Full cast except for Anthony Galde as Witch's Father/Ozian Official.
OKAYOKAYOKAY. So my friend Courtney and I bought tickets to the show separately, and it turned out she had BB6 and I had BB5! I'm going to go song by song.
I want to begin by saying Nicole had to adjust her start date because she was out in LA filming a movie. She got back to NY last night and hadn't rehearsed for a week (this was per Anthony Galde at the SD).
NOMTW: ILOVEALLIMAUZEY. I got to hear the Alli high note! I could tell she was doing it--she didn't sing the last "WICKED" but her mouth as half-open, and then out came the high note and it was GORGEOUS!
DOS: The moment I had been waiting for! Nicole ran out and the first thing I thought was..."Wow..she looks like Nicole Parker...only green." I mean obviously she would since she IS Nicole Parker, but it was great. For anyone that cares, she sings along with the ensemble. Her acting right off the bat was phenomenal! I was waiting for a line flub in this scene, since the dialogue moves so quickly but it never happened. Alli was extra perky and I don't want Brynn to ever leave
TWAI: This was it. I knew it was make-or-break here. Nicole definitely took nods from Marcie. Her voice was a little shaky, but the poor girl was actually shaking when she came out. Throughout the show some of her notes weren't very solid, but one can tell she'll eventually find her footings. She'll never be an amazing Broadway belter, but her acting makes up for it. Honestly, she is so sincere and acting wise is my favorite Elphaba. She did better on the loud, belty notes than she did on the lower, quieter parts. Honestly, I think she needs to use her head voice a little more, and I think she may realize that soon.
WITF: I think Nicole was a little off timing here, but the only vocal faltering I heard here was that one time Alli sang up to a note that was a step lower. Their chemistry is AMAZING. Her mockery of Galinda is hilarious. It's actually amazing how Nicole embodies Elphaba...she just IMO does all of the right things. Ensemble was on fire.
Classroom Scene: I just have to note that major LOLPROPS go to Sarah Bolt who said "UM DID HE CALL ON YOU? NO!" after Nicole said "From what I've read it began with the Great Drought."
DTL: Only Elphaba to actually look startled by Fiyero's cart=Nicole Parker. She picks up her book and legitimately slams it AND KICKS Fiyero's carriage. It just completely worked! Again, I really love Kevin Kern. I'm sad he's leaving because I do believe he brings a lot more to the character than Aaron Tveit does. His vocals are phenomenal and he's just really an all around amazing, but different Fiyero. The whole number is really one of my favorites. Alli and Kevin were definitely talking out of character...it as about something Alli "always does" and Kevin "just noticed it today." I'm liking Alex's Boq a little more now that I've seen him from the front row. Nicole really looks devastated when she walks into the Ozdust and Alli and Nicole again have outstanding chemistry.
Popular: Again, I can't NOT crack up when Alli screams into her pillow after "Fiyero and I are going to be married." AGAIN, Nicole was amazing here. She really knows how to play off her fellow actors and I really do believe that Alli was trying to break Nicole but IT DIDN'T WORK. I was on the phone with Christy and she reminded me that Nicole did spend 7 years on MadTV, and you can't really break character and laugh on that show. I love Alli's "Popular" sososo much. "Seriously" was in again today, and I think she is going to keep it in! My favorite thing about Alli is that she doesn't play to the audience, she stays true to the character. If she's feeling especially perky that day, she adds it to Galinda.
Lion Cub/INTG: I'm still amazed at how Nicole made every entrance on time and didn't really have any trouble with her lines. She looked VERY startled when Fiyero was standing there...Nicole's Elphaba is in her own world at that "toss toss" point. Her comedic timing is exquisite. I knew it would be good but it far surpassed my expectations. She knows the perfect way to deliver a line and doesn't step on applause from a joke. INTG itself was a little rough...she had a hard time hitting the note at the end...she eventually found it though.
Train Station/OSD: Train Station was good...I mean you all know I'm going to say something about Nicole's acting! Haha. OSD though...vocally Nicole stood out and she did the riff Marcie did on "Wander and enjoy." She found her footing here vocally and really kept it until the end of the show.
Levitation Spell: OMG. TEARS, PEOPLE. NICOLE WAS CRYING when she found out what had happened and how she was set up. My mouth was actually open...I have never seen an Elphaba look so devastated, and Elphaba SHOULD look very devastated.
DG: It was good. She was shining here. She tried a few Marcie riffs (because she watched her the most), one or two didn't really go well, but she's finding it. However I was completely blown away by her ending. She was ON! She definitely got into the moment. She was a little late and said "let her go" instead of "it's not her" but she was FIERCE once she as in the air. She did Eden's "Tell them how I" and rocked it...I was shaking...it was really incredible.
TG: I love Alli's transformation. It's so completely visible. This is definitely Alli's 11:00 number...her belting and her soprano is the best I've ever heard on a Glinda. Her final note is so solid that I think one day she'll sing the optional high note at the end of that song too.
WWOTE: I REALLY REALLY don't want Brynn O'Malley to leave. She is such a fantastic Nessarose and she (IMO) blows Cristy out of the water. Her interaction with Nicole was really great. Nicole plays so many emotions in this scene. One thing I can't stand about Alex is that when he enters, he doesn't look up quick enough, so Elphaba just awkwardly stands there and waits for him to see her instead of her not being able to get into the wardrobe on time.
Wonderful: LOVE PJ. Didn't love him on tour but I really enjoy him now. Again, Nicole went through this scene without flubbing lines or anything. Her speech about once believing in the Wizard is done through tears. Like she's remembering the innocent days. Elphaba is slowly breaking down and longs for companionship and Nicole really brings that element to life more than anyone I've seen.
ALAYM: HOLY CRAP! Nicole was like...a total different person here! Vocally pure and perfect and threw in little riffs. Her voice blended so well with Kevin's and I'm again really disappointed that Kevin was only a temporary replacement, but I'm glad I got to see him three times.
Catfight: Nicole landed EVERY joke. Her facial expressions are priceless...ranging from disgust to complete mockery of Glinda. Her cackle was creative...she cackled and then added a little bit of comedy to it. Alli really looks like she's slapping her Elphabas. So much that sometimes I think she actually is. Wand twirl tonight was good...but after Tuesday I was half expecting it to knock me out.
NGD: This was definitely Nicole's weakest song. You could tell she was getting into the moment, and most of the song was pretty strong until the very end. She started strong but ran out of air, and tried desperately to get another "Again" in there a la Lisa but the orchestra cut off and right after there was SILENCE from the audience. A very delayed applause. That was the worst moment of the show. Later at the stage door Nicole was like "I'll work on NGD guys! Sorry about that!" and I told her that it didn't matter because she covered so well.
FG: Again, every single joke landed. She was FURIOUS. When Nicole gets the note from Fiyero, she glances quickly at it, then looks at Glinda and moves away...like she sees the part about it being a secret and makes sure Glinda can't see the note at all. For Good was very emotional, I could only see Nicole from my seat, but tears were running down her face.
Curtain Call was so nice. Every company member was clapping toward Nicole (including Alli) and she was visibly very touched. Even Alex and Brynn looked over when the cast came together and gave her a congratulatory nod. You really can tell that Nicole is loved with the company, and I fell in love with her portrayal.
All in all, Nicole will probably take a while to get herself into the character and the eight-show schedule down. I won't be surprised if she calls out this week. It's a hard role and I hope people cut her some slack! Plus, it'll give Julie a few more shows before she leaves.
Curtain Call!
You can see the tears on Nicole's face. I was so touched by her curtain call.
Stage Door:
Despite how freezing it was (SO COLD) the entire cast came out. Only about six people were at the SD. We talked to Tony Galde who said Nicole is the nicest person the company has ever had...(right after curtain the entire cast screamed for Nicole...I could hear it from my seat) and apparently Nicole was moved to tears by the gesture and hugged everyone in the cast! Also apparently, the entire company is blown away by her acting so it's not just me! Alli was adorable, and she said she's been sick for a while, but you could never tell. Nicole came out and I told her how much I enjoyed her performance and she asked my name and told me to come back to see a more vocally polished performance. She was SO nice and SO appreciative!
She sounds wonderful.
She sounds like she's going to be awesome in a couple of months. I never wanted to see her until your stupid little review. 
What with my SF and SD plans, that's out of the question, though! 