" riff she added during her second run (and does in this video), but it drives me insane because it's not genuine and is so forced and deliberate. The odd spacing of the notes makes it almost not even sound like a riff. Many others have done that very riff but spaced the notes in such a way that it does sound organic and lovely, but this one sounds like a riff for the sake of a riff. The same goes for the "kiss me good-bye" riff that so many seem to love. On the whole, her delivery of the score is somewhat by the book... and not in the sense that she sticks to the notes (which she does), because I'm not at all suggesting she should riff. In fact, I think she's one of the ones who is best-served by sticking mostly to the score. However, it's very metered, for lack of a better word... it sounds like she's singing the notes and not singing the SONG. Does that make sense? The words and music are there, but the delivery leaves a lot of the emotion out or underplays it. In addition, when she does take liberties, they need to be taken carefully and where they are most effective. She has such a beautiful voice and such an expressive face that I feel she is not doing herself justice.

I've heard many people say that she lacks stage presence and that she seems very humble. The very humble part is GREAT, especially from someone so phenomenally talented. However, I wonder if all this results from a certain lack of confidence. I have to wonder if the reason that she performs the way she does is due to that lack of confidence. If so, that's sweet, but I do wish she would embrace what a gem she is and really go for it, which is still something I've yet to see her do. I was a HUGE Dee as standby fan and pretty much thought she hung the moon... but then when she became lead, it felt like she stayed at the caliber of a really exceptional standby instead of the phenomenal lead I know she's capable of being. All in all, I'm not saying I don't want Dee to go to Broadway, I'm just saying I really want to see her embrace the character and her own talent and go for broke with both if she were to do so. I think she would be mind-blowing if she did because, again, she appears to be a woman with unbelievable potential... the question just remains as to whether or not she would.

Just a little addition to my opinion of her singing, I feel like she sometimes over pronounces certain words. It's extremey important to have tall vowel shapes when singing, but I feel like she often overdoes it to a point where she sounds like she's either singing in an extremely proper choir or like she's trying to be slightly British. I personally find it slightly annoying.

Dee is a very strong singer. My sister saw her and her husband saw her in January and they thought her voice was amazing. Her acting isn't the strongest, but I really enjoy her Act I portrayal.

I think Dee's acting is the way it is because she's playing it awkward, like Elphaba is an awkward person. I like that very much. Her voice is too pretty, but it sounds the same now as it did when she began, which is amazing considering she's been Elphaba almost constantly since then.

All of this talk of her performance, you'd think we were in Dee's Performer Analysis Thread!
I love Dee's voice and would be extremely happy for her if she does get the Broadway position.

It does seem interesting (suspicious?) that both are in New York now when presumably whomever she (they?) are will already be rehearsing, AND that they sang that song together this week.

Hmmmm....

I think what a lot of people forget is the fact that the people in the show are there to get a job done, not to impress fans with riffs and whatever else they're looking to find. Say you were seeing wicked for the first time EVER, without knowing anything about it before hand, which is the majority of people who go to see the show. Whatever that elphaba does they're probably going to think is great, unless they are completely torn up about the fact they have a disliking for their voice or something which is usually not the case. Dee is able to tell the story and its solid. She is sincere and the defintion of a professional. No she doesnt fly away from the original score too much, but for most people thats ok. Whether you think her voice is boring or not, it is pure no doubt about that and all elphaba's are different when it comes to acting, but like I mentioned earlier, they all get the point across. Sometimes dissapointing to fans, but they leave the people who have never seen it before beyond speechless.

"Give them your heart, that's the only thing you can do. Just give them your heart and you cant go wrong." ~Dee

While I don't have strong feelings one way or the other about Dee, I feel the need to say that "getting the point across" is the absolute minimum of an acceptable performance, and Broadway actors really ought to do more than a simply adequate job.

Ditto. I was just thinking the same thing.

I don't know anything about this Julia Murney rumor, and haven't experienced much from many of the actresses who've played Elphaba including Ms. Murney, but based on what I've read on this forum, I'd like to see her. I'm sure whoever follows Ms. Parker will be great.

I'm sure whoever is the replacement will do a wonderful job, but if the replacement is in fact Dee, I probably won't make much of an effort to get to the Gershwin and see her unless I either won the lotto or at the most got a partial view seat.

Ya know, I had no idea that people on hear really didn't like Dee. Granted there are some who don't, there is a true pack of Dee-haters and it's really unnecessary, UNLESS you haven't seem her, DONT JUDGE her. I have seen Victoria Matlock and Dee live and let me tell you, they kick @$$ live! If she does indeed get picked, try her out and see.

I never said I hated her. I just don't feel the pull to spend $110-$125 to see her like I did with Kerry and Nicole. If I see her, it'll be either through means of a Lotto Win or partial view seat. I'm not very impressed with what I've seen of her and don't feel the need to spend a lot of money to go see her.

Just a reminder guys, this is the cast changes and rumors thread. As someone else stated, there is a separate Performer Analysis thread for Dee...if your comment is simply to analyze her, I recommend taking it there. That way, people don't have to wade through pages of opinions and analyses just to see what the latest cast change rumors are.

I have seen Dee 5 times. Shes my favorite. You CAN NOT judge someone by a video. It sounds COMPLETELY different live with ANY actor. Also the producers are not going to hire someone to be in the Broadway cast that isn't good. Its the place where tourists see the show. I repeat they WILL NOT hire someone that is bad to play one of the biggest leading roles on Broadway.

Also, I feel the need to remind people only to reference legal recordings on this site. If you're not talking about a cast recording, proshot, promotional videos, or something of that nature, then don't talk about/imply it here.

Because they can add as much reverb as they want in the theatre. If anything recordings provide a better idea of their actual voice because any vocal slipups aren't hidden behind a load of echo.

Thanks for pointing this out.

I am not singling anyone out with what I want to say. I have seen it in several posts. And I am not saying these comments were specifically aimed at my comments. But when someone tells me or anyone else....Don't...or...I cannot judge someone or something for this or that unless we have actually seen that someone or something live, I will respond by saying we can comment or say anything we wish to (as long as we are not flat out disrespectfully bashing someone, which I am vehemently against). It is called freedom of speech.

As far as my comments, and in reference to not being able to judge someone based on a video, I will refer back to one of the things I initially wrote:
...Having said this....I will still go and see her perform if she is chosen because I know many of you love and adore her, and seeing her perform live could very well change my mind. I would love for my feelings to be turned around after having seen her live...

I consider myself to be a pretty open-minded person but I will admit that I said I do not feel Ms. Roscioli is the best choice to go to Broadway. But as per above, I also said I would still give her the benefit of my doubts by going to see her on Broadway regardless of my initial feelings. And I would pay the same price for tickets to see her as I have with Nicole and Marcie. I will be the first to admit that initial impressions can be wrong. I have had personal experience with this and that is why I will pay top price to see her live.

And just to clarify....My comments were based on the rumors posted regarding Ms. Roscioli being the individual who will most likely replace Nicole in the role.

Sorry to reiterate Ashley's post, but don't forget that a lot of what's being said belongs in the Performer Analysis thread for Dee.

Playbill.com has an interview up with Anneliese van der Pol, and this was included:

"Playbill.com: Of course, you're busy with Vanities right now, but are there any other projects coming up for you?
AVDP: I've had a lot of auditions out here, which are going well. I had my fourth Wicked callback. It was for Glinda. The funny role. I might stay out here and see what happens."

She doesn't mention which production, but I'm assuming Broadway?

http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/arti...ese_van_der_Pol

Hmmm....I've never heard her sing anything soprano....but I could definitley see her in the bubble dress.

OMG. I would kill for her to do it, if Laura is not promoted... not even kidding. Of course, I'd love Kristen Bell as Glinda but she needs to stick with Heathers. LOL.

Vanities also ends on Alli's scheduled last show... the timing is just about perfect... hmm.

^She would be amazing!!! Interesting....it would be stunt casting, but not because she immensely talented!

I wouldn't say it'd be stunt casting at all. She started out as a stage actress long before Disney. My 8th grade choir teacher did Evita with her.

Well true, bust most people wouldn't know that. They probably would just recognize her from That's So Raven.

I'd love Kristen Bell as Glinda, too...though I've never heard her soprano and never seen her on stage. I just love her. So much.

Anneliese van der Pol would definitely be an interesting choice...and to hear that she had her fourth callback...very interesting.

OH I could see Anneliese as Glinda, possibly but I kind of would rather like to see her Elphaba. She seems like she could be a great one.

I'd love to have Anneliese play Glinda. It'd be great to see if she brings personality to the role.

Lindsay should get promoted after Alli leaves. It won't happen. ;_;

^*sigh* I KNOW! God, I need to see Lindsay!

They have been some actresses who've played Glinda after playing Belle like Dianne Pilkington, Anneleane Beechy, and Christina DeCicco.

Annaliese van der Pol? Wonder how she'll deal with the fans at stagedoor considering she couldn't handle a bunch of kids.

^ What do you mean? lol

She was known for being a major diva at the BATB stagedoor, like literally running out and past people, not signing and reducing kids to tears. I'm all about "sd doesn't affect their performance" but there's also something called common courtesy hence we say please and thank you and don't just grunt at people. I never understood why she didn't just go out a different exit. I don't think there's been anyone like that in Wicked before is all. Nevertheless I'm sure she'd be great, she has an amazing voice.

^ No there have been rude Wicked people at the SD, like Michael Seelbach. Anyway, i find that hard to believe. Annaliese seems like a sweetheart. I'd love to see her as Glinda

I wouldn't doubt seeing Anneliese in Wicked anytime soon. I'm so curious to know how she'd play Glinda. Exciting stuff.

I think she sorta would look like Natalie Daradich as Glinda, no?

I dunno, I heard it happened over the course of her run in B&TB. My guess is she got complacent. She seemed pretty infamous for it, so much so people speculated stuff about clauses in her contract regarding stagedoor. I've just never heard of a Elphaba/Glinda actress being like that and considering fans are pretty heavy on the stagedoor...

I saw Michael several times and he was never rude..?

But I would like to her play Galinda, although she would also make a good Elphaba. But that's too bad if she is divaish, especially to little kids.

This definitely is not going to happen, but I am by no means asking this question to be meant as a joke. I am truly interested in reading what you all think.

If Natalie Maines did not have such a country accent, do you think she could pull off the Elphaba role vocally?

Hmm...I could see her more as a Glinda...but that's probably because she has blonde hair.

I don't know if this should be replied to your comment or not but, Broadway actors are not getting paid to be nice/ talk to people at the stage door. They are getting paid to act and sing. I am all for stage door and for them being nice, but if someone doesn't stop and sign or talk that doesn't mean that they are mean or rude. Anneliese could very well not be a people person. I don't know. But there not there to be nice to people at the SD. They are there to be an actor.

I think vocally defiantly. Being a huge Dixie Chicks fan....there are some of there songs where she can nail high notes. Not Glinda high but defiantly Elphaba. Would she ever audition or get the part probably not. She has little kids and is still part of the Dixie Chicks!

When I saw Anneliese in BATB she was very, very sweet. She was shy and little overwhelmed. I think she could play either Glinda or Elphaba in Wicked. Her belt is really strong, but I'm not sure about her higher notes.

My personal feelings are that it isn't a matter of not getting paid to do things for fans at stage door. With Wicked, it is just what these actors do on a very consistent basis, and have been doing from the start. And I have no doubt whatsoever that they do it because they genuinely care about the fans who go to see the show...not because they are getting paid. If someone wants to feel above doing that then fine. But, to me, it shows very little character. And I am not singling out this lady...I am just speaking in generality.