This is going to be a review from the 17th (Chandra Lee Schwartz’s last) and the matinee from the 21st (after Amanda Jane Cooper had taken over the role of Glinda. Does anyone know why the switched in the middle of the run?) Amanda was very cute and tiny. She wasn’t as ditzy or spazzy as Chandra, and didn’t change her voice (Chandra does a higher/dumber voice in Act I). She spoke every word very clearly and properly. There were a few awkward moments when the timing was off. I believe there was a different conductor on, so that could’ve been it too. There were also four swings on. The music cut Amanda off in No One Mourns the Wicked, so “secrets” got buried by the orchestra. Even though only one cast member was replaced, the entire show seemed different. There was a whole new energy and feeling to it. Act I wasn’t all that great; Amanda is still growing into the role. Her comedic timing was off in Act I. Chandra had everything polished and perfected. She knew when to pause for applause. Amanda cut the applause short when she started speaking too soon a few times. She also looked a bit confused for the first few scenes. She was unsure whether she should be singing No One Mourns the Wicked with the cast or not, and her voice is lower than Chandra’s so it sounded different too. Some movements are still mechanical. She “faints/swoons” right before the Wizard and I, and she ended up not falling back smoothly. She sort of squatted and ran backwards into Pfanee and Shen-shen’s arms. She did the leg pop a few counts before the “ting” sound in What is this Feeling. Amanda doesn’t play Glinda as “blonde” as Chandra does, which makes her seem a little bit meaner. She does make some things make more sense. I guess she’s more thoughtful about the role, since it’s fresh. She acts more confused by Madame Morrible’s meanness and just generally responds to things differently than Chandra. She also seems to dance more, and to talk more with Fiyero. In Popular, she adds lots of shimmies, and also does the bow to the shoes gesture, which the audience loved. She does some plies and squats to get the wand ready. The people behind me loved her as Glinda, and someone else in the audience seemed shocked when she found out Amanda was new to the role. Jackie does a more giggly cackle in Popular, to fit Amanda’s. It’s really hilarious; Jackie’s cackles/laughs are so funny.

With Amanda being new to the role, Jackie seemed really polished. All of her gestures and everything were perfect, and her timing was exact. She was good today, but for Chandra’s last, she was amazing! She hit everything flawlessly, and her voice was so powerful! Today, she was still good, but she had more time with Chandra to make everything flow more effortlessly. Jackie does a mock-Glinda spaz in What is this Feeling, but Amanda doesn’t play Glinda as spazzy, so it wasn’t as funny. The spots around her eyes weren’t quite as green as they should’ve been; it made her eyes look really wide and kind of like she had a sunglasses tan. (hehe) During this performance, there was a lot of stepping down stage, onto the extended platform, on accident. If any of you are still going to see the show, watch Jackie dancing during Wiz-O-Mania, when they sing honeymooning. Haha!

There were a few messed up lines, but nothing serious. Stefanie’s microphone was off for a line or two in Wicked Witch of the East, but they hurried to get it back on.

Act II was so much better! Amanda seemed much more comfortable, and I enjoyed her performance much more. (Sorry, I know I shouldn’t directly be comparing Amanda and Chandra, but the shift is so random/obvious to obsessed people like me.) Her voice sounded great; the lower notes were strong during I’m Not That Girl reprise. The wand twirling needed a little work. It got caught on her dress at the end. She also threw Jackie’s hat sideways, but Jackie has good hand-eye coordination, and caught it. No Good Deed was incredible at the matinee!

For Chandra’s last, there was such high energy. Everything moved seamlessly. No mistakes. It didn’t seem like Chandra’s last either; she didn’t seem to be sad, she was just playing Glinda like she did any other night. I took some notes on certain mannerisms this cast did (like Jackie’s “superior” *giggle* in The Wizard and I, the *toss, toss* *cackle* WHAT?!, “yessss…” during the Lion Cub scene, Chandra’s poof-woosh in Popular, and Jackie’s growling). Chandra started crying from when Elphaba reads the note that says Fiyero is dead. She kept wiping her cheeks and her face. She had a few wavery notes, and they hugged forever during For Good. There was no speech, but Jackie gave Chandra her own bow at the end. They should’ve given her flowers or something. Chandra is so awesome; I wish her the best of luck in whatever she moves onto.