The day started at 10am with the Emerald Curtain tour which I loved! I didn't necessarily learn a lot but Sean & Tony were very funny guides, the props were great to see etc. When inside the auditorium I couldn't help but notice a few things about the set, in comparison to London....
...Firstly, it is MUCH lower! I'd say by a good foot. From the second row I could see the entire stage floor - something you can't do in London until about 8 rows back. The stage was also wider (just) and SIGNIFICANTLY deeper - massively so! Also, the set is so much more beautiful and ornate on broadway. I could help notice that the arches that serve as the wings had beautiful murals on them which london doesn't have. Also the stair case and all the timber frames looked a much better quality and much more authentic. Also the stage wraps around the theatre much more on Broadway.
ANYHOW, bring on the evening. We enter the Gershwin at 7 and I go straight to the cast board and 'At this performance the role of GLINDA will be played by LAURA WOYASZ'. Now don't get me wrong, I know that standbys and understudies are great but given that this was my first and only trip to see Wicked I was slightly dissapointed that I had a standby, but definitely would have preferred the Glinda standby to an Elphaba standby. So I was still psyched. We booked our tickets a while ago and were row Q right in the centre [107, 108] which were stunning seats. I We were just close enough to see facial expressions but far enough to fully appreciate all of the intricacies and nuances of the set (which was important for me, because I wanted to see the differences!).
Before I review the performances, I want to comment on the differences, West End vs. Broadway. This may take a while....
Firstly - the curtain lies in front of the cogs on Bway, whereas it is behind on the West End. Also, the cogs at the front MOVE to make the stage smaller or larger on broadway, but are stationary in the West End. The lighting on Broadway is so far superior it makes the West End look amateur! The lighting helps create depth on the stage and perfectly accentuates leading actors from background scenery from ensemble members. I can't quantify or put into words how mesmerised I was just by the lighting! I especially liked how the cogs at the back (that form the backdrop) have a BIG space that lets you tell what time of day it is! We have that in London but the gaps are tiny and the effect is rubbish! I was most moved by the 'moonlight' in the governers mansion in Nessarose's scene in act 2 but also like how obvious it was during popular that it had become morning! I thought the lighting when the monkey cages opened was much better on broadway as the light seemed much more organic here - it was just fabulous.
SET PIECES - In the DTL scene - around the top of the stage are these autumnal leaves (sort of) that we just don't have in the west end. Also Fiyero's cart is 'horse drawn' on Broadway, but not in the West End. In the ballroom scene - the circle of light surrounding the stairs makes the whole scene look much more beautiful. In OSD - the hot air balloon wizard just doesn't exist in the UK [WHY? I think it's fabulous!!]. The stacks that slide on and off stage - there are 4 on broadway but only 2 in the west end. Also, the hatch that they come up from in DG is INSPIRED! I love it. It makes it feel like they're actually in an attic! PLUS I love the way Glinda descends the stairs in INTG® - sooo effective! Also, the bridge is in a difference place in the West End. In London it's at the front of the stage and Elphaba & Fiyero run across it out of the classroon towards the poppyfield, but on Bway they don't. - the bridge is further back and is also used in TG - great!! In the wizards chamber in act 2, the wizards pops out from behind the cogs so you're less like to see him but in London he runs in from the side of the stage! The yellow brick road is larger on broadway, as is the (beautiful!!) staircase in the For Good scene - plus Chistery comes in from a different side.
***Anyway, basically what I'm trying to say is that for production values Broadway completely shits all over the West End - it was incredible***
NOW, the performance.
The orchestra were phenomenal and much more powerful than London and the ensemble sounded so strong at the beginning - amazing! Laura descended her bubble and I was so nervous because a) I've never experienced an American Glinda and
She was a standby but from the delivery of her first line, I was hooked. She was so regal, and knowing and you just knew instantly why everybody loved her, respected her & adored her. Not only is she an absolutely STUNNING Glinda, her voice was out of this world. Her acting was absolutely top notch and she has GREAT character development - just amazing! Her popular was HILARIOUS & her TG was heart-breaking. I love her, I actually love her! I know everyone says KRC is unbelievable but I don't care - I genuinely can't imagine somebody being better than Laura - which is exactly how a standby should be!! She didn't come out of the stage door though, which was a shame.MANDY - I just didn't like her
I'm so gutted that I didn't but I just wasn't convinced by her acting. It was wooden in places and a bit ghetto. She had some good stuff but It just wasn't enough for me. Although she has a great belt, she was off key at time (not on the money notes, but in other places). I really wanted to like her but I was so dissapointed. Maybe it's an American thing but I just didn't *GET* her interpretation, if there even was one. I just didn't connect with her and her less than stellar voice didn't help (altho, her money notes/riffs were definitely there!). I feel awful for not liking her because she was so unbelievably sweet at the stage door. ANDY KARL - Great. Great voice, lots of attitude/arrogance. Fiyero's a bit of a 'meh' part for me, but he was great. Very impressed. He didn't come out of the stage door though.
JENNY FELLNER - LOVED HER! Her Nessa was great. Emotional and meek in act 1 and devastated in act 2. Beautiful, genuinely! PLUS she was very nice at the SD.
KATHY FITZGERALD - Brilliant! A softer Morrible but it worked, very well! Her English accent was great, as well! The only criticism is the very end of her 'denouncing' speech - i like a really strong and spine-chilling 'WITCHHHHHH' which she didn't deliver on, but it worked with her character.
PJ BENJAMIN - He can sing, act and dance! Great!
ALEX BRIGHTMAN - He was fine. I can't get excited about Boq but he was good. Great voice, nice acting choices.
TIMOTHY BRITTEN PARKER - He was SO NICE at the stage door. I like Dillamond's character, and he played it very well although he 'BAAAs' weren't the best I've heard.
***
Right, I've rambled on for long enough. Any Qs feel free to ask
