-General notes
-This was my 13th time seeing Wicked over the past six years.
-Full cast except for Samantha Zack as Witch's Mother, and Amanda Rose and Lindsay Janisse as swings. I couldn't tell whose tracks they were in.
-The audience was okay. Not overly enthusiastic.
-Some aspects of Wicked are quite weak, but the good outweighs the bad. It still draws me in and moves me every time.
-Great flash at the end of DG.
Rondi's BC/EFA speech cracked me up. So did the flatheads. They get me every time.
-I'd forgotten how slow the lift is. It takes away from the effect a little bit.
The Wizard now says "look what you've done" instead of just "look" when he reveals that the monkeys have wings. I think the change was unnecessary.
-I love how Glinda now walks toward Fiyero when he has his gun pointed at her. It's very powerful.
-I was a blubbering mess during For Good. Even moreso than usual.
-It is COLD inside the Gershwin!

Ensemble
Not the best I've seen, but they were solid. No real standouts for me.

Timothy Britten Parker
He's okay. Seemed a little bored, but he's good enough.

Alex Brightman
I liked him before and he's gotten even better. He brings a sincerity to Boq that's refreshing. I really enjoyed watching him.

Jenny Fellner
She made some nice acting choices, but nothing stood about her portrayal stood out to me. She's clearly talented and I wish she'd bring more to the role.

P.J. Benjamin
Poor guy seemed to be sick or something because he lost his voice a few times. I thought for sure he wouldn't be able to make it through the show, but he managed to give a good performance. He actually seemed less bored than when I saw him a year ago.

Rondi Reed
Fantastic as always. She doesn't command the stage like some Morribles do and she doesn't really change up her performance, but she's clearly having a blast and giving it her all. Her "wicked witch" was the best I've heard from her. Brava.

Andy Karl
He is everything you'd want in a Fiyero. Good acting, good singing, good dancing. Very strong performance.

Katie Rose Clarke
Katie did the impossible. She surpassed Kristin as my favorite Glinda. I believe with all my heart that she is the best Glinda Wicked has had so far. She was less spastic that she was on tour in '08, which was a nice surprise. Her performance was great to begin with and it has improved tremendously. She now fully owns the role. Her stage presence has grown a lot and her comic timing is much better. Her acting is so multi-dimensional, layered, and real. She brings out all aspects of Glinda. Everything about her portrayal is perfect to me.

Mandy Gonzalez
I thought this would be a case of someone being overhyped already. I as wrong. She ran onstage with a big smile on her face and won me over right away. Mandy's Elphaba at the beginning was very happy and quick to snap. She was missing some vulnerability. She got better with every scene. I never would have guessed this was her first week. She brings so much to the role and has her own unique take on it. Once she found Elphaba's vulnerability, her performance was nearly flawless. Like Katie, she brought out all aspects of the character. She really listens to the other actors and her reactions are great. She's very charismatic and her voice fills the theatre. She hit some jaw-dropping notes. Mandy's transformation from Elphaba to the "Wicked Witch of the West" was the best I've seen from anyone. She completely nailed it. It was very gradual, which is why it worked so well. She was always in the moment and I believed her every step of the way.

Stage door
There were only a few people there, which surprised me. I got autographs from PJ, Alex, Katie, Rondi, Andy, and Mandy. They were all really friendly. I told Andy that I'm a fan of Orfeh and he said "me too." Mandy seemed genuinely touched when I told her how impressed I was with her performance. I got pictures with Katie and Mandy. I forgot to ask Andy.

Afterthoughts
This is one of the best casts Wicked has had. Run, don't walk, to see them. Mandy and Katie are such a strong team. Their voices don't blend that well, but their connection is wonderful and will only get better.

I think that's it. Feel free to ask any questions.

Wonderful, wonderful review, Jessica.

ISN'T MANDY AMAZING? I'm so proud of her! Her Elphaba is incredible. Love her so much. Katie Rose is one of the best Glindas I've ever seen, she's just got it all down and owns the role. Also, yay for Andy/Alex!

I'm so so so happy about your review, I'm like beaming. It's kind of ridiculous.

Thanks for the review! Mandy sounds absolutely terrific and your review reminds me of how fantastic Katie is in the role.
I need to find a way to get to the Gershwin ASAP!

Nice review Jessica. I feel the exact opposite about Jenny,Mandy and Andy then you do though. I do agree about Katie Rose. She is perfection in my eyes. I also feel that it is one of the weakest casts I ever saw.

It seems that you prefer the more angry Elphabas and I prefer the softer ones. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy this cast very much (with the exception of the fabulous Katie). This cast got me more excited about Wicked than I have been in a long time. I'd see them again in a heartbeat if I could.

I do seem to prefer the more angry,stronger and smart allecked Elphie's for some reason(Julie,Steph,Anne and Marcie). Right now Katie Rose and Jenny F. are the highlights of the show for me. I do love Rondi and Alex but I have seen them so many times it's getting to be too much.

Great review Jessica! I'm glad you liked Mandy and Katie's performances. I want to see Mandy so bad.

The change was so unnecessary that when I recently saw it in New Orleans- I didn't even catch that.
When Glinda walked towards the gun the past four times I saw it here on the 1st Tour in New Orleans, I thought it was just a personal choice to do. Guess not. I loved it though. Makes it so much more powerful and allows Elphaba more time backstage.