Just coming down from my cloud of finally seeing Wicked in Stuttgart last night and resting up in my hotel room with my friend Boo (lol watching Desperate Housewives in GERMAN!!), who just flew in yesterday direct from Australia, before seeing the Wicked FINALE tonight! The show for me was truly something extraordinary; being in another language for a start, seeing together with Boo FINALLY (several missed opportunities in Melbourne), and also due to the fact it's a production I have dreamed of seeing for what seems an eternity in Wicked time! While I was initially disappointed Willemijn was pulled from the final shows we had booked for, Roberta was wonderful to see and especially her NGD which was outstanding. There were moments during the show where I was a little dazed (the beginning of a head cold and having seen a multitude of shows back to back in London; Wicked, Hairspray, Priscilla, Sister Act, Lion King, Legally Blonde, as well as, Tanz de Vampire in Oberhausen the night before), I was on a natural high for the fact I was sharing the experience with a dear friend and being part of the Wicked Fan Club experience.

We briefly met Thomas (organiser) prior to the show to receive our tickets (such an amazing person for what he has done for Wicked fans!), and were treated like VIP's at the after party by the fans, TV crew who were filming the event and also the cast who joined the party. There were many fans who flew in from around Europe, and it was wonderful to meet so many like minded fans in person. The "real" Nessa came to say to us who will be on tonight and I could not believe how multi-national this production is with actors from all over the world....I expected mostly Europe but not so. Anyway, back to the show...we had Bero, understudy Fiyero and understudy Nessa...name escapes me atm and while I was not fussed with Bero's character portrayal (my eternal search for a swoon worthy Fiyero), seemed a little wooden acting wise. Although he was quite passionate and hands on during ALAYM...lol a COMPLETE contrast to seeing the show in London where Fiyero was, for lack of a better word, frigid! Ha and the temperature is much colder here in Germany with all the snow..must be that European blood!

Lucy was an absolute treat and I LOVED her. She is without a doubt the best Glinda I have seen thus far (I still think our Australian Glinda is the perfect Glinda looks wise and loved Dianne's regal interpretation in seeing the show in London)...the fact that Lucy really gets the character on another level...girly girl but those little nuances (lol her fingers and those eye glances say so much more), showing a manipulative nature and quite the villainous creature in using her looks and stature to get what she wants...ALL coated in sugar sweetness...seeming all too innocent! She also captured a side of Glinda is hinted at in the novel...a love of Elphaba leaning towards a more romantic nature (witnessed in Popular and For Good with how close and in your face she was with Roberta in the way looked at her and her gentle touches). For Good had me in tears as both the girls were in tears themselves and both Boo and I were truly moved by the song....it's one I have been affected by a few times (Carmen's interpretation especially) in seeing other shows back in Melbourne, though for the most part just sung and while still a lovely song for the melodies and blending of vocals....VERY emotional when genuinely felt and acted in a way that has you believing the characters.

I won't go on as there will be more with tonight's show...just wanted to post in case anyone on here is at the show tonight??? Come and say "Hello!" Front row seats 7 & 8 on the left aisle.

Good. I really thought you'd love Lucy. What did you think about Roberta? You seemed a little vague my dear

Vague...moi?? Wanted to reserve final judgment till tonight due to the excitement of being in Stuttgart and Smarties overdose....lol did you see how BIG the containers were when you were here? Lil' Witchy has a stash hidden in her suitcase!

Okay...having attended the Melbourne finale of Wicked, I expected the Stuttgart to be something extra special and this was beyond all expectations. From the moment we entered the theatre the buzz was in the air and excitement on everyone's faces. We were handed a glow stick on entry with instructions to use during 'Wie ich bin' lol and NOT to throw them! All the cast were excited and much like the Melbourne finale...it was a shared experience with interaction between the audience and cast. Began with Lucy's "It's good to see me..." in German of course but knowing the lines by heart knew...audience responded as well which was acknowledged by a noticeable delay before continuing. The cast threw in little surprises along the way to entertain each other as well as the fans...beginning with Dr. Dillamonth wearing sunglasses and saying he could not recognise anything in handing out the essays as he had just got back from holidays int the Maldives...with Galinda following suit in saying you can't pronounce my name but you can pronounce Maldives?? Not that I understood ANY of this but lucky for me I had my personal German translator sitting next to me.

Apologies but head cold in full force and memory a little phased so maybe anyone else who attended can add what I may miss? When Fiyero appears prior to Elphaba going to the Emerald City...he splits the bunch of flowers he is holding giving Glinda a bunch first and then one to Elphaba and when Elphaba asks Glinda to join her...she presents her with a pink suitcase which was just hysterical. As they come back out from their costume change....Glinda is blowing bubbles at Elphaba which was so amusing! The cast seemed to be playing what seemed to be joke tag.

All the songs were performed with gusto....so much more than the night before which even Boo commented on. The cornfield scene was hysterical in that Roberta twirled her broom to match Glinda's infamous ninja twirl and had her laughing so hard that Roberta also could not hold her reaction. It was such a FUN night and both Lucy and Roberta had such fabulous chemistry and genuine affection for each other which was a true joy to witness.

Roberta is not my ultimate Elphaba but she gave a phenomenal performance and her Gutes Tune was one of the best I have ever witnessed...she received a standing ovation for this rendition. Also Mathias was the first Fiyero who while not swoon worthy for me personally, at least had great stage presence and a voice to match...enjoyed his performance and 'So lang ich dich hab' was truly a passionate rendition...Roberta shined during this song and they are without a doubt the best couple I have seen perform this song live...I believed them! We were also handed streamers to throw and roses..bunches of them which was pretty amazing. LOL I throw like a girl so mine did not make it past the orchestra pit!

Okay...must pack for our journey tomorrow morning but would love to hear from anyone else who attended who can add to my thoughts...this is hardly a review...more quick notes on a great night! Oh and Boo took video of the curtain call...we were allowed to take photos at that stage which was a coo...we will post once we get a chance.

Omg I LOVE IT!!!

And I am so glad you loved Lucy so much. She is such a beautiful, perfect Glinda. I really am a little sad to never see that again.

Aww @ Fiyero splitting the flowers too!!

I'm really curious about the Nessa understudy and it's very simple - was she Asian or Caucasian?

As for Michael/Dillamonth - lmfao, what medicine was he on? Love Lucy's reply, though. ^^

I'm glad you had a great time and I'm also glad you recognized Roberta's two strongest songs, it means I'm not imagining it.

Thanks for this quick report btw, none of the Germans have said/written ANYTHING yet, they must've gone straight to bed.

That made me laugh because it's exactly the same case here

I think Roberta is up there with the best Wicked vocalists and I actually think I prefer her DG to Willemijn's. Vocally I didn't see a giant gulf between them, although Willemijn manages to hit higher notes towards the end of DG during her belt. I think from that perspective Roberta is stunning.

I've just seen the TV clip, both you and David (David was his name, right?) were shown; they also let him talk for a bit, about how you flew 29 hours from Melbourne just to see Wicked in Stuttgart.

Yay it was on TV...was wondering and hoping so cause they interviewed David for some time. Will email Thomas to see if we can get a copy of the telecast...although he would have still been in Stuttgart...when did it air? Will be back online this Saturday once I get to my next stop in Nuremberg and add more about the show. No one from here went to the finale???

All seems like a dream now but it was a GREAT show even with Roberta cracking during DG was too excited in posting about the event lol may ALSO have had something to do with the free drinks before the show and my head cold which had my ears buzzing during a few of the songs after sneezing but David confirmed same..voice definitely cracked. Though in meeting Roberta the night before...such a sweetheart and so humble, forgivable....she was doing all the shows since Willemijn left on the 6th?

David flew in direct from Melbourne to Frankfurt and then a train from there to Stuttgart..his trip was 29 hours total to get there that night...I was already in Germany to see Tanz the night before...though have no doubt he embellished in parts being an actor in a previous life! TheSitar I SOoooo understand your adoration of Mark after seeing him perform live. I've always visualised a dark haired Fiyero so maybe that had much to do with my lack of attention previously. However, after seeing his portrayal as Fiyero in the Musical Gala the other night (saw on the 10th in Berlin atm)...the MOST believable I have EVER seen live! Ha he actually got my attention during the opening number from Pippin....exposed chest which had my eyes following him around the stage almost as much as Willejimjn! He performed well in all the numbers but for me the Wicked segment was the true test and he scored perfectly! Great voice, such smooth moves...sooo natural and almost cat like in motion...giving off such a confident air on stage...lol could have something to do with the six pack abs under the vest and shirt! I really wish I had of seen both him and Willemijn for a full show and not just the mini segment...THOUGH had it not been for Willemijn being pulled from the finale...may not have seen the gala, so in a way it all worked out perfectly! Except for the fact did not get meet Willemijn in person as I had hoped but got to meet Mark after the show at the merchandise stand who said she would not be attending. Was on such a high after the show and silly I know BUT almost cried as I walked out the doors into the icy snow...was a mix of trip lag and the expectation in planning the trip for soooo long I guess...I can't believe my reaction now in writing this.

I will post a separate review for the Gala in this forum later if the laptop I'm using lasts the distance otherwise will be a few days sorry! Some pics in the meantime from the finale! A little blurry but at least something.

Ooh and a few days ago in Nuremberg saw a snippet on tv about the show moving to Oberhausen...lol by the time I grabbed my camera it was over! Showed behind the scenes in the enormity of packing up the show...did not understand a word of what was said except for Oberhausen but could make out from the gestures and the fact I KNOW it's moving, to make out the rest!

Aaahhh I can't WAIT to hear all about BOM!! I am dying here.

I love your pictures too. Awww Roberta, awww Lucy, adore them so much. Totally envious of you now

I think the number of shows where Roberta DIDN'T crack in DG is very small.
No, Melanie played on Jan 8, 10 (eve), 12, 13, 14, 22, 24 (mat) and Maria played on 16 (eve).


YESSSS!! I'm so happy somebody agrees with me!